About a month ago, I had what felt like a major disaster in my home.  As I was in the front part of the house, my husband came running to tell me that my shoes had fallen down in the closet.  I knew that this meant so much more because the shelf that held my shoes above it also hung my dresses below it.  As I went to the back to see the mess, it truly looked as if an earthquake had hit my closet.  I was so overwhelmed at the sight that I simply closed the door unwilling to deal with the issue at that very moment.

A few hours later, I devised a plan to begin the cleanup process. My daughter and niece assisted me in removing shoe box after shoe box from the closet and lining them against a wall in our bedroom so that we could  get to the dresses which were buried underneath.  As a short term solution, I placed all of the dresses on the bed in the guest room. With company coming in town for my niece’s wedding in less than two weeks, I pouted around the horrible timing but hurried to get present with the situation so I could devise a permanent fix.

I thought about the one shelf that had carried so much.  At least 20 shoe boxes above it and then still more hanging from it in compartments designed to hang down like shelves.  And then the dresses, at least 50 were hanging there.  Thinking about it now, that lone shelf was bound to fall.  The initial thought was to hurry and get someone to hang the shelf back up but then wisdom set in and I realized I could not do the same thing and expect a different outcome.

I got online and did a little research, made a few calls and then realized that this was the perfect time to assess my needs and be sure that the solution included everything I needed.  First and foremost I realized that the shelf needed some reinforcement.  I found a shelving system that begin with 6 ft beams running down the wall.  This system also had shelves so that I would not be tempted to makeshift hanging shelves and put additional pressure on the  primary shelf.  Since the wall was damaged, I put the replacement shelf a little higher on the wall.  This provided more room at the bottom for shoes and other items.  I realized through this process that the original shelf was really put up incorrectly.  There should have been reinforcements placed in the wall where no studs were present.  The nails had been placed directly into drywall.  With that deficiency and all the pressure from my stuff, the shelf was bound to fall.

For the last few weeks, I have been pondering over this as I go in and out of my “new” closet to get the things I need.  Every piece is secure, there is more efficient use of space.  I feel a sense of peace that I never used to feel in my closet.  This entire experience reminds me of us.  We continue to operate in our own strength.  We don’t operate fully in the power God has given us.  We don’t rest securely in God’s promises. The pressures of life keep piling on us until such time that we reach our breaking point and fall. Fall into sin, fall away from church, family, relationships that keep us accountable on life’s journey.

Just like the “new” closet I have, God can rebuild us and secure our futures.  Don’t kid yourself to think you’re exempt from falling.  Scripture tells us that a “just man falleth seven times, and riseth again, but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” (Proverbs 24:16) At our very best, we will fall, so why not operate at our very best. This best is not based on “doing good” or “earning favor”.  Those things are evidence that we understand our best is a life of awareness to “God’s grace” and “all that He has finished for us on the cross”.  With life’s demands and pressures on us, you’re bound to fall.  Why not fall securely into the arms of a loving God, who can help you to rise again?

About a month ago, I had what felt like a major disaster in my home.  As I was in the front part of the house, my husband came running to tell me that my shoes had fallen down in the closet.  I knew that this meant so much more because the shelf that held my shoes above it also hung my dresses below it.  As I went to the back to see the mess, it truly looked as if an earthquake had hit my closet.  I was so overwhelmed at the sight that I simply closed the door unwilling to deal with the issue at that very moment.

A few hours later, I devised a plan to begin the cleanup process. My daughter and niece assisted me in removing shoe box after shoe box from the closet and lining them against a wall in our bedroom so that we could  get to the dresses which were buried underneath.  As a short term solution, I placed all of the dresses on the bed in the guest room. With company coming in town for my niece’s wedding in less than two weeks, I pouted around the horrible timing but hurried to get present with the situation so I could devise a permanent fix.

I thought about the one shelf that had carried so much.  At least 20 shoe boxes above it and then still more hanging from it in compartments designed to hang down like shelves.  And then the dresses, at least 50 were hanging there.  Thinking about it now, that lone shelf was bound to fall.  The initial thought was to hurry and get someone to hang the shelf back up but then wisdom set in and I realized I could not do the same thing and expect a different outcome.

I got online and did a little research, made a few calls and then realized that this was the perfect time to assess my needs and be sure that the solution included everything I needed.  First and foremost I realized that the shelf needed some reinforcement.  I found a shelving system that begin with 6 ft beams running down the wall.  This system also had shelves so that I would not be tempted to makeshift hanging shelves and put additional pressure on the  primary shelf.  Since the wall was damaged, I put the replacement shelf a little higher on the wall.  This provided more room at the bottom for shoes and other items.  I realized through this process that the original shelf was really put up incorrectly.  There should have been reinforcements placed in the wall where no studs were present.  The nails had been placed directly into drywall.  With that deficiency and all the pressure from my stuff, the shelf was bound to fall.

For the last few weeks, I have been pondering over this as I go in and out of my “new” closet to get the things I need.  Every piece is secure, there is more efficient use of space.  I feel a sense of peace that I never used to feel in my closet.  This entire experience reminds me of us.  We continue to operate in our own strength.  We don’t operate fully in the power God has given us.  We don’t rest securely in God’s promises. The pressures of life keep piling on us until such time that we reach our breaking point and fall. Fall into sin, fall away from church, family, relationships that keep us accountable on life’s journey.

Just like the “new” closet I have, God can rebuild us and secure our futures.  Don’t kid yourself to think you’re exempt from falling.  Scripture tells us that a “just man falleth seven times, and riseth again, but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” (Proverbs 24:16) At our very best, we will fall, so why not operate at our very best. This best is not based on “doing good” or “earning favor”.  Those things are evidence that we understand our best is a life of awareness to “God’s grace” and “all that He has finished for us on the cross”.  With life’s demands and pressures on us, you’re bound to fall.  Why not fall securely into the arms of a loving God, who can help you to rise again?

It is becoming real clear to me that every individual who has the ability to positively influence many runs the risk of early extinction in one way or another.  The devil is pulling out all stops to silence those who speak, preach or even enforce peace.

I woke this morning with this thought in mind.  Scripture tells us to the put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).  In a very literal sense, when I look at the armor, it covers us as long as we are facing the enemy. I know and I believe that in the deepest sense, “God’s got our back”.  But practically speaking,  who do you interact with regularly that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt “has your back?”

I believe that we are being called out of our selfish, greedy, comfortable places to stand up for one another, and to have each other’s back. To sincerely pray for one another, to sincerely look out for one another, to give to one another in times of need, to lovingly support one another in times of grief and despair, to protect each other’s reputation, environment and body, to stop manipulating one another for our own selfish pleasures and gain.

The armor is personal accountability which allows us to face the enemy and be victorious. We need to be lovingly and sincerely accountable to each other so that the enemy can’t get to us from behind.  After all, who knowingly lets their enemy in that space anyway?  Ask yourself today, am I the “enemy” someone calls friend?  Will I commit to sincerely having someone’s back?

I can’t seem to quit thinking about an accident I witnessed the other day and the bigger life lesson I keep replaying in my head.

Sitting in a restaurant parking lot, waiting for space to open up to proceed forward, I witnessed two cars backing up at the same time. One vehicle parked in front of the restaurant was backing up and curving to the right. Another vehicle, parked facing the street with it’s back end toward the restaurant and a little further down, was backing up curving to its right also. It was almost like a match made in heaven. As both cars proceeded almost in concert with one other in movement, I said to myself, “neither of them is going to stop-they are going to collide”.

And it was as if the two cars were magnetically drawn to one another-BOOM!!! When they separated themselves and got out to look at the damage, it was amazing what great damage that impact made. I kept thinking there was more I could’ve done to head them off but quickly took the responsibility off myself considering how far down the parking lot I was.

What I couldn’t get out of my head was how each person had to be so focused on their next move and where they were trying to get to-that they never looked back to see who else was trying to get somewhere too! I keep getting a visual of that big gigantic dent that the Camry had from the impact of the truck. Perhaps that’s another message. We are all uniquely designed and many of us are better equipped to handle the pressures of life than others. It’s even more imperative then that we not only focus on the moves we must make but recognize their impact on others around us.

Philippians 2:4 is a word of encouragement today. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

By doing so, we lessen the “blow” of otherwise not doing so.

If you ever watch the news during times of intense storms it is probable you will hear the weatherman encouraging those in low lying areas to “move to higher ground”.

In Colossians 3:12-17, Paul admonishes the called of Christ to take the higher ground. First he reminds us who we are and then he teaches us how we should respond to others. “Spend no time trying to impress, be gentle and ready to forgive, let love guide, let peace always be present and let all you say be representative of He who called you”.

No one is exempt from having to deal with difficult people. At work, at home, even at church, there are those we’d rather not have to deal with. If we are honest, in certain situations there are others who’d rather not deal with us. Reality is these relationships are equally important in building our character.

I encourage you today to see these relationships as opportunities to represent Christ in this storm tossed world. Know who you are in Him and be always willing to take the Higher Ground!

When I am feeling down or going through something, my preference is to have those I love close by to listen, advise, pray or whatever role God leads them to play at that time. For some, this may be a familiar response, but for others their desire at times like these may be a polar opposite. Many will tell you that at these times, their preference is to retreat and steal away to process matters for themselves and to quietly meditate. The good news today is there is no right or wrong way to manage these times.

We see clear examples of times before going to the cross that Jesus himself would steal away to pray or hear from God. Other times, like when the woman touched the hem of His garment, He exhibited great strength amongst the crowds!

The real evaluation is with self. What is your authentic self? Do you make it a habit of speaking YOUR truth? It’s so easy to do what seems best for others, to not want to “hurt” anyone, to keep “peace” with everyone by suppressing what’s best for you. I recently experienced this type of situation where I sat for 20 minutes in total frustration of someone else’s decision without taking some action that would better serve me! When asked why I did nothing, my response was that I didn’t want to disturb the others in the group who were quietly concentrating at the time. By doing nothing, I created a very tense situation for me!

Realize today that you have not been called to be the sacrificial lamb! He has already come!!!! Evaluate your “space requirements” and Speak Your truth!! It’s the beginning of leading a fulfilled life and ensuring that you and your needs are properly served!

In its simplest form investment is defined as the act of investing money to gain profitable returns. While this may appear at face value to only relate to business or personal financial transactions such as stock, this definition clearly applies to our personal development investments as well.

As I evaluate our investment decisions, I’m concerned that far too many of us make many sacrificial investments in our outer layer but that’s as far as we are willing to go. As women, we ensure our budget, no matter how strained or stretched it may be, includes weekly nail and hair appointments. When asked to consider making an investment in our personal development, we balk at the thought of spending money on ourselves in areas that will give us life changing tools to succeed and change for the better from the inside out!

This choice is not a new phenomenon. The rich young ruler was grieved at the thought of selling his possessions and giving the money to the poor. Perhaps he had placed his hope and trust in his possessions. What about us? Have we been misled to believe that our outward appearance will gain us profitable returns while our inner beauty and longings go unnurtured. Our total being is mind, body, soul and spirit. Any of these areas left unfed or underdeveloped results in retardation and sometimes death. A great visual example is the view of a nice looking banana appearing ready to be devoured, however, a peel back of its outer layer uncovers lots of rotten places rendering it not fit to eat.

I ask you today to prayerfully consider the investments you are making in yourself. In addition to your outer beauty treatments, are you investing in programs or reading material to aid you in exploring your inner beauty, healing your inner hurts and motivating you to pick up broken pieces and begin to live and dream again? Open yourself up to investments in the deeper parts of yourself. I guarantee you these investments will yield greater long lasting results!

Restructurings are commonplace in business and can take on a variety of forms:  relocation, outsourcing, bankruptcy, merger and acquisition -to name a few.  In most cases, the purpose of any restructure is to receive some form of gain anticipated such as increased profit or greater control or efficiencies.  These types of actions are viewed by most as negative, especially when the new structure results in increased job demands on remaining employees due to reduced staff support. Additionally, there can be increased job insecurity and simultaneously reduced flexibility as the organization’s culture changes during these times.

In Acts 6, when the complaint arose that the widows were being neglected, a restructuring of sorts took place. It was the conflict between the Hellenists and the Hebrews that led to a change in community structure that would better serve the community’s needs.

To this end, I think it is safe to say, that restructuring while seldom highly regarded by those affected, can be very beneficial.  I would extend my opinion further by saying that an assessment should be made in the lives of every person desiring greater growth, joy and fulfillment as to whether a restructure of some magnitude is needed to achieve the desired results.

Recently, within my own home, I identified a few areas that needed immediate restructure.  A few patterns existed that I identified would have long term detrimental effects if they were allowed to continue. These were my family’s eating and sleeping habits.  Some suggestions I have implemented have been met with resistance at times but the benefits we have witnessed have far outweighed the costs of the changes.

I ask you today, have you assessed the areas of your life to consider a possible restructuring?  So many of us are looking for transformation in so many areas of our lives.  We must rethink our deeply rooted beliefs and open ourselves up to change.  It is with the renewing of our minds that the transformations we desire will come!

The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, Blessed be the name of the Lord! (Job 1:21b). It’s so interesting to see in 1 Kings 17 that even after decreeing the drought, the Lord still made provision for the prophet Elijah….at least for a season. It is not known exactly for how long but in just a few verses we learn that the place of provision was depleted. God further instructed Elijah to go meet a woman who would further provide for him. In her limited view, the woman expressed she only had enough for one meal for her and her son. Her plan was to prepare the one meal for them and then die. The faith that she had in the instructions she received changed her life forever and are worth taking note of-“Give to me (Elijah) FIRST and you will have provision throughout the season of drought (paraphrased).”

I’m asking you several questions today. First, why are you not living in your season of “more than enough” in spite of the world’s view of the state of the economy? Secondly, “what’s in your house that you are holding on to because your level of faith or limited belief says that it’s all you have and you can’t make it without it? Thirdly, are you properly positioned to receive instruction from the Lord? And lastly, when you hear His voice how do you respond?

Statistics show that less than 20% of Americans are living a fulfilled life. So many of us take the outside in approach to trying to find happiness. We look at others around us and we want them to give to us or change toward us to make us happy. Consider the inside out approach for more sustained and fulfilled success. First, believe in yourself!! God has given you everything you need to succeed. It is WITHIN YOU. Be the change you want to see. Look deep and don’t be afraid of giving yourself, your time, your money, your talent. God will lead you to the right places and lead the right people to you.

Quit thinking that your provision and place of destiny is totally tied to someone else’s actions. If you think about it, your passions are within and no one else can even know them unless you share-NO ONE. When God fearfully and wonderfully made you, He sealed your “box” with these precious words, “EVERYTHING IS INCLUDED”!

It truly is amazing when you stop to realize that no matter how much we look like our parents or siblings, that every single person in this entire world is different in some way-each of us with our own unique and incredible design- created for us to be a blessing to the world we live in! Wow!

Once you understand this and are ready to bring your uniqueness to the surface, it is extremely important to surround yourself with the right team of supporters to incubate your gift before its release, its birth. Consider this team very carefully. The tendency is to go to familiar people and places to share your dreams. Yet, the reality is these might be the very places that your giftings are aborted or at a minimum stalled. The people closest to you love you and want the “best” for you. Often times that becomes what looks safe and secure from their eyes. In an attempt to shield you, they may inflict their fears upon you and in the end you find yourself suppressing your inner longings even longer.

I encourage you today to prayerfully consider your team of supporters and nurturers for your unique calling. Recognize how personal the calling is and choose those who have the same faith, courage and perseverance to aid you in a smooth delivery.