Go to bed late.
Wake up early.
Run, run, run all day long.
But with intention? Have I loved and given and lived today with intention?
I started to think about this late last night. I was thinking about how frequently we let fear choose our path.
Fear of what we might become.
Fear of where we might end up.
That fear can be paralyzing. Keeps us from action. Can make you feel like you are drowning and like you just can't do it. So you do nothing at all.
Or maybe that's just me.
Confession time. There are days, I cry on my way to work (I have an almost 40 minute commute so I think a lot on those drives to and from work when it's the only time I'm alone without husband or kids around). And I don't mean that in a bad way.
It's cleansing. It sometimes just literally swells over me like a mighty wave in the ocean.
While I drive, I listen to worship music and I pray a lot. I pray for lots of people. And I pray for my people. My family. My kids. My husband. My parents. My brother and sister and their families. I pray for my family of friends that surround us. And sometimes, that swell of love just overtakes me.
I pray for God's grace. I pray for mercy. I pray for direction for my own path that day.
I want to be helpful and to make a difference and effect good things in other peoples lives. I pray for that everyday. That I can be what I'm needed to be that day wherever God needs me.
I want to do those things intentionally. I just don't know if at the end of the day, I've done those things. Or all the things I could have done.
I start off everyday with the best of intentions. But did I do enough?
Am I living it out from the time I wake until the time I close my eyes, am I living with such intention that I serve God in all that I do?
Or do I get too busy, too distracted, too caught up in the rush that I forget?
Friends, Life is Short. If there is one thing I've learned through my journey in life it's that everyday, you have a new chance at LIVING WITH INTENTION. And you get little chances to refocus to that point, all day long.
My dear friend Jen told me on a road trip we were on many years ago, she said, "Trish, the devil delights in seeing your life fall apart". At the time, my life was in turmoil. I was battle weary. The devil will tell you a lot of lies about yourself and if you're tired and let your guard down, you start to believe those lies. And he starts to win. And it's gut wrenching the havoc the Devil can cause in your life.
I have held on to those words Jen spoke as such TRUTH and I'm so grateful she spoke them to me that day. I remind myself all the time when I think "I can't. I'm not capable. Not me." When those fears start to creep in and chip away at what I believe about myself, I remember that the Devil himself is behind those lies. He is so real and I find determination in building strength to stand against his wave of deceit and destruction that he tries to bring into all of our homes.
Because the truth is, I CAN. I AM CAPABLE. WHY NOT ME!
Friends, YOU CAN. YOU ARE CAPABLE. WHY NOT YOU!
I have more than a few friends who are weathering a storm of their own right now. I'm speaking to you. The Devil delights in watching your foundations crumble around you. Put up your shield. Pull out your sword and do battle. When you get weary, lean on God because the only way to victory, is through TRUSTING in the Lord, not being fearful. Don't believe the lies the devil puts in your head - he is dancing with delight each time you stumble. Steal his joy!
It was not easy to weather the storms I've been in. It would have been easier to give up, give in. But the reward has been so great. What I received is a confidence in what God has brought into my life, a knowledge that I am stronger than I thought, and a peace that fear can't steal.
I might falter for a moment. But I find my focus usually pretty quickly again. I'm so grateful.
For God. For Family. For friends.
Live with intention. Each day. Prepare for your battles. Fight the good fight. Be the good. YOU CAN. YOU ARE CAPABLE.
WHY NOT YOU?! OF COURSE, YOU!
God is good. Let's pray for one another. If you need it, leave a prayer request and let all of us who read it, lift you up.
Two different antibiotics plus a third that was a topical cream and a boat load of Motrin for pain. My teeth were killing me! By Friday, I went in for "surgery" and for a stay that they said would be about 3 days for IV antibiotics except about 2 hours before we went in...I started to get better. At least I thought so. I took a picture before I got in the shower that day and then showed my doctor that photo up next to my face and said, "SEE! SEE! Looks a little better doesn't it?!". He didn't look very convinced but he finally agreed that I did seem to be a teeny tiny bit better...and so he said we could hold off for the moment and see how things go. RE - FREAKING -LIEF!