Magnetic Beauty

As we get older, we should be maturing a little bit more every year.

We should be able to look back at this time last year and say,
"I have learned so much since then."
And, we should be able to look ahead to this time next year and say,
"I will not be struggling with that anymore by then."

You can call it what you want:
GOALS
PRIORITIES
STEPS

All those things are correct.
But, I personally like to call it GROWTH.

Because staying the same is just not God's best for me....or you.
Staying the same means comfort and predictability and stagnant living.
Not growing means limiting ourselves to what we 've always done.
Like, staying a sprout when God calls us to shoot up towards the sky and bloom.

I want to bloom!
I want to flourish!
Don't you?

GROWTH is a sign of health and life.
It means we are letting God direct our steps.
Because HE wants us to GROW and CHANGE.

HE wants us to be so beautiful with our colorful petals that other sprouts and seedlings will look at us and want to GROW too.
Cause when we let God lead us in our GROWTH, we are magnetic in our beauty.

It's not a "look at me and how far I've come" kind of beauty.
It's not even an "I've worked so hard to get here" kind of beauty.

It's a "by His grace, for His glory" kind of beauty.

GOD breathed His life into me, watered me with His love, and warmed me with His touch.
I can't take any credit for where I am or who I have become.
It's all because of Jesus.

So this year, 2015, be intentional in your goals, priorities, and steps.
But don't forget the only ONE who can get you to your intended destination.

Ask Him to lead you in your GROWTH this year.
Surrender your plans to the ultimate Plan-maker and watch as God blooms in you.

It's not just about what we are becoming...it's also about what those around us are becoming.
When you bloom, they will too.

Let's be magnetic in our beauty this year....
And GROW in the grace and glory of our loving Saviour, Jesus.

"We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand - out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory,

standing tall and shouting our praise."

Romans 5:2 (msg)

 

 

"Grace" Expectations

How SMART are your goals for 2014?

Setting SMART goals makes success more achievable.

Ask yourself these questions:

Are my goals purposeful ?

Do I have them posted in front of my eyes to look at every day?

Am I giving myself a time-frame in which to complete them?

 Remember, making a mental note without putting pen to paper doesn't usually get you anywhere...

Motivational speaker and author Brian Tracey says,

 "Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines."

Let me extend some grace to you today, though....

BECAUSE our expectations almost always undermine our well-intentioned plans. 

That doesn't mean we shouldn't have plans....goals....resolutions...

It just means that we need to allow for life to interrupt them from time to time.

Here are some "Grace" Expectations for you (and me) to take to heart in 2014:

1. Give yourself grace if you miss a day on your new workout schedule.

Set your alarm clock for an early day tomorrow.

Start again.

2. Give yourself grace if you get writers block in the middle of attempting your first novel.

Listen to some mood music to clear your mind.

Then put down in words what God brings into your focus.

3. Give yourself grace if you eat that piece of cake after dinner when you are trying to cut out sweets.

Don't get discouraged and eat the whole cake in bed out of self-condemnation.

Get up the next day and eat a healthy breakfast.

4. Give yourself grace if you yelled at your little one last night when she spilled her milk at the table.

Remember that you, too, make mistakes.

Then apologize to your sweet baby and go drink some milk together. 

You see, we think that the beginning of the new year is the only time 
we can start over or begin again.

THAT IS A LIE!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says,

"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. 
The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

If Jesus is your Savior then every day is a new day. 

We are constantly living a life of "newness" when we follow Christ.

Second chances are freely given. 

And let's face it.

We all mess up from time to time.

Inconsistency and flaws are part of being human.

BUT GOD'S GRACE COVERS US AND ALLOWS US TO BEGIN AGAIN.

Every single day!

So, in regard to those new year's resolutions and high expectations, 

here's my recipe for success:

Set your goals.

If you miss the mark on some days, it's ok. 

Forgive yourself.

Thank God for His grace and that His mercies are new every morning.

Start over. 

REPEAT AS NEEDED

I DARE YOU

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 
which God prepared in advance for us to do."- Ephesians 2:10 

My word for 2014 is DARE. 

Dare to be 

Dare to create

Dare to believe

Dare to receive

Dare to give

Dare to go

Dare to feel

Dare to help

Dare to listen

Dare to accept

Dare to forgive

Those are just a few of the things God is calling me to do this next year...

What is it that God is daring you to do?

Dream again?

Step into the unknown?

Move forward and let go of the past?

Drown out lies with TRUTH.

Attack your fears with LOVE.

Rise above your past and SOAR.

Embrace your individuality and BE YOU. 

What does "dare" actually mean?

 1. To have the courage required for 

2. To challenge (someone) to do something requiring boldness

3. To confront or oppose boldly.

Let's put our daredevil capes on as we embark on a brand new year!

Go after it...

Fight against it...

Stand up for it...

Be it...

Whatever IT is...you can do IT!