Thoughtful Thursday...

Photo: Stormy Sea by John Kirkwood

Inspiration can come from anywhere. Pinterest, for example, is a plethora of inspirational quotes, pictures, memes....my "Notable Quotes" board is a testament to this fact. Like....

• Friendly reminder that "Doing Your Best" does not mean working yourself to the point of a mental breakdown. 

You have no idea how many times a day I quote this to myself.

How about this one...

• The same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg. It's about what your made of, not the circumstances.

In a few minutes of alone time the other day (meaning the youngest is napping, the older two are at school, and I'm puffing away on the elliptical), a statement in a book I was reading caught my attention. A fictional pastor in the story made a statement that gave me pause:

• "If we are sons and daughters of Christ, why do we live as orphans? Why do we limp along as if we haven't been given the Kingdom of God?"

I've been mulling this over for the last few days....

Since our church is looking forward to Ladies Array in a few weeks, I have been preparing for the two classes I will be teaching...one of which is so appropriately named: "Master, the Tempest is Raging." If you find you need calm for an anxious heart, then this class may give you some Biblical insight into calming the raging tempests of life.

Who doesn't have situations arise that cause us to want to run to our bed, hide under the covers, and say: "I don't wanna'!"

I totally just channeled my inner four year old.

Life is known for being overwhelming, tasks seemingly too great, obstacles perceptibly insurmountable...but to the daughters of Christ I ask, "Why do we limp along as if we haven't been given the Kingdom of God?" We've been gifted so much by a loving Heavenly Father who demonstrated the ultimate sacrifice by sending us a Savior. Through Him we are heirs of an everlasting kingdom! Yet why do we limp along, struggling with the "what ifs", "if onlys" or "whys" of life?

It really comes down to perspective. Are we viewing our situation as Peter did when he stepped out of the boat onto a stormy sea? "Lord, save me!" he cried, beginning to sink. His focus had turned to the boisterous winds and waves instead of being steadfast on the One to whom he was walking.

Or do we view our situation as Joseph, who, in Genesis 45, is found comforting his brothers instead of retaliating against them. They had sold him into slavery, starting a domino effect of terrible and difficult circumstances. But Joseph did not focus on the "wrongness" of his situation. His focus was heavenward and because of this he saw a much bigger picture: "...for God did send me before you to preserve life." (Those are Joseph's words, not mine.) I'd say in the end Joseph ended up in a pretty sweet position and exactly where God wanted him: second in command to Pharaoh.

These are just a few of the lessons the Lord has been working in me as I prepare to teach this class....and I wanted to share a snippet with you.

Now as I close on this Thoughtful Thursday:

• May you never forget on your best day, that you still need God as desperately as you did on your worse day.

And with that...

Simply Being,