Gratitude

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” Martin Luther King Jr.

Doing the right thing....it's not always easy. In fact....sometimes it's darn hard. But not doing the right thing is worse.

Erin Brokovitch took a stand for what she knew was right even though at first she stood alone against the bullying and intimation of those she opposed. Erin knew the truth and she cared enough about others to fight for it.

Truth is a weird thing....sometimes I know the truth but something in me wants to turn away. I don't want to become caught up in disagreements or fights. But there are things way too important to sit back and pretend I don't know about, especially if it's something that hurts others. 

This week I"m grateful for people who took a stand for 'right' and refused to back down. Reading about these people.....the courage they had...the backbone to stand against powerful forces....I'm not sure I could do a fraction of what they did. These people totally inspire me.

-Martin Luther King, Jr. - the man had guts. He stood for truth... fought for equality...no matter what they did to him.  
-Erin Brokovitch - Those she opposed tried to silence her voice but truth pushed her to stand strong.
-Irene Sandler - She put her own life at risk to protect so many Jewish lives.
-Harriet Tubman....she knew the truth that God created everyone equal. She defied everything to free slaves again and again and again.  
-My faith in a God who gives me courage to do the right thing even when I'm afraid. And even when I stand alone.....I'm never alone. He's there always.....standing with me. 

Brave

Linking with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday and Laura at Beholding Glory 

“You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” Stephen King

Being brave....doesn't come easy. Fears get in the way. They hold me back. They make me doubt myself, my abilities, even my goals. But I don't want to live mediocre. I want to listen to my heart and go for it. 

Being brave.....I hem and haw and wonder about all the what ifs. 
Being brave....it's not a simple yes or no, stay or go. It's a conflict inside...a battle of sorts that pulls and pushes me forward than back then forward again. I drive myself crazy....debating all sides of the thing until nothing is left to debate. 

Being brave....it's not in me. But it's in Him and He's in me and His brave becomes my brave.....and I finally remember I can do anything and everything because...... 

It's Your love that cuts the strings. You make me want to be brave.....

Courage

 Linking with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday & Laura at Beholding Glory & Wendy at Sunday Link-up

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear"  Ambrose Redmoon

Friends always tell me I have courage....the guts to do what they can't. I don't often feel very brave. I actually feel pretty chicken-hearted every time I need to do something that's different or a challenge. I drive myself and everyone around me crazy.... wondering if I should do the thing or not.  But then I think.....what would happen if I don't.....That's when I know....I have to take that risk. I have to go for that thing.

And if He's with me.....it'll turn out okay. It's Him that makes the difference. It's Him that gives me the courage to go for it. It's Him that makes me brave when everything in me is screaming 'run.' 'don't do it.' And I think it's even Him that puts me in those scary situation.....to stretch me...to help me reach higher....and to live better.

Let the weak say I am strong.....

Soaring

 “One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.” Helen Keller 

I didn't know all I had to do was ask... It sounded too simple. But yesterday that's what I did. I asked and all of a sudden the thing I wanted came. The people I needed stepped forward. I got what I had the courage to ask for.

I feel humbled.....overwhelmed.  I know it's His love....waves of it....that makes me feel like I'm flying. And the best ever....He accepts me....just as I am.....and loves me.....just because. 

Feeling His love frees me....gives me courage.....makes me want to reach higher....stretch farther....live better.....and be the best I can be. I'm so grateful that He loves me and accepts me....... 

Just as I am.....

Creation Calls...

Linking up with Charlotte and Ginger who every week host Spiritual Sunday.

All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all that I have not seen. Ralph Emerson Waldo

I love the laid back pace of summer....the easy living....with no pressures.....But mostly...I love hiking the hills near our home.....and running along the lakeshore....drinking in the  beauty everywhere...in the flowers... mountains....trees....water and even the wild animals.

When I'm outside in nature....I feel alive....free....connected. Most mornings I get up early and trek out to the woods. Once I hit that dirt path leading away from the concrete jungle.....I feel myself breathe. 

And it's there I hear it....that still small voice...that gentle whisper that breathes life...hope....and peace. It gives me reassurance that everything will be okay.....it infuses me with courage to face whatever the day will bring. 

Being out in nature.....reminds me that the One who created everything my senses are taking in....is the same One in control of my life. Being outside in His creation reminds me....He's there....He's real.....I can let go....relax....and trust.

 Happy 4th of July Guys!

How could I say there is no God when all around creation calls.....

Thankful Thursday "I did it!!"

Linking up with Dayle at Simple Pleasures. Thanks Dayle for hosting this awesome weekly blog sharing. I love reading what makes others happy.

"Be present in all things and thankful for all things" Maya Angelou

I did it guys...I gave my speech at Toastmasters. It felt like my heart was going to burst right out of my chest...but I did it. I didn't run.....I stayed present. This week....I'm thankful for:

-standing up and speaking in spite of the fear. As much as I felt like drifting I stayed present. I didn't run.
-having great support from people at toastmasters. As hard as it was to maintain eye contact especially after I finished speaking....I tried hard not to look away as people came to talk to me. They told me my story was powerful and they're glad I'm there b/c I have a story that needs to be told.  
-enrolling in a writing course. It excites me to write.....I know this course will help me define my writing and become more focused.
-connecting with an amazing person who reached out to help me with a problem I didn't know how to solve. She not only went to bat for me but she went over and above what I needed and promised to be available anytime I need her help.
-having Him in my corner. He's my anchor....what I hold onto when I'm afraid....He gives me the courage and strength to push forward....and live my best life.

Spiritual Sunday......Fly

Thanks Charlotte and Ginger for always hosting these awesome Spiritual Sunday

"I am not afraid... I was born to do this." Joan of Arc

I heard someone say fear can be a motivator...that it can help push you to do the thing you're afraid to do.  Not me....fear does the opposite. It pushes me to run....hide....give up. Sometimes it's powerful grip squeezes so tight I slip into into a place of feeling desperate. I become so immobilized that I can't think straight or do anything that makes any sense.

I used to run on fear....it used to colour my world dark....black and left me feeling hopeless and in a constant state of panic.

Next week I have to give my first speech at Toastmaster's...an ice breaker...a 5-7 minute talk. Not a long time.....but for someone who'se only spoken for 29 seconds....it's like having to speak for an hour. I've always struggled with being seen.....and being heard. 
 

But I refuse to move on fear anymore. I refuse to allow it's hold to dictate what I do or don't do in life. I'm determined to stand up....not give in.... not buckle. I'm determined to move towards where my heart pulls and it's in speaking and telling my story.  I want to show hope to others who are where I was.....I don't want to hide anymore.  

 

Fear vs.courage. I choose courage. And I've got my faith to hold onto ...faith that's become my anchor....Knowing He's in my corner....that I'm not alone.....I can do this!!! 

 

 ...if I can see it I can do it...if I believe ...there's nothing to it..

 

Changes

Thanks Charlotte and Ginger for hosting these awesome Spiritual Sundays. Want to join in? Post and add your name at Spiritual Sunday

"I have accepted fear as a part of life - specifically the fear of change... I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back"  Erica Jong

I've felt it....since last year....probably longer...a niggling inside...knowing it was time for a change...to leave the familiar...and take a step in a new direction. It was there....nagging at me....everyday. I knew it...but I sat on the fence....afraid....wanting the security of the familar...and of what was comfortable. 

But more and more the comfortable started feeling uncomfortable. I constantly felt the tug....the pull...to go in another direction. This week...I took the risk. I resigned from my job.  But not before I was told I had been given enough compensation for what had happened to me.....all those years terrorized....and struggling to survive. He's provided in overwhelming ways. 

After I resigned....a call came....a woman....well known in the community....wants to help me tell my story insisting others need to hear...that nothing is impossible to overcome. 

Another call came. Another woman. Someone in a city not too far away...a pastor's wife....she was given a copy of my book. Wants to meet....has people in her congregation that need to hear my story.

My heart burns to tell...and show that in Him...there's freedom....no matter how dark it looks. I took a step in faith...and feel a song in my soul..that I'm on the right road.....
I only want to follow where He leads. Show me your ways O Lord...... 

Thankful Thursday

Thank-you Sonya-Lee for doing Thankful Thursdays. Anyone wanting to participate, post 5 things you're thankful for and then add your name @ http://truth4thejourney.blogspot.com/

My life used to be so much the opposite of this list....The power of His touch makes me totally thankful for:;

1. Courage. He fills me with this amazing sense of courage and strength to move forward and not be afraid anymore.
2. Love. He overwhelms me with love that reminds me I have worth.
3  Purpose. He gives me a reason to get up everyday, to face the world and to know there is a reason for my existance. 
4. Faith. He has shown me I am connected to the One who created all things and no matter what happens anymore, I know He'll turn it around for my highest good.
5. Peace.He calms all my fears,quiets the anxiety and touches me in such a way I know everything wlll always work out ok.