I picked up my Bible the other day and heard God say: Psalm 25. So I went there and was struck by verse 4. A very simple verse and yet I couldn't get past the first part: show me your ways, O Lord,...

This verse stayed in my head for the rest of the day and I couldn't help but start to pray it - show me your ways, O Lord! So often in life, I feel a little confused and a little lost. Or sometimes, very much so! In big and little decisions that I make every day, what is His way? I know that without thinking, I do most things my way. I've always done them that way and for the most part, it seems to work. But what if I started asking God everyday, all day: show me YOUR way. How would my life change?

Last night, I was out with a lovely bunch of ladies and we were going to take part in a show that we knew was not the best thing for us to be at. I prayed and said: Lord, show me YOUR way here. He said:  just leave before it even starts. When I suggested it, everyone else was on board. We went out for coffee instead and had the sweetest time of fellowship and laughter. There's no doubt in my mind that that was His way and we were all better off for taking it.

What is in your life right now that you are feeling conflicted or confused about? I want to encourage you to ask Him - show me your ways, O Lord. He will always give the better way - let's start taking it!!

What is being happy? And is that all there is? Do we live to pursue happiness? Here's my thoughts on this:

First of all, I think that if we live with the idea that if I could just be happy, then my life would be great, I don't think we'll ever be truly happy. What is happiness, anyways? Well, for different people, of course it means very different things. And to some, being happy is being at a party and getting wasted. But what about the consequences?? Not so happy.

I think that this 'happy' illusion that many of us pursue is just that - an illusion! I don't think that happiness is the thing that we want to be chasing after. I think that if we focus on loving God and loving those around us, then happiness will be the fruit of a life well lived. When we love and give in a healthy way, we naturally feel happy.
Let's go after healthy priorities in our lives and the happiness will follow us - we won't have to chase after it!

Now, that's what I'm talking about. Come on, happiness, see if you can keep up!!

Well, Thanksgiving is here! I hope you all had a good weekend - not only delicious food but wonderful conversations and some relationship building. It is good to think about what we are thankful for once a year but how about everyday? A little more of a challenge!

Tomorrow is Tuesday and most of us head back to work. Are we going to get up tomorrow morning and feel just a little bitter that our long weekend that we have been anticipating is gone? What's something that we can anticipate tomorrow? Do you think about what you are grateful for on a regular basis?

Through my coaching, I have seen negative and angry people go from hateful to grateful and it has not only changed them but it has changed their lives. When we walk in a thankful attitude, things around us change. Suddenly we see things in a more positive light and that attracts more positive people and things into our lives.

Col. 3:15 - "And be thankful." Can we "be"? It is a choice! I put this challenge out to each of you reading this. I would ask that you find one thing everyday that you are thankful for. It can be very small or very large. It doesn't matter. If you are a person who doesn't often think about being thankful, I guarantee that at the end of the first week that you try this, you will feel differently. Let it become a lifestyle and your life will change for better and forever! This is not an empty promise - this is truth!

Remember: 'hateful to grateful'!!

Another lovely Monday. I think they come faster and faster! I hope this Monday finds you well and good. Our weather here is extraordinary for it being a week into October and I am thrilled. I get  outside every opportunity i get because I know that this is but for a time.

Here's the latest ponder: We, as Christians, often complicate things. Recently I had an experience that put everything into a perspective of more clarity.

A few weeks ago, I went to a writer's workshop with my husband. Afterwards, we were going out to lunch. Since it was my husband's pick, we often end up at funny little hole-in-the-walls but usually very good food. However, often the hygiene in these places leaves much to be desired. As a result of knowing where I was going, I decided to use the facilities at the library where the workshop had been held.

While in the stall, I heard a mother and daughter walk in. The mother was unkind and belittling the girl. I came out and went to wash my hands and in the meantime, the mother had entered a stall. The little girl that was with her appeared to be about 6 or 7 and was all dressed in black. She was standing in the corner behind the bathroom door with her face pressed into the wall. I felt the Lord give me a nudge and so I walked over and asked, "Are you okay?". She turned around with a start and I was looking into such a lovely little face that I burst forth with, "you shouldn't be hiding that lovely little face - it's too beautiful!". I literally saw a dark cloud lift off of this little one. Her smile lit that lovely little face up and it filled me with joy. I left feeling there was nothing more I was to do and yet I prayed for her.

God said "my word shall not return void".
"But God,", I argued, "that wasn't Your Word."
But He responded that yes, it was His word because He lives in me and His Word is alive and active in me. Therefore that certainly was His word to this little one.

I felt such a peace and a joy. It's so simple. We live day to day and  just need to listen to that nudge.  Jesus just did what His father asked - no more, no less. Why do we think we have to do more or be more? God would say to each of you today: you are enough and when you do what I ask, it is enough and it is good.