Do You Need Encouragement?

I received a card from Miss Nina today and it made my whole day. It got me to thinking, perhaps I should resume my card ministry. I enjoyed sending cards out every month. Would you like a card to lift you up every once in awhile? If so, send me your address in a message or you can email it to me at f8ithgal@yahoo.com (do not leave your address as a comment) and I will add you to my card mailing list. This isn't spam mail, it is meant to uplift and encourage those I care about! I look forward to being a part of your encouraging team in 2014!

~ Chelle
12/28/13

Out of My Comfort Zone

Everyone has a comfort zone that they feel safe in.  I stayed in the same position for years because it was in my comfort zone.  My needs were being met but I wasn't really living, somewhere in life I had begun to just survive.  God began to stir my spirit and force me outside of that comfort zone.  I was thinking on this today as I followed up on cash calls.  I am not a salesman, customer service is my strength and one reason I am so good at what I do.  These calls are uncomfortable for me because they are an area of weakness.  Why would God lead me into a position of weakness?  To grow!  It was clear I wasn't going to grow on my own so He had to move me outside of where I was comfortable.  Looking back, my comfort zone had turned into more of a rut zone.  I was stuck and quickly growing more unsettled and discouraged within, yet refusing to move from what I knew into the unknown.   While what I knew may not be making me happy, it was safe.  I made the sale I was calling on and God began speaking to my heart.  Looking back on my life He has had to "force" me from my comfort zone several times.  It would appear this is never an easy lesson for me and one God always has to teach me the hard way.  God is patient, always nudging me along as a loving Father would.  I give Him all the glory for where I have been, where I am, and wherever He is taking me.  It's funny I'm outside of comfort zone in so many ways right now, yet completely at peace within.  I'm growing and I pray others can be encouraged and see God's light shining through me as I set out on this leg of my journey.

~ Chelle
   12/27/13

Christmas Thoughts

I thought about a poem, perhaps a story, but what I really need to post about is a heart full of love.  It is so heavy for those we have lost this year, family members that are struggling with demons as I write this, sickness in so many homes, and needs that only God can meet.  Every person I know is going through some kind of trial.  The enemy never sleeps, his evil minions roam seeking to destroy on his behalf. The devil knows his prey very well and he knows the Word of God even better.  He knows our every weakness and uses those things to twist, crowd, and distort our thinking.  However, our Heavenly Father has sent his son and Holy Spirit to intercede for us.  We are not perfect, we are not going to pass every trial the enemy throws in our path.  But I can promise our God will use it for our better, for our growth, and for His glory.  Sure, the devil can win a small battle every once in awhile, but we have read God's Word and we know how the story ends.  God wins the war.  It doesn't matter what you have done or where you are in your life.  Jesus was born to cleanse our sins and lift us from the muck and mire this world generates, all you have to do is ask.  Jesus loves you so much he died for you and He is ready and waiting for you to come back to His fold.  Being under His covering doesn't prevent the enemy's snares, in fact, it pretty much guarantees them.  But is also guarantees your protection, unconditional love, and forgiveness when you slip.  It promises you He will NEVER leave or forsake you, it ensures your needs are met, it thwarts the devil's plans and turns them to your good.  Being a child of God also gives you a entire army to stand behind you in prayer and prayer is the most powerful weapon on earth.  Don't allow the enemy to steal your joy today.  I don't care if you are sick, homeless, or don't have a gift under the tree look to God and say thank YOU Abba Father for giving Your son for my life, thank YOU Jesus for being born just to die for me, thank YOU Holy Spirit for being my comforter and guide!  Child of God praise Him out of your depression, praise Him from the streets, praise Him in your sickness because it is HIM that is going to lift you out of whatever you are going through.  I'm praying for you.  Don't be afraid or ashamed to ask for prayer, the covering of the saints is powerful.  If you don't want to leave your request here send it to me in a private message.  I'll request prayer on your behalf and not mention your name.  There is power in the name of Jesus and power in prayer.  We need each others prayer and support during these hard times.  We should be building each other up and supporting each other.  I'm here for each of you.  Merry Christmas and God bless!

~ Chelle
    12/25/13

Ramblings

I had so many things on my mind to write about, yet as I sit here watching the lights on our Christmas tree they all seem to elude me.  My mind is tired of running and I find myself fighting sleep as I try to force myself to write.  You must, after all, do just that if you want your talent to improve and writing nightly is a habit I am determined to pick up. The music is playing the soft soothing melodies of Soundscapes as I watch the icicles glisten against the lights.  There is a simple quiet beauty to it that I can not explain.  My life is by far not perfect but I know it is a work in progress guided by God's hands so everything will be alright.  My bank account is not overflowing but all of my needs have been met.  I have moments where I break down and cry and find myself questioning why to so many things, isn't that a part of being human?  You never really know what someones smile might be hiding.  Storms sweep through everyone's life, some are just better at hiding it than others. I know what it is like to be in a room full of people yet you feel as if your the only one.  I've said I'm okay when inside I am dying.  I've put on a positive face when I really want to smash something or someone.  These are things we all go through.  We are not pretending to be perfect or putting on a front for the world to see, we just cope in different ways.  So many times I have smiled through the tears and came out stronger.  Not sure where this came from tonight, just sharing what's on my heart. It's important to know your not alone, I'm not alone.  We are all just trying to get through this thing called life.

~ Chelle
    12/20/13

A Matter of Perspective

It's all about perspective. I was looking around our place when that thought really started to take root.  One may see our trailer as a little tin can.  It's old, battered, yet still standing.  It needs to be painted, we don't have much room, the floors need to be redone... the list goes on.  Then I began to reflect on the love within it's walls.  It suddenly became cozy, our furniture gives it heart, our pictures on the walls brings our family of far near.  Our small little yard has flowers that randomly spring up, we have a peaceful place to cook out, a relaxing place to sit.  My "little tin can" was suddenly transformed before my eyes.  I saw serenity, beauty, character.

Isn't life that way?  We can choose to focus on every bad thing that is happening in our lives or we can shift our focus to what is going right.  When we dwell on the negative it multiples.  Not only does it multiply in our thoughts but it starts to influence those around us.  A frown breeds a frown while a smile is contagious. No one can be all sunshine.  You have to experience some storms to appreciate the beauty of the rainbows that follow.  The challenge is not to fall into a rut of despair that lingers for days, months, and for some years.  It's important to recognize the negative patterns of thinking and to make a conscious effort to find the positive.  It can be a hard habit to break.  I caught myself today and in just a second my mind set had been completely turned around and my mood with it.  The next time the negativity tries to swallow you take a minute to stop and reflect on what is right.  Again, it's all about perspective.

~ Chelle
    12/19/13

Goal Update: Week 3

I'm a couple of days late but I lost 3 pounds!  That's not bad considering all of the candy my mom made last week.  I have been writing steady, not every day but close to it.   I can't lie, still slacking in exercise and studying but trying to improve. I want to give a HUGE thank you everyone from the "like" of my page to your words of encouragement.  I am blessed to have you and you are the fuel that keeps me from giving up!

~ Chelle
    12/18/13

Keep Going

I watched the leaves on a tree outside of my office turn from green to shades of bright orange and red.  When the light hit it just right the tree appeared to be on fire.  The bright shades eventually dulled to yellows and browns.  The winds of the changing seasons began to pick up and each day my tree became a little more bare.  Now it stands tall, completely exposed. 

There is a tree beside of this bare lady that seems to be unhindered by the weather.  Her leaves are lush green, full and flourishing. Quite a contrast to the bare branches beside of it that have given way to winter.  As I was watching the two trees, a flock of birds started to fly over.  Which tree would they choose to rest for a spell?  They covered the bare branches, not a one landed on the tree covered with the leaves.  They only stayed for a minute before flying on.  The exposed branches offered them a better vantage point to continue along their journey.  It gave them a place to rest and warm in the sun.

Life reminds me of those trees.  Had it been a different season, the flock may have chosen the shade that the full tree had to offer.  That bare tree was more useful to the birds in this season.  We may be in a dry season and can not understand where we are going, but God could be using it to inspire someone else.  Everything in life happens for a reason and we are all full of usefulness.  We may not always know that reason or our purpose is, but I can promise you God does.  You may never know the impact you are having on someone else, keep going when you think you can't.  There may be eyes watching you and your journey will keep them going too.

~ Chelle
   12/16/13