“We have to learn to trust God!” Her tone was emphatic as she challenged me to stop the worry-talk and trust God. My Mother at 82 has served Jesus since her birth! Her life-story is filled with incredible challenges, heartache and strange twists and turns yet the not-destroyable rope weaved throughout her story is her faith - simple, uncomplicated, and child-like.
Through the years, I have often sought her counsel. She has her strong opinions of what should and should not be done, but the bottom line is always the same: “We have to learn to trust God!”
Learning to trust God is a two-way street. Through life, we are learning to trust God but He is also testing us to see if we are able to let go and trust Him, not just half-heartedly but totally and fully!
My worry-points have been many and varied –from the ridiculous to genuine and real concerns. I’ve worried if a parking ticket mailed in at the post office would get lost in the mail and I would be doubly fine or worse yet, get arrested! I’ve walked miles working through stress-filled-worry kind of praying trying to build up my faith and believe that my house would sell in a season when the buyers were scarce and we were strapped into a short selling time. When I found myself in a Montreal hospital in a life-threatening tubal pregnancy and facing immediate surgery, I worried.
It’s only as I’ve looked back on my faith-growing journey that I clearly see, I worried far too much. “Learning to trust God” has been a long process and the one “its-taken-forever to-learn” lesson that has developed my character the most.
One of my Bible heroes is the little boy who gave Jesus his lunch. Five thousand men plus women and children gather to hear Jesus. It’s lunch time – a panic moment – because there is no place to buy the amount of bread they need and it would cost a small fortune to feed such a crowd – money they did not have. Philip is stressed, Andrew gets silly and points to a little boy with a lunch that would at best nourish 3 normal-sized appetites. Jesus takes over.
He asks everyone to sit down, takes the small five barley loaves and two fishes and holds up the problem and resources on hand, to His Father and prays. What a glorious day to witness God at work and see more and more lunch appear to feed every last man, woman and child and then have an astonishing 12 baskets of left-over’s picked up for the community food bank!
How is God developing my character? He is teaching me that worry must not be part of my agenda. I must hold up the problem and the resources I have and give them to Jesus and allow Him to take over and do His work. The result is always astonishing even when I have to wait for it. “Trust in the Lord with all you heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” Prov. 3:5
How is God developing your character?
Your friend,
Margaret
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Obstacle or Opportunity?
I did not want to do it. I did not want to depend on someone else for support. But friends offered to set up a fundraiser day to help with the finances of an upcoming trip to India. Items for the silent auction, an important part of the day, were very slow coming in. Finally I made up my mind I needed to collect something to put on the auction tables. Humbly, I went to stores I frequented throughout our years in Fergus.
I began a conversation with the owners, telling them briefly what Bob and I would be doing... teaching, speaking and providing music for Christian leaders in India, Nepal and Thailand. Their interest piqued and they began to ask questions. A conversation ensued. Before I knew it I had an armload of beautiful gifts to set out on the auction tables.
In spite of the awkwardness I felt at the beginning, it turned out to be a very enriching experience. The week following the event (which included a car rally, pig roast, live music and silent auction), not only did I return to each business place with a thank you but the occasion gave rise to an opportunity to write the local paper commending the generosity of businesses in the area.
Often the obstacles in our lives lead to opportunities that might otherwise not been possible. Can you think of a time when you faced an obstacle head on and through it you encountered an unexpected advantage?
Judges 4:1-23 records an unusual account of opportunity offered to Deborah the prophetess.
Read it and look for the many details that made the occasion possible. Were these coincidences? If not, how can you explain the perfect timing?
To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions. ~ Benjamin Franklin
When have you seen God turn an obstacle into an opportunity in your life? Could there be one right now?
Ruth
I began a conversation with the owners, telling them briefly what Bob and I would be doing... teaching, speaking and providing music for Christian leaders in India, Nepal and Thailand. Their interest piqued and they began to ask questions. A conversation ensued. Before I knew it I had an armload of beautiful gifts to set out on the auction tables.
In spite of the awkwardness I felt at the beginning, it turned out to be a very enriching experience. The week following the event (which included a car rally, pig roast, live music and silent auction), not only did I return to each business place with a thank you but the occasion gave rise to an opportunity to write the local paper commending the generosity of businesses in the area.
Often the obstacles in our lives lead to opportunities that might otherwise not been possible. Can you think of a time when you faced an obstacle head on and through it you encountered an unexpected advantage?
Judges 4:1-23 records an unusual account of opportunity offered to Deborah the prophetess.
Read it and look for the many details that made the occasion possible. Were these coincidences? If not, how can you explain the perfect timing?
To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions. ~ Benjamin Franklin
When have you seen God turn an obstacle into an opportunity in your life? Could there be one right now?
Ruth
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thanks to you!
Thanks to everyone who joined us in Toronto this past weekend for our Women Alive Toronto Conference. What a day it was!
A strong theme of redemption and hope in the midst of challenging life circumstances was woven through many of our speakers' presentations, as they shared their own stories of God's faithfulness in their lives.
Joanne Goodwin asked whether we are in Babylon longing for 'the better days' of Jerusalem. Do we feel as though we are in exile and don't deserve the harsh realities we are facing? She reminded us that there are certain things in life we can't change: our parents, the loss of a loved one, etc. but we can trust that God is still in control and knows what He is doing in our lives.
What is your 'Babylon'? Don't forget, our 'Babylon' experiences are often the ones that God will use the most to help us comfort and encourage others going through similar experiences.
Look forward to seeing you again, on this side or the next!
Michelle
A strong theme of redemption and hope in the midst of challenging life circumstances was woven through many of our speakers' presentations, as they shared their own stories of God's faithfulness in their lives.
Joanne Goodwin asked whether we are in Babylon longing for 'the better days' of Jerusalem. Do we feel as though we are in exile and don't deserve the harsh realities we are facing? She reminded us that there are certain things in life we can't change: our parents, the loss of a loved one, etc. but we can trust that God is still in control and knows what He is doing in our lives.
What is your 'Babylon'? Don't forget, our 'Babylon' experiences are often the ones that God will use the most to help us comfort and encourage others going through similar experiences.
Look forward to seeing you again, on this side or the next!
Michelle
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What are your hobbies?
Isn’t it interesting to look back and see how our hobbies can change over the years? I can remember a variety of hobbies, and some make me laugh just thinking about them. Here’s a quick walk down memory lane – maybe some of you will join me. There were the days of collecting things: key chains (I had hundreds), Precious Moments, teddy bears (I’m not referring to a childhood collection here – a grown woman with a house full of teddy bears), and stickers (scratch & sniff were my personal favourite). The collecting phase moved into the craft phase: macramé (does anyone still do this?), rug hooking, crocheting, hand-painted clothing (which turned into a business venture) and the still popular scrap booking to name a few.
As I take the time to reflect back, I am entertained by the positive associations I have with each of them. They bring back some really fond memories of various seasons in my life…I’m actually sitting here smiling. And I’m realizing the important role that hobbies can play in our lives: they can serve as a creative outlet; they are often social activities (or can be); they are a way to relax and let go of the everyday stresses of life. But aren’t they often one of the first things to get “bumped” when life gets busy? Not any more. I am committing to setting aside more time for hobbies – for crafts, for creativity, for time with friends and family.
What about you? What are your hobbies? What role do they play in your life?
I’d love to hear from you!
Wendy
As I take the time to reflect back, I am entertained by the positive associations I have with each of them. They bring back some really fond memories of various seasons in my life…I’m actually sitting here smiling. And I’m realizing the important role that hobbies can play in our lives: they can serve as a creative outlet; they are often social activities (or can be); they are a way to relax and let go of the everyday stresses of life. But aren’t they often one of the first things to get “bumped” when life gets busy? Not any more. I am committing to setting aside more time for hobbies – for crafts, for creativity, for time with friends and family.
What about you? What are your hobbies? What role do they play in your life?
I’d love to hear from you!
Wendy
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What you wish you had known...
In one week, I will turn 26; just seven days left of being 25. It's been an interesting year to say the least and I'm definitely looking forward to what God has in store for my 26th year!
I love to journal to keep track of my prayers and how God is at work in my life. I can't help but wonder what things I will look back on and see how I could have done them differently. Will the things that seem 'major' now be inconsequential a year from now? Five years from now? And will the 'minor' details prove to bear fruit in more significant ways as time goes on?
If you could go back to your 25-year-old self, what would you say? What do you wish you had known at this age? Or if you're still in your early twenties, what kind of advice would you find helpful?
I'd love to hear from you!
Michelle
I love to journal to keep track of my prayers and how God is at work in my life. I can't help but wonder what things I will look back on and see how I could have done them differently. Will the things that seem 'major' now be inconsequential a year from now? Five years from now? And will the 'minor' details prove to bear fruit in more significant ways as time goes on?
If you could go back to your 25-year-old self, what would you say? What do you wish you had known at this age? Or if you're still in your early twenties, what kind of advice would you find helpful?
I'd love to hear from you!
Michelle
Monday, September 28, 2009
What are 2 of your best personality qualities?
I find it interesting in my coaching practice that if I ask a client to list their flaws or things they don’t like about themselves, they can rhyme off a list without delay. However, when I ask them to list their strengths or what they DO like about themselves, there is often hesitation (or a very short list!). I am saddened by the fact that we often associate identifying our strengths with conceit or bragging. And so I’d like to point out that knowing you are a good cook is no different than knowing you have brown eyes – it’s just a fact. What makes it bragging is when we “compare” with others and consider ourselves better than someone else. (OK…I’ll get down off my soapbox now :) )
Back to the question at hand…what are two of my best personal qualities?
What pops up for me right now is determination and creativity. From a young age I learned that if I really wanted something (not in a material sense) and I stuck with it and tried different approaches, I could figure out a way to make it happen. I still think like that today. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way!” Likely, this is where my creativity comes into play. Solutions to challenges are rarely “in the box” but instead often require looking at things in new and different ways.
My challenge today? Getting as many of you as possible to share YOUR best qualities right here on this blog.
My solution? Hmmmm…any ideas?
Back to the question at hand…what are two of my best personal qualities?
What pops up for me right now is determination and creativity. From a young age I learned that if I really wanted something (not in a material sense) and I stuck with it and tried different approaches, I could figure out a way to make it happen. I still think like that today. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way!” Likely, this is where my creativity comes into play. Solutions to challenges are rarely “in the box” but instead often require looking at things in new and different ways.
My challenge today? Getting as many of you as possible to share YOUR best qualities right here on this blog.
My solution? Hmmmm…any ideas?
Monday, September 21, 2009
How do I personally define success?
As a woman and leader, how do I personally define success?
I often take a 30,000 foot view on my life and realize that in my lifetime, I have been about 6 different women. I am totally different today than when I was at 16, 24, 39, 45, 50 and 60.
We all come fresh from the hand of God with a specific purpose and plan. Buried deep within us are gifts and talents that need to be discovered, used, and developed. The ultimate goal is to function within our giftings to bring the highest good and greatest glory to God.
Because we all have issues, insecurities, past baggage and fears, the discovery and development of our gifts and gift-mixes is a long and sometimes painful process.
My own teen years of deep and crippling insecurity and fear of people was a labor-some inner process to bring me to the place of public leadership today. For years, I was locked in a self-inflicted prison that became a place of comfort and strange security. Being drawn out of that fear-filled and personal debilitating place could only happen by yielding in often baby-steps to the call of the Spirit.
The steps I followed are well identified in Robert Clinton’s book: “The Making of a Leader”:
Awareness of a gift
Discovery of a gift
Increased use of a gift
Effectiveness in using that gift
Discovery of other gifts
Identification of gift-mixes
Development of gift-mixes.
Success is not measured by what I can do, but by what God and I are doing together to draw out latent gifts and abilities that He has placed within me. God will allow and bring into our lives all sorts of circumstances, tough positions and often challenging people. I am called to yield with His workings, learn and grow.
If I honor God in the processes, He will honor me. Haggai 2:20-23 gives this assuring, rock-solid word: “I will honor you. I will treat you like a signet ring on my finger for I have specially chosen you. I, the Lord Almighty, have spoken.”
What stage best describes where you are at in using your gifts for God?
Your friend,
Margaret
I often take a 30,000 foot view on my life and realize that in my lifetime, I have been about 6 different women. I am totally different today than when I was at 16, 24, 39, 45, 50 and 60.
We all come fresh from the hand of God with a specific purpose and plan. Buried deep within us are gifts and talents that need to be discovered, used, and developed. The ultimate goal is to function within our giftings to bring the highest good and greatest glory to God.
Because we all have issues, insecurities, past baggage and fears, the discovery and development of our gifts and gift-mixes is a long and sometimes painful process.
My own teen years of deep and crippling insecurity and fear of people was a labor-some inner process to bring me to the place of public leadership today. For years, I was locked in a self-inflicted prison that became a place of comfort and strange security. Being drawn out of that fear-filled and personal debilitating place could only happen by yielding in often baby-steps to the call of the Spirit.
The steps I followed are well identified in Robert Clinton’s book: “The Making of a Leader”:
Awareness of a gift
Discovery of a gift
Increased use of a gift
Effectiveness in using that gift
Discovery of other gifts
Identification of gift-mixes
Development of gift-mixes.
Success is not measured by what I can do, but by what God and I are doing together to draw out latent gifts and abilities that He has placed within me. God will allow and bring into our lives all sorts of circumstances, tough positions and often challenging people. I am called to yield with His workings, learn and grow.
If I honor God in the processes, He will honor me. Haggai 2:20-23 gives this assuring, rock-solid word: “I will honor you. I will treat you like a signet ring on my finger for I have specially chosen you. I, the Lord Almighty, have spoken.”
What stage best describes where you are at in using your gifts for God?
Your friend,
Margaret
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