Something Out of the Ordinary

Take a breath!

Dogs and cats are some of the most patient creatures on earth. If trained right, they wait for their food, a walk, or attention when we click off our computers and notice their sad eyes. These domestic darlings look forward all day long for their owner to return home (even if they start running in circles when they hear the key in the door). They may not enjoy the wait, but they never give up! 

Animals don't need a box of tissues to dry away tears. Oh, no, they go and play with their toys, look for bugs to eat, take a nap, and yes, maybe tear up the couch in their enthusiasm. But give up? Never. It's probably why we enjoy them so much--they are optimistic, even if they experience a cruel situation of abuse and neglect! We could learn something from our pets.

Too often, though, we humans conveniently use excuses to avoid getting better, getting over, or getting out. It just seems a lot easier to give up hope and stop trying at all. Our lives have changed drastically after divorce, losing a spouse, or becoming a single mom, and all the energy we have left is spent trying to figure out exactly how it happened. But the truth is, we may never know the whole story. 

Maybe we should try to write down what is so great about quitting and abandoning our dreams. The page would most certainly be blank because there is nothing good about breaking off a piece of our life and throwing it away. Nothing we would want to admit. Isn’t it time to change all this for the better?

If you have ever had the fortune to buy a Chanel suit, hat, dress, bag, or perfume, you probably know the designer and fashion icon, Coco Chanel. Her life-lessons story of poverty to riches is fascinating (if interested in more, pick up the book, The Gospel According to Coco Chanel by Karen Karbo, or check out the movie, Coco Before Chanel). She didn't just put on one of her handmade hat creations, opened her eyes, and was instantly rich and famous by any means. Coco Chanel once said something very inspiring for us on her way to success, “Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.” 

In other words, if something--our life, job, home, finances, etc.--isn't working, don’t give up; try something out of the ordinary! Each one of us can create our unique solution based on our personality and situation. What works for one, may not be the answer for another. It’s been said, “The last key in the bunch opens the lock,” so let’s keep trying until we find the correct “key.” We can all uncover the courage inside us and just refuse to fail! Don't misunderstand, this is not a rose garden by any means. Low moments or seasons of unrest can not be avoided. They will always be a fact of life. We can, however, adjust our thinking and find appropriate ways to successfully get back on our feet. Like Coco Chanel, the life-changing question for us is, why do I continue to bang my head against a brick wall? That might be suitable for framing!

Tip of the Day

Another famous story is the one of Esther, a beautiful, young Jewish woman who became a real Queen. She did not have a perfect life, nor an easy one. Esther was not born with a large 401K account. She was an orphan until her cousin adopted her. After she was crowned the Queen and wife of the King of Persia (at his insistence), she went on to fight for her people to become free from slavery. It was a long and difficult, but successful, battle. Her secret? Esther never gave up! (Her true story is found in the Holy Bible). The amazing outcome of her life was all planned by God. Like He was with Esther, He is always on our side. Always. God has written our stories in our hearts. It’s time to speak to Him about it.

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NLT).

Dense Fog Ahead

The Sun is on Its Way

It is difficult to see our way clearly as we navigate a new life. It is like passing through the worst fog we can imagine and getting nowhere. Lots of questions. “Is my life ever going to be right again?” “How am I supposed to get back to normal--whatever that is--after such a devastating and heart-breaking ending?” Certainly, it would be much easier to just throw up our hands and scream, “It’s never going to be the same again, so why try?”

It does appear that way when we can't see past the fog of change. And it is scary! We naturally resist transformation in any form, whether it's good for our hearts, minds, and souls or not. But here's the stinging question: Do we want the same unloving relationship? The one with little or no affection. The one that lost its electrifying touch. No, of course not. We would prefer the charming one we married, but not the morphed version. Never that! 

Lasting Improvement is Possible!

 
Afterwards, the sun comes out and we see the light of how our lives can breathe without all the hurt attached. The possibility is very attractive. What we miss sometimes is every single person on the face of this earth (yes, even us!) shifts, shuffles, and settles from day to day. Minute by minute. Inch by inch. Just like a home, even after fifty years, the foundation is still settling. It is a fact of life. We could hire a home expert to possibly improve the foundation and make it more stable. Buildings can undergo amazing renovations. But what about people? Can we change others all by ourselves?

The eye-opening truth is: We cannot change each other! Ever. Practice saying that one out loud. This is where we get into trouble. We want the other person to stop how they are acting or what they are becoming. We want to play God and create a “robot” of our exact, perfect man or friend. But we are not machines or animals that can be trained to perform better. We can only change ourselves and our response to that person. Each individual who desires change must look in the mirror and say, “I've got a problem, and I need to fix it.” Until that happens, no lasting improvement is possible. It is like banging our heads against a brick wall. Useless. And it hurts! So, we can suppose, then, that further pain isn't what we want deep down inside.

However, those "bricks" are useful for building a better life! We can start at this very point in time and go forward with our "trowel" in hand. What that "architecture" looks like will be different for each one of us. 

• Some of us will seek and share a new, mature relationship with all the perks.
• Some will plant a nurturing seed first and encourage growth on an individual level.
• Some will find outlets for creative expression in education, work, and extracurricular activities that are more important to them at the moment.

There are no incorrect or flawed blueprints here. Only that we never let the momentum stop! 

Tip of the Day

Who can we talk to about our exciting plans? "Fear not, dear child of mine," God seems to say with outstretched arms. “I am here. If you only let me, you will see how this will all work out. I have a plan and a purpose for you, I promise. Let's sit down and talk.” Can't we just hear him saying that to us right now?

"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen” (Jeremiah 29:11-12 The Message).

Not Just a Crazy Notion

Ready to learn?

In the fall, regardless of age, many people take steps into their future and begin new college classes. In 2021, a reported [National Center for Education Statistics] 8.9 million undergraduate females accounted for most college students (fifty-eight percent) and embarked on a new journey! That is progress in a big way considering there were no colleges accepting women in America until after 1800! Education is not something to take for granted.

With advancements in many areas (for instance, the 19th Amendment in 1920 or Title IX in 1972) onward movement has been rapid. Today, more undergraduate and advanced degrees are earned by women than men. That is a fact [again, go to NCES] and is something to celebrate! This mini-history lesson simply says we are all thirsty for learning and can readily recognize the benefits.

Single-again women, especially, would gain much towards their future if education became a priority. Some of us never had the chance to go to college. Some started college and were never able to finish for one reason or another. Life got in the way. We understand but it is never too late!

We can all find a way to make that dream come true. First, find out what you are naturally good at doing (there are plenty of books out there to show you how) because nothing is worse than working at a job for the rest of your life and hating every minute of it! By the way, if you are already retired, don’t think this doesn’t apply to you! There are plenty of life-long learning “fun” courses at your local community college. Remember, life-improvement never comes too late. It shows a lot of confidence and endurance on our part. We can handle more than we think. What else is more important?

Tip of the Day

One more tidbit about history: during the 1800s in New England, due to the lack of books, many believed it was necessary to study the Holy Bible, so both boys and girls were taught to read from it early. This began an unquenchable thirst for education.

Our Heavenly Father has a fascinating and supernaturally powerful instruction book for us that provides, among other things, wisdom, poetry, and history freely given. The Bible is a way to start building a new life. A life that teaches how to trust God, and gain once and for all, the real truth. It can help us understand all aspects of our lives as special women. He knows the best path to take in our quest to become what we always dreamed of was possible. The required reading in this “educational” course is compiled of sixty-six books into one complete lesson on love.

“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:6 NLT).

Seeds of Faith

Poppy flower seeds

We can mentally believe in many things; some commendable and some ridiculous. For instance, an organizational society still believes the earth is flat! Really! All it takes for us to believe some things is a faith conviction that it is possible.

What about faith itself? Through wanted and unwanted experiences over the years, we now know that faith is built on trust and knowledge, plain and simple. It isn’t something we can see or touch and grab onto, but it is something unseen, like the wind. We can feel the wind rushing past our faces, and therefore, we believe it exists even though we cannot see it. A summer breeze feels wonderful as it cools us. A light wind clears and cleans the air we breathe. A stronger wind sails ships, moves windmills, and brings rainstorms to feed crops. Something we can’t even touch has a purpose in our life.

In the same way, we know what it “feels like” to trust someone and so, over time, we believe in the person; we place our faith in them. What we cannot afford to miss here is that just because one person breaks this cycle--causing hurt, frustration, and destruction--our faith itself is not broken, nor is it the cause of a broken relationship. And God is not the cause either. A human being is the cause. Our faith is still intact and is still part of who we are. It has gone through an extremely strong wind--a massive storm--but has survived!

As single-again women, we have already made it through the “storm” and endured the “lightning strikes” of pain and anguish. Our journey to a fresh start has not been easy by any means. But we found a way to grow a tiny mustard seed of faith and are watching it bloom large in our lives. Now we need to keep on growing and thriving. Keep adding to these four “seed” packets:

• We are stronger than we think: we have made it this far and are in one piece.
• We have a clear purpose: we are becoming familiar with unfulfilled dreams.
• We know which direction to take: going forward gets us to our destination.
• We can know and trust God: the Bible teaches us how to do this very thing.

Tip of the Day

No matter how many times our human relationships have hurt or deceived us, the Lover of Our Souls, Jesus, knows our heartache and pain. He was distressed and rejected by his friends and even his family. He was tormented and brutally tortured by his enemies. He gets us!

Jesus loved us enough to be willing to die for us. Can we say that about anyone we know? This is exactly why we can, with faith, believe in Him and trust in Him. Now, He simply holds out His right hand to comfort and guide us on this fresh start journey.

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible” (Matthew 17:20 NLT).

Valuable Masterpieces

No Two Alike, Where Are You?

It is obvious that mainly women tend to be the helpers and caregivers of the world. We certainly cannot deny this fact which has existed since the beginning of time. For example, statistics show that about ninety-one percent of registered nurses are women. That’s pretty amazing! In many professions, we naturally use our gifts to help others, and it could be said that we have a great capacity for compassion.

Whether we work in the medical field, police force, military, or are stay-at-home moms, teachers, or caregivers, some of us have witnessed “life or death” emergencies that called on all our resources to stay composed. So, in a true emergency, we must stay calm enough to at least call the ambulance.

We are, no doubt, stronger than we think. Some of us find we are fine in an emergency and then collapse later like a ragdoll. Others want to immediately look away for a moment, then pull in a breath and gain momentum for whatever we need to do. However we handle an emotional situation, we discover strengths we never knew we had. Through this kind of “testing,” we can grow and learn more about who we are and gather courage for the next time.

 
Struggling through the anxiety-filled days of divorce can feel like an emergency that just won’t stop. There are too many what-do-I-do-now dilemmas, one delay after another, and hard-to-handle decisions to make. Unfortunately, no doctor can prescribe a magic pill that will fix everything for us, so we are on our own to deal with the mess of a broken life. It may have been forced upon us, but even if we chose to end the devastation and abuse, we may still feel crushed.
 
Like a shattered dish, we too can be put back together stronger and better. True, maybe not in the very same way, but with a different and beautiful design much like an interesting mosaic made from broken stone or glass pieces. Beautiful. Strong. Colorful. A masterpiece that tells a joyful story. And, be assured, we each have our own unique story to tell. No two mosaics are the same! With the pieces of our story, we can move ahead with strength and dignity and add a new chapter. Creating a newly crafted life is not a waste, it is a work of art!

Tip of the Day

We are all the Masterpieces of a loving God. He created us to be exactly who
we are even before the moment of conception. Individuals. Unique. Beautiful. No one is just like us (it’s proven even identical twins have some differences). Our Creator is not willing to see our lives thrown away without effectively carrying out our purpose and plan, no matter what our current circumstances. Choose today to place the broken pieces into His able hands and live a life of joy!

 

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18 NLT).

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13 NLT).
 

How to Create More Energy

Try something new!

"I just don't have the energy to (fill in the blank)." True, it is a struggle sometimes to find that perfect balance of liveliness and peacefulness. We want to get up and do things, but how, when we feel so drained? It's so much easier to just pull the covers over our heads or stay on the couch and watch the nineteenth episode of Excuse
Me--Pass the Potato Chips. [Not a real show].

The first thing we want and need is more energy in our lives. Admittedly, we may have to jump in and be willing to practice new habits. Today is a good day to have some fun and see how many crazy ideas we can come up with to keep the momentum going. It will give us a way to prepare for the more serious goals ahead. Ready to try?

1. Start playing soft music just as the sun is rising. This “sound” stimulation helps train our bodies to wake up.

2. Program the coffee maker to start spreading a delicious fragrance our way. Works every time.

3. Feed our brains with food like berries, avocado, or coconut. Eat them one at a time or together, your choice. And smile!

4. Guzzle some water! First thing in the morning is the best habit to create. It awakens our organs and prepares them for the day’s activities.

5. Protein for lunch will keep us awake for the afternoon long haul. By the way, it doesn't have to be the carnivorous type. The produce section will surprise you. For instance, one-half cup of assorted veggies equals 2.6 grams of protein. One stalk of broccoli equals 4.26 grams. And one medium potato is 5 grams.

6. Don't automatically hate this tip just yet, it works. No screens (TV, smartphone, tablet, computer) of any kind one hour before bed. Instead, read that novel you bought last month. Use an adult coloring book. Do relaxation techniques. Listen to soft music. You will sleep much better!

Tip of the Day

Have you ever heard, “Let go and let God.” Well, that's not what He said. True, the easy thing to do would be to convince ourselves to let God do all the work and He could just give us all the beneficial energy we need. Simple, right?

The true answer is God does have a perfect plan for us. He created us to use our energy as part of that wonderful plan. Listen to these wise words:

“With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort” (1 Corinthians 15:58 The Message).

Sure, some days will be outrageously more difficult than others. It is okay to take a needed break, but don’t just stay there. You’re strong--you can do this!

“Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame...Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder” (Romans 12:11-12 The Message).

What Is On Your "Basket List"?

Jeanne Calment of France was the oldest woman who ever lived at 122 years old (1875-1997)! Surely, she knew something the rest of us do not know about living and dying (think of this as a research project when you have time). Many people do want to live for a very long time, but maybe not that long!

Some of us would simply enjoy life more if we had enough time and resources to finally accomplish everything on our wish list. All those things we have always wanted to do, see, try, and experience. What would be on our “basket list?” Do we need more than one basket? 

An excursion to photograph charging elephants in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania? Or setting sail to an exotic island? Maybe we are just looking right now for a more calming and encouraging list. Rent a bicycle and see the sites in our town or travel to the nearest coast and do the same. Or some simple pampering like sending flowers to ourselves (oh, you haven’t done that yet?). Or eating dessert before or instead of the meal. It’s all okay. Really. The key is to add those things to our lives that we have never done before, even if they seem silly.

Truly, no one would likely want to spend the rest of their life eating away their time working at their jobs or professions much past retirement age. Of course, we want to stay active and alive enjoying our next great adventure! What many do not realize is that the skills, abilities, and gifts that we learn in our jobs can be very useful outside of a nine-to-five job if we choose.

A valid financial need may keep us in a job longer than we wish, but we can still plan accordingly. One thing to learn right away is that it is never too late for an adjustment, no matter which decade we live in right now. There are numerous books, online programs, and community college courses available that explain this very fact. It’s all about changing the way we think; anything is possible if we want it badly enough!

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” (Calvin Coolidge, 30th U.S. President)

Tip of the Day

Once we are on our way and can relax, then we can help others going through exactly what we did. The experience and knowledge we now have are valuable commodities. We can use our gifts and talents to find a unique way to walk alongside another woman. From just simple ideas of encouragement, we can help someone turn their life around for good.

If you remember nothing else from today's blog, remember that God will never leave us or abandon us. He is cheering us on to get better and better with all the resources he gives us. One of his greatest commandments is to love God and love others for “love covers a multitude of sins.” With that kind of direction, our lives cannot help but become prosperous and fulfilling.

“Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it” (Psalm 34:12, 14 NLT).

We Are Not Alone

Time never stops for us!

Time is an elusive period that is difficult to explain. As much as we want to hold our best moments in our hands for a little longer, we can not make time stop. It never goes away, yet we can not make it start either. Sure, babies are born every day and so their personal cuteness "time" begins. We wear digital, quartz, and stainless steel watches and set our projection and smart alarm clocks just as we want them, but we still can not make time stop. It is a continually moving element of our existence. We do not know what the next moment will bring to our lives and relationships!

Before, During, and After

Believe it or not, some relationships finally end their time on a somewhat "friendly" note. It is more of a mutual agreement after many years of arguments, avoidance, and altercations. Perhaps one person desperately tries to work it out using all possible means. The other person passively accepts the unwanted decision from the other. A war of words that exists with no solutions eventually arrives at a place where everything just stops. There is nothing more to say or do. In this particular case, it seems time does mysteriously end. The “clock” at this moment abruptly stops.

However, many (if not most) rocky relationships go through a very real and scary time when a woman needs to flee from someone who wants to harm her, either physically or emotionally. For her safety--and that of any children--she must find a way to get away safely in one way or another. In the end, with great determination, difficulty, and the help of those close to her, it can be done.

In either scenario, we stop and ask, “What now? Who can I depend on for support?” We find out the answer is not in giving up (which only makes things worse), but in humbling ourselves and reaching out, maybe for the first time in our lives, to sympathetic family, friends, neighbors, and professionals (think therapists, pastors, or women’s support groups) who have answers and can help in concrete ways.

Help Available

It took some of us a very long time to find answers to our questions, but the resources available today are getting better and better. Be wise and make good use of any reputable professionals. Let us not feel like we are the only ones going through this devastation and, as a consequence, avoid getting help. Solutions exist. They work. Don’t ever give up!

Tip of the Day

There is one who can make things right in our lives once and for all. To save many struggles, anguish, and loneliness, don't hold back. Reach for the one and only God who is the very definition of love. Contrary to what some may think, he didn't cause our situation or pain. But he does extend a strong right hand that will hold us up, hold us secure, and simply hold us through each star-filled night. We can never go wrong holding his hand. He promises!

“I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely” (Psalm 63:8 NLT).

Five Basics for a Great Life

What does your learning curve look like?

Sometimes we all need an "inventory" to show us how to make our struggle easier while creating a better life. Our willingness to try is all it takes. Naturally, we will make mistakes along the way and we will learn. Thankfully, God never expects us to be perfect!

Have you ever purchased or ordered something that needed assembly when you got it home? It always comes with instructions that any five-year-old could follow, but maybe not an adult! (enter pun). Well, there are at least five basics we can easily follow to put together a great life! Ready to try?

• Build a support team. Share struggles with those we trust to listen and encourage.
• Ask for help. We can't always do everything by ourselves.
• First things first. Organize and get rid of what we don't need from the past.
• Make plans. Find a place to live and work that will truly make us joyful.
• Dream. There are goals we've always wanted to accomplish. Now is the time!

You're free to go ahead and add any other "basics" you can think of. Grab hold and be determined to start a new journey!

Just remember, no one else will be able to make things right for us, so when we are ready, we must decide to put one foot in front of the other and do something about our lives to make them better. Building a new life takes time and patience. It's a process and a choice. Establishing what to do, how to do it, and when to do it is part of the learning curve. And it is personal. One certain way will not be the same solution for another woman. But one thing is definite: We are all on a new journey whether we like it or not. We can do this together and help each other to grow and survive with enthusiasm and dignity.

Here's the all-important question for right now: how do we gain the strength we lost while dealing with re-inventing our lives? Battling physical exhaustion and emotional fatigue feels like an enormous plug someone removed from the bottom of our foot and everything drained out leaving us empty. But even worse than that, chronic exhaustion prevents us from living to our fullest capacity while our bank accounts dwindle paying out medical costs.

Not feeling or looking our very best blocks us from doing what we need and want to do to survive. Our bodies resist movement and, therefore, it gets harder and harder to get the momentum going. Something is missing. Surely we have things we have been wanting to do for years now and couldn’t wait to begin. Let’s think seriously about the alternative: do we want to replay the past? Of course not! It is our decision now to make our lives better. All the dreams we had while still married can now be wholly fulfilled--no one is holding us back. Yeah, world! We can do this.

Tip of the Day: "I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me" (Psalm 16:8 NLT).   

 

       

What Do I Do Now?

Joy may be easier for some women to attain than others. It’s a misunderstood idea that sometimes gets mixed up with happiness. We can say chocolate makes some of us happy. A certain song on the radio can make us so happy, we start dancing. Bright colors and designs, especially on balloons, can make everyone happier. For the most part, these common feelings are temporary, but certainly, we look forward to the next one. 

What is joy anyway? We can describe it quite accurately as a condition of permanence. We know true joy if we think about how we feel when we hold a baby. When we find out we do not have cancer as the doctor first suspected, we know the pure essence of joy deep down. And when we hug our friend who just conquered her first marathon, joy fills our hearts for her. These occasions of pleasure are marked by contentment and cheerfulness. Even if a part of it later changes, the initial joy will always remain.

Some of us have trampled through the "briar path" for a while and are now anxiously looking forward to escaping the "thorns" and getting on with the joy. Others may be asking how escaping all the heartache and turmoil of the past year(s) could even be possible. It's blinding to turn from the thickness of dark days and see bright light as if someone just shined a flashlight in our eyes, and then to scratch our way to the surface and remain intact.

By the way, joy has a companion that can help us successfully handle this season of our lives. Ever heard of that four-letter word: hope? It's a winner in our lives! Truthfully, hope is produced by endurance--when we "hang in there" and keep moving forward no matter what happens. No matter how much pain we feel, we can get off that couch and push through the emotion. Sure, no one said it would be easy but when we are determined to do something difficult for a long time and still end up breathing, we are growing our hope and increasing our joy! It is not a magical "wishful thinking" kind of thing. Hope is as real as looking up in the sky and seeing the sun. It is too far away to touch, yet we can feel its warmth every day. Hope is the confidence we have in things that are unclear or unseen. It is our inspiration!

Acknowledging we are not that person anymore--the one who was trapped in a loveless relationship--but stronger women with new lives, will help to get us started in a new direction. It's up to us now to create something bigger and better. Something joyful. Something hopeful. We are stronger than we think. We've made it this far, haven't we? That didn't happen by accident. 

Tip of the Day: "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13 NLT).  

Grab Your Toolbox

Grab Your Toolbox

Nothing shouts of more hope than gaining freedom. Anyone once held captive in any way, shape or form knows this fact. Freedom is a precious gift bestowed on us from above. Surely, our forefathers experienced that countries are born with independence only after many painful struggles along the way. We, too, can understand how ideas released like a bird let out of its cage open our eyes to possibilities and suddenly we see a promising vision for a new life. Momentum takes over and grows bigger and faster, and bigger and faster, like a snowball rolling down a hill while we continue with exciting plans for the future.

Wherever, and however, we grab hold of this fresh possibility for a new life, we embrace freedom as we let go of the forces that were holding us back. Opening our "toolbox" will allow us to move forward and find ways to build joy into the small, and not-so-small things, even if we have not had our first taste of accomplishment!

So are you ready to start with fresh momentum? We know you can do it!

Today's Tip: "So Christ [God] has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law" (Galatians 5:1 NLT).

FRESH START MOMENTUM is Back!

Hello, friends everywhere! This  FRESH START MOMENTUM blog has been on a necessary hiatus for the past couple of years. Now, we are back stronger than ever and ready to bring you new and fresh ideas and messages. 

We encourage you to pass this weekly blog (published every Tuesday) along to your friends, family, and neighbors. So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and take a moment to relax and enjoy! 

THE THREE Cs

We have just passed the halfway mark on our calendar and are fast approaching our country's birthday, July 4th. Summer is heating up and many of us are looking forward to some comfort, contentment, and cheer. Maybe you have a fondness for a certain vacation spot. Or, you are looking forward to a brand new place to visit. Perhaps even an anticipated stay with a favorite family member is on your to-do list. 

There are many different ways to enjoy ourselves and at the same time, we may discover what needs improvement in our own lives. 

We put effort into helping our neighbors, communities, and our country. Striving our best and doing good every day, we set an example for others. While participating in this way--and with the help of God--we can find comfort, contentment, and cheer. Let’s think back for a moment, when was the last time we truly enjoyed ourselves and, at the same time, made a difference?

ASSIGNED ROLES

We have a role to play in our lives and in the lives of those we care about. We may need to change "hats" frequently, but it’s all part of our story. Especially now that we are single again, God has given us a different kind of “part,” a purpose to carry out. Instead of allowing everyday media stories to sadden and distract us, we can find fulfillment and joy in paying attention to our special assignment.           

  

GROWING OUR JOY
God is the Creator, Producer, and Director of our personal story. He keeps his promises and can be counted on to show us how to become the best we can be for our role in His divine production. Even more so, God enjoys helping us--showing grace, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness when we slip, stumble, and forget our lines. Without a Director, there is no success!      

“As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me” (Micah 7:7 NLT).