Do you feel like you are put in a box? That people expect you to be a certain way – act a certain way? And your heart just longs to break free of those restraints?
You CAN be the person you were meant to be. There is freedom to be found in simply being yourself – no matter whether others approve of who that “self” inside of you is or not.
~ Dionna Sanchez
http://www.twitter.com/DionnaSanchez
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:5,6
On Saturday, I had to have a little life talk with Carson. Thursday night he had told us that he was going to go to school on Saturday and work a concession stand for one of the games. It would give him service hours for National Junior Honor Society. No problem, Bobby said he’d run him over and then go pick him up when he was done.
But we had a full week this past week and had been out on Friday night at a friend’s for dinner, and when Saturday morning rolled around, Carson was tired and decided he didn’t want to get up and go to school to work, he’d rather stay home and hang out with Chase. And the more Bobby tried to encourage him to go, the more adament Carson became that he didn’t want to.
I asked Carson if he had committed to working this event. He said, “No”, he’d just told them he might be there.
I explained to Carson that he could stay home this one time, because he’d not made a commitment, but that it was very important to honor his word, whether he was tired or not. If he said he was going to do something, he must honor that.
I work with a lot of volunteers at church. Some are always on time, always doing what they said they would do. Others … not so much.
Yesterday, our Pastor was talking about our commitments to God. We make vows with him on Sunday, when we’re caught up in the emotion of the moment … we say, YES LORD, but then by Tuesday or Wednesday, we’ve let life get the best of us and we are back to … “No God, can’t do that right now.”
I want my little Carson to grow into a man of character … in life and with God.
I want to grow into a woman of character … in life and with God.
Father, thank you for teaching me how to be a woman of character. I want your character, your spirit to fill me up, to flow through me, to flow out of me. And Jesus, please teach my little Carson the same lesson.
I love you Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen
God’s Blessings Upon You!
Love,
Joyce
The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow.
http://www.alifedecision.org
I can be calling his name and he’s so focused in on what he’s doing … he totally ignores me. I have to actually go over to him and pick him up for him to stop doing what he’s doing and look at me. Jack does not hear my voice.
Zeke, on the other hand, who has been my best buddy for over five years always hears my voice. Even when I don’t want him to hear me, he does. I cannot say one word without Zeke being at my side. Sometimes I don’t have to even speak, I can just look at him and he’ll come over and lay his head on me. Zeke loves me, he listens for my voice and the second he hears it, he responds.
Sometimes I act like Jack, with God. I am so busy running around doing my thing, I don’t hear His gentle whisperings. He literally has to put a wall up in front of me for me to stop what I am doing and listen.
I want to be more like Zeke in my walk with Jesus. I want to hear His voice, whatever I’m doing – where ever I’m doing it. I want to stay attuned to His call.
I want to be part of His flock. I want to follow HIM.
Father, thank you for allowing me to see this example so clearly. Teach me Lord Jesus, how to hear your voice, no matter what the circumstance.
I Love You Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen
God’s Blessing Upon You!
Love,
Joyce
Million Copy Give-Away.
Will You Help?
Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…
it’s about learning to dance in the rain!
When do you truly feel as if you’ve “come into your own.” In what atmosphere, setting, or moment in time have you felt like you were the person you truly wanted to be? What makes you feel good about being YOU?
So many women don’t feel good about themselves. You can see it in their faces. Maybe they believe lies that were told to them when they were young. Maybe no one has encouraged them or told them they were valuable in a really long time. Or maybe they are just trying to be something…someone that they simply were not created or destined to be!
I’m still in the process of “coming into my own.” But the more I am able to truly know who I am, what I feel, and what embodies or makes me “me” – the freer I feel in my own skin. The more relaxed I am able to be and the more I seek to learn about myself, because I have found that I am a very intricate person!
For me, I have found that I will never be okay with who I am when I am seeking things outside of God’s love, plans, and messages that are aimed just for my personal heart and soul. The more I desire to be closer to Him, the more I embrace the truth that He loves me “just as I am” – then those are the moments where I can enjoy life the most and live it with the most abandon, because then, I can forget myself in the process. And I believe that is how God truly wants us to live.
It’s time we stop putting so many unnecessary demands on our shoulders, stop trying to meet expectations placed on us by others, and instead start discovering what our true calling in life as a woman and an individual is ….
…. it’s the only way we will ever truly feel free in being just the person that God created us to be.
~ Dionna Sanchez is the Founder of EmphasisOnMoms.com. Subscribe to her free monthly newsletter for moms at http://www.EmphasisOnMoms.com/newsletter.htm
“For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Carson and Chase spend a lot of time talking about what they want to do when they grow up. Carson wants to be a Veterinarian and live on a farm in North Florida with a lake and raise Guinea Pigs and take care of hurting animals. That is a big dream.
Chase wants to work at Sea World and swim with the dolphins and the whales. He wants to own a preserve and have all sorts of animals there that he and his buddy, Josh, take care of. That is a big dream.
I used to have big dreams when I was a kid. Then I grew up … and I allowed life to steal my dreams.
A few years ago, my life turned around and I wrote a book about the hope and healing I had experienced through Jesus. Most authors dream of selling a million copies of their books. My book was never about the sales, but rather the lives helped.
I had an idea the other day … why couldn’t I GIVE AWAY A MILLION COPIES in E-Book Format? That’s a BIG DREAM … but I serve a BIG GOD!
So … here goes. I am dreaming big. Will you help me achieve my goal?
Please forward this email to your friends and family … let’s see how many lives God can affect through email … through the Internet … through a book about healing and hope!
Chili and Chocolate Cake is not your average inspirational book; and is as unique as the title. The author shares her message of forgiveness, restoration, and hope for hurting women– especially those who have experienced the loss of a child through abortion, miscarriage, or stillborn birth. This book is a shining testimony to the power of God to heal the broken heart. Author Joyce Schneider’s dramatic life and the miraculous change from a tortured young women to a great woman of God will encourage every reader. God even used the stablilty gained from preparing chili and chocolate cake to weave the thread of His grace throughout her troubled life. Get ready for an outpouring–from the barren days of the past, to springs of living waters; rivers that will refresh long after you close the pages of this book.
All the details are on my website:
http://www.alifedecision.org
Thank you for your support!
Father, thank you for dreams. Thank you for giving me the encouragement to step out of my comfort zone and make a difference … for you!
I Love You Jesus!
In Your Name I Pray,
Amen
God’s Blessings To You!
Love,
Joyce
I was listening to Randy Carlson one morning on Parent Talk discussing the subject of “happiness.” Happiness is a subject that is really relevant because so many people struggle with it. People think that gifts and material items will fulfill them and make them happy – or they make New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, etc in the quest to find happiness.
I hear from women very regularly because of my Emphasis On Moms Ministry. I hear from women who are depressed, dealing with guilt because they are striving for a standard of perfection in their homes, they are struggling in their marriages — and so much of this stems from pressure in the Christian environment to appear that they meet a certain standard – when they are not. And if they can’t or they aren’t – they become unhappy because they feel like they don’t measure up.
I think there is this unwritten rule or standard that for Christians, especially, that we must always appear happy. If we aren’t, then we must not be close to the Lord – right? But it just puts all the more pressure on us. I think we need to let each other know that it’s okay that all is not perfect in our world all of the time.
I am a pretty happy person. But for me – happiness is a benefit of my life – not the goal of it. I don’t strive to be happy. It just comes because of the inner choices I make for myself and my life. I do try to better myself all of the time – but I don’t focus on happiness as a result – because I know that most of the time, happiness is that choice of being content where I am, even if that’s not ideal. It’s knowing I am loved, feeling blessed with what I’ve been given, knowing that I’m in God’s hands and that He will hold me and guide me through the challenges in my life. It’s impacting others on His behalf.
I truly feel content. I may not always be bubbling with laughter due to navigating one circumstance or another – but I have no complaints.
I know that there are people who are always trying to “have fun” – but internally, they are not content or happy. Because they are always searching for that next “high” to keep them feeling that adrenaline rush. If it stops – there’s a hole left in their lives. A hole that I don’t feel or experience because God is with me through all of my highs and my lows. That’s where my contentment comes from.
No one else can make you happy. True happiness comes from the Lord. But God also created us to be emotional people. So I think it’s okay to feel sorrow, dissapointment, overwhelmed, and discontent at times. I think it’s okay to feel those emotions because God created and gave us those emotions!
As we face a new year and a new season in our lives….wherever you are in your life and wherever you’re heading, whatever you’re facing – Be encouraged that God loves you no matter how you are feeling or how other people think you should feel. Stop putting pressure on yourself to appear a certain way if you don’t feel that way – but allow yourself to be real with others.
True happiness can’t be manufactured or created – it comes from within. It’s a choice. I hope that choice comes to you and your home this year. For the contentment and joy that comes from knowing, serving, and growing in the Lord, will bring you everything you need within to sustain you, nurture, and guide you through whatever it is and wherever it is you’re headed.
You can read more of Dionna’s writings at her personal blog – http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com
There is an old saying, “People who live in glass houses, shouldn’t throw stones.” I was reading a story in John the other day where Jesus made a similar statement. He had been teaching in the temple, when the religious leaders brought before him a woman caught in the act of adultery. They wanted to know what punishment the woman should have. The Law of Moses commanded that she be stoned, but Jesus came to bring repentance to sinners; to save them, not destroy them.
The religious leaders were trying to entrap Jesus, to put him between a rock and a hard place.
Jesus encouraged the crowd who were pointing fingers at this woman to look inside themselves. He urged whoever was without sin in their life to throw the first stone. And no one could. One by one, they turned and walked away. When it was just Jesus and the woman left, he asked her if anyone had condemned her. She said, “No.”
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11)
Jesus didn’t condemn the woman, nor did he condone what she had done. He implored her to move on … and stop doing what she had been doing.
WOW … that is such an encouragement for me. I don’t have to beat myself up when I make a mistake. I don’t have to be stoned to death … I simply need to STOP – to ask Jesus for forgiveness and turn away from whatever it was I was doing wrong.
And when others mess up … I need to not throw stones … but take a good hard look at myself.
Father, thank you for this lesson. Teach me how to keep myself clean and clear; to not throw stones at others.
I Love You Jesus!
In your name I pray,
Amen
God’s Blessings Upon You!
Love,
Joyce
The Choices You Make Today …
Will Affect Your Tomorrow!
http://www.alifedecision.org
I’m working on becoming more fearless for the Lord. I fall so completely short of where I would hope I would be on His behalf. My own pride, comfort level, and insecurities get in the way far too often.
I will continue to work on being a fearless servant for the Lord, though. I want to be able to face my foes triumphantly and have a peace and contentment in my heart that won’t be swayed by the world’s troubles.
I want to continue to stretch myself so that I may truly see more of God’s glory and be used as a vessel for Him to let Him work miraculous wonders in others’ lives.
How about you?
Dionna Sanchez
Have you ever had one of those days when you just felt like a dork? Efforts made – came up short. Comments and actions – seemed to miss the mark. Basically, your self esteem just wasn’t feeling solid on that particular day!
Sometimes I assume that people will see and know my heart and soul. Oh, how I wish they could see into me at times! To know and understand my motives or intent. But, they don’t. And no matter how long I’m alive, I will probably always be astonished that people in my life will continue to misunderstand or second-guess me.
So, yes – today was one of those days for me. I felt like a dork. I just wasn’t able to quite “connect” with a few people, and my feelings got bruised up a bit. I shouldn’t be surprised, actually. I had a few other encouraging things happen this past week and I should have had my armor on and been ready for Satan to hit in retaliation. But, I wasn’t. And oh, how Satan loves to get us where it’s personal – doesn’t he?
How thankful I am, that I can come to God – just as I am. No pressure to perform to certain standards or expectations, no misunderstandings (for He can not only see my heart – He can read my mind!) – and nothing but open arms welcoming me into His presence – wanting to see me, be with me, and love me. How reassuring and thankful I am! Because this evening, I need those open arms. I need His love to remind me that I am not a dork. I need His strength to build me up again and show me that I’m doing okay and I’m on the right track – regardless of responses by others. He can encourage me to stay the course. Because Satan loves to make us feel sorry for ourselves and powerless – doesn’t He? We can’t be used to spread God’s love and cheer if we’re too busy being wrapped up in our own pity party. I know that, and I see that.
It was just a day. One day. And not all days are going to be beautiful, lovely, charming, and lovey. I know that. Tomorrow morning, the sun will rise and I can start fresh.
My soul is comforted by being able to take my feelings of “dorkiness” to the Lord. He is always there for me – ready, waiting, and welcoming.
For God said,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:9-10
Or – as in my translation -
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in (dorkiness). Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my (dorkiness) so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake – I delight in (dorkiness), in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am (feeling like a dork), then I am strong.”
I don’t have to be perfect. I just need to come as I am.
Read Dionna’s blog at http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com
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