You Qualify!

I just saw a commercial on TV that brought tears to my eyes. A young lady was interviewing for a job she did not have (according to hiring standards) all the credentials the position called for. However; she told the employer (with confidence) she did not graduate with a college degree, but she graduated from high school without a phone, a car, or a computer. She said, “I currently have two jobs and take care of my parents”.  

The interviewer told her she is not what he is looking for, but she is exactly what he needed to fill the position.

Why did it bring tears to my eyes? Even though this was a commercial, there was truth in it. We don’t market ourselves enough and many job seekers interview with the mentality of “they need this job”, instead of letting the employer know, “you are what that company needs”! We have lost our tenacity and courage it takes to interview, with confidence, to get the position. Even though you did not attend college and get the knowledge you need for the job, your lifestyle has given you more than enough experience to qualify.  

By all means, if you have the opportunity to attend college and get a quality education, do so, but to give up and quit, is not an option. You already have marketing skills, public service skills, social service and social media skills, customer service skills, and decision making skills you utilize daily ~ that makes you a force to be reckoned with.

I too can relate to her life of accomplishments!

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:16-18 NIV

Order Up!

Now serving ~ “Heartaches and bitter pain of defeat topped with a regard to accept a defeat with a constructive attitude”.

Competition is tough and you better compete with a winning attitude or accept being defeated with dignity. We train for a marathon, we practice daily, if you are on a basketball team, gymnastics team, or the swim team; in addition to the conditioning, training and proper diet that is needed to compete.

Other competitions that are not physical take intense studying; whereas, you still have to rest so the brain will retain the knowledge you need to “win”.

I was a low hurdler in high school; however, when I was asked to compete in the low hurdles, I did not know how to even jump over them properly. One day during practice, my older brother was at the track practicing shot put and looked over at me struggling with the hurdles. He came over and gave me some much needed advice. He said, “Gwen, you have to hit ‘em low and take only three steps in between each hurdle. Yeah right ~ was my comment. 

Yeah right ~ I was determined to do it too! And it wasn’t fun at all; I hit that hurdle more than I jumped over it. And it hurt! So to make a long story short, I would go over to the track on weekends and practice ~ alone. I mastered hitting them low and getting threes steps in between each hurdle.

Now I had to hurdle with speed!. That took running more than 2 miles daily ~ and I wasn’t up to that. I was not that ambitious to practice on my endurance. I lost some and won some, but if I would have practiced with the same amount of determination on my running as I did my technique; who knows what type of scholarship I could have had to attend college. I qualified for state my junior year and my senior year, and that's as far as it went.

Was I disappointed? Yes and no! Yes ~ I thought I could get there because I was fast, not because I was determined; and No because I defeated myself by not conditioning more in running ~ If I did, then I would have been "a winner" every time!

But he said to me, "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. II Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

Labor of Love!

Inheritance is to transmit genetic qualities from parent to child. Pattern is the regular way something is repeated or done. So now that the definitions of the two have been defined for you now let's put it in how it is used in our everyday lives. 

Heart disease, your height, the color of your eyes, your hair color, sickle cell anemia, etc. are genetic qualities that are hereditary. Making apple pie the way Grandmother did, using the same laundry detergent because your Mother used it, or folding clothes a certain way are things that are patterned.

I'm not sure many of our children have experienced a Mother getting up early before they go to school, and breakfast was on the table. You sat down as a family, prayed as a family and even washed the dishes and had time to sit and watch a little television before you had to go to school. Good memories!

It's a benefit for the children to be in bed at reasonable time so you are able to spend time with your husband uninterrupted; and both of you get in bed at a reasonable time to greet your babies in the morning with love (a warm hug and smile, breakfast, time spent as a family together, as well as prayer time to start the day). I do understand there are many exceptions to this, but if you have a normal work schedule or do not work at all, there is none. Remember: Your life is not your own when you are a parent!

The above things are good patterns. To give them a positive start everyday, starts at home. When a child sees how his/her Mother woke up before they were up "daily", to get breakfast, take care of the house, and spend quality time with them, does pattern from generation to generation. So let's begin with, "I'm willing to give my child a positive start in life, love and the pursuit of happiness that is their right as a U.S citizen, as well as a privilege". 

Then you are able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:16-20 KJV

The Fruits of Your Labor!

How many of you have heard, "Never correct a child out of anger". 

Another true statement is, "If you are that mad at a child that if you hit them you could hurt them. The first thing to do is walk away, and calm down. Once you have self-control, then come back and correct your child".

How a toddler treats other children (rage, hitting, hugging, etc) that's what they see and experience in the home. Not all cases are so, but many are. If you are quick to react in anger to your child that's how they react to other children ~ or playing Mommy and Daddy with a baby doll ~ shaking it, hitting it in the face, telling it to sit down and shut up!

Children are a blessing from God and we are to raise them the way God would have us to. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4 NLT) 

Single parent homes (by choice) is not working, government assistance is not working, women with children of many Fathers is not working. Well, you tell me what will work? Most of us follow the world's way; "News Flash", the world's way is not working. Obliviously we need to do something different that does work.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. I John 3:1 ESV 

Now serving "Elation of Victory"

Sandwich of today is "Elation of Victory"

Victory was won at the cross, but let's go down memory lane and and recall growing up events that made us shout for joy! Things such as winning a blue ribbon for first place in the cupcake contest in your local 4-H, or beating your brother or sister in checkers, or receiving an "A" on your report card in a subject you struggled in, or someone telling you that you are their best friend ever (BIG SMILE). 

Think back how it made you feel ~ Elated!

Victory is sweet, but it didn't come easy ~ there was mountains to climb and some steeper than others. All of us women who cook, know that baking has to be exact measurements and when one measurement or ingredient is missing then the product will be a flop - so you have to start over again, to get it right. Then there is the icing that can be either too runny or too thick. Joy, Joy! So when you perfect that recipe, you know it's a winner!

For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith. I John 5:4 AMP 

Will Power

If you came upon a cliff that overlooked water, would it cross your mind “briefly” to jump? Did you quickly dismiss that thought? If you did, WONDERFUL! But it sure is tempting though!

High places make me dizzy; however, I have been in other situations where the temptation to do wrong came across my mind. And I'm glad it was just that, "A thought". If you have ever been tempted to do anything that is wrong, remember this:

God never tempts us

The word says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak". Matthew 26:41 NIV It is also beneficial to study the word, so when temptation comes, you immediately speak the word ~ It is sharper than any two edge sword. Hebrews 4:12 NIV

 And we know what swords can do to someone, once it penetrates the skin!

It Looks "Good"

What is an opportunity? We can look it up in the dictionary together. The first definition comes up as “a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something”. The second definition is, “a chance for employment or promotion.” 

Yes, I’m going to use the first definition; in which God makes it possible to do something good daily.

Whether, to you, it’s minor or major, your benevolence (act of kindness) entertains the angels of Heaven. “Do not forget or neglect or refuse to extend hospitality to strangers [in the brotherhood—being friendly, cordial, and gracious, sharing the comforts of your home and doing your part generously], for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:2 AMP) And family members should be the first on the list. We look outside the home instead of how we can be of service to each other in the home.

It’s important to serve one another, help one another and above all, truly show them our love, instead of speak it. Relationships start with kind words and deeds and lead to a strong bond that cannot be separated by anyone; because God has knotted it so tight, no one can divide it. “And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 AMP)

Start with complimenting the “good” things a husband or wife does and watch them want to do more “good” things for you!