What a Difference a Week Makes

Time to take inventory.

A week ago, the company I work for had 43 employees. Now, there are 23 of us.

A week ago, I started running. First run was a quarter mile. Now, I'm up to 2.59 miles.

A week ago, I recorded a 25 pound weight loss. Now, it's 28 pounds.

A week ago, I was ecstatic to be able to run a mile. Now, I'm running my first 5K this Saturday.

A week ago, I would never have dreamed of running more than 5 miles. Now, I'm planning the training for my first marathon.

A week ago, I was planning a quiet Christmas at home with my husband. Now, I'm preparing for a trip to see my family in San Antonio over the holiday.

A week ago, I still had my optimism. Now, I am praying for perseverance. Praying to be enveloped by God's strength, seeking His clarity, and surrendering, moment by moment, to His will.

I know God is in control, and I completely prefer it that way. 

Today Was a Blessing

Today, we blessed a friend. A group of 20 wonderful people came together and collected between them $690, a Wii game console, extra controllers, a few games and a DVD. These were given to a very special lady, that she might breathe a little easier during this difficult financial time, and give her twin, teenage boys a few small Christmas gifts and a big helping of Christmas cheer.

To those of you who reached out to help a stranger, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul. To those of you who reached out to help a friend, I extend these thanks as well and am blessed and proud to call you friends. And to all of you, I pray that God would bless each of you sevenfold for opening your hearts and hearing the call of someone in need, and then acting upon it.

Today, we were all blessed. We were given the gift and privilege of being God's hands and feet, and doing HIS work. I can think of no better gift to receive this Christmas.

May God bless you all this Christmas and throughout the new year.

It Really is Just Stuff

Ever wonder how you would handle losing all of your possessions? Think about it. What would you do if you lost your home, your car, your clothes, jewelry, electronic gadgets, every thing that meant something to you? In a time when amassing stuff seems to be the norm, we often convince ourselves that our lives would be incomplete without these things, that somehow, we would be less of a person if not surrounded by our worldly items.

I am guilty of this. I like to think I'm above it, that I have a loose grip on the things of this world and could move through the rest of my life without so much. And in my heart, I know it's true. But every now and then, I catch glimpses of a person who sometimes feels she is defined by how much, or how little, she has. 

Today, as I learned of dear friends losing their jobs during one of the worst economic times our country has seen in memorable history, I was reminded of what is really important, of who I really am and what defines me. I am grateful to still have a job, my health, a husband who loves me, and my family around me. If all else went away, even my job, I would still be wealthy beyond measure.

I pray those faced with the challenges of this economic downturn remember what is important this holiday season. Hold your families close, bask in the little things, and remember that God has a plan.

Praying peace, love and hope for all those affected.

Merry Christmas and may the new year be filled with the wealths that can not be taken from you.

Stress + Speculation = Distractions!

Last week we learned that our company would, for the third time in 12 months, be downsizing. While this is normal for our country these days, you must understand that presently, our company has about 41 employees. To downsize yet again means reducing our workforce to roughly half what we have now.

I can't decide what's worse, knowing we're downsizing, that the senior leadership team asked for volunteers to separate from the company, or the uncertainty of what happens next.

I do know that this week, so far, has been filled with a lot of stress and some serious speculating. This effectively results in a whole lot of distractions. There is so much work to do, yet I would bet maybe half of it is getting done.

Is it better to know what's coming, or is not knowing the right thing?

Life is an uncertainty; maybe our real job is to just try and make the most of each day we are given, starting with the present one. After all, no matter how much we worry, stress, or speculate, we can't change tomorrow before tomorrow even gets here, right?

~Matthew 6:34