Just Be Catching the Winks

Just Be Catching the Winks

This week I would like to share one of the first pieces I ever wrote.  My prayer is that every  “Just Be” writing will encourage your Walk with the Lord!

(from 2009)

How many times in a day do you STOP and look at the winks God gives us each day?

Just recently, as I was going through the illness and the death of my grandfather, a very wise woman, said to me, “As you go into this weekend look at the winks Jesus gives you.” 

Well, since this conversation I have really started looking for these winks.  God is looking down on us. He is not only pleased with his children when we are obedient, but He also wants us to know how precious we are by sending  these little winks along the way. 

Sometimes, I need a physical touch from God, and seeing His winks are so sweet that it brings a smile to my face. 

One precious wink I received in the midst of my grief was getting to share with my Uncle Robert the ESV Bible.  Upon seeing this Bible in my car, he started looking through it and it sparked the most unique conversation, allowing me to share with him what Christ is teaching me in the midst of our family storm.

Guess what?  The winks that I get may not be the same ones you receive.  As I have started looking at the winks we are given, I catch myself wanting to share with others these special winks. 

Likewise, when God gives you a wink in the midst of your day, share it with your friends!  You never know the lives you can impact by sharing a little wink with them. 

You are Giving God praise back by telling him you caught the wink.

Food for thought: the word wink is only written 1 time in the Bible.(Ps 35:19-NIV)

Verse for the Day: A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.  Proverbs 15:13

This week, I hope you will “JUST BE” Catching the Winks that the Lord sends!

Just Be on the Lookout!

Just Be on the Lookout

In recent weeks, the Lord has placed different “Just be” statements on my heart.

I love Christmas and all of the traditions. I love going on adventures, looking at Christmas lights, going to Christmas events and, of course, the baking of candies from different family members recipes.

I do realize not everyone is excited about Christmas.  Think about the people in your life that are going through their 1^st Christmas without a loved one, or the adults who are away from their kids due to a divorce. I’ve decided this Christmas season I’m going to be on the lookout to bring a smile to those who are hurting.

What can you do to bring a smile and remind people of Jesus this Christmas season?

1. Don’t miss spending time with the Lord preparing for this Christmas season.

2. December is one of the busiest months of the year filled with hustle and bustle.  Pray that you would be on the lookout for ways to bless people you come in contact with.

3. Take time to talk to the checkout clerk.

4. Invite your friend to a Christmas service with you.

5. Be on the lookout for someone you could bless this Christmas season.

6. Send someone a card.

Scriptures to hold onto:

Gal. 5:13 b “But through love serve one another.”

Psalm 100:2 “Serve the Lord with gladness.”

I’d love to hear from you this week on how you are “Just Being” on the lookout.

Just Be an Encourager

Just Be an Encourager

In recent weeks, the Lord has placed different “Just be” statements on my heart. This week I want to encourage to you to:

Just be an Encourager

I’m so thankful for each friendship I’ve been given over the years. But there’s one friend who has become a constant in my life.  You see, I realize we are not all wired to be happy and energetic all the time.  This friend is most encouraging, never meets a stranger, and loves everyone she comes in contact with. In fact, she is the most genuine and real lady and pushes me in my daily interactions with people.

Then, I have another person who has been my friend for about five years now.  We may go a bit without actually talking, but somehow there always seems to be time to encourage me.

You see, we all need to be encouraged because life is hard.  The hot mess that I am needs encouragement.  I’ve learned through these friendships to be intentional with my actions and words. This has been a game changer in my life.

What does Scripture tell us?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:14 “And we urge you, brothers admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”

How can we be Encouragers?

•        Just simply saying “Hi” and having a conversation with the clerk checking you out at the store.
•       Sending a note in the mail to a friend (yes this is old school but means so much to people).
•        Having Coffee with a friend that you haven’t seen in a while.
•         Inviting a friend to run errands with you!
•        Just sending a text of encouragement or calling them on the phone.

                  I hope you have a Great Week and look for ways to Just Be an Encourager!

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Just Be Thankful

Just Be Thankful

In recent weeks, the Lord has placed different “Just be” statements on my heart. This week I want to encourage to you to:

Just be Thankful

Now before I start this piece, I know the Holidays bring lots of heartache to people.  I just want to say I am so sorry that the weight of the holidays brings your heart pain. I have learned that there is always something to be thankful for regardless of the circumstances.

It seems like every year goes by faster and faster with the days going by quicker and quicker.  In the blink of an eye another year is gone.  We go through our daily routine with all the hustle and bustle.  Sometimes, a few curve balls get thrown to us that can send us into stress mode. 

About five years ago, I jumped on the bandwagon to write daily “I am thankful”… statements for the month of November.  All of a sudden, I felt convicted that God gives us so many things to be thankful and grateful for all year long.

The definition of thankful is- (adjective) expressing gratitude and relief (an earnest and thankful prayer)

Verse:

Psalms 118:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for the steadfast love endures forever.

Here are some different ideas to look for ways to be Thankful:

·      Every day reflect on things you are thankful for.  Write 3-5 items in your prayer journal.

·      Write on an index card or post-it note what you are thankful for and place on your bathroom mirror.

·      Tell a friend what the Lord has been doing in your life (you never know the seeds that can be planted by you sharing).   

·      We need to be on the look out for what God is doing all around us.  For example, the beautiful sunrise in the morning, having coffee with friends, spending time with family.

Just Be "in the Memories"

Just Be in the Memories

The Lord has placed different “Just be” statements on my heart. 

I’m excited to start sharing what God has been teaching me. I’ve fought posting these because of what people might think of me, etc.  Most importantly, my hope is that these will encourage you to keep seeking the Lord.  On my heart this week I want to encourage to you to:

Just be “In the Memories”…

I’m an only child and longed to have siblings so I feel very blessed by all my cousins.  I’m so thankful that the Lord gave me two boy cousins, Bill and Kris, with me right in between them age-wise.

During Holidays, the boys taught me how to play different card games, eat pizza, and shoot guns!

I looked up to them in so many ways and was beyond proud of them for following their dreams and joining the military.  They both sacrificed so much by being deployed and away from their families…

In January of 2013, our family was shattered with the death of Bill in a car accident.  At Bills funeral, my Aunt Kathy gave everyone green ribbons to wear.  I took my green ribbon and hung it on my rearview mirror.

Every day, I’m reminded of the life and the impact Bill made on my life.  I’ve learned that sometimes I need to take the time to tell family members memories and that I miss my cousin Bill.

With the holidays just around the corner I want to Just Be “In the Memories”, to remind those who are missing their loved ones to cherish those memories, and to encourage others to keep their loved ones close, and to seek comfort from the Great Comforter.

Just Be Still

Just Be Still

The Lord has placed different “Just be” statements on my heart. 

I’m excited to start sharing what God has been teaching me. I’ve fought posting these because of what people might think of me, etc.  Most importantly, my hope is that these will encourage you to keep seeking the Lord.  On my heart this week I want to encourage to you to:

Just be Still

From a little girl until now, I’ve always gone ninety to nothing without stopping.  I remember when I was younger, family members would constantly say “You need to be still”.

In my twenties, I would pack my calendar with activity after activity, going to work and then, after a full afternoon of things, getting home late to start my routine over the next day.  One day, as I was meeting with my mentor, she handed me a blank calendar.  I had to fill it out for the entire next week.  My life was too packed and I was not giving myself time to “Just Be Still”.

I learned I had to take some things off my plate and realize that I did not have to do everything. It was okay to say “no”.

Psalms 46:10 tells us “Be still and know that I am God.”

Here are different ways to be still..

·      When I’m still, I place my phone in the other room so I can hear more clearly from the Lord.

·      When I’m still, I limit distractions that keep me from hearing the Lord.

·      When I’m still, I’m listening to the Lord.  Not talking. Listening.

·      When I’m still, the Lord reminds me of His Word so I may apply it to my life.

“Be Still before the Lord and Wait Patiently for Him. “ Psalms 37:7 a

As we start a new week, how can you “Just Be Still”?