Blessed, Faithful, Obedient...

I had an ah hah moment this afternoon. A friend posted yesterday that their family needed prayer. So, myself and dozens of other friends replied with confirmations we would be praying and support. I did pray and wondered what was wrong, but I didn't ask because she didn't tell. It was obviously none of my business, even though she asked for prayer.
Fast forward a day. In her own timing and comfort level, she revealed the reason for the prayer request. Truly, I am thankful that I had prayed for her family. As people started to chime in with more support and promised prayers, one man posted something that I had to read twice. He told her that she is blessed. She is blessed because she has such great friends that when she posted for prayers, not one single person asked why. They just prayed and offered support. Wow. I had to read it twice.
Probably because in today's time where information is milliseconds away and there really are not many things left that are kept private, I guess it's standard that someone would want to know. Shoot, I wondered. All sorts of things went through my head. It really ended up being a blanket prayer because I knew God knew exactly what she needed.
This person's comment reminded me of the faithfulness of a woman named Ruth. She was loyal, loving, dedicated, faithful, and obedient. It is because of this that she was rewarded with a beautiful love story. It's not just the love story of a man and woman. It's the love she had for her mother in law and for her God.
I can imagine when her first husband died, she was pretty sure that she would return home to her family instead of staying in the foreign place she was. Now there was nobody to take care of her. But, she didn't. She stayed with Naomi, pledging her loyalty, and they returned to Naomi's homeland. Talk about scary; going somewhere you know nobody and have no idea how you will support yourself and an elderly mother in law!
But she obeyed Naomi and worked the fields that belonged to Boaz. She worked very hard and was quickly noticed. Eventually, love bloomed and through a bit more story, they were happily married. My favorite part is that the story does not end there. It's like a fairy tale, but with the "what happens next".  Ruth and Boaz were blessed with a son named, Obed. Obed grew up to be the grandfather of Kind David. Then generations later, the birth of Jesus. Ruth's loyalty led to her faithful obedience. This led to her being blessed. My "tied for first" Bible verse is "Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" Ruth 1:16.


What kind of person are you? The loyal kind that can be counted on in a moment's notice? Or the one that has to know all the details and how it will turn out first? I tend to think that it is far better to answer a friend's call in need with humble obedience. The blessings one receives from this act of faithfulness may be far greater and the rippling effect farther reaching then one might know during their lifetime.
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New Years Goal, Not Resolutions...

So, a new year begins. Most people are full of hopes, dreams, and new resolutions. Some don't have any because they don't want to feel like they fail if all is not accomplished. I know that feeling! I'm very familiar with eating bad and not going to the gym by day 5. I've heard it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. I didn't do it long enough to even become a memory!

Oh well! It is really ok to not have a bazillion resolutions. I think it's better to set goals and stop along the way during the year and assess if it's still a good goal and what still needs to be done to meet it. People that write down their goals are more likely to accomplish them. What's the difference between a resolution and a goal? I see a resolution of a thing you want to change: lose weight, eat better, go to the gym every day, better financial health, buy a house, etc. I see a goal as a plan for actually accomplishing the resolution. I would rather have a map for driving 1200 miles than to just say, "I'm going to Seattle, WA." I will be much better prepared to actually arrive at my destination than to go out, get lost, forget, and quit.

My favorite thing about setting a goal is that it can be adjusted. Maybe in July you see that the market is not the best and you get pregnant. Therefore, buying a house is not a good choice for this year because you can't spare the extra money. It's ok. Just adjust accordingly. You are still on target to meet your goal. Driving 800 miles and waiting when you run into a blizzard with only 400 miles left to go is way better then going 80 miles and saying that it's impossible and going back to square one. Especially, since it is still a dream you have for your family.

I don't mean a goal is a loophole out of accomplishing something. It's giving yourself permission to take a step off the path for whatever comes your way and then getting back on your journey. My goal is to exercise in some form every day, but love myself just as much on the days I can't/don't. I can take care of my sick babies that are up several times a night. I know I can't take them to the gym and when they finally rest, I can rest, too, because I am plum tuckered. I am not going to beat myself up that I should be doing an exercise video or on the elliptical when I might actually fall asleep and hurt myself anyway. Progress is any step forward. It may be baby steps, but as long as we are moving, there will be change and progress. I may not be able to exercise because I am so exhausted, but my adjustment can be to make better eating choices and therefore, I am still heading towards my goal.

I wish everyone the best in the new year of 2014.

An Old Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

I believe you can accomplish anything you set out to accomplish. But you must believe in yourself first. No one can make you do what you choose and you will make the journey when you are truly ready for a change and progress in your life.

Where will your "map" take you this year?