November 15: We Determine How Much Influence We’ll Have When…

Affirmation: It is OK not to be OK. I allow myself to feel what I feel.

This Teaching Clip made me think of our affirmation.. Watch Psalm 147:3 Intro by Nona Jones:
https://www.bible.com/en/videos/43979?orientation=PORTRAIT&utm_source=YVAPP&utm_medium=SHARE&utm_content=STORY_CLIP

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: We have memorized, pondered and personalized Matthew 6:33-34. Jesus’s words bring us a beautiful and strong promise. Practice these 2 verses. Make it your habit to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness as your first priority. Then rest in His presence and assurance that His promises will be fulfilled for you.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”Matthew 6:33-34 NIV

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown

Cultivate creativity. Let go of comparison. 

Start practicing:

Get in the habit of making things. What’s your favorite way to be creative? What’s a way you used to love being creative, but haven’t practiced in a while? What’s a creative class you’ve always wanted to take? Get creating, and share your gifts with the world!

Bring awareness to when you fall into the trap of comparison. Note this without judgment. Pay attention to the sensations you feel in your body while you’re in comparison. Then, return your focus within to clarify your intentions. What do you value? What do you want to create? What’s important for you right now in your current situation?

From Jacque: create today…make a list of what you are grateful for. Let your creative juices flow as you design your list.

Lately I have been painting with with watercolor.

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Guided Decision 

I will seek wisdom

Sometimes the questions are complicated, but the answers are simple.

Knowing that wisdom waits to be gathered, I will actively search her out. My past can never be changed, but I can change the future by changing my actions today. I will change my actions today! I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes in my personal relationships and a greater understanding of my fellow man. No longer will I bombard my mind with materials that feed my doubts and fears. I will read and listen only to that which increases my belief in myself and my future.

I will seek wisdom. I will choose my friends with care. I am who my friends are. I speak their language, and I wear their clothes. I share their opinions and their habits. From this moment forward, I will choose to associate with people whose lives and lifestyles I admire. If I associate with chickens, I will learn to scratch at the ground and squabble over crumbs. If I associate with eagles, I will learn to soar great heights. I am an eagle. It is my destiny to fly.

Ask and it will be given to you, Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will be opened to you. Matt 7:7

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

November 15

We Determine How Much Influence We’ll Have When We Decide How Available We’ll Be

“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14.

A lot of people don’t know this about me, but I typically don’t set meetings. As in, you can try to schedule a meeting with me and I probably won’t put it on my calendar. There are a few scheduled things I don’t miss, like my wedding day, or the groundbreaking ceremony for one of my Love Does schools. Beyond that, though, there is a reason I don’t set meetings. It is because I want the people in my life to know that they can have my attention anytime they need it. I just tell them to get a hold of me whenever it is good for them.

We cannot love people unless we make it possible for them to get a hold of us. With all the technology we have, it is easier to insulate ourselves. We can like a photo or make a comment and go months or years without having a real conversation. But Jesus showed us another way by welcoming intereruptions. Most of His interactions with other people happened when He was on His way somewhere else. He was usually stopped by someone in need, and rather than shrugging them off to keep up His pace, He always took the time to listen. He showed them they were important enough to take a detour from His plans. If the God of the universe could stop what He was doing to hear the needs of other people, we can answer our phones. Go for a week without sending anyone to voicemail. It will change your life.

We determine how much influence we will have when we decide how available we will be. Don’t get so focused on your to-do list that you have to neglect those who cross your path along the way. Every time you answer the phone and say hello, you have just answered most of the questions people have about how much you care.

What will you do today to be more available to others?