Know yourself. Be yourself. Trust in God.

Everything I need to know about the recipe for overcoming fear I learned from David as he prepared for battle with Goliath.  

David, in his infinite faith in God, raised his hand to battle the giant.  Saul did what he thought he needed to do to prepare David for the battle.  He dressed him in a suit of armor and provided him a sword.  But David knew himself well enough to know that he wasn’t comfortable in that suit of armor.  He knew that he couldn’t win unless he used his own God-given talents to slay the beast.  So he took off the armor, and picked up the tools with which he was comfortable fighting - a few rocks. It was with those rocks that he took down Goliath.   

“Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off.”

1 Samuel 17:38-39 NIV

God gives us every tool that we need to succeed in.  When we know ourselves and trust in God, and stop trying to fight our battles as anyone other than ourselves, we will succeed.  

Know yourself.  Be yourself.  And most importantly, trust in God.

Forever, Bless this House

Bless this house
...and all who enter.

Bless every morsel of food
...every drop of wine.

Fill our hearts with love and laughter.
Let tender words be the stronghold.

Let this home be a welcoming place
That embodies your goodness and graciousness.

Let the sun shine bright through every window
And your gentle breeze flow through our doors.
Keep every room filled with your amazing grace.

Keep us safe within this house
...and put an angel on our shoulders to protect us when we leave.

God, forever bless this house.

“Now be pleased to bless this house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you Lord, have spoken and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.” 
2 Samuel 7:29

A Line in the Sand

Yesterday I had two of the hardest conversations I have had in a long time.  

With tears in my eyes, feeling like a fool, I sat down and talked to my bosses about how I have been feeling at work.  Overwhelmed, floundering, lacking confidence, feeling like I am failing --- feeling like they deserved better. Feeling like I wasn’t sure if my new the job was right for me. 

The overwhelming support they showed me was a gift from heaven.  David especially -- reminded me of a very simple truth -- mindset is everything.  

I was the one who had to make the decision that it either was or wasn’t going to work.  

It reminded me of a quote I have used 1000 times in my fitness coaching efforts -- a quote by Henry Ford that says -- “Whether you believe you can or believe you can’t, you are right.”

I am grateful for both Chip & David and the way they talked me off the ledge.  They supported me and gave me the shot in the arm that I needed to see my work, my role, and my purpose a little differently.

This morning I woke up and decided I was going to make this work.  And I reminded myself that it starts with taking care of me.  

In my prayer journal I wrote...

The line has been drawn...today marks my new beginning.  

Self-care means:

• Daily devotion

• Meditation

• Writing

• Healthy, nutritious foods

• Plenty of Exercise

• Water

• Good sleep

• Daily personal development

I know this recipe works and sets me up for success in all aspects of my life...including my career.

So beginning today...I will fill my cup and let it spill over to serve others.  

With that, I opened my bible to begin my daily devotional...and was met with these beautiful words.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelations 21 :4 

The line in the sand has been drawn.   It is a new day.   And I am back.

Today I pray with a grateful and happy heart.   

Thank you for your patience with me.  

For putting the right people and the right messages in my life

For quieting my mind so that I can hear you 

It’s a new day.

I'm coming home.

It's been too many long years away....but I'm coming home. 

I never felt so fulfilled as when I was maintaining Today I Pray -- but as I shared this morning on my Facebook page -- Good Life Sister -- when my job circumstances changed years ago, so too did my daily discipline for writing.

This stops today.

Please enjoy the post I shared this morning on Facebook -- and just as I'm asking my Facebook friends to get to know the Lauren who maintained this blog, I'm asking you to get to know the Lauren who has found her purpose at Good Life Sister.   Expect to see me more -- in fact, expect to see me daily.

My posts may look a little different and the blog itself may undergo a transformation -- but it is still the same me -- trying hard to become a better person, to inspire hope and joy, and to connect the dots between these different times in my life.  

I know that everything happens for a reason... and I am putting my trust in the Universe that this is the step I am meant to take...regardless of how imperfect or ill-prepared I am to take it.  I trust that I am stepping further along the path of my purpose.

Enjoy the post ...and I can't wait to reconnect with you.

❤️Lauren

P.S.  If you are reading this -- I would love it if you left even just a single word comment below.  I am looking for signs.


Posted today on Facebook

If you really knew me....you would know that years ago I maintained a blog called Today I Pray. I loved that blog and the ritual that came with it.  

Every morning I would get up and walk -- camera in hand -- and I would snap a picture of something in nature that spoke to me. It was like a walking meditation....and after my walk I came home, poured myself a cup of coffee and let what ever inspiration I had found, flow through me and into a poem....and then into my prayer for the day.

It was like magic.

It filled me with joy every single morning....and at that moment, I knew I was somehow fulfilling a purpose I didn't quite understand.

That practice ended when I started a different job with more rigid hours. It left a big void in my heart. Day by day though, I am starting to realize I am finding that joy again. The outlet may be a little different -- or maybe it isn't at all.

I'm getting up early...camera propped up to snap pictures of the thing that moves me (literally)...and afterwards I sit down with my shake and share whatever inspiration comes to me during my workout.

Perhaps it's time to connect the final dot...to let that inspiration flow into my prayer for the day.

Yes...I believe today I had an ah ha moment...and I'm taking another step into my purpose.

Today I Pray...

...take my hand and guide me.
...if this is the path I'm meant to walk, illuminate the way.
...help me live a life of purpose and meaning. To inspire others to find their greatness.

... I trust in You.

Always have. Always will. 

The Unthinkable

They were jubilant
Aching
Tired
Exhilarated
Proud

They were moms and dads
Sisters and brothers
Aunts and uncles
Friends and colleagues

They were runners
They were fans

Taking the final strides
Towards the finish line
Shouting words of encouragement
And celebration

When the unthinkable happened

They say that in the moments
Immediately after the explosions
There was an eery quiet
As the victims lay
Wide eye
In stunned silence

Hours later
I sit here
In the quiet of my home
Still in shock

My heart aching...
...for the victims
...and their families

...for the people who were there by chance
...and the ones who had a change of plans and couldn't be there afterall

...for the people who were at mile 25
...and those who had already crossed the finish line

...for those whose memories immediately took them back in time
...and those whose lives will never be the same again

On this day, I dedicate my prayers to you.

 

Today I Pray...

...with a aching heart

...for those that were taken from this earth too soon
May you find peace and rest in heaven

...for the families whose lives were forever changed
May you be surrounded by loved ones
And find strength from the prayers
That are being offered around the world for you

...for my family and friends who were too close for comfort
All praise to the Lord for keeping you out of harms way

...for the first responders, law enforcement and health care providers
May God guide your work

...for those responsible for this tragedy
May God help to heal your troubled heart

...for a world that wakes -- still stunned and feeling broken
May we each find a way to make this world just a little better


"Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."  Hebrews 2:18