Thomas Aquinas once called on Pope Innocent II when he was counting out a large sum of money. The Pope remarked, “You see, Thomas, the church can no longer say, ‘silver and gold have I none.’” Aquinas replied,

“True holy father, but neither can she now say, ‘Rise and walk’” Thomas Aquinas 1225-1274

This quote struck me deeply as I was writing “Seriously God? I’m Doing Everything I Know To Do and It’s NOT Working”. The quote is referring to when Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray in the book of Acts. As they approached the temple, a lame man laid daily begging for alms.  Peter and John, look at him telling him while they don’t have money, what they do have they would give. And looking right into the lame man’s eyes they say “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Acts 3:6

Thomas Aquinas’ quote struck a chord in my heart, because while we may long to see miracles in our own lives and those around us, many times we don’t. The question ringing in our hearts may be, “why?”

What makes us different from the people of the book of Acts? People are people, we are indwelled by the same Holy Spirit, we hold in our hands the Word of God…

…and God never changes.

So what might be the problem?

In my case, one area I became aware of, was how divided my heart had became. Split right down the middle between very temporal wants and eternal needs. Those temporal wants, took up so much of my mind and heart, eroding away my ability to see Jesus at work in my life. Over time I began to love the gifts more than the Giver.

The only difference between us and the people we read about in the Bible is our very own hearts.

Where does our devotion lie, with the gifts or the Giver?

If like me, you think you may also be loving the gifts more than the Giver, I would love for you to take a peek at the first pages of Seriously God?

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Today’s Quote is shared by: Jenny Smith.  She teaches at her local church, conferences, or wherever woman gather to hear hope from God’s Word. Recently, she published her first book, Seriously God? I’m Doing Everything I Know To Do and It’s NOT Working! She lives in Adairsville, GA with her husband, Chad and their three daughters. You can visit with Jenny at Keeping In Stride, connect with her on Facebook here or Twitter at Keepinginstride. You can join us for the Seriously God? Online Book/Bible study starting in June here.

For Mother’s Day this year my husband gave me a baby rose plant. The plant only had two flowers that were beginning to bloom and the rest of the buds were still closed up tight.

As I was looking at this plant dreaming about what it will look like when it is in full bloom I was reminded that it wouldn’t bloom unless I took good care of it. I need to make sure it is placed where the sun shines brightly and I must remember to keep it watered.

This precious plant reminded me of our lives. Each and every life is full of promise. We all have dreams, ideas and opportunities buried in the soil of our soul that have potential to bloom into beautiful flowers. But like me with my plant we also need to nurture those dreams, water those opportunities and protect those ideas.

If I neglect my little plant it will shrivel up and die but if I tend to it carefully watering it and picking off the dead parts it will continue to grow and bloom. In our lives we need to allow ourselves to bloom. Don’t neglect who you have been created to be and what you have been created to do.

How do you do this?

Here are two ways to start you off:

1.  Don’t neglect YOU. So often in life we are running around taking care of everyone else and before we realize it we have neglected ourselves. When was the last time you did something you loved just because you love it? When was the last time you took a few minutes by yourself to think about your life, where you are and where you want to go? Keep yourself well watered and give yourself lots of sunshine and your life will be beautiful to others.

2.  Let people in who will encourage you to bloom. There are those in your life who you will share your dreams with and they will instantly tell you all the reasons why you shouldn’t pursue them. Don’t allow those people in. It is as if they are taking those fragile little buds and snipping them away before allowing them time to grow and blossom. Instead share your dreams and heart selectively with those who will encourage you to press on and show you where you need to be better.

We all were created to be beautiful. To bloom where we’ve been planted and live a life that reflects our Maker well.

Question:  How are you nurturing your dreams and watering opportunities? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

Photo Credit: mauroguanandi {Creative Commons}

Life is transitional.  Seasons change.  Life transitions like a season.  Seasons come and go in our lives…

…sometime friends do too.

I recently reconnected with a friend of mine who drifted away, we use to talk almost everyday.  I was consumed with losing a job, figuring out what I wanted to do next, being a single mom — life. was. full.

I softly reached out a few times, but have resolved to let it go and accept it as a season of change.

We can feel blindsided by loss.  However, if we look at it from God’s perspective, He is preparing us for something better or different. We cannot change another person’s actions or reactions. We are only responsible and can only manage our own actions and reactions.

“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:28

Acceptance is an important life tool that I focus on everyday. It took a lot of ‘gardening‘ by God to align my heart and head to accept and be thankful for my life as my life.  When I was willing God was able to change my perspective and attitude.

When I walk in His light, for His purpose, seeking His plan, looking for His good — I see life is full of choices every moment, everyday, every week, every month, and every year.

My choose acceptance so that I can fully life. love. share.  Changing seasons can grow our gratitude list. When we lose something, change something or leave something it can make us more grateful. When we talk to God and walk with a generous and open heart we are able to ‘Let go and let God’.

May you walk with grace between the season in your life. Talk to God. Walk with God. Watch for God.

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22: 37-39

Question:  How well do you handle change in your life?  What tools help you through transitions in life?  You can leave a comment by clicking here.

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12

Her voice was but a whisper. I leaned in close to grasp a few words. I entreated her to speak so my ear could glimpse her longing. But for many months my daughter’s words were near silence.

I get frustrated when I ask God and He doesn’t answer. My heart wearies at His silence. I look for a mighty wind of His will, an earthquake of His insight, a fire of His favor…

…He doesn’t shout His suggestions.

When I find myself incommunicado with God, I remember my quiet little girl.

I lean in.

I have to scoot closer to His heart to discern His whispers. As I move my heart closer to His, He infiltrates the boundary of my heart. His voice is but a whisper.

I entreat.

I invite God to have a great portion of my heart – to expand His territory within. When He occupies more of me, His hush is amplified. His voice is but a whisper.

I don’t have to live in silence. His heart shatters the silence, magnifies my muddled hearing and invites my heart to hear His. Won’t you join me today as we hear from Him?

His voice is but a whisper.

Photo Credit:  John Ragai {Creative Commons}

Are you stuck in a rut?

Some can instantly say YES — I am stuck — it’s noticeable and gnawing at you daily.  There needs to be a change, but you’re not really sure what that looks like or are so accustom to the “rut” it seems impossible to get out.

For some, the answer might be a firm NO, or I don’t think so.  Things are going smoothly, right on track…going with the flow.  It’s the everyday routine, no major hiccups or road blocks.

Whether your answer is YES or NO — there comes a time when we all need to take a step back, get our noses-off-the-trunk-of-the-tree and evaluate where we are.  We need to “look at the forest” — take a birds eye view of life and ask the big question WHY?

…in all areas of our lives.

I had the opportunity to do this for the past 40 days.  I unplugged from all things distracting {eh hem…social media} and peeled back the layers of my life using the 5 Whys technique. It was refreshing and encouraging.

I discovered many things I didn’t know I needed to discover.  I was able to identify the “rut” I didn’t know I was in.  Because, honestly?  If you would’ve asked me the question, Are you stuck in a rut? My answer would’ve been NO — life is good…GREAT actually!

God had been open doors I didn’t knock on.  I was thrilled with what was happening with the book, Overcoming the Nevers, and speaking.  The Lord was blessing me with more coaching clients.  The family was healthy and flowing smoothly.  I was intentional daily about my emotional and spiritual growth.  What else could there be, right?

…wrong.

There was more.  More that God wanted me to see and hear, but I couldn’t until I took a step back.  I couldn’t until I was obedient to His sweet quiet voice telling me to unplug.

Over the next 3 Mondays I’m going to share with you three words that stood out to me at the airport, of all places.  They were extremely useful to me during my time unplugged.

But until then, I want to leave you with two questions to chew on:

1.  When was the last time you slowed down, took your nose-off-the-trunk-of-the-tree to evaluate your life, reflect?

2.  How would you or do you discover a “rut” you don’t know you’re in?

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. - Confucius

Photo Credit: jetsandzeppelins’ {Creative Commons}