Was it Meant to be Easy?

As I sit here trying to motivate myself to be productive despite my tired body and mind, I wonder if I am trying to hard. Today was a long and extremely productive day at work. I feel very proud of what I was able to accomplish with my coworker, yet as soon as I walked through my front door, I did not feel the same motivation.

Now hours have passed and I feel shame for how I have spent my time. I have calmed my spirit, but have I used my time wisely?

Then I stop and ask God what he thinks.

I hear two things: balance and that my strength is small and his is great!

How could I ever forget that? If I really want to be a woman of action this year, then I need to derive my strength from the only source that is never without momentum. How silly of me!

***

Lord,

Thank you for today and for qualifying the one you have called. Please ignite my mind and spirit in the evenings. Let me never go an hour without dwelling on you or including you. Forgive me for my short-comings and continue to teach me how to do better.

Amen

***

I guess it is not as hard as I thought to get moving. Off I go!

~Shana

More than a Phrase

I know that Happy New Year is a phrase that is easy to roll off the tongue. However, I actually want this year to be a happy one. I don't want mediocrity. I do not desire to barely make it through. This new year will be more than I could ever imagine, but I have to do it God's way. I have expectations and desires. I can envision a future that makes me smile:

My Happy New Year:

Increase of patience

Writing more

More dates with God

A successful semester

My students drawing closer to God

Visiting friends in different parts of the country

Traveling more than in 2013

Becoming more financially sound

My heart opening up more to God's will

This is not the end of the list, I see a future of adjusting more to living a balanced lifestyle. Exercising more and drinking 3 liters of water everyday. 

So Lord, I want to give you the desires of my heart that would make me happy. I also open the door for you to give me desires that I do not know I have....

My Happy New Year Part 2:

Trials that increase my love of others

More challenges from my students

Hard weeks to remind me that I need you

... As many challenges that come my way, I renew my commitment to you. 

It will not be easy to achieve a happy year. I must always lean on Christ. I must be content with the life that God has given me instead of dreaming of a different one. I must have God's Word live in me and ignite me. I must choose to be happy. Not an impossible task because I have experienced happiness in the Lord before, so let's do this thang!

~Shana

A Pause to Say Thanks

Hey Lord,

It took a really good friend to knock some sense into me yesterday. "You really need to stop and thank the Lord." It is true. I need to stop and say thanks. So, here I am, pausing from FB and other social medias, work, clubs and other leadership duties, and all other distractions, to talk to you; the one who I should spend more of my time with.

While catching up on my childhood cartoon on Sunday, you spoke to me. I was shocked at first, because I don't really expect to get anything from moving pictures, but nonetheless I got more than I bargained for.

From the Adventures from the Book of Virtues:

"When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems far.

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,

It's when things seen WORST that you mustn't quit."

Lord, I when I needed you the most, you reached your strong arms around me and pulled me close. It was at that moment that I recalled that you were already at my side; sharing my personal space, but I'm glad you are. Continue to share the same air as me, to walk with me, to read what I read, and to watch me as I sleep. I feel safe with you around and lost when I think that you are not near. 

Tomorrow commeth soon, so I'm going to take your hand today.

~Shana