~I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.--Revelation 3:8~

This Month's Thoughts for:

Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

Psalm 43:3 NIV

Body-Now that all of the holiday celebrations are nearly over, it's time to look at taking care of ourselves. If you haven't already been, you need to find the right balance in life so that you can have time for exercise and to strengthen yourself.

Mind-Whether you're a student or a graduate, it's never too late to learn something new. Keep your eyes and ears open so that you may find guidance through God's word.

Spirit-Take time each day to pray and talk to God. He hears you.


Sunday, January 13, 2008

More than just a hatrack...

I wear lots of hats in a given week. For example, at the beginning of this week, I was trying to organize a women's group meeting. Mid-week, I was teaching 6th graders and at the end of the week, I was out promoting my mystery series. In between, I worked my regular hours at the local library and also found time to be a wife and mother.

It's alot to juggle and sometimes I'm overwhelmed. What gets me through is looking back at why I do each of these things. I'm a woman, which automatically means that I'm destined to spend much of my time worrying about or thinking about others.

For me, a big part of being a woman is looking for ways to help others, especially women, reach their full potential. The women's group is a project that I hold dear and I feel like time spent on getting it going is time well spent. Teaching gives me an opportunity to work with kids. This is not only something I enjoy, but something that I feel can help make a difference. Although I'm not with the students on a regular basis, I feel that I can make an impression on the kids I teach simply by being someone who listens and offers assistance when needed.

As far as writing goes, I love to write and am often plagued by having too many ideas that I can never get down on paper. Writing has finally become that "thing" that I do. The thing I'm comfortable with. The thing I would do if there was only one thing in the world I could choose. It has opened the door to new friendships, a new form of self-expression and a solid definition of who I am. And I believe it allows me to be a better woman, a better wife and a better mother. On this website, you'll see a graphic that says, "Find out who you are and do it on purpose." I believe this is one of the keys to happiness.

What kinds of things make you happy? What can you make time for in your life that will help you feel more like you? Feel free to share your thoughts here. Remember, the more we share, the better we serve one another. We can learn through the experiences of one another if we are willing to share our stories!

Have a great week!

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Good for You!

Good for You!
Tips on healthy living, healthy loving and healthy habits!

Healthy Relationships: Where do you fit in?

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12 New International Version

In relationships, we are all put to the test in one way or another. Whether we are being taught a lesson in trusting others or in learning to love selflessly, we must always be on the lookout for signs that the enemy is lurking nearby. Sometimes what we think might be one of God's tests for us is actually our own ego struggling to overpower His influence in our lives.

If you are fighting constantly over the same issues with your significant other, take a step back and ask yourself, "What would God want me to do here?" It could be that He wants you to take enough pride in yourself to stand up for your right to be respected in the relationship. Maybe you need to step up and express your dissatisfaction with the way you are being treated in order to make your loved one understand what you need. Or maybe you are with someone who is treating you unfairly and God wants you to guard your heart.

If your usual tendency is to run away from a relationship when you aren't 100% satisfied with the other person's behavior, this could be an indicator that you aren't being realistic in your expectations. No one is perfect and learning to love one another's flaws as well as one's gifts is part of a healthy relationship.

A great resource for you to check out if you are having difficulty sustaining relationships is "Safe People" by Townsend and Cloud. I am currently going through a Bible Study with some ladies and we are using this book as our guide. There is alot of great information about boundaries and how to identify traits in others who may be unsafe for us. If you get a chance, check this one out.

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