2017: Intentionally BOLD

I spent the last few days of 2016 on a mission trip to Mexico and there is no better way to help you refocus on God than serving others. It was a trip that had me completely out of my comfort zone for several reasons but the main one was I only knew one person on this trip. I find it ironic and totally like God to give me two words for the new year that links to how I spent the last days of 2016.

    While on the trip I began to ask God to reveal what he wanted me to focus on this year. Two words kept coming to mind, never at the same time, but was revealed to me equally. My focus this year is to be intentionally bold. This makes my heart race, but God has been equipping me since my Honduras trip so that I can be intentionally bold. Being the word nerd I am, I looked up what both words mean; not because I didn’t know, but because I wanted what God was calling me to do to completely sink in. To be intentional means to be done on purpose, calculated. To be bold means showing an ability to take risks, confident and courageous. STOP Reread those last two lines. God wants me to be confident and courageous on purpose all while taking risks. I’m so use to going with the flow and not really rocking the boat so this in itself will be risky.

    These two words means I will have to get out of my comfort zone way more than I would like if I’m going to live out what God has planned for me in 2017. Since he is calling me to be bold please allow me to share a couple of things on my heart with you. The first thing many of you already know, but I feel like I should say it is I know without a doubt God has called me to write and speak. God affirmed this on my mission trip to Mexico. How this will play out this year and tie into being intentionally bold; only God knows, but I know I’m ready to do what He calls me to do. The other thing I want to share is something very few people know. I kept it a secret for fear of what others would think of me, but now that I know I do not have to fear I am comfortable with sharing. Since 2014 I have been taking one or two college classes as we can afford it to earn an associate degree in Biblical Studies. I honestly do not know the purpose behind it other than I’m simply doing what God has called me to do. I have a long way to go before the degree is complete, but I am determined to complete it. Now that you know, please pray for me as I take these classes.

    As we take on 2017 remember to focus on God and his purpose for your life. Be different, be about others so they will know Him and you will make a difference. Until next time remember, “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”  (2 Timothy 1:7)

2016: Looking Back

2016 was much better than 2015, it was a year full of changes, experiences and blessings from God. I’m not sure I want to admit this but I honestly couldn’t remember what my word or phrase was for 2016 and I was afraid that I had not lived up to what God had put on my heart. Once I went make and discovered what my phrase was, I knew that I hadn’t forgotten but I had simply made it my lifestyle, one that will carry into 2017 and go with me until God calls me home. My phrase was, “Be different, make a difference”. God allowed me to make a difference and be a blessing to others. The biggest impact for the first half of my year was my mission trip to Honduras. I was expecting to make a difference on this trip and I did, but I was not expecting the difference it would make in my life. This trip alone changed my life, it changed my heart and my personality. I allowed God to work on and through me on this trip and I came back even more prepared to be different so that I could make a difference. The difference started in my home with my family and friends. So what was the difference, I was no longer afraid to be ME, the me that God created me to be. I felt the chains fall and the acceptance given, which started on the trip and carried over to the people around me. This different me carried over to the workplace and now I’m a different teacher/coach than I used to be and it’s allowing me to make a difference. The second half of my year ended with a BANG! I went back to coaching, which I love, God answered my long forgotten prayer of wanting a best friend, and I finished my year on a mission trip. God allowed me to make a difference in my best friend’s life and together we finished our year making a difference. There is nothing much better than making a difference with your best friend on a mission trip. I could list all the ways I made a difference this year, but instead I want to publicly thank God for changing me so I could be different and make a difference. Thank you God for trusting me with what you have given me. I know 2017 will have more opportunities to be different and make a difference. I pray that God will bless each and everyone of you throughout this new year. May you rely on Him for your every need and trust him with every detail of your life. He’s with you, always...even in the darkest times, he’s there. Until next time remember : “The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His instructions are trustworthy.” (Psalm 111:7)