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"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." - Ronald E. Osborn
"Strong lives are motivate by dynamic purpose." - Kenneth Hildebrand
"Make no mistake. God tests our willingness to follow Him in obedience even if no one can or will go with us. We won't embrace with both hands what God has for us if we hold our old lives with a death grip." -Beth Moore
"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." -Proverbs 21:30
Ginger: "It's so far."
Grandma Ann: "It's not that far. It's not London."
Ginger: "True. It's not London."
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No...it's not London, but it is definitely not close. However, the distance from home has provided for more opportunities and challenges than I could ever have imagined. I stuck it out through the heat of summer, a horrible New Year's, and quiet Friday nights. I have been blessed with friendships here and the very distant there. Just as I've started to settle in and make this here a home, I continue to try to pull and manipulate the pieces of my life, to claim that I know what the next page holds. But I don't, and I don't think I really want to.
"Place a small rock in the open palm of your hand. Now clench your fist around that rock, holding it tightly, keeping your muscles rigid and tense. How long can you hold this position comfortably? Notice how quickly your hand tires. Now open your hand again, allowing the rock to lie comfortably in the center of your open palm. Do you think you could hold the rock more comfortably for a longer period of time in this open position?
Our bodies illustrate spiritual lessons. How often have you clutched your life in a clenched fist, fighting the natural forces, trying to control and confine life within the small boundaries of your fears and expectations? It is as uncomfortable for the human heart to be clenched and closed as it is for the human hand. We were meant for openness, movement, and freedom.
Grace is a gift that God gives to an open hand. If your hand is closed, you have no room to receive the surprise packages of life and love that God offers. Unclench your fist. Instead of trying to second-guess, judge, and control life, allow God to surprise you with new insight and unexpected gifts. Let go your rigid opinions and limited expectations. Open your heart and hand to receive God's gifts of grace and freedom and delight." - From Checklist for Life
Time to open up.
1 comment:
funny how God's timing is so perfect. that is exactly what i needed to hear today!
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