What is your favorite thing to do on Saturday morning?
I was excited to have the morning to sit in a favored chair – the aroma of coffee laced with caramel macchiato at my side. The soft leather of my Bible snug in my lap. As the morning light filled the room, I soaked up God’s Word. I had no commitments to rush off to and was fully anticipating God to speak to me!
I received great encouragement from the following :
Do you ever feel like someone is watching you? I made myself get back out there running after time off from toe surgery. There may have been more than a few weeks of laziness mixed in there too! Two and a half miles into my route I was suddenly passed by a graceful female runner. Her pace was impressive. Her style was impeccable and I’m not just referring to her adorable attire. She made running look so effortless. Anyone who runs knows the discipline required to achieve such status. I was tempted to yell, “Girl, you are amazing!” But we all know that would just be weird. So I held my tongue and watched as her precisely sculpted legs carried her relaxed upper body so eloquently off into the distance.
Watching her reminded me how often I watch those who are gracefully running the race ahead of me. I want to learn from their successes.
I’m watching….
12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith
and patience inherit what has been promised.
Hebrews 6:12New International Version (NIV)
What qualities are you watching & admiring?
Copyright©2016, Gloria Stucky
Image courtesy of “Closeup Hand Tying Laces Ready For Run On Road At Sunset”by blackzheep at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
My sister had this car sitting in her driveway that caught my attention. I’m not much of a car person and don’t typically get excited about cars. But I knew there was something special about this car. My brother-in-law loves cars and he told me it is a SL600 Mercedes-Benz V12 Twin Turbo. In case you are like me and all that means absolutely nothing, let me just say this car is NICE!
To invest in a new model today’s market would run you about $205K! Do you agree with me now, this car is NICE!
He suggested my sister and I take it out for a drive. He didn’t have to ask twice. When she started the engine, it rumbled. I could feel the vibration of the power inside of me. She pulled it out and we put the top down and took off.
When she accelerated the force of the car pressed me back into the seat. It can go 0 – 60 in three seconds. It was exhilarating! I raised my arms and screamed!
She asked, “Do you want to drive?” My first response was “No!” I was scared of that car. “Wait! Yes! I want to drive because I want to tell my husband that I drove this car.” She pulled over. I got in the driver’s seat and took off.
I so wish I could tell you that I drove that thing like the hot rod that it is, but I didn’t. I was scared! I didn’t drive it like a sports car. I drove it like your granny drives her Buick. I was afraid of the power!
Long ago, a man named David recognized God as his Creator! He recognized God’s creation (himself) as being wonderfully made and marvelous!
The word “marvelous” comes from the Hebrew word which means “to be marvelous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action” Strong’s H6381 – pala’
God didn’t create us to be mediocre Christians. He didn’t create us to be lukewarm Christians. He created us as EXTRAORDINARY beings.
Don’t live your life driving like your granny drives her sedan when the Creator created you in His image – EXTRAORDINARY. How do we do that? Get out the owner’s manuel and learn about the Creator and His creation! It’s amazing how he has equipped us.
God has set us up for success with holiness.
HE HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO SUCCEED AT HOLINESS!
HE’S DONE HIS PART!
Copyright©2016, Gloria Stucky
My new career would require I more seriously weigh my commitments and how I use my time. I had to say no to a few things I really wanted to do and became quite skilled at saying, “Thank you for your consideration! No, I will not be able to do that at this time.” I had not worked full-time for many years and this proved to be an incredible adjustment for me. You full-time career moms & friends are my HEROS and you must share your secrets!
Although the adjustment was necessary in the beginning, I eventually allowed myself to become selfish with my time. I was beginning to say no without prayerfully even considering my answer. I am a firm believer that our service to the Lord is to be done with excellence. We shouldn’t offer God our leftovers but bring our best (all the while knowing our best efforts are useless without God’s strength!). Since I felt my limited time would hinder me from bringing God’s best I made no effort at all. Read more
Steve (my funny husband) pointed his finger in my face demanding that I cast my vote for the presidential candidate of HIS choice. If you know my husband you know he’s a big guy! He can be intimidating with his height and deep voice. Perhaps I should not have laughed when reminding him of my right to vote for the candidate of my own choice because he then threatened to take my car keys away if he couldn’t count on my vote. I then let him know it would not be a problem since we live close enough to the polls to easily accommodate walking.
Together we had a great laugh since we were just having a little marital fun at the expense of my great grandparents, Ma & Pa Keith.
Many years ago my great grandmother, Ma Keith, planned to vote her own choice. Pa Keith didn’t like the fact that her vote would cancel out his vote so he woke early before her and took their only horse to town to cast his vote. He stayed away from home all day which left her with no form of transportation to get to the polls. Since they lived in the mountains of Kentucky walking to town was not an option.
Although, we were making light of the challenging situation we are faced with in this election, we take serious the matter at hand. We may not agree on the candidate or the different approach to voting this time around yet we wholeheartedly agree on the responsibility to vote! So we prayerfully vote, desiring a leader established by God to lead this country with Christian values & integrity.
Whatever we need to do to get to the polls, let’s do it! Let’s prayerfully consider our vote.
Can somebody give me a ride?