ln the pursuit of greatness

                            You can't bring about change if you are "acting small".

It's hard sometimes to do what needs to be done...even harder sometimes to do what we WANT to do...you know to go after that *thing* that you dream about. Unfortunately, we usually get in our own way (our self-image, self-talk, how much we value ourself)

I had a beautiful experience the past couple weeks where I took the limits off and just pursued my ideal. The result...I got it. Even now its hard to believe. But I have to keep reminding myself...its not just me, because my default response is how did I (lil ole me) get that??

But its not JUST me. It's me exponentially, because the God in me is so big, so great, and so awesome...what I can do with Him is multiplied.

Remember you are created for purpose. God wants His best for you. You can choose to seek out His best, or settle for good-enough. His best positions you for maximum effectiveness in that which He has called you to do.

And so I walk forth embracing that I am all that God says that I am. I will continue to press forth and aim high, as I dream big pursuing my goal to bring hope to all I come in contact with.

As Marianne Williamson so aptly put it: "Who are you NOT to be....[brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous] "

Grace, peace, and love in the pursuit of greatness,

Gia

don't sweat the small stuff part 2

I stumbled upon this quote/graphic while preparing for last week's blog post. I thought it was too poignant to stick with the post and that it needed its own post!

Essentially we fix nothing by worrying. In fact, we deplete our own resources. Our strength. Our hope. Our energy. Our willpower.

The Bible says the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). I think that it is a natural process that when we worry, we loose joy. If we think of our joy being stored (internally) in a reservoir, then it is possible to think less in terms of all or nothing but understanding that there is a filling and an emptying.  Our reservoir is emptied...or as a friend so aptly said, "our joy leaks out" when we worry.

Not to worry (haha), if your joy has been leaking out, we can easily build up our stash by reminding ourselves of God's promises, His Word and His attributes (e.g.faithful, kind, forgiving, gracious, merciful, loving).  Essentially this should be our daily position as inevitably, whether you intentionally stress over small or large things, the way life is, there is bound to be leakage, even if only just small drips, making our thought life ever so important.

So what do we do today (and everyday)....

wooosah.

 breathe. release. trust.

...and remind ourselves of how faithful our God is!

Grace peace and love,
Gia

don't sweat the small stuff

Yesterday, I was in Eleuthera. Rock Sound, Eleuthera to be exact. I was there for a couple hours, you know fly in the morning and leave that afternoon. I knew about the trip about a week in advance, but last week was fairly crazy and ultimately, I didn't get the opportunity to purchase my ticket until Friday. Upon arriving at travel agent, I was informed that the flight I needed to get on was full and it was only one flight into this particular town. Now, luckily for me (and my last minutedness), there are 3 airports on this island and the next airport had a flight leaving out 40 minutes later than the one I needed AND there was availability. YaY!! I quickly booked the flight and proceed on my merry way. There was some questions as to how I would get down to where I needed to be (which was an hour away) but I didn't really pay much attention to this. Small detail.

If you know me though, by now, I would normally be a bit on edge. One, I didn't get the flight I was supposed to get and then, I now had to figure out additional transportation arrangements. However, and I blame Daelyn Grace, I just didn't have the time or energy to stress about this (or other small stuff) now that she is here.  As a side note: if you know the islands, you know that most people there are genuinely friendly, cooperative, and accommodating. I was sure I could find a ride down (yes, possibly with a stranger) or worse case scenario, pay a taxi down.

I arrived at airport that morning at 6:15 (1 hr before scheduled departure time),  checked in and went about my business (still not very concerned). As I am boarding the flight, I learn that the flight I wanted/needed to be on was "cancelled" and those who had checked in, were re-routed to our location (on my flight). Upon arrival at our location, they would be transported by ground to Rock Sound.

Woohoo, I not only got to have an extra hour with my baby (who was up for feeding from 4:30-5:15 that morning) but now I even get transportation down to the town I needed to be in!!!

Ironically, the day got even more interesting as I somehow managed to travel on the wrong day. Seriously, don't ask me how I managed that. Once again though, I took it and kept on moving. It literally all worked out fairly seamslessly despite the fact that the school was expecting me later that week.

I not sure if I needed to travel that day or if God, in his great mercy, stepped in and worked out things on my behalf despite my flubbers. But as I moved through the day, I had a greater appreciation for how futile "worry" is in our lives. Had I gotten flustered from Friday with the first disappointing news, it would not have added anything to the overall experience. In fact, it would have taken away, as I probably would have expended so much energy that I would have been more tired.

As a Christian, reflecting on the past events, I couldn't help but think about the passage of scripture in Matthew 6 on worry. I went looking for it and found this very interesting translation. I don't even need to expound --its so easy to understand.

25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

Verse 34 is EVERYTHING. I'm gonna need to commit that to memory for the next time I decide to sweat the small (or even the big) stuff.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Mrs. Fix-it-all?

I've been getting life lessons from everything recently. I'm not sure if this is greater sensitivity or my season of learning but I'm enjoying making the connections and walking away each day with something to chew on.

Most recent was during my TV viewing. For those of you who are CSI followers, you would know Sarah Sidle (2nd from left in picture). She has been a part of the Las Vegas team since the show's inception. Well in the past couple weeks, one of the episodes was focused on her. Now, for those who don't know, in the perfect world of CSI techs of Las Vegas, the evidence has always worked. It's always found the guilty even for the sharper of the criminals. And I mean, they have had some really smart ones pass through the various seasons.

So with this background, you would think that when she is the person looking guilty, the person of interest in a new investigation, that she would ultimately trust her own science. She has proven it over and over and over. In the world of this drama series, she has been a CSI FOR more than 10 years.

Well, now that her back is against the wall. She doesn't trust the science. Nor does it seem that she trust her colleagues who she has worked with for years; these skilled and sharp individuals who are always on the quest for truth. To make matters worse, in her trying to salvage herself, her reputation - she then decides to isolate herself from these people, who care...the sames ones who could [would] help her.

As I watched, the realization hit and I gasped audibly...wow. How much like me sometimes!

Many times has this been me. God has shown up over and over and over and yet when things get tough-I rush to try and fix things on my own. Only to learn that I can't.

I've done less and less of this over the years as I've grown and matured but don't believe for a second that it is easy to fully trust God to work things out.  After all, I'm the woman who always have the plan..well more accurately, I try to always have plans (plural)...that is, plan A, B & sometimes C.

I've got some more introspecting to do..to see if there are any situations currently that I have intercepted, rather than waiting and trusting God. A favorite scripture of mine, Psalm 46:10: Be still and know that I am God.

or as the amplified admonishes: "Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God."

One blogger commented: It is God's past that provides calm for our future. Essentially, that's what "being still" is about. It's not [always] a literal lack of physical movement..but a surrender of the heart. A recognition of our finite ability and God's infinite knowledge and ability. The fact that He is in control and working things out for our good.

Be encouraged...and in the moments of overwhelmedness..be still and remind yourself that God is still GOD.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

God I look to you

On Monday past, while I was thinking of all God has done, I couldn't help but fight the thoughts of what was still left to be done. I felt myself getting a bit twisted (code for stressed), so decided to shift back to my help. my source. [btw: I guess the emotional roller coaster from last week isn't quite done.]

I spoke out loud..."Lord I am looking to you and I will not allow myself to be overwhelmed."

With the declaration of that statement, this song came flooding back to me and I burst into song. For those of you who have NOT had the privilege to hear me sing, count yourself blessed! :) With the singing came the peace. Oh I long to live continuously with that sense of peace. Call me what you like, but I'll take peace over muscle spasms in my mouth (clenching & grinding my teeth) and/or shoulder aches that burn anyday.

Whatever the situation, whatever the calling --no matter how BIG....know that He is our rock (Psalm 91:2), He is our strength (Psalm 28:7/Isaiah 12:2), our peace (Ephesians 2:14/John 14:27), our joy (John 15:11). He is the God most high. We can put our belief, our faith, our trust in Him, knowing that He won't ever leave us nor will He let us down.


Grace peace and love,
Gia