Thoughts on this Friday! 10-19-18

Thoughts from my Friday drive home:
     I love this quote, "The children who need love the most will ask for it in the most unloving of ways." This is so very true and I do my best to remind myself that others are going through a ton of "stuff" we just don't even realize! But, don't you think this quote also applies to adults as well? I do. 
     Adults who are going through a crap load of junk in their lives can ask for love in the most unloving of ways too. God loves us when we are unlovable. Our Mom's and Dad's love us when we mess up and are unlovable. We have friends that love us through heartache, disappointments and challenges when we don't deserve to be loved. Our husbands and wives have put up with the valley, the pit, the gulley and they love us anyway!
     I have learned that love and light will always win! Let me repeat...LOVE AND LIGHT WILL ALWAYS WIN! The toughest of battles will produce strength, endurance, knowledge and a spirit of thankfulness...just you wait and see! So, hold on!
     If you are battling today, just know that somebody loves you and cares about you and is concerned for your well-being. We all go through rough patches, loss, defeat, trials, challenges, loneliness, frustration and we all have bad days. But, It's up to you how long it lasts. Tell someone you love them today and better yet, show someone you love them.
     God can get you through the most difficult of situations no matter what! Surrender it all and watch Him work! Don't let the unloving ways of others direct your path. Get up, brush it off and keep moving y'all! We got this! I'm praying for you all today and know that the God of the "Hills and Valleys" (Tauren Wells) has got you! You are not alone. Much love y'all!  ❤️

Got Kindness? I don't think so...

     “Don’t ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance and my kindness for weakness.”Author Unknown

Thoughts: 

     Those who choose to put down, belittle or demean others should seriously be ashamed of themselves.  Individuals who choose this “skillful social display” have major insecurities themselves and have a false need to control others. Their narcissist personality is a master of their own mind and the world in which they live, as well as those who follow them.  The attempt of elevating themselves and lowering others is a tactic used to fool the most vulnerable of souls.   This type of self-centered loathing exudes an endorphin high that’s addiction at its best. However, underneath it all lay a lonely and miserable place only they know exist because from the outside looking in, it’s all beautiful. The drama bonfire is not a place I want to sit around and roast marshmallows.  I don’t choose to be a part of the scorching fire ring. Furthermore, those who choose to be a part of the fire ring are just as guilty as the individual leading the madness!

     I read something recently that describes a “Narcissistic Sociopath” and it goes like this: “They’ll insult, belittle, and criticize you (sometimes in a teasing /joking way), pushing your boundaries until you finally speak up. Then they use your reactions to make you seem crazy.  Within weeks, they can turn an easy-going person into a hot mess of insecurities and self-doubt.”  I find this to be so very true and have witnessed this type of person much in my walk through life.  Nobody should ever have the control over you to make you seem crazy when you speak up for yourself in truth.  Plant those feet deep into the foundation God has given you, stand strong and know you are valued and important!   

     In my outward silence, I observe much.  Observation leads to thinking, thinking leads to praying and praying leads to the attempt of understanding those who find joy in putting down others to gain what? Obviously the "payoff" is much needed attention and a twisted void filler.  This is such a super sad way to live life and a vicious cycle that continually breeds negativity and an awareness that only the owner of the bullying understands.  Adults who seek the weak to prey on in an attempt to make themselves superior is mind boggling to me.    

     If its joy you are seeking, I know where you can find it. If it’s attention you need, I know who can give it to you. If its love and acceptance you seek, I know who will accept you. If you have a void that needs to be filled, I know who can fill you, top you off and continue to sustain your need!  Nobody here on earth can give you these things and love you unconditionally! Only the love of Christ can give you all you need. And if you truly loved Him, you wouldn’t treat others the way you do.  It is very simple...love others the way Christ loves you. If you don't know how, then lay it down, let it go and let Him.  You don’t need to clean up your garbage before you go to Christ…just go and allow Him to clean it up for you.  Ask Him into your heart, make a change, BE KIND, encourage and love one another y’all!  Jodi <3

Positive or Negative--- August 3, 2016

It is very important to surround yourself with positive people.  When those who surround you shine their light and exude a presence that you are drawn to, by all means keep these wonderful souls in your life!  My life has truly been blessed with those whose glass is half full instead of half empty and a goal of mine is to help others see the glass half full!  Growing up, my Momma had an amazing small group of women she called her friends.  This taught me to cherish positive relationships and to nourish my heart with the love of those who enjoy life’s simplicity. 

     It’s so very easy today to get caught up in negative energy and jump on a wagon with those who don’t shine their light.  Christ intended for us to fellowship with one another and spread the “good news” about Him. If we have Christ in the center of our lives, the positive will follow and flow out.  

     My Momma used to have hot tea weekly (or iced tea in the summer) with her dear friend Anita and she always took me along. Both had their favorite tea cup and saucer and it was usually paired with a homemade snack such as pound cake or sugar cookies.   I would play with my toys, sing a little tune, run around the house with Laura, or twirl in the kitchen while they sat at the round table basking in the sunshine. 

      I would hear them laugh until their bellies hurt and occasionally a sniffle would seep out from a nose or a tear would fall from an eye and the other would immediately follow suit..  They sipped away the world, encouraged one another, told stories and mostly listened.  This was their glass half full time and as a little girl I learned to value diamond relationships.    Many years later as an adult, sweet Anita gave me their two favorite tea cups and saucers and I treasure them today!   Those cups heard a lot of laughter, felt a lot of tears fall from their beautiful eyes and mostly listened.
     No man, woman or material possession will ever give you true JOY, PEACE or ETERNITY.  Your joy and peace will never be sustained long term without a personal relationship with Christ.  You glass may be half full but when you see it as half empty, Christ is the only one who can KEEP it filled!  And watch out because it just may overflow! Thank you Momma for filling my cup here on earth and for giving me your overflowing love.  You reflected  a Christ-like love and you live with me every day. You even topped my cup with whip and drizzled it with caramel and you always sprinkled it with laughter!  Lots and lots of laughter! :-) 

Cherish your positive relationships, be there for those who love you and lean on God to lead you to people whose cup is filled or need help topping theirs off. We are all going to die and our legacy will continue.  How do you want people to remember you?  Half empty or half full?  Much love y’all! <3 Jodi  

I am the Vine; you are the branches.

I am a Christian!  I’m thankful God chose to wake me up this morning.  I’ve been thinking about being a Christian, shining the light that Christ has given and how grateful I am to be saved by grace.  John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me; you can do nothing.”  As branches we should cling to Christ because when we aren’t anchored to the trunk we will wither, fade, become dry and lose ourselves in the unfiltered ways of this world. Filter yourself through Christ…it’s actually AWESOME and places a buffer between your stress, worry and hurt.  We aren't perfect and have those times of need and can run to Him and surrender all!  The world will know you are a Christian by the fruit you bear.  You cannot pick fruit from thorns or thistles and good fruit will not be produced without Christ.  Apart from Him…you can do nothing.  My prayer is for you to give your heart to God, allow your light to shine and produce fruit to share with others.   Stand firm in the love of Christ and bear beautiful fruit y’all! Happy day and much love, <3 Jodi

Random Act of Kindness

For years I have randomly paid for coffee or paid for a meal for the car behind me in a drive thru line. I started doing this when my kids were in the car with me to teach them about random acts of kindness and how fun it can be...especially when you remain anonymous.  Although, in this moment I'm not anonymous anymore and it feels odd to write about it, but I write to share my experience in hopes you will share your gifts and goodness with others!   We have had a blast doing this drive thru act of kindness and it always makes us feel good when we spread joy!  Well, this morning I was in a drive thru and the driver in front of me paid for my coffee and breakfast danish!!!  I pulled up to the window with my money and the worker said, "Have a very blessed day thanks to the woman in the car in front of you!"  I squealed and got so excited and yes, my eyes filled with tears!  I'm a cheese ball, but WOW, that made my morning and started my day off with a blessing!  I was so happy in that moment that I paid for the person behind me in hopes of making their day too! :-)  THOUGHTS:  You never ever know when one small random act of kindness can make the day of a person struggling or just having a rotten moment.  A smile, a hello, a good morning, a good evening, a hug, a note, a text, a compliment or just taking a moment to stop and listen can make someone feel special, loved and validated!  This life is so incredibly busy and crazy and stopping to do something for others not only feeds their spirit, but it will feed yours too!  God has given every one of us gifts and talents to share and if we keep those gifts boxed up, it's a waste.  Open yourself up, share your gifts and talents and invest in the lives of others!  The goodness will come back to you.  It may not come to you in the form of coffee or a meal, but it's my hope that your heart will be filled with joy and you will spread love to all!  It's the little things in life that can make such a HUGE difference.  Much love y'all <3 Jodi  

TRUTH/LIES

Yesterday when I put myself in “timeout”, I went on the back deck…sat in silence and read Acts chapters 6-8.  The story of Stephen is truly amazing!  He was the first Christian Martyr who stood up for truth and stood firm in his faith and died because of his passion.  “HONESTY” seems to be a lost art today and what an amazing man to stand before powerful men and proclaim the love of Jesus Christ.  In doing so, these men stoned him to death and even in that moment, Stephen asked God to forgive those for what they were doing.  What a witness Stephen was!  He spoke truth and asked forgiveness for his enemies.  THOUGHTS:  As you move through this life, be HONEST…not only to others, but to yourself.  God knows all truth…God is truth and nothing good comes from lies.  We lie by omission and by deception but God is the only one who truly knows our hearts and our intentions. God is truth and His word is truth...and the TRUTH will set you free!  This got me thinking…yep scary! We can run from truth, hide from it, cover it up, place lies on top of lies…and yet nothing can be hidden from the one who created us.  God knows ALL and no matter what you have burning you up deep from within, God can fix it!  He is the ultimate healer.  We cannot expect to move forward until we are honest with ourselves and honest with God.  Being set free from the lie’s that bind the soul is euphoric!  Don’t clean yourself up before you go to God…JUST GO and allow Him to clean!  What is keeping you from allowing God to move in your life?  Consider being set free…Do it y’all!!!  God is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE!. John 14:6  

 In your silence, who are you and what do you stand for?  In public, who are you and what do you stand for? Are you the same?  Stand firm in your faith and don’t be afraid to be honest and speak love through truth just as Stephen did.  Your reward will be AMAZING! Much love y'all on this FANTASTIC gift of a day! Jodi J

Throw Back

I wrote this in April 2015 and it's a great reminder today! Happy Thursday!

Thoughts during lunch: My office has NO window!  If I want to see the snow, rain or sunshine, I must get up and go find it.  As I walked down the hall a bit ago and witnessed the beautiful brilliance of light shining through our large windows and felt the warm heat, I became ecstatic!  I truly don’t mind the rain, but WOW…what beauty after not seeing this great ball of fire for a while!  This got me thinking!!!  It’s very easy to hide away in our rain, clouds and solemn surroundings watching the world move around us.  Sometimes, it takes effort to look for the sunshine in our lives and embrace the miracle of light we’ve been given. Sunshine comes in many forms: prayers, laughter, hugs, smiles, conversations, love, and friendships just to name a few.  What is your SUNSHINE?  Do you bask in the goodness of it?  Do you share your sunshine with others?  God sure knew what he was doing when he created the sun! I believe I will finish my popcorn lunch and go see it now! Much love y’all and share your light today!  Jodi