Inspiration Shared By Lady Braids

Inspiration On 06/29/11

The young woman was married and had two beautiful children, but one
day as she was standing over the sink, washing dishes, she thought,
"There must be more to life than this."

When her husband came home, he found a note she'd written and began
to weep. She would call him once every week to check on the children,
and he would always tell her of his great love for her and beg her to 
come home. She would always say no and hang up.

Finally, he hired a private investigator to find her and he went to the
apartment where she was staying, nervously holding flowers in his 
hand as he stood at the door. He had rehearsed over and over what he
would say and he finally got up the nerve to knock on the door. She
opened the door and he started to speak, but she suddenly began to
weep and fell into his arms. Through her tears she said, "Let's go home."

Months after, when things were starting to heal, he finally asked her
something that had been bothering him: "All those times I talked to 
you on the phone; I asked you to come back and you refused. Why
did you come back now?"

"Before," she said, "you were just telling me that you loved me.
When you came, you showed me."

The Bible tells us of God's love. Jesus came and showed God's love.

 -- Chad West

Inspiration On 06/28/11

We all have issues, as well as undesirable qualities or traits that 
we don’t like about ourselves. Most of us realize that we are not
perfect and that it is natural to have unpleasant thoughts,
motivations, desires, or feelings. However, when a person
does not acknowledge these, they may ascribe those
characteristics to someone else, deeming other people instead
as angry, jealous, or insecure. In psychological terms, such
blaming and fault finding is called projection. 

When we are the target of projections, it can be confusing
and frustrating, not to mention maddening, particularly
when we know that we are not the cause of another person’s
distress. Even people who are well aware of their issues may
find that sensitive subjects can bring up unexpected projections.
They may feel insecure about a lack of funds and thus view a
friend as extravagant. Or, if they really want to get in shape,
they may preach the benefits of exercise to anyone and everyone. 

While we can try to avoid people we know who engage in
projecting their “stuff” onto others, we can’t always steer clear
of such encounters. We can, however, deflect some projections
through mindfulness and meditation. A useful visualization tool
is to imagine wrapping ourselves in a protective light every day.
At other times, we may have to put up a protective shield when
we feel a projection coming our way, reminding ourselves that
someone else’s issues are not ours. Although it’s difficult not
to react when we are the recipient of a projection, it is a good
idea to try to remain calm and let the other person know if they
are being unreasonable and disrespectful.

We all know that it’s not fun to be dumped on. Likewise, we should
be mindful that we don’t take our own frustrations out on others.

When we take ownership of our thoughts, motivations, desires, and
feelings, we are less likely to project our issues or disowned
qualities onto others.

 -- Author Unknown

Inspiration On 06/27/11

There is an old fable about a puppy that was vigorously chasing his tail.

An old dog saw him and asked, "Why are you chasing your tail so?"

The puppy answered, "I have mastered philosophy. I have solved the
problems of the dog universe, which no dog before me has rightly
solved. I have learned that the best thing for a dog is contentment
and happiness. I have discovered that contentment is in my tail.
Therefore, I am chasing it; and when I catch it, I shall have happiness!"

The old dog said, "My son, I too have paid attention to the problems of
the dog universe, in my weak way, and have formed some opinions. I, too
have judged that contentment and happiness are fine things for a dog
and that happiness is in my tail. But I have noticed that when I chase it,
it keeps running from me; but when I go about my business, it comes
after me."

The fabled dog apparently knew a great deal about life. He put his business
before his happiness, and his happiness came along.

With the human family there can be only one business. Jesus made this clear
when He said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and
all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33.

All the things that people feel will make them satisfied and comfortable will
come along after they seek the kingdom of God.

 -- Neal Becker

Inspiration On 06/24/11

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy
family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the
mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the
cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel
saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.

When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things
aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very
hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had
the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good
night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the
farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their
sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and
asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man
had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had
little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die..

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When
we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold
stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with
greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he
wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the
angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead."

Things aren't always what they seem.

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out
the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that
every out come is always to your advantage. You just might not know
it until some time later.

 -- Author Unknown

Inspiration On 06/23/11

Tom Long tells of the time he was at the checkout table at the
library at Princeton Seminary when a friend of his, a pastoral
counselor, approached staggering under the weight of a stack of
books. Tom teased him a little, asking what a pastoral counselor
was doing with all those books. And the fellow replied he was
doing some research on forgiveness.

Tom says he was surprised and puzzled. "Research on forgiveness?
What are you trying to find out?"

The counselor thought for a moment and replied, "I guess I'm
trying to find out if forgiveness really exists or not. You
know, I see so little evidence of it in my work."

 -- by William G Carter

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others
their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.   Matthew 6:14-15

Inspiration On 06/22/11

What we DO tells people who we are. People will never
fail to show us who they are, regardless of what they
say.  Often, we so want to believe their words that we
justify their behavior, so we don’t have to deal with
the truth they are showing us. That’s unwise.

Trust what people SHOW you, not what they say…and,
not what you want to hear!

That was hard-learned for me . . . how about for you?

 -- Dr Shaler
     http://www.sowpeace.com/2011/relationships/believe-behavior-not-words

Inspiration 06/21/11

Haven't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going's tough
But I've got loving ones all around me, and that makes me rich enough
I thank God for His blessings, and the mercies He's bestowed
I'm drinking from my saucer, 'cause my cup has overflowed.

Inspiration On 06/20/11

 

Love covers a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8, NASB

Have you ever heard anyone gossip about someone you know? . . .
What do you have to say?

 Here is what love says: Love says nothing. Love stays silent.
“Love covers a multitude of sins.” Love doesn’t expose. It
doesn’t gossip. If love says anything, love speaks words of
defense. Words of kindness. Words of protection.

 --  Max Lucado: What Love Says

 

 

Inspiration On 06/17/11

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue
him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but
none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out
of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store
his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for
food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the
smoke rolling up to the sky.

The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned
with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he
cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound
of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to
rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary
man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going badly. But
we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives,
even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time
your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may be a smoke
signal that summons the grace of God.

 -- Author Unknown

 

Inspiration On 06/16/11

Do you really listen to yourself -- to the sound of your voice, the
tone you use, and the words you say? If not, you can make a
wonderfully positive difference in your relationships by waking up
to the way you broadcast the messages you send. Start by tuning
in with an alert ear.

Is your voice pleasant and soothing or harsh and scolding? Is it
very loud or so soft that people have to strain to hear?

Do you sound powerful, positive, and lively -- or helpless, negative, and
depressed? Are you whining and complaining or do you speak clearly,
confidently, and assertively?

Don't judge what you hear, but do notice the new choices you create
when you really listen to yourself so your loved ones/friends can enjoy
being tuned into you.

 -- Author Unknown