Month: May 2020

Categories
Inspiration

HE TALKS ME UP!

HE TALKS ME UP!

One of the sections in the John Maxwell book I read recently made reference to a particular activity his dad embarked upon when he was young. He mentioned that his dad always speaks so highly of both himself and his siblings whenever he was having a conversation with anyone and they were within earshot. He went ahead to describe how that made them want to behave to the standard of what their dad believes and says about them. As I read this section, I remembered certain things that happened in my younger years and thought to share with you.

As a second child of six, in a home with so many girls (we are five girls and one boy), one of the things I observed about my dad was his keen interest in ensuring we his children never had any reason to feel inferior to others. We were your average middle class family, but I grew up seeing my dad making all necessities available to us. The provisions my dad made was beyond financials, he was that dad that kept talking his children up so much so that it would be injustice to misbehave. I for one never wanted to disappoint him, so I always endeavoured to behave well.

My dad’s effort and words made such a huge impact in my life that I can look back now knowing fully well that it was part of what shaped me into who I am today. Thinking of John Maxwell’s dad and my father reminded me of the ultimate dad of dads – our Heavenly Father.

He is the best of them all; sees you and I as He desires us to be, not as we are in our failures and faults. He calls us by what He has placed in us and keeps working on us till we become what He made us to be. God displayed this as He called Gideon by what He designed him to be :-

“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, o mighty man of valour” Judges 6:12

Gideon surely didn’t feel nor act like a mighty man, but the angel of the Lord called him as God sees him. And it was a matter of time, Gideon rose to become who God called and ordained him to be.

God is on your side!

PB

Categories
Inspiration

JUST ONE STATEMENT!

JUST ONE STATEMENT!

One of my daily lockdown activities is an early morning run and this week was no different but for a few unexpected incidences.

Earlier on this week, I got up rather late and that coupled with the fact that we’ve had the hottest day of the year so far meant that it was close to an unbearable running condition for me.

As I pushed forward through the uncomfortable journey, I started my self talk along the lines of, I don’t need to do a 6km run today as it’s a self appointed target. I would do well enough if I settled for 4.5km or max 5km run. As I got close enough to my home to act on that decision, I saw a postman. After exchanging pleasantries he passed a side comment about how hot and unbearable it was to be walking in this weather; let alone run. As he said that, I agreed with him and he then said ; ‘but we’ve got to keep going to get better!’ I agreed with his statement, as part of being polite; but his statement was enough to encourage me into pushing myself to go all the way with my original 6k goal.

Just one statement, said innocently by this gentleman made a difference in my subsequent actions and result. I received encouragement from this side comment and surpassed my limitations – both the physical and mental ones. If only he knew what value I got from his one statement.

The impact of this one statement on me got me thinking about the way we can also help others with our words. Just one statement can give someone hope, joy, peace, encouragement, life and so many other positive things. We however must care enough to see others and make the statement to help someone else.

God’s word says;

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Your word can build someone up today, so share an encouraging statement that will give grace and help to those who hear it from you today.

God is on your side!

Categories
Inspiration Leadership

THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR!

THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR!

A story that will bless and inspire you…

In the middle of a beautiful city, there was a museum laid with beautiful marble tiles and with a huge marble statue as a part of the display.  Many people from all over the world visited the museum every day and admired the beautifully crafted statue. One night, the marble tiles started talking to the marble statue. 

The marble tiles complained about the unfairness of the world coming to admire the statue while ignoring and stepping on it. To which the statue reminded the tile that they were from the same source; though treated differently. As the tile was still fixated on the unfairness of the situation, the marble decided to remind him of the reason for the difference..

Marble Statue: Yes you are right my brother. But, do you still remember the day when the sculptor tried to work on you but you resisted his tools?

Marble Tiles: Yes, I despise that guy. How could he use those nasty tools on me.

Marble Statue: Well, since you resisted his tools he couldn’t work on you. When he decided to give up on you, he started working on me instead. I knew at once that I would be something different and unique after his efforts. I bore all the painful tools he used on me and allowed him craft me as he wanted!

Marble Tiles: But those tools were so painful.

Marble Statue: My brother, there is a price for everything in life. Since, you decided to resist and gave up half way, you can’t blame anybody who steps on you now!

Like the marble statue, our God is working on us daily to perfect us for our world. See the scripture below

‘Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.’ Isaiah 64:8

When God is done working on you and I, we will become the masterpiece all the world will come to behold…so keep yielding to Him

God is on your side! 

PB

Categories
Inspiration

DON’T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!

DON’T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR DREAM!

I read the story of a young man and was so inspired that I chose to share it with you.

“There was a young man who was the son of an itinerant horse trainer who would go from race track to race track and ranch to ranch, training horses. As a result, the boy’s school life was continually interrupted. In his final year, he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be and do when he grew up.

That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch. He wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch, showing the location of all the buildings, the stables and the track. Then he drew a detailed floor plan for a 4,000-square-foot house that would sit on a 200-acre dream ranch. He put a great deal of his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher. Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that read, `See me after class’

The boy with the dream went to see the teacher after class and asked, `Why did I get F?’ The teacher said, `This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You come from an itinerant family. You have no resources. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of money. You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later you’ll have to pay large stud fees. There’s no way you could ever do it.’ Then the teacher added, `If you will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.’

The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do. His father said, `Look son, you have to make up your own mind on this. However, I think it is a very important decision for you.’ Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same paper, making no changes at all. He stated, ‘You can keep the F and I’ll keep my dream.’”

The gentleman telling the story then turned to the assembled group and said, “I tell you this story because you are sitting in my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school paper framed over the fireplace.” He added, “The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same school teacher brought 30 kids to camp out on my ranch for a week. When the teacher was leaving, the teacher said, ‘Look, Monty, I can tell you this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer. During those years I stole a lot of kids’ dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up on yours.’”

Whatever happens, don’t give up on your dream. God’s word says

‘Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character.’ Psalm 105:19

Every God given dream has an appointed time and you will also encounter tests along the way – but don’t let anyone steal your dream because it will become a reality at the right time.

God is on your side!