Month: September 2020

Categories
Leadership

THE GOOD PLAN!

THE GOOD PLAN!

I was conversing with a spiritual daughter of mine this week and she was sharing with me how the pandemic and time spent at home with her children helped her clarify her priorities as well as maximise her time with the growing kids. She then shared how she was able to draw up a learning plan and how she is seeing the improvement in the children and at home generally.

It’s amazing what an opportunity a crisis time can create. Like this daughter of mine, I have chatted with many people over these last few months who have mentioned the fact that the sudden stop the pandemic created; though seemed like a massive interruption of pattern, it caused a few to step back and re-strategize in many areas of life. From their finances to their family life. They now have new plans and new approaches to the year.

As I thought about these people and their responses to the unexpected interruption, I noted that there are two ways of seeing every unplanned occurrence in life. Some are so upset about it that they dwell in the place of regrets and complaints about what they are unable to do and how the year isn’t going the way they originally planned it, whereas others see the events, adjust their plans, look out for the new opportunities created by the new challenges and reapproach.

We may have plans in our heart but we must be willing to also release such plans to God who can change things around us and give us a view or an opening that is different from the original plans we made for ourselves.

Gods’ word says

‘There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless, the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.’ Proverbs 19:21

We have plans, and it is great to have them. But we plan only based on the limited view we have whereas if we are open to God directing and adjusting our plans, we will see the doors He opens and the opportunities He presents to us at any point in time.

The beauty of following Gods’ plan is that He will never leave us stranded and He will never lead us into the wrong path or plans for us. His plans for you and I are always good. Hear His thought on that:

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’  Jeremiah 29:11

We have a God who has a good plan which He gives us access to and helps us walk, if we are willing to follow His plans even when they seem totally different from what we had in mind originally.

Do not forget, there is so much God has in store for you; so stay close enough to Him, be open to see the opportunity in the seeming uncertainty around you; because God is still in control of your life and He has a good plan for you!

God is on your side!

Categories
Inspiration

MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT!

MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT!

Driving home earlier this week, we noticed slow traffic that eventually built up to a gridlock. It did not take long to notice that some cars started having problems and there were a couple of breakdowns on the roadside. One of the breakdowns I saw that got me thinking was not one for which I remember the make nor color of the car. The main reason I however remember this breakdown was the two passengers I observed standing behind the broken-down car and their reaction to the incident they found themselves in.

The car I observed had a mum and son standing behind it; it looked like they were expecting a recovery vehicle to come along to assist them. Mum looked stressed and worried and that was obvious to us driving by. The son however looked excited and had a dance routine going. He seemed to be using the time of the breakdown to practice a dance routine and enjoying himself. In doing that, he equally created a lovely view for some of us driving by as we drove slowly through the traffic; it was a beautiful view spotting the boy dancing beautifully by the roadside. Mum however did not see the fun in what the boy was engaged in – so she just continued staring ahead and around with her worried look.

I called my husband’s attention to the difference between mum and son. The two of them were in the same situation but they had two different attitudes and response to the challenge of being stalled on the roadside. While one party had accepted the fact that they could not move anywhere at that moment and chose to make the best of the moment, the other was probably busy thinking of the frustration of the moment (or the potential cost of fixing the broken-down car!)

The lesson here for me however was noticing that things happen to us all and we can choose how to react to them.

God’s word says

‘making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.’ Ephesians 5:16

Without prior plans, the boy made the most of the opportunity he found himself in. And we can sometimes think it is probably because he is not old enough to start worrying about everything in life; but wouldn’t it be great to stay in the state of mind where we choose to make the most of every moment, including frustrating moments.

There are things that will happen in life that you will not have control over, but you definitely do have control over your reaction to those moments and when you look back, you can be proud of yourself for making the most of a moment in time or regret the loss of opportunity that such times presents to us.

Pay attention to life; make the most of every moment to learn whatever lessons you can from a situation and embrace the opportunity a challenge gives you – as every challenge creates opportunities. Slow down to look and listen so you can make the best of every moment.

God is on your side!

Categories
Inspiration

SHOULD I OR SHOULDN’T I?

SHOULD I OR SHOULDN’T I?

The month of August saw the UK government introducing a scheme to help many go out to buy food and drinks. The scheme ensures the participating restaurants are helped by the government and they pass the discount on to the customers. My favorite coffee shop was a participating restaurant and that meant …. discount, fantastic! I however soon discovered there was a problem.

At the coffee shop, I was asked if I was seating in to have my coffee, to which I answered NO because I was just collecting and going on to my office. The serving attendant then said, ‘well you will be paying full price because you aren’t sitting in.’ That didn’t make sense to me, how can someone who isn’t sitting in be the one that will be charged more? I was not staying in, which should mean costing the shop less – I wouldn’t use a cup that will be washed, wouldn’t need staff to clean after me, I wouldn’t use their electricity etc. I felt like I was the one saving the company money and should be the one to enjoy the discount. That however didn’t seem to be the logic behind the scheme.

On one of the days, I felt so cheated and thought, well, I can buy my coffee and sit outside for a few minutes to enjoy the discount. I then had a good talk with myself about integrity; and how much benefit I get from a discount of maximum £5 when God will be displeased with me. It surely wasn’t worth it, even if I thought I was being cheated, not happy about it, I still had to abide by the law.

As I looked at this situation, I remembered the scripture that says

‘The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.’ Proverbs 11:3

Integrity matters to God and crookedness, no matter how little, has the capacity to destroy the one who lacks integrity. It doesn’t matter how we justify or cover up ‘a wrong action’, it will never became right.

Though my mind was against the extra price I had to pay repeatedly, my conscience wouldn’t let me trick the serving team into getting such discount. I was guided by integrity and experienced the peace of God, which to me is priceless!

So, just in case you feel cheated by happenings around you at the moment, trust God to help and provide all you need to be able to get through this phase with integrity.

God is on your side!

PB

Categories
Leadership

LESSONS FROM MY MOTHER!

LESSONS FROM MY MOTHER!

This week marks the 8th year since my mum departed into glory and I genuinely cannot believe it has been that long. There are however so many fond memories and reasons to think about her and laugh rather than cry. As I talked with my siblings about her on the anniversary of her departure, we shared stories and could not stop laughing at her unique actions and lessons learnt from them. I thought to share one of those stories with you.

My mother once came visiting Eddie and I, and during the period, we hosted a few people to a get together at ours. Prior to the arrival of those guests, we bought some food and drink items. My mother decided in her wisdom to put some of the drinks away so we do not run out incase we have late guests. I am not quite 100 % sure why she did this, but she did! (that was without our knowledge by the way!)

On the said day, we had more than enough to give guests. A few days after the party, we needed drinks and I thought to go buy some. My mum then said; ‘don’t worry, I will go get you some.’  Rather than go out through the front door, she went straight into her bedroom and brought some drinks. I was surprised and asked where that came from; for which she said – ‘well, I had to keep some for you against days like this. You should always keep something for the days you unexpectedly run out’. The event reminded me of us growing up and how I used to find interesting groceries in different places all over our house, because mum had kept and forgotten them! I just laughed and left it at that.

After she went back to our home country and her home, I kept finding groceries in the oddest places! I called mum and said ‘guess what I found in the shoe cabinet today? A pack of orange juice! Why would you put juice in the shoe cabinet?’ my good old mum then said… ‘well, I put them there to help you!’

She meant so well, but she forgot where she puts things to ‘help’ me! It is interesting that even though she wanted to help, she forgot and that created more work. My mum meant well but cannot always help properly because she could not always remember nor plan against all unexpected things; but my God is different.

His word says

‘For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’  Isaiah 41:13

We have a God who genuinely desires to help and does so without forgetting along the way.

I am grateful for my lovely mother and much more grateful for my father God and your father too (if you are a believer). He loves and remembers us always and will always hold your right hand and help you through tough times, so you do not get stuck. He is a true helper; so, embrace Him to help you.

God is on your side!