The dawn of the New Year always brings moments of self-evaluation and decisions. It is time gyms are flooded with newcomers, and diet websites profit from people’s desire to lose weight and improve their lives.

There is no question that many devoted believers also start a new year with a renewed commitment to good health and better life choices.

In the past several years, I have noticed many Christians beginning the new year with a fast – a time to “reset” their spiritual lives and cleanse their minds and lives to hear God’s voice more clearly.

Several ministries start a 21-day fast this week as congregations pray and sacrifice, seeking a year filled with God’s favor, provision, healing, and clear direction.

As I was praying and reading my bible early this week, I heard these words in my spirit: “More than saved – called.” The verse that rested in my heart as I thought about the meaning of the sentence was Ephesians 2:10:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

My heart filled with joy as I read the words and digested the deep meaning of this passage.

Carefully placed in the very book Paul was inspired to write to help believers better understand the dimensions of God’s eternal purpose for his children, this verse tells everything we need to know to step into our God-given destiny confidently.

For we are His workmanship

Do you realize that the very Creator of the Universe “crafted” you to do exactly what He has called you to do?

Do you realize that the very Creator of the Universe "crafted" you to do exactly what He has called you to do? #NewYear2023 #MondayMotivation #Calledtoserve #useyourgifts #spiritualgifts
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I became a teacher at the tender age of 10.

We had a live-in maid in Brazil whom I loved dearly. When I discovered that she could not write or read, I could not believe it. I became determined – I was going to teach her to read and write.

My mom was a teacher and worked for our city hall, where she directed the program for illiterate adults. 

When she heard my plea, she brought home a package containing their program’s methodology to teach adults. Dad hung a blackboard in a room in our backyard, and every day, when I got home from school, I would teach my dear Sonia (not her real name). 

Day after day, month after month, I saw her eyes beam with joy as words and sentences became alive before her.

That experience ignited a passion for teaching that continued when I turned 15 and started teaching English as a second language in my ESL school in Brazil. After graduating college, I started my own Language Institute, where several other teachers and I taught adult students to speak a foreign language.

All of this happened before I ever met my Savior.

Little did I know He was preparing me, honing the gifts He placed in me, because one day, He would call me to teach His word… and proclaim His grace and mercies to anyone who would hear.

He created us for what He calls us to do

“(You) are created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that (you) would walk in them.”

When you accepted Christ, you became a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17 ). You received not only a new nature but also a new assignment. The Good Works that God prepared for you to do before you were even born are now ready for you.

When you accepted Christ, you became a new creature. You received not only a new nature but also a new assignment. #NewYear2023 #MondayMotivation #Calledtoserve #useyourgifts #spiritualgifts
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But look at the last part of this verse:

“So that we would WALK in them.”

Did you see that?

1) The work was created by God for you and me to do from before the foundation of the world.

2) He called us BECAUSE He equipped us (crafted us) with what it takes to do His work (Psalm 139).

3) We cannot only say we believe this truth. We have to WALK in it by faith.

God calls us out of our comfort zone.

As you hear God speak at the beginning of this year, He may call you to step out in faith and start something new, change a career or make hard decisions concerning unhealthy relationships. 

Change is always frightening. Starting or changing something that requires more than you believe you have in you is indeed a daunting task.

Remember, God did not save us only so we would be spared from eternal damnation. He redeemed us so we would have an abundant life right here on earth, and so that all those gifts that He has placed in us, and the plan He crafted for us before the foundation of the world, would be set in motion, one step of obedience at a time. (John 10:10; Matthew 5:13-14)

So, this message is for you and me – people who are called to do more than we are able. People who hear a “go” into the dark, out of their comfort zone:

If you want peace, joy, and victory, God’s calling needs to jump out of your journal and become “action.”

If you want peace, joy, and victory, God's calling needs to jump out of your journal and become 'action.' #NewYear2023 #MondayMotivation #Calledtoserve #useyourgifts #spiritualgifts
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It’s trembling knees as you step out. It’s holding His hand as you see the dark before you, yet keep going. 

It’s the very definition of faith. And by it, as the great men and women of Hebrews 11, you will gain your heavenly Father’s approval:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval.” Hebrews 11:1-2   

And without this faith, without this “walking in” type of faith, you will not be victorious at the end of this year.

So go on, my friend! Step out in this glorious truth:

If God called you, He equipped you.

If He equipped you, it’s because He has a task for you… and a blessing after you step out in faith.

If God called you, He equipped you. If He equipped you, it’s because He has a task for you… and a blessing after you step out in faith. #NewYear2023 #MondayMotivation #Calledtoserve #useyourgifts #spiritualgifts
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The king continued walking through his garden, dismayed by its desolate state, when he came across a small violet. Its tiny frame was beautifully bright and full of life. The king told the small flower: “You look radiant! You don’t seem to be the least disheartened about the misery and discouragement around you.” The violet replied: “No, I am not. I know I’m small, yet, I imagine that if you wanted an oak tree or a pine tree where I am, you would have planted one. Since I know you wanted a violet, I am determined to be the very best violet I can be.”

This allegory gives me pause. It makes me think of how much time and energy we waste wishing for something we cannot attain, or striving to be someone we were never meant to be.

How much time and energy we waste wishing for something we cannot attain, or striving to be someone we were never meant to be. #RechargeWednesday
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We hear stories of beautiful women who submit themselves to excruciatingly painful procedures to change their body’s shape. We watch as people’s faces become deformed because they cannot accept aging as a natural process of life. We hear about young teenagers who starve themselves in an attempt to look like celebrities and models on magazines. We witness preachers striving to copy famous preachers, parents pushing their kids to the extremes of competition, and employees begrudging their peers for being promoted.

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Envy and jealousy sear in a society that insists on believing that the grass is always greener on the other side.
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I can’t help but imagine God as the king in the story, sadly walking through his garden and watching his plants become gloomy and lifeless where he planted them. He watches as we sneer at his provision and his unique design for each of our lives, and as his work becomes repetitious and dull, rather than vibrantly unique.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

It’s not that we shouldn’t strive to become better. I am certainly not against all plastic surgery, seeking better job opportunities or admiring those who are great examples of leadership for the work of the kingdom. We should indeed look at successful people and appreciate their unique virtues and, whenever their success is more than skin deep, even look up to them as great examples to follow. But the issue becomes when we are so engrossed comparing ourselves to others and desiring their shade of glory, that we forget that God has a unique plan for each one of us, and that our job is to be the very best we can be, wherever he plants us.

It’s true — the happiest, most successful and fulfilled human beings are those who embrace their uniqueness, play on their strengths and find contentment wherever God places them. Whether as a mighty oak tree or a small violet planted on the corner of the garden, their secret is accepting themselves and their place of service with grateful hearts, remembering that if and when God wants them to bear fruit elsewhere, he will make provision to move them to a broader field.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s Column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC)

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LINKUP PARTY is open! As we approach the holidays, @PatHolbrook reflects on one of the reasons some remain ungrateful: Comparison. Join us & share your blog!
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“I feel like I’ve been walking in circles for a long time.”

“I can’t concentrate.”

“I’m in a fog most of the time.”

 “I know I came upstairs for a reason, but I can’t remember it!”

“I just want to be alone. If only they would be quiet for 5 minutes!”

If I could have a dollar for each time I either thought or said one of these things for the past couple of years, I would be rich by now.

It’s like something got a hold of my brain… and froze it.

On some days, I thought I was going crazy. On others, a typical fear that cancer survivors have would get a hold of my heart… Could the cancer be back, this time, in my brain?

Guilt, fear, confusion, sadness… on some days, these awful feelings took turns, tormenting me off and on throughout the day.

“What is going on, Lord? Have I disappointed You?”

 “Is there sin in my life? Please show me, Lord!”

“In the Name of Jesus, devil – go away!”

It’s true – only by the grace of God have I been able to continue doing what He has called me to do for the past two years. Writing has been difficult, praying has been hard, and on some days… just being around the people I love was a burden.

Hormonal changes.

Sigh.

Yep. I know, I know. TMI.

If you are a man, or a girl in her 20’s or 30’s, please bear with me. There are many gals out there who need this message today.

My daddy is an amusing fellow. He’s 83 years old and has a wonderful outlook in life. He is grateful for each morning and has a positive attitude, most of the time. But if you ask him about old age, he will tell you straight up:

“I don’t know why they call it the Golden Years. There’s nothing shiny about it.”

Yep. I’m with you, daddy.

I’m still far from reaching my “golden years,” but an early menopause has given me a taste of what is to come… And I don’t like it. Not.One.Bit. Call me vain, but is there anyone who enjoys the first signs of wrinkles? Hot flashes? Brain fog?

Sorry, y’all – but this Jesus-loving, Bible-believing girl won’t lie: It “ain’t” fun.

And it’s ok to say so.

Changes in life, even those absolutely natural, were not meant to be easy. And there’s nothing wrong with admitting that we are not doing so good. It does not make us weak Christians. It makes us real people.

Truth be told, even though there are women who go through menopause without many changes or concerns, the greatest majority suffers. And without proper help, something that is a natural part of life can become a dark, deep valley.

Mountain Highs and Valley Lows

Some time ago, my husband showed me this picture:

It’s a simple, childish drawing, yet pregnant with deep meaning.

If we could draw the plan for our lives, it would certainly be a straight line: We would be born, go through school getting all A’s, get into our college of choice (with a full-ride scholarship, mind you), meet our sweetheart on the last year of college, get married (and sweetheart would be a rich and godly man), have wonderful, beautiful, healthy and uber smart kiddos, hold hands with our boo ‘til we both reach those ‘Golden Years’ (and of course – they would be shiny, menopause-free too!)… and finally die, in our sleep, smiling… just to wake up and see our Lord face to face.

Ahhh! A straight, clean and clear path!

But you and I know better.

And so does Yahweh.

God has better plans for us. And His plan has two main objectives: Make us increasingly more like Jesus… and use us to bring others to Him. And He cannot accomplish this without those valley lows and storms, as shown in the picture.

Getting older and all the good stuff that comes with it – including the dreadful menopause – they are all tools that He can use to bring us closer to Him.

The questions is… how should we respond?

First of all – thank Heavens! There is help. Right here, on earth. Help with arms, and feet… and a brain!

I am so grateful we live at a day and age when God has given men and women wisdom to develop treatments that can help us navigate life’s valleys without losing our minds!
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Let me tell you, girlfriend: God uses various means to bring healing to you. And doctors and medications are certainly one of them. If you need hormonal replacement therapy, there are many safer, more natural options out there. Talk to someone. Help your body through this valley. Your family will be grateful you did (as my husband says “Amen” in the background.)

Secondly, but certainly most importantly, remember this:

God.Sees.YOU.

He knit you together in your mother’s womb… all the days ordained for you were written in His book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:15-16), including the bad, dark days. Yes, including the days when this uninvited, unwelcome guest called menopause barges in.

The valleys and difficult natural phases we go through in this fallen world were not meant to destroy us, but rather, strengthen us. The deep waters won’t drown you. The sadness won’t overcome you. He will take you from the valley to the plains, from the storm to the mountaintop… and, in the process, oh – this glorious thought:

On the other side of each hardship, you'll become less like you, and more like Jesus.
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Today, I am here to testify, that even though I was tempted not to seek help, due to prejudice, I admit… I am so glad I did! The clouds have slowly lifted from my head, and I smile again. Best of all! I can pray, read my bible without losing my train of thoughts. I can sit and be still before my God for a long time…

Nothing is worth risking that marvelous communion. Don’t you agree?

 

Praise you, Father!

Thank you that the waters of confusion did not drown me. Thank you for giving me the wisdom to seek the help I needed to come out of the valley, and into Your light, once again. May these words bring hope to someone who is hurting… and light to someone who was confused as I was, not too long ago. And to You, not medications or doctors…but to YOU ALONE be the glory, forever and ever! 

Amen.

PS: If you are suffering through menopause, leave a comment below and I promise to pray for you!

The post Menopause: Unwanted, Unwelcome Guest appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

In addition to composing favorites such as “God Bless America” and “Easter Parade,” he also wrote “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” which ranks as a best-selling musical score to this day.

In an interview for the San Diego Union, cartoonist and illustrator Don Freeman asked Berlin: “Is there any question you’ve never been asked that you would like someone to ask you?”

“Yes, there is one,” the composer quickly replied. “And the question is this: ‘What do you think of the many songs you’ve written that didn’t become hits?’”

His unexpected answer is memorable: “My reply would be that I still think they are wonderful.”

The story made me think of a conversation I had with my teenage daughter last week. We talked about how so many teenagers struggle with feelings of inadequacy, anxiety and lack of confidence, to the extent that many kids are on medication for depression these days.

I remember fighting similar feelings as a teen, and I know that they are common during the teenage years, when so many kids struggle with their self-image and self-worth.

As a teenager, I remember thinking I was fat, ugly, loud, my nose was too big, my hair too awkward … and the list went on and on. Today I look at pictures of my youth and realize how mean I was to myself.

I was my own worse bully and didn’t know it.

As hard as things might have been for teens in the mid-’80s, when top-models started strutting their curves in international catwalks, bringing beauty standards to unprecedented heights, they don’t compare to what kids face today.

Instagram, Snapchat, Photoshop and special filters have created an aura of plastic beauty that makes our girls and boys feel less than, every second they scroll down their smartphone’s screen.

And then there are the “likes.” Oh, brother! I recently read an article about young teens purchasing “likes” and followers on Instagram. That just takes the cake.

Indeed, it seems as if constant positive affirmation has become the measure of love for this generation. And I am afraid many adults from my generation and beyond are falling into the same trap.

As wonderful as social media can be — a place where I can find friends I haven’t seen in decades and a place where I can keep up with my family and friends who live 6,000 miles away — it can also be a place of downright pretense. On our social media walls, we make sure our houses are always clean, husbands and wives are always in their best behavior, and the camera angle always gets our good side (after 24 attempts and 3 filters, of course.)

That is why, to many teenagers, reality is becoming ever more distorted and they are increasingly harder on themselves. Therefore, it’s time we, parents, put down our own phones and come to their rescue. Quickly. Even if that means pulling them away from social media for a while.

As I discussed these issues with my daughter, I could not help but think about how Irving Berlin’s words reflect how God sees his children:

You and I may not always feel worthy, or beautiful. Our houses may not always look perfect, and we may have relationships that need serious work. We may not receive many likes from this world, and our life songs may not always become best-sellers, even among those who love us the most.

But God loves the entire album, from our best hits, to the off-key chords. He has an unshakable love for whom He made. He loves our brokenness, forgives and restores when we fail. That’s the message we must repeat to ourselves, and convey to our children.

This article was published on Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – August 19, 2017.

Constant positive social media affirmation has become the measure of love. Teens & parents. Read this!
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The dreadful torture machine blinked once, twice… and thus the hopes of a week of salad and protein eating went down the drain.

Great.

Let me tell you right now – of all the curses humanity inherited from Adam and Eve’s fall, hormones must be the most annoying one.

If you are a woman, they torment you from puberty to – uh, say, 60 years old. That’s almost half a century of ups and downs of emotions, energy, and, to many of us, weight fluctuations.

It just ain’t funny. Not.at.all.

I stepped down from the scale, determined to stay the course of my journey. I put on sneakers and workout clothes and stepped outside for my morning walk. [Did I tell you I was angry?]

While climbing the first steep hill right off my driveway, an inventory of the previous week ran through my mind: I stuck to my eating program and exercised three times that week. I drank plenty of water and slept well. And yet, my metabolism seems to have parked.

“Hormones,” I thought. “I hate hormones.” Frustration built up as my legs marched toward the top of the hill.

That’s when that Still Small Voice interrupted my tirade:

“Give Thanks… And open your eyes to see what I see.”

As the uphill journey became increasingly harder with each step, God shifted my thoughts from the pettiness of my personal struggles to the mountains I climbed by faith… and the valleys some of my friends are crossing today.

I remembered my neighbor who currently struggles with terminal cancer, and how I know he wishes he could climb our neighborhood’s hills and run around the lake.

I remembered how, not long ago, my legs would not have had the strength to stand, much less run, as several health problems made it impossible to move at a fast pace… for a long, long time.

I remembered how hormones made it possible for me to conceive my precious daughters, while so many women struggle with infertility every day.

And finally, I remembered those beautiful words written by David on Psalm 139 – a wonderful invitation to shift our perspective from what we see in the mirror to what God sees when He looks at us:

“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! (verses 13-14 – The Message – emphasis mine.)

As I repented from my shallow point of view, God filled my heart with thanksgiving and praise.

And so I thanked Him for legs that may not be as muscular as they once were, but are healthy and strong enough to carry me throughout my days…

And because, regardless of how much I weigh or how many new wrinkles show up on my face as the years go by, He sees me one way and one way only: beautifully, skillfully, and wonderfully made.

We are beautiful, not because the world says so…

Nor because the scale confirms…

Or because our hearts agree.

We are beautiful because we are made in His image, redeemed for righteousness… and sealed by His blood.

We are beautiful because our Daddy says so.

And no mirror or scale should convince us otherwise.

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We're beautiful because our Daddy says so. No mirror or scale should convince us otherwise.
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“Abba Father, help us see ourselves as you see us. In Jesus’ beautiful Name!”

The post Finding Beautiful {What Your Mirror and Scale Won’t Tell You} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.