“What’s in Your (Spiritual) Wallet?"

Most of us are familiar with the TV commercial for Capital One’s Quick Silver credit cards. The spokesperson, TV actor Samuel L. Jackson asks, “What’s In Your Wallet?”

Our credit cards are considered one of our most important purchasing tools we have with us. Most of us also have the following items in our wallets:  Cash; Driver’s License; Insurance Card; Membership Cards; Wallet Photos; Receipts...and yes, even Lottery Tickets.

This led me to ask what should be in my “spiritual wallet?”

The Bible tells us:

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV): 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV): 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Thus, we should have:

Faith – Hope – Love – Peace – Patience (Longsuffering) – Kindness – Goodness – Faithfulness – Gentleness – Self-Control

Other items to include may be:

Gratitude – Joy – Contentment – Perseverance – Resilience

These qualities should take up residence in our minds, mouths, hearts, and souls.

Since Satan is a cunning “thief,” possession of these would be great Theft Protection and Identity-Theft Prevention deterrents.

The Capital One Quicksilver card helps you “Earn Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on All purchases.“ Just like the earthly credit card helps you earn “cash back rewards,” God offers us an eternal reward with him.

Luke 6:23 (NKJV): “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.”

Colossians 3:24 (NKJV): ”knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” 

It may be wise to evaluate what’s in your “spiritual wallet” on this journey called “Life,” as we all strive toward our reward from the Lord. 

“Suck It Up, Buttercup…”

When I see this quote on Pinterest, it is primarily used as a motivation for people to work out, work through the pain and fatigue, and to never quit.

Phrases relating to this include:

“Just stick with it…what seems hard now will one day be your warm up.”

“Sweat Dries. Blood Clots. Bones Heal. Suck it up, Buttercup.”

“Quit making excuses, putting it off, complaining about it, dreaming about it, whining about it, crying about it, believing you can't, worrying if you can, waiting until you're older, skinnier, richer, braver, or all around better. Suck it up, hold on tight, say a prayer, make a plan & JUST DO IT!” – NIKE ad

 “Suck It Up and one day you won’t have to Suck It In.”

The phrase “suck it up” is defined in the Urban Dictionary as: To endure a period of mental, physical, or emotional hardship with no complaining. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=suck+it+up  It appears that the word “buttercup” was added because it rhymes and implies for one to discontinue acting as fragile as a flower.

Quotes from this perspective include:

“Suck it up, Butter cup. Stop playing the victim.”

“Suck it up, and stop your whining.”

“Put your big girl panties and deal with it.”

 “The Pity Train…has just derailed at the corner of Suck It Up & Move On; and crashed into We All Have Problems; and come to a screeching halt at Get Over It.”

When I read this quote, I immediately disliked it. However, I am now not only receiving a full dose of it, I am finding that I have to say it to myself: 

…when I feel discouraged.

…when I feel too drained of energy.

…when I ache all over.

…when my mobility is most challenging.

…when people intentionally & unintentionally “hurt my feelings.”

…when my body will not do what my mind tells it to.

…when people are harsh, insensitive, and unempathetic.

When I say this to myself, I have an interesting image that appears in my mind:

It’s like the lieutenant of my military command saying to me during the heat of a tumultuous battle:

“I know it is tough, Soldier!!!

Yes, you have gotten some cuts and bruises.

Yes, you are hurting emotionally & physically.

Yes, even Satan is working you over spiritually."

However, the battle is not over.

VICTORY is through the rough terrain; amidst gunfire, dust, & smoke; over that mountain; across that lake; and through the brush.

Salvation is there.  Healing is there. Eternal Peace is there.

The Bible even tells us this in:

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV): “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NKJV): “…The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.”

So, Suck it up Buttercup, you got this… keep on moving…”

“Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying”

A profound quote from the 1994 movie Shawshank Redemption is what wrongly-convicted, 20-year prisoner Andy Dufrense (Tim Robbins) said to his fellow inmate Red (Morgan Freeman): “Get Busy Living, or Get Busy Dying.”

He went on to tell him in a letter: “Remember Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/quotes

Unfortunately, most of us do neither. We are just “busy.”  

We operate unconsciously…in a fog.  Most of our existence consists of looking forward to the future with “one-day-I’m-gonnas.”  Others are so stuck in the past and harboring feelings of “whoa-is-me” and “life is not fair.” Some are so mired in their “woulda-shoulda-couldas” that they become more focused on the past, negativity, regrets and sadness, not realizing how closely they are approaching the end of life.

Basically, all we have is RIGHT NOW. If we don’t begin focusing on & enjoying the here & now, we will be sadly awaiting our eventual demise.

The Bible warns us of this:

Matthew 6:34 (NKJV): “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Quotes to Consider:

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” – Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

“The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t waste away your days, waiting for better ones.” – Marjorie Pay Hinckley

“It’s only possible to live happily-ever-after on a day-to-day basis.” – Margaret Bonnano

“Do not wait until you are ready to DIE to truly learn to LIVE.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf

One of the ways to motivate us to keep moving forward is HOPE. A great acronym for hope is: Having Only Positive Expectations.

Remember: “Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” - unknown

So…let’s GET BUSY LIVING…

Daily Gratitude

Gratitude is “a feeling of appreciation or thanks.”

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratitude

I did an exercise prior to my 50^th Birthday (on May 18^th). I began on May 1^st and called it 18 Days of Gratitude. Every day, for 18 days, I had to post (on Facebook) something or someone whom I was grateful.  It was a very humbling, thought-provoking exercise.

We live in a society where gratitude is something “we just don’t have time for.”

We get up in the morning, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed…and repeat it over again. We do this assuming it was just supposed to happen. We accumulate material things, earn wealth, enjoy great health, and fulfill accomplishments…all as if we did it all on our own.

The words “Thank You” have become obsolete.

The opposite also occurs. I personally have always been a “giver.” However, being in a position of needing to “receive” is difficult. I find myself dismissing the kindness or minimizing it. I often say things like: “You spent too much money on me…” or “You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble…” I am learning to just say “Thank You,” and be grateful. I am learning that, when I deny someone the ability to be a blessing to me, I deem myself unworthy and may also be blocking the blessings that are going to come their way.

The Bible tells us to give thanks often. Several of these include:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV): “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. “

Psalm 107:8 (NKJV): “Oh,  that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!”

Colossians 1:3 (NKJV): “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,”

1 Corinthians 15:57 (NKJV): “ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”       

Quotes to Reflect On:

If the only prayer you said in your whole life is “Thank You”, that would suffice. – Meister Eckhart

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds a day. Have you used one to say “thank you?“ – unknown

“I am thankful for today.” - unknown

“Life is full of give & take. Give thanks and take nothing for granted.” - unknown

“Be thankful for what you have, you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – unknown

A simple but powerful beginning could be to begin each morning by saying: “Thank You, Lord for waking me up this morning. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. “

We should all strive to give & receive gratitude every day…

SPECTATOR of our Own Lives

In my earlier years, I was somewhat of a “camera fanatic.” I took pictures of everything. I felt so passionate about capturing every moment.

As I review my photos, I realize that in most events, my picture is not among them. I spent so much time capturing the moment that I failed to “live in, embrace, or enjoy” the moment.  I know I was there, but my photo albums don’t reflect it.

We spend so much of our time watching ‘Reality” TV Shows and Entertainment shows. We read magazines and rely on Social Media sites like Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram to inquire into others’ lives. We do this in lieu of living our own.

Then, we realize that we have only been a “spectator” of our own life…and not a participant. So many of us “blow right past it.” We rush through our entire day and our lives unconsciously.

Life is an accumulation of “NOW” moments. We often imagine life to be some big event or occurrence. It actually is the quilting together of simple, ordinary moments happening right now.

Most of us spend time comparing our lives to others or striving to live up to other people’s definition of how we should live.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” – unknown

“Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.” – unknown

“Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.” – unknown

“Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” - unknown

God created us for a specific purpose.  The Bible states in Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV): “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

It would serve us all well if we “step down off of the bleachers and stop being spectators” in our own lives.  Let’s get in the game, have fun, and enjoy our lives…  

Shall we???

Traveling on this Spiritual Journey…

When you mature, the wisdom that those before you or who are older than you begins to make sense.

We all are virtually “brainwashed” by the media and from others. We give them the power to shape our opinions & how we see the world. We no longer see things as they are. We see them as THEY want you to see them. That is the power of marketing.

However, the same happens spiritually. Most of us go by the definition of what our preacher says, our family says, or others who we elevate in our minds as the epitome of “Christian-hood.” We are too complacent and even lazy to study the scriptures ourselves.

The Bible addresses this:

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV):  Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Corinthians 13:5(NKJV): Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?....

Growing up in church, I recall often hearing ministers say: “We speak where the Bible speaks; and are silent where the Bible is silent.” However, people often speak where the Bible is silent, and are silent where the Bible speaks.

We will not get a “pass” on Judgment Day by saying to the Lord: “Well, that’s what my preacher said,” or “That’s what my parents taught me.” The Lord is going to ask:”What did I SAY?”

Unfortunately, not studying and learning the commandments for yourself, will not be an acceptable exception.  It is the same as breaking a traffic law. Although you may not have been aware it was a traffic law, you will still get a ticket.  

The roles of your preacher & parents to help you on your spiritual journey are important. All Christians are given the charge in 2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV) to “…Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine.” This means to convince, reprimand, and encourage each other.  

However, ultimately it is our OWN responsibility to be obedient. We all become teachers. “The best teachers show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trentor

God is the “ultimate” teacher. HE has told us where to look...The Bible.

Are you paying attention?

Blessing or Lesson ???      

As I was reviewing my resume, I was reflecting on work colleagues I had at each one of my previous jobs who made a positive impact on my career and my life.

Unfortunately, a few were not very favorable. Then I remembered the quote: “Everyone who comes into your life is either a blessing or a lesson.”  - unknown

It also gave me pause to realize that I ONLY remembered the names of those who made an impression in my life.

I remembered one former colleague specifically at one of the earliest jobs in my career. He and I were close. He “got me” and gave me optimism, acceptance, & encouragement while we worked together. Our lives have moved in different directions. We have been out of touch for almost 20 years.  However, I was curious to know how he was. I found him on LinkedIn. I wasn’t sure he even remembered me. He was thrilled to reconnect!  I was humbled that he remembered me so fondly. I was so privileged to be able to tell him how much I appreciated him.

I also remember those who mistreated me. Now that I am wiser, I can cut through the hurt feelings, the betrayal, and devastation.  I can clearly see the lesson in each of those situations. When people come into your life who are evil towards you, it’s usually not about you. It is about them. Our first impulse is to seek revenge and karma. This will not work. The Lord has stated in Romans 12:19 (NKJV): Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  

We may try to state our case on Judgment Day: “Lord, didn’t you see what John Doe did to me!” The Lord may respond: “Of course I did, my child. I see & hear everything. I will deal with John Doe when he has to face me. I am dealing with YOU right now. I want to know how YOU dealt with John Doe.”

I am constantly humbled by these words: “When someone mistreats you, without forgiveness, you become them.”

The challenge is to strive to live your life so that people who have crossed or will cross your path consider you a blessing to savor and not a lesson to have learned.  It could be as deep as a friend, relative or work colleague, or as causal as in an elevator, a waiting room, or in a check-out line. It is my prayer that people will remember me & my name with a warm smile and fond memories of our encounter, regardless of how long or brief it may be.

As the years go by, you may not remember every person whose path you have crossed. The humbling thing is that they remember you.

“People will forget what you said; People will forget what you did; but People will never forget how you made them feel.” – Dr. Maya Angelou

Are you someone’s blessing or lesson?