This was my post for MUIB, a Business Mom group I belong to.  The lesson I learned this week was so valuable, that I decided to share it here, with you!

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Okay, so I didn’t post my goals for the week on Monday … I’ll learn to do that … for now, I write them all down in a notebook that I carry everywhere!  In the meantime, I’ve accomplished so much and met so many deadlines and expectations, I’m SO exhausted, yet very elated … I just had to share and brag a little!  Maybe even spread a little inspiration?  *wink*

First and foremost, let me just remind those of you who don’t remember or weren’t around for my intro … I’m a single, 37-year old Mama … I have a demanding pre-schooler and a self-absorbed teen (+ his girlfriend) … I stay with my friend’s ‘special needs’ daughter 4 days a week (outside of my home) … I’ve gone back to college FT (online / at night) … I’ve been attempting to run 2 businesses from my home (1 product & 1 service) and 1 ministry for single moms … I’m essentially the ‘right-arm’ to the Pastor’s wife … I’m also a daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend … you get the idea!

Anyway …

* In the course of the week, I designed and edited a business card for our Pastor.  Delegated the printing and cutting to Staples Print Center.  (Dropped off and picked up.)  Managed to order, receive and press matching business card holder - - all in time for Father’s Day!  -Invoiced.

* Through much frustration and aggravation, with faulty equipment (X 2) and having to ship supplies from Alabama AT THE LAST MINUTE via FedEx Express … I pressed 58 t-shirts and delivered them to the SAL (last night) in time for their golf tournament this morning!!!  (Also managed to reorder / replace discontinued tie-dyed t-shirts - received and delivered on time!)  -Invoiced.

* Pressed and hand-delivered paper weight for Father’s Day order before said ‘father’ left for Myrtle Beach on Friday.  -Invoiced.

* Petitioned college Foundation for emergency assistance with school books (on Wednesday) for classes that started on Monday!  Was awarded “Scholarship” and picked up books (on Thursday)!  (Have even started studying and took first quiz - 95%!)

* Collected numerous pieces of information (from 2006) for Financial Aid office!  (Putting together for Monday’s mail as we speak!)

* Dealt with sick child - twice!!!  (Isn’t there a clause in the Mama handbook that says they can only get sick once per week?!?!?!)

* Scheduled same child’s appointment for minor, oral surgery.

* Successfully robbed Peter and paid Paul.  (Also known as the gas and cable / internet.)

* Celebrated MY Mom’s 60th birthday!  (Go MOM!!!)

* Housework / Chores?  Although I did not even touch my house, (unless you count cleaning up puke) I am on ‘vacation’ from babysitting next week – I will catch up then.  It’s not going anywhere – trust me!  (I’ve tried waiting it out!)  I did do laundry (which mind you I have to drag to a laundrymat) and buy groceries.  (I’ve volunteered to bake apple pies for Father’s Day dinner at church!  What was I thinking?)

SIDENOTE:  Never got around to cutting grass.  (Lawnmower sounds like chainsaw on steroids – must delegate repair!)  *cheesy grin*

So seriously, I’m not trying to brag!  I AM trying to remind myself how remarkable I can be when I put my mind to it!  In the past week (or two) I have learned one very, very, extremely important lesson!  (And you can trust that I plan to blog about it!)

KEEP YOUR JOY!

“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.”&nbps;  [James 1:2]

I cannot even tell you how many times I wanted (was tempted) to cry, scream, cuss, punch something or someone, or worse yet – give up, this week!  But I maintained!  I just kept telling myself that my joy was all I had left!  Was I really going to let the world around me rob me (and my family) of that too?

I know it’s hard to get through the day, week, month, or longer sometimes!  I know that just when you think you can’t take ‘one more thing‘ what happens?  ONE MORE THING!  I too get into situations where I can feel my insides curdle and reel at the thought of one more confrontation (phone calls, e-mails, letters, essays, applications, forms)!  I know the feeling when your blood feels like marbles because all you can think about is everything that needs done and how little time you have to do it!

Concentrate on the things that have gone your way.  Concentrate on God’s blessings and goodness!  Concentrate on your dreams and making them come true!  Concentrate on your family!  (The one you are doing it all for!)  Remind yourself how awesome and competent you are!!!  You CAN and WILL do this!  (Whatever this may be!)  We’re MOMS – we’re capable!  *grin*

Here I am now … the end of another hectic, crazy, hair-pulling, teeth-grinding, fist-clenching week.  One that I thought I could not get through!  One that I almost let get the best of me!  But I did and it didn’t!  I kept my joy despite myself!  It’s Saturday, the ‘to-do’ list is all checked off.  My baby is making me play-dough cookies!!!  I have a full pitcher of iced tea and a few more Reese’s Cups in the bag!  It’s all good my sisters!

ALL GOOD!

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AND … now … I’ve blogged as well!  *wink*

Who reflects God’s love [most of all]?

Obviously, it’s not some competition to be the ‘fairest’ or the most ‘reflective’!  However, once you overcome your guilt and lack of self-confidence, and believe that God so loved the world and you - do you ‘reflect’ it?

As all of us reflect the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, we are becoming more like him with ever-increasing glory by the Lord’s Spirit.  [II Corinthians 3:18]

Let arrogant people be put to shame because they lied about me, [yet] I reflect on your guiding principles.  [Psalm 119:78]

Do you reflect His love and life in your actions and behavior?  Or do you simply absorb the love and life around you?  When God’s favor is poured into your life, do you simply ‘keep’ it?  Or do you pay it forward?

My ‘little man’ and I were in Wal-Mart (again) on Sunday afternoon.  As we were checking out, another cashier came to stand at our register.  Up to this point, ‘my’ cashier hadn’t been able to reciprocate any conversation that I initiated.  However, when her co-worker arrived, they began to ‘talk’.  [Deliberate, gripe and complain about working policies and conditions.]

I won’t even get into all the reasons why this doesn’t fly from my [the customer] point of view.

In the meantime, however, it got me to thinking about some things.  Things that many of us may not even consider!

For instance, how often do we carry on conversations with our own ‘inner circle’ of friends and family, with no regard as to how awful what we may be saying sounds to bystanders?

Or what impression we are making by the comments and opinions we voice?

Or, how often do we completely shut out others, missing an opportunity to witness, and exclude them because we are so engrossed in our own affairs, trials or annoyance?

How hard would it be to keep your opinions to yourself?  Or at the very least for a more appropriate time?

How hard would it be to turn and share a smile or a “Hello!”?

I can’t tell you the conversations that have started from a simple smile - the people that are just aching for someone to talk to or share a laugh with.  They’re everywhere!  And who better to approach them than the gal that trots off to church every Sunday and Wednesday proclaiming God’s love in her life?  [Same goes for the guys! *wink*]

We’re all pretty simple!  We just want to feel acceptance, approval, love and friendship in a world that offers very little of it!

It’s definitely NOT the time to submit to the ways of the world!  Rather, brilliant reflections of God’s love, mercy, favor and grace!

But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].  For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.  But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).  If anyone thinks of himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).  External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this; to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.  [James 1:22-27]

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence.  In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]!  For I have overcome the world.  [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]  [John 16:33]

Now isn’t that some good news?  It’s almost ‘nurturing’!

I don’t know about you, but it seems like the harder I try and the more I attempt to accomplish - the more life sucker punches me!  The more I try to do for others, the more I try to give and be selfless in my actions – the more obstacles I have to face [and overcome].

Sometimes it’s hard to remember that we aren’t alone - that God has already conquered the evil and hatred and spitefulness and malice that come along like a smack in the face!

When something is hard, or when you have to work a little more diligently, a lot of people will try to tell you that God is trying to deter you.  (You can’t possibly excel in this world under the assumption that all things from God are easy and without resistance!)

That just is not the case.

Personally, I believe that ALL grief, shame, lack of self-confidence and hopelessness come from the enemy - originally.  Occasionally, yes, God will filter these trials  and use them to teach us something.  But overall, He is a loving, kind Father and wouldn’t purposely inject our lives with these burdens and impossibilities!

When we are attempting to do something noble, significant - something that can only bring glory to God, the enemy is going to challenge us to the point of pure confusion and desperation.  He will do everything possible to keep us from blessing others and glorifying God.

Our Father is not cruel or calculating.  He doesn’t put dreams and visions in our hearts just to make them impossible to achieve.  In the same respect however, it’s our duty to do our part.  We have to put forth an effort, apply ourselves, use common sense, go the extra mile and be shining examples of God’s love.  We need to retain our joy and light - even when the circumstances seem impossible!

Be prayerful, faithful, dedicated, mindful and believe in the One who gave His life so that you could be saved and live a glorious life in His name – in spite of yourself!

Greater is He who is IN you …

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.  [I John 4:4]  (Amplified)

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.  [I John 4:4]  (KJV)

Little children, you belong to God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  [I John 4:4]  (ISV)