Be Ready at a Moment's Notice...

At the beginning of this year the Lord told me to “be ready at a moment’s notice”. Over the past months I discovered that HIS instructions tend to be “all encompassing” – in other words, they tend to be applicable in every area of my life.

Not too long after HE gave me that instruction, I end-up flying out to Curacao (a Caribbean island within the Netherlands Antilles) to attend an event to which I was invited. The point I’m trying to bring across is that I didn’t plan to attend the event – I suddenly got the invitation, and had to make a decision “at a moment’s notice”.

A number of things happened since HE gave me that instruction, but I’m particularly fascinated by the latest one (at the time I wrote this article): On April 25th 2006, I was involved in a car accident. I’m extremely thankful to the Lord for I didn’t suffer any physical injury, and the material damage was minimal. I’m able to recount more blessings from that accident, but I’d rather share what I’ve been pondering on.

In the aftermath, I found myself pondering on HIS instruction to “be ready at a moment’s notice”, and realized that it contained more depth than what I initially understood. The accident reminded me of the fragility of life: one can actually die in less then a second. The question is: are we ready? Are we actually “ready at a moment’s notice?”.

Only God knows all things – including the exact date and time of Jesus’ return. Are we ready if HE returns during our lifetime? Are we ready in the event of (sudden) death? Are we keeping our lamps well oiled? How are we using our time here on earth? Are we being faithful and good stewards of everything God has graciously given us?

Remember, all things are possible by HIS grace, and HE’s faithful to answer our prayers. My prayer is that HE grant me the grace to be all that HE calls me to be in every single area of my life. What’s yours?

Perfect Vision

Last January was the end of a 5 month retreat period that I enjoyed immensely. I didn’t work during those 5 months, and I thoroughly enjoyed the freedom to be totally off from work and related stress.

I refer to those 5 months as the season that I was in “intensive care”, because of the quality time I spent in the presence of God. At the beginning I didn’t have a clear idea what I was going to do with my time, until God told me to think of Him and His Kingdom. I obeyed His instructions, and He was faithful to do what He promised. You see, He said that He had a lot to tell me if I focused on thinking on Him and His Kingdom. That marked the beginning of a wonderful and memorable season…

The journey was an interesting one for to my surprise God had a lot to tell me about “me”. He gently and lovingly walked me through a process that resulted into His healing me from emotional issues that were hidden deep within me – there were even issues from my youth that I had completely forgotten…yet, healing was needed. The good news is that I was willing to allow Him to lead me through the process. In hind sight I realize that my willingness lead me to personally experience His tenderness.

Today I experience life in a total different light. I guess the best way to express it would be that I feel content and fulfilled….

When I went back to work, I feared missing out on such wonderful quality time with God. The first couple of weeks were tough…I got caught in the busy-ness…, but He didn’t forsake me. He inspired me to keep Him involved in everything I do. I’m now developing a new habit: to regularly think about Him and my desire to pursue His Heart. I honestly think that it helps me to stay on track in many ways, if not all eventually…as He helps me to perfect this new habit. I know it helps to avoid succumbing to temptation. It even helps me to follow His lead better.

We all have goals in life. A goal can also be referred to as a “vision”. What is your vision for your life? If posed that question, my answer would be: to habitually think of God and pursue His Heart. Since He has a good plan for my life, I’m sure to see every aspect of His plan manifested in my life by staying focused on Him.

I know by experience that His Word is true, and that He’s true to His Word. I’m not concerned about any single area of my life, because He said: “Beloved I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers”(3 John 1:2) – that certainly applies to EVERY single area of my life: financially, physically, socially, and spiritually.

It's my honest conclusion that this is Perfect Vision that will lead to Perfect Success -- what do you think?

Seeds of Kindness

What a joy it is to sow seeds of kindness! All it takes is to be thoughtful in every possible way throughout your day. Did you know that simple gestures of kindness have the potential to brighten someone’s day in a great way? I honestly think that kindness even has the potential to change the course of someone’s life…

One can even become creative when sowing seeds of kindness. I’ve been thinking about creative & unusual ways I’d like to sow kindness and thought it would be nice to share some of those ideas/themes with you:

• “Appreciation Day”: my circle of friends and relatives is large and many live abroad. Sometimes I’m unable to keep in touch with every single one of them on a regular basis, but I’d still like them to know that I cherish them. Thus, I’ve decided to e-mail them a beautiful card once each month.
• "The Forgotten”: many are the residents at our elderly home that feel “forgotten”. I’ve decided to do something nice for them every once in a while, and I’m considering to round-up a group of friends and relatives to achieve this goal. My first group gesture of kindness will be to send them beautiful bouquets of flowers with notes that read “we love you!”.
• “The Criticized”: we’re often (too) critical of the actions of government officials. I think it’s rather easy to criticize when you’re on the “outside”. Only God knows how difficult their task really is whilst in office. I’ve done my share of criticizing…I think it’s about time I express words of encouragement -- I’m going to mail an encouragement card to our Lt. Governor and our Commissioners.

In closing, I’d like to invite you to share some creative & unusual gestures of kindness with me. I’m afraid I may run out of ideas, and would definitely appreciate your help. So, feel free to post your suggestions to me.

What you sow is what you reap: be encouraged to sow an abundance of kindness!

Here's To Your Physical Health...!

Our physical health, as you know, is also an area that requires nurturing. I've seen numerous TV interviews featuring Dr. Don Colbert, and visited his website on occassions for health tips and literature. Following are some tips from his site for your information. Note: Don't forget to consult your family physician BEFORE taking any medical advice or using any medication not prescribed by your family physician and/or specialist(s).

• Healthy Choices Lead to Life by Dr. Don Colbert

It is best to choose the leanest cuts of meat like chicken breast and turkey breast, as well as free range meats such as venison, elk, and extra lean beef. In choosing salad dressings, select a dressing with extra virgin olive oil (or one that is olive oil based) and vinegar. When selecting a mayonnaise, choose one made with canola oil instead of soybean oil. These can be found at most health food stores.Choose living foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as opposed to dead foods like cakes, pastries, candies, cookies, and most processed foods. When you choose living foods, you choose life!

• Dealing With Diabetes by Dr. Don Colbert

Here are some tips I recommend to help fight diabetes:
Avoid foods with a high glycemic index, such as white bread, puffed rice, French bread, instant rice, corn flakes, instant potatoes, corn, and most cereals.
Lose the necessary weight to reach your ideal body weight.
Include about twenty minutes of aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, in your regular routine three to four times a week.
Increase the amount of water-soluble fiber in your diet. This can be derived from such sources as oat bran, psyllium seeds, beans, peas, or a soluble-fiber supplement.
Take a supplement containing 200 micrograms of chromium and 300 milligrams of lipoic acid twice a day.

All things work for the good....

One of my favorite Scriptures is Romans 8:28: “…all things work together for the good to and for those who love God…”. Can you imagine the degree of comfort and encouragement that Scripture produced within me when I suddenly understood the truth it contains? If not, you’ll be able to better relate once I tell you what I was experiencing at that time:

We all have moments when we find ourselves reflecting on our lives. It was one of those moments for me, and I found myself thinking about mistakes I'd made. At that time I’d just relocated to the Caribbean from the Netherlands. I spent about 4 years in the Netherlands and enjoyed the time I lived there – all was well: I had landed a good job with a huge and prestigious (inter)national entity; I lived in a beautiful and spacious apartment in Amsterdam, which I count as a special blessing since decent housing is generally hard to come by in the Netherlands; I enjoyed my relationships with (new) friends and relatives; I enjoyed traveling around Holland and discovering the newness around me, etc.

I was back in the Caribbean about 3 months when I recognized that my migration to the Netherlands probably wasn’t God’s perfect will nor timing for my life when I moved there. I was quite upset and bothered by this for many reasons, and kept thinking: “I actually wasted 4 years…,how could I’ve commited such a blunder…!!!”.

Do you struggle with mistakes you’ve made? Are you going through a difficult period due to sickness, financial difficulties, a family issue, problems on the job, or the dilemma of a loved one? It could even be something I haven’t mentioned, but I hope and pray that you will also find comfort and encouragement in the Scripture I shared for it specifically states that all things (including mistakes, pain, problems, sorrow, things you don’t understand, etc) work for the good to and for those who love God….

Perhaps it’s a good time for you to stop focusing on the bad and ugly factors that may be burdening you. Perhaps it's time to refocus on your love for God and His love for you. Perhaps it's time for you to give God a chance to proof He's true and well able to take care of you, and all things about you.

Believe me, I've committed quite a few blunders over the years, I have my list of "what ifs..", I've had my share of pain and sorrow, I've experienced moments of despair, but thank God I'm a living sermon of His love, mercy, and faithfulness.

Godspeed,
Sophia

Sermon by a blind lady

On my way to the office, a few days ago, I had to stop for a while at a bridge. Said bridge opens at scheduled times to allow sailboats and yachts to access and exit the Simpson bay here in St. Maarten. While I waited for the bridge to close, I suddenly noticed a blind lady walking on the roadside. At first I didn't realize she was blind, but when I did I couldn't help but observe her.

She was walking alone, and didn't have anything except her stick and her senses to guide her. As I observed her I got to thinking about my faithwalk, and realized that she was a powerful sermon about every believer's faithwalk. I was amazed by the fearless, firm and confident way the lady was walking despite her lack of sight, and thought about the fearless firm confidence every believer has to develop as they walk with Christ. I thank God for that sermon for it was truly inspiring to me.

We walk by faith and not by sight.

Mission Statement

Whilst writing this Mission Statement, I'm thinking about all the good things I hope to accomplish with this blog. At this very moment my thoughts go out to people that are hurting --many of them are hurting deeply...--, and my heart goes out to them as I reflect on this thought. Perhaps I'll be blessed with the opportunity to make a significant difference in a few hurting lives thru this blog...and maybe even beyond this blog.

I rely on the Holy Spirit to help me manage this blog...to help me post the right message at the right time for the benefit of those who are in need of comfort, encouragement, fellowship, help, inspiration, and so much more...; even those who hunger for the love of God, but don't know it.....at least not yet.

It's my sincere hope and prayer that I 'll be the vessel God is calling me to be thru this blog for I'm convinced that He will use it to extend His gracious unconditional love to one and all.

Sincerely,
Sophia