isn't she lovely?

chapters 7-8:
the fourth habit is: she gives others what she needs.

what i've learned about habit 3:
this week i've received more emphasis on that familiar verse - it is more blessed to give than to receive (acts 20:35). sometimes, i have to dig deep to find the energy to give but overall i enjoy giving myself away for God's glory. while it can be fairly easy to give people things, money, or even time, emotional generosity is a great thing to give others. in this study, i've learned it's also one of the hardest forms of kindness to give. but isn't that how it is with everything? the most beautiful, worthwhile things take the most work and effort.

the other part of emotional generosity is receiving. i've learned that i must be open to receiving what others have to offer me and letting them be a blessing as well. i feel optimistic about this habit because it is stretching me to be a better person by offering emotional gifts as well as physical gifts.

my prayer:
Lord, help me be strong and courageous in completing my goals. help me give others what i need but also allow them to be a blessing in my life. i know this is a way that your kingdom will be advanced and your glory exalted. amen!

my goal is to continually give and decrease so that my God may be increased!

give, and it will be given to you. a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. for with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. luke 6:38

today, i'm sharing my thoughts on the third week of the proverbs 31 ministry's 5 habits of a woman who doesn't quit by nicki koziarz. you might have noticed, i am a little late posting about habit three. last week i got wrapped up in my birthday celebration and mother's day celebrations. but fear not, i have not quit! so, on to habit three!

chapters 5-6:
the third habit is: she stays open to the movement of God.

how i'm feeling about habit 3:
this week i've learned that i need to invite and involve God into my plans. as a planner, this is a challenge for me. i constantly want to be in control and determine the results of everything that affects me and the important people in my life. however, i must remember to put my faith and God and not let my fear overpower my faith. His plans are always, always better than mine! i will be honest with you, when i follow God, things don't always fall in line as i expect. i hit bumps in the road, but i am always, always blessed because things come out beautiful on the other side. so, i take nicki's words to heart when she tells us things might look a little messy before they become completely beautiful - that is the testimony of my life. i am committed to sticking with the difficult things so i can see the new, beautiful things God creates in my life.

habit 3 is a challenge, i'm not gonna lie. i am a person who is quick to flee instead of fight. however, because of this bible study i have renewed hope in seeing the Lord do new and good things in my life (isaiah 43:19), i must become a woman who doesn't quit. i must find a way to push through the dark, ugly, disorganized places so that i may reap my beautiful reward.

open hands, open mind, open heart ----> opening myself to God's movement. and that, my friends, is a life changer for sure!

many plans are in a man's heart. but the Lord's decree will prevail. proverbs 19:21

my prayer:
Lord, please help me stay focused on the things you've assigned for me. Give me the strength to do and compete all that you have assigned for me to do. Create a new thing in me so that ultimately you may be glorified. amen!

today, i'm sharing my thoughts on the second week of the proverbs 31 ministry's 5 habits of a woman who doesn't quit by nicki koziarz.

chapters 3-4:
the second habit is: she follows through on her commitments despite how she feels.

how i'm feeling about habit 2:
the beginning of the week was very motivational and inspiring. i learned that i need to turn my "i can't" perspective into a positive. realistically, i know it's difficult to have hope, determination, and perseverance in the midst of challenges, but i should strive to be more like ruth. in the bible, ruth leaves her homeland to travel with her mother-in-law, naomi, back to naomi's homeland. in the midst of new territory, ruth agrees to go out and work in the fields. while there, she meets boaz. this turns out to be a blessing for ruth. sometimes we have to stretch ourselves by going to the most difficult places to receive our blessings. i'm sure ruth didn't feel like make those major life changes, but she followed through anyway.

in the teachings this week, i also learned that God may choose to use me to change someone else's life when i follow through with my commitments - that's huge!

humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time. i peter 5:6

but i also know the struggle is real. as i delve deeper into this habit i'm torn with trying to find a balance between being consistent, following through and also being my true, authentic self. should i force myself to follow through with commitments if that means i am not being honest with the person (or people) it affects? i know what's right, and i know what's true. and i know i have to work to reconcile both of these things because ultimately, the truth is always right.

my prayer:
Lord, help me have the best effective, godly communication with important people in my life. help me make wise "no-quitting" decisions in the midst of raw emotions. guide me so that Your light may shine through in all that i do. amen!

image credit: proverbs 31ministries

this week i started an online bible study hosted and sponsored by proverbs 31 ministries (which is a wonderful organization, by the way). the study is based on the book of ruth and nicki koziarz's book, 5 habits of a woman who doesn't quit.

for the next five weeks, i will publish portions of my private journal in this space. i hope you are inspired or motivated by me sharing my journey to quit quitting!

chapters 1-2:
the first habit is: she accepts the assignment of refinement. 

how i'm feeling about habit one:
i think this habit is the most difficult because it requires starting, and starting takes a leap of faith. as a runner, i know the hardest part is starting (really, starting is the most difficult part of any task). personal trainers will tell you, don't stop running during a race. once you stop, it is so hard to get going again. so, stay in the race and push through - that's a word! once you get started, keep going! while accepting an assignment of refinement is hard, once i start, i know i have to keep going and finish ... to completion. in other words - don't quit! :-)

my prayer:
i am praying that i have the strength to stay in this race. i know the battle is not mine, but the Lord's (2 chronicles 20:15). please help me to remember the Lord's promises are true and He promises to give me the desires of my heart (psalm 37:4). help me to look to You when i begin to falter. i know God is my Source and ever-present Help. amen!