purpose

This is my command, be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.
For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9 NLT

A few weeks ago, my friend Diann and I went for an hour walk-n-talk in the country. Corn fields galore. The further we went, I had an “oh my gosh moment!” I had to go to the bathroom (can I just say pee?). I blurted out, “I have to pee.” OK. Alright. We looked around, she laughed and said something like “well, there is a cornfield. You good at squatting? Go a few rows back, no one will see you.”   I hesitated and said, “OK, hold my phone. I’m doing it.” So, I did.

After exiting the corn field and resuming our walk, we were laughing and carrying on, when two huge, fierce, barking dogs at a house yards in front of us suddenly appeared. We stopped, debated, and decided to go another way. The other route lead us to another dog. Ugh…dogs everywhere! We were stuck at a crossroad, the clock was ticking, our husbands weren’t answering their phones and we discussed our views on hitchhiking…funny stuff. What seemed like an hour later, her hubby called back, picked us up and drove us past the house, not before slowing down to taunt and scold the dogs.  Once past, we jumped out to finish our walk-n-talk.

The other day, I set out on a bike ride. I chose a different route because it was windy and I wanted an easier ride. Confession, some days I like easy routes. My bike rides are my time with God and this day was no different. I asked God to “let me see what He wanted me to see and to help me not miss one thing.” Riding. Riding. Riding. Gulp. I realized I was coming up on the back side of that same road where those dogs live.

Do you ever have those moments when your mind thinks and processes more thoughts than humanly possible in a very short amount of time? Well, this was one of those time for me.

I quickly assessed how to get around it and realized it would take more time than I allotted…once again. Glad I peed before I took off. Then I was like I need a stick, a big stick to beat those dogs when they try to attack me. I went into begging mode, “God please give me a stick.” I am telling ya, I was frantically looking around for that big stick. Saying, don’t let me miss it! Nothin. No stick in sight and no quick path home. Well, I turned the corner and was on that road; and, yes, still looking for a stick. Dog house looming ¼ mile.

What did I spy with my little eye? Not a stick, but a piece of Styrofoam. Really God? A big piece of Styrofoam. I rode past it. My thoughts were again frantic. What to do? My peddling slowed substantially. I thought, “do I need that piece of Styrofoam to beat the dogs?”

I turned around and picked it up thankful it was big, and that it had a slit that miraculously fit over my handlebar. I could still steer and shift gears. I’m was like OK here is my big stick. Still peddling slowly, those quick thoughts came again…how would I beat those ferocious dogs with my new weapon? Or was it to be a shield? Either way, I realized I would inevitable be knocked off my bike and mauled by those 2 wild black beasts.

I started begging again, “God please let someone be home so that when I scream REALLY LOUD they will hear me and save me from those malicious dogs who are snarling and going to bite my leg off and that bite will give me rabies. I will have to get rabbi shots. I will get a major infection, end up with staph and in the hospital.” Whew…I’m telling ya all those thoughts in ¼ mile. The mind is a powerful thing.

Then, I had the most rational thought. The Styrofoam would act as my shield and protect me from the dogs’ deadly bites. It would scare them because it was big, white and flapping in the wind. And of course, I would be screaming because that’s what I do when a dog comes at me. This combination would be sure to ward off the attack.

Plan in place, I geared down or was it up…whatever, I was able to peddle fast but of course safe enough so I wouldn’t peddle myself right off my bike. Once past the cornfield (where I had peed with Diann), the house was in sight. I saw a neon green shirted man on a ladder working on the barn (no time for a pic here). Yes Sally, there is a God! I realized my shield or weapon AND my scream would suffice now. My scream would catch the man’s attention and the shield and weapon would protect me until the man could reign in his unruly dogs.

Deep breath. Peddling. The property line. My eyes darting every which way. My ears on high alert. My heart thumping. Hmm. No barking.  No beasts charging the road. No dogs. I was safe. I would not be mulled, infected or have to endure rabbi shots. I would not warm up my vocal cords or get to use my Styrofoam Shield or was it to be a weapon?

Smiling, I asked God, “What was that all about?”

Riding. Listening. Thoughts coming. Grabbing my iPhone, punching in my password, tapping iTalk, hitting “Record,” I started talking.

My 13 take-a-ways from my ride today:

1. Barking dogs cause fear but get me focused.
2. Obstacles pop up. It’s how I navigate them that matters.
3. Faith triumphs fear. Do my part. Lean in to truth.
4. Provision isn’t always what I think but its provision.
5. Fear, courage and strength fight to co-exist in my circumstances.
6. See things from different perspectives.
7. Sometimes the only way out is through.
8. Laugh, have fun and always be on the lookout.
9. God goes with me wherever I am. I just have to join Him.
10. The significance of the Armor of God.
11. In every experience there is something to learn! Pause. Ponder. Learn.
12. Share it.
13. Swords and shields come in all shapes and sizes for a reason.

Some Questions to think about: 

What is your “barking dog?”  How is it helping you to focus? Or how is it distracting you? What fears stand in the way of your destination?  How will you navigate the journey?  What would a Styrofoam shield or sword do for you?

Share your comments and thoughts.  As always, I would love to hear from you!

“Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.”  Dorothy Thompson

Visit me at www.infusecoaching.com

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It all started in the bathroom. My hubby was showering. I was standing in front of the mirror putting on my make-up. “What am I going to do about these wrinkles around my eyes?” Despite not being able to see him, I know he smirked, then giggled. Am sure he thought “what is the right answer?” I didn’t give him time to respond. I mused, “Pretty worldly concern, huh?”

Our conversation proceeded and ultimately led him to share about a message he heard days prior. We had a great conversation. He left me with this sentence, “Life is just a layover.” I walked away thinking “Really, is life just a layover?”

Layovers don’t invoke positive thoughts, feelings, emotions or actions. To be honest, layovers, delays or stops of any kind annoy me. Layovers cause me to be irritable, impatient and out of sorts.

The thought of layovers takes my thoughts to traveling. I don’t want layovers. I want a straight through flight, and not just because I have anxiety when it comes to flying; by car, I want to take the quickest route to get where we are going. Why is this and why do I loathe layovers?

It’s truth telling time my friends. I like to feel in control. I like a plan. I like a schedule. Let me map it out, take charge and get going. Once I know where I am going, I just want to get there. Bottom line: I like to get where I am going. No layovers. I like to arrive as soon as possible to “the destination,” as I planned. Lots of I’s and me’s, huh?

Layover is defined as “a period of rest or waiting before a further stage in a journey.” Stop, stopover or halt are a few synonyms.

Reflecting on that definition and synonyms makes a layover seem purposeful and active. There is something good to stopping or halting; to resting or waiting. It almost ignites positive thought, emotion and feeling. Ah, layovers can be for reasons that are beyond my understanding.

What have I learned?

1. My plans are just that, my plans. God has a plan for me in this layover of life and I need to intentionally seek, pursue and live it. Selflessly. Humbly. Purposefully.

2. Layovers have purpose and I am not to be passive in them. During layovers and waiting there are things to do. Action is required. I can trust God’s and His purpose and plan. My job is to do and step when the time to do and step comes.

3. Live with the end in mind. Life isn’t about the here and now. God created me for eternity and life is a step toward eternity.When traveling to Costa Rica, I knew where we were going. I planned, organized, scheduled, packed and jumped on the plane. I couldn’t wait to get there; even in the layover I was excited because I knew the destination!

These things have helped me to change my perspective on layovers and waiting. It’s vital for me to remember where I am headed. This will help me embrace the layover, anticipate in the waiting and do everything I am to do until I get to where I am going.

Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Questions:  How do you respond to layovers and waiting?  What could you do to shift your thinking about layovers and periods of waiting?  Share your comments.  I would love to hear.

            Vision.   Purpose.   Mission.

Are these things really important? Do we really need a VPM?  Will having a VPM change how we live life? I have been pondering these and similar questions for weeks.  Through a life coaching class, we were challenged to figure out our life VPM.  What a daunting task this has been!

This morning, I was reading and the story connected with my work on VPM and what I accomplished this week. Yes! Officially completed the VPM challenge.  Done. Rah-Rah, fist bump, boom boom!

Anyway, here was the connection and learning. I was reading about Paul, in Acts 26. Short summary: Paul had a vision, a purpose and a mission!  “Hmmm, VPM must be important and needed to live with intention, huh?”

My ponderings began. Paul’s journey in Acts 26 reminded me of my recent journey into Life Coaching.  Life coaching was not something I set out to do…it randomly came up in a random conversation at a random moment. In those “randoms,” I believe a vision of sorts was birthed in me. My life path shifted.  Like Paul, his life journey shifted because of a heavenly vision. Paul sure didn’t start out being a radical follower of Jesus….remember, he was mean, really mean, to people who believed in and followed Jesus.

After the vision, it was like Paul knew that he knew (he believed) there was a purpose for his life.  The story basically says, he stood up on his feet to do what was laid before him, embraced the vision and became willing to do it.  Well, I can’t say that I just jumped to my feet and embraced my vision, willingly; but I did stand up and took baby steps forward.  I wonder if Paul doubted or wavered.  I know that I have. However, the baby steps taken have reinforced that I do have a purpose for the season that I am now living.  Despite the obstacles and my own self-sabotaged thinking, I have continued to step forward with a “do it” attitude (most of the time), just like Paul.

Paul knew his “what, why and where.”  Paul was sent to be a servant and witness to those who needed forgiveness and a Savior.  This was his mission and he began doing it!  Living intentionally. Don’t you just want to holler, “Go Paul?”

Crazy as it is, I know my “what, why and where,” for this season of life. It’s time for the action.  I bet Paul was scared and discouraged, just like me.  But Paul kept the heavenly VPM in front of his eyes! Paul’s life encourages me to keep stepping; to keep trusting; to act; and to keep God’s VPM for my life in front of my eyes.  Despite my fears, doubts and discouragement, I am learning almost daily what it means to discover and live with vision and purpose. And that kind of excites me!

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Questions: Do you desire to live like Paul knowing your “what, why and where?” What can you do to discover them?  Are you willing?