Kindness is Inspiring

Kindness comes in all kinds of packages: big ones, small ones, misshapen ones, perfectly wrapped ones, frilly ones, serious ones, expected ones, and unexpected ones.  Today kindness came in the form of the unexpected ones.  The unexpected ones are my favorite because they trigger joy.  Unexpected kindness dissipates dark clouds, removes gunk blocking the light, and lifts the heavy heart into new hopes.  Unexpected kindness inspires me to want to pass on kindness so that I may have the pleasure of blessing others the ways I've been blessed this day.  Therefore, I challenge myself (and you) to pass on kindness.  Tomorrow, I look forward to providing unexpected kindness to three people the way I've been shown kindness today, which is in the form of providing food, a gift, and encouraging words.  Pay it forward!  Kindness IS contagious!  Inspire a life today!

"In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven."

 

Matthew 5:16

New Century Version (NCV)

Inspired to Memorize Scripture

I've been challenging myself to memorize more Scripture.  I began earlier this summer when I hosted a camp for middle school girls that taught them how to see Scripture in a more visual and poetic way. 

We made journals out of Mead Composition books and some mod podge.  I then asked the girls (and myself) to find a Scripture verse that inspired them.  Next, they were to write out part or all of the verse in any way, shape or form; but, they were to work on it for 15 minutes by adding color, images, and playing around with fonts. 

I continued this technique in my own devotional time.  I find that by saying the verse and creating something visual with it for that full 15 minutes, I memorize a whole lot better than by just reading the verse over and over.

I'm going to incoporate this technique into my classroom this year with hopes that the boys will find the visuals as appealing and helpful as the girls.

Inspired by a Question and John Wooden

A devotion was read this morning about the inspirational and legendary coach John Wooden.  He was asked a very poignant question by his friend John Maxwell:

When Coach Wooden was ninety-two years old, I interviewed him in a conference, and one of the questions I asked was how he wanted to be remembered. His response brought a gasp from the audience.  “I certainly don’t want to be remembered for trophies and national championships,” he said without hesitation. After thinking a moment he said, “I hope people will remember me as one who was kind and considerate of others.”

(http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/2010/06/23/for-my-friend-john-wooden/)

What a humble response!  After reading this devotion, my principal turned to all of us teachers and asked the same question John Maxwell asked Coached Wooden.  How would we want to be remembered?  I instantly thought, "I hope people remember me as a child of God and follower of Christ."  But then, I furthered the thought into the question how.  How will people remember me as a child of God and follower of Christ? 

I'm inspired to live each day with this question in the forefront of my mind.  I pray that my faith will shine, my words and actions reflect love, and my presence brings peace.  This is how I want people to remember me: a woman of faith, love, and peace.

“Make each day your masterpiece.”

-John Wooden

Inspired by Boxes

Back in January, I began a prayer box.  I went out and searched for some antique tins to use as a box (see blog post dated January 9th) .  What I didn't realize was how quickly my prayers would fill that little box.  Consequently, I went out in search of a new box (really, anything that gives me a purpose to do some antique shopping, I do without hesitation).  With the help of a friend, the new, wooden box I found was perfect, except that it needed a face lift. 

The yellow glow of the box was inviting but the painted pears were not so inspirational when it came to praying.  With a bit of mod podge magic, I turned that tacky terrific wooden box with a latch into a vintage victorian prayer box.  I used scrapbook paper, some excerpts from Psalms that came out of an old unused Bible, lace, paint, wooden and cardboard letters, rub-ons, and some other decals I found in my craft collection.

I have been using this wooden box for several months now, and while the box is a lovely decorative display on my shelves, it is more of a reminder of handing over my burdened prayers to God.  So as I pass by this box every day, I am inspired to pray, to keep praying, and to trust in my God who hears all prayers whether written, spoken, or simply thought in my heart.

"Stay Inspired"

God is in every moment.  I never cease to be astounded by the little miracles He has in mind to reveal to us.  I believe there are many throughout the day, and I believe if we seek them like treasure hunters, then treasures aplenty we will find. 

Today, I was sitting in the banquet hall of the hotel with worship music surrounding me, soothing me like a warm summer breeze.  I looked down at my hotel key, and smiled at what it said.  A miracle moment took place.  It was if God was saying, "Stay inspired," like He was confirming me in this quest to look for ways in which to be inspired.  There it was--in the palm of my hand and in the form of a shiny plastic card--my inspiration for today.  My miracle.

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 
his love endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Inspired by Peace

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." (John 14:27 ESV)

As if a violent storm in the night suddenly erupted, my peace was gone.  Next to patience, peace is a quality of the spirit that comes naturally to me, and it was gone, destroyed.  It was replaced with hurt, frustration, and insecurity.  I didn't recognize what had changed.  I just knew a storm had come and broken branches like hair clippings after a cut lay scattered about.  

After reading a Joyce Meyer devotion, which God specifically saved for me to read tonight and through the workings of the Holy Spirit, I saw what the storm had damaged: my peace.  Joyce Meyer said in her devotion that we have to be peaceful on purpose because peace is powerful and Satan will attack and destroy something that has that kind of power.  Jesus left His peace with us.  Satan doesn't want us to have anything that keeps us attached to Jesus.  "Let not your hearts be troubled," He said.  Don't you think He said that because He knew we would have troubled hearts if not peaceful ones? 

My heart has been troubled lately, and it's because I have been powerless without God's peace.  Thank you, Joyce Meyer, for being a vessel of inspiration.  Thank you, Lord, for speaking to me and for restoring my peace.  May the power of His peace be with you, also.

Inspired by Psalm 46

I long to drink
the spiritual waters
flowing abundantly
beside me.
The ground I walk upon
is giving away
but

I will not stop.

Even as the sky turns
an ominous black
like a dark cloak,
I will walk on.
The winds pick up
I feel more unsteady
but

I will not give up.

For You, O Lord, are with me.
You are the strength and solidity
of my walk.
I will trust in You
with all that I am.
I rest in the palm of Your hand;
in the midst of You

I will not be moved.

You surround me like a fortress
even as the earth trembles
and falls apart around me.
For Your love carries me
and holds me together.

I will not fear.

A Quest for Inspiration

I have been neglecting this blog mainly due to the fact that I wasn't sure how to use it.  I originally started it in order to keep me more accountable in living intentionally for the Lord.  We can see by the lack of posts my epic failure in those intentions.  Lately, it's been on my heart to use this blog as a way to record what inspires me since I did in fact put in my subtitle that this is a blog with a desire to inspire.  Therefore, I am on a quest for inspiration. 

Daily God inspires us.  He is living in every moment.  He shimmers the morning grass with dew drops, He gives robins sweet songs to chirp, He places cute dimples into children's cheeks, He creates beauty from ashes, and He yearns for us to notice all of these things.  Inspiration is all around us.  I will seek it, explore it, use it, create with it, write it, take snapshots of it, and share it with you. 

I desire to inspire.  May God continue to be our ultimate inspiration.