Who are you Becoming?

As a Life Coach, I'm blessed with the opportunity to help women discover and begin living into their God-given life purpose. Usually that purpose involves "doing" something. However, for the last few months God has been reminding me that He is far more concerned with who we are becoming that what we're doing for Him. So, I've been on this personal quest to define who I want to become and legacy I hope to leave behind.

I recently discovered several amazing quotes in Andy Stanley's book The Next Generation Leader.

"We set young leaders up for a fall if we encourage them to envision what they can do before they consider the kind of person they should be." R. Ruth Barton

"Your gifts and determination may dictate your potential, but it is your character that will determine your legacy." Andy Stanley

In the book, Andy challenges readers to define their personal definition of success and says, "Ultimately success is defined in terms of who you are and how you treat the people around you."

Thoughts to Ponder:

1) What is your personal definition of success?

2) Who are you becoming?

3) Who do you want to be?

Blog with me this week about this topic. I'll be sharing more about my personal journey and what God has been teaching me about who I want to become and my personal definition of success.

© Kelly Thorne 2008

A Positive Force

By: Sandra Harris Frey

Many of you may have family, friends, coworkers, or even acquaintances that are either currently locked in a battle with cancer or who have bravely fought and won the war and are survivors of cancer. I can remember as a young girl hearing folks talking about “the cancer” and how deadly it was and there was no hope for survival. Today, thanks to the steadfast dedication and expertise of many medical experts and the millions of dollars gifted for research, “the cancer” isn’t that death sentence it once was a few years ago. Statistics show the rate of survival continues to grow.

Researchers found that in addition to drugs, radiation, chemotherapy and other treatments for cancer patients that promoting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging a positive attitude made a huge difference in the recovery process. If it was such a positive force in the recovery process of cancer patients, can you imagine the impact if we incorporate this idea into our daily lives?

Day to day life can be complicated. Whether we are fighting disease, caring for elderly parents, being a good neighbor, or trying to balance our household budgets, we are not guaranteed that everything will "come up smelling like roses". There will be burdens. However, we can easily attack those burdens if we walk into the line of fire with an attitude to conquer.

“Hope is not pretending that troubles do not exist. It is the trust that they will not last forever, that hurts will be healed, and difficulties overcome. It is faith that a source of strength and renewal lies within us, to lead us through the dark to the sunshine.”

Anonymous

Destined to be a Mother

Submitted by: Sandra Harris Frey

It has taken a long time to realize that no matter what my age, my mother will always see me as twelve years old with that “sassy, fresh mouth”. She told me a few years ago that she felt destined to be a mother from the time she was a young girl. It was the path she knew she had to travel for definitive contentment. Mother has a breathtaking soul. Her talents are many and she shines like no other.

The most miraculous and revered mother in the world would have to be Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was obedient to God and carried the Christ child who would be ultimately sacrificed to save the sins of man. She was brave and courageous and never faltered in what God’s plan was for her, Joseph and their son. Mary must have been a very strong woman to have endured such great pain and loss when Jesus died on the cross. However, can you imagine her great jubilation when he arose from the grave?

A mother gives her children positive directives, discipline, love, care, and understanding. She makes many sacrifices of time, energy, monetary gain, and even dreams just for the sake of her children’s happiness. Her bond with her children is unique and one that will be carried forever in their hearts. Even death cannot break such a bond.

Be thankful for your mother. Whether she is living or gone on before you, say a prayer of thanks for the affection she showered upon you and for the sacrifices made all because of her love for you.

Do not search for security...

Do not search for security in the world you inhabit. You tend to make mental checklists of things you need to do in order to gain control of your life. If only you could check everything off your list, you could relax and be at peace. But the more you work to accomplish that goal, the more things crop up on your list. The harder you try, the more frustrated you become.

There is a better way to find security in this life. Instead of scrutinizing your checklist, focus your attention on My Presence with you. This continual contact with Me will keep you in My Peace. Moreover, I will help you sort out what is important and what is not, what needs to be done now and what does not. Fix your eyes not on what is seen (your circumstances), but on what is unseen (My Presence).

2 Corinthians 4:18

From the devotional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young: