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:

Grief and Sorrow No More

Submitted by: Sandra Harris Frey

In Memory of Jaime

The sudden death of a dear childhood friend had me on the road headed back to my home town this week. There were many uncertainties as I traveled “back home”. Having lived away for over 25 years, I had many doubts in my heart. Would anyone recognize me? Would I recognize anyone? Would my grief and emotion overtake me and be a deterrent in trying to be a comfort to the family?

Upon arrival at the visitation, there was sadness and tears, but rather than being consumed with sorrow, many were smiling and sharing stories of our friend and yes, there was even laughter. Great celebration was in the air. The celebration of a remarkable man who had an amazing life. One filled with compassion, peace, and encouragement for others. A sincere, caring man who always had a kind word and a thoughtful gesture.

Even in grief, we are comforted by the fact that there will be a reunion one day when we reach our heavenly home. It is the promise of heaven that gives us hope and mends our sorrow filled hearts.

Revelations 21:4

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.

Courage to Achieve

Submitted by: Sandra Harris Frey

One of my favorite things is watching for the mailman on Saturday in anticipation of his delivering my People magazine. It’s even sweeter when it arrives on Friday! My routine is to study the cover for a few minutes and immediately turn to the weekly crossword puzzle to complete. There is no reading until the crossword puzzle is finished. It is a routine that I have practiced for many years.

After the crossword puzzle was finished this week, I sat down to read a great article about a man named Alferd Williams from Missouri. He was the son of a sharecropper and worked very hard from the time he was a young boy. There wasn’t time for school, only work. The article was about his new experience of beginning first grade at age 70 because he wanted to learn to read and to keep a family promise. It talked about his day and the encouragement he received from his six year old classmates. What an inspiration Alferd Williams was for me this week and everyone who read that motivating article! What courage to achieve!

It takes a great deal of courage for us to achieve our goals. Whether you are learning to read like Alferd Williams, starting a new business, or taking a photography class, the determination to achieve must be in the heart and it takes courage to follow through with whatever it is in your life you want to achieve.

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!

Psalm 31:24

Easter Eggs, Bunnies, and Christ

Submitted by: Sandra Harris Frey

The beginning of spring sends a message of renewal. Many young are born in the animal world around this time of year. It is also the time that we celebrate Easter. Children eager to paint their eggs for the Easter egg hunt. Bunnies and chicks are symbols of Easter. Most of all, it’s the holiday celebrated for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Being curious about the origin of the Easter egg hunts, the chicks, and bunny factors, I did a little research on why these things are associated with Easter. It has been widely reported that after the resurrection of Christ, Mary visited the Emperor of Rome telling him that “Christ has risen”. His comment as he pointed to an egg on a table, “Christ is no more risen than that egg is red”. It was told that the egg immediately turned blood red.

Many believe eggs were painted and given as gifts symbolizing the end of Lent. In Eastern Christianity, meat and eggs are prohibited during Lent. The eggs and the hatchlings are symbols of new life and the resurrection of Christ.

As we enter this Easter holiday, let’s keep focused on new life, renewal, and a new beginning.

Luke 24

The Resurrection

¹On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ²They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " ⁸Then they remembered his words.