Do Your Part!

I've always wanted to be an inspiration to others. That desire pushed me to ask myself, "What can I write, say or do to accomplish that goal?" I frantically sought out projects and opportunities to become this "inspiration" that I envisioned so earnestly. One day I just cradled my head in my hands and with a sigh spoke out loud, "What do I do Lord? I just want to be an inspiration to others!" In a still quiet voice He said three words that radically changed my mindset and perspective, "You already are." BAM! Talk about a revelation. I had to sit back in my chair and heave another sigh, but this time it was of relief. "I already am?" I repeated half questioning what I'd heard. Then with a sense of faith and confidence I repeated once more, "I ALREADY AM!"

Sometimes we work so hard at something only to become disallusioned because we don't recognize or appreciate the impact it has on others. We look for the hoopla and fanfare and miss the simple satisfaction of just being who God created us to be each day. If we are authentic in our living in Christ by  modeling Him while maximizing our gifts and abilities--fulfillment will be a natural by product.

What do you desire in your heart? Pray for God to show you how to realize those desires in your "day to day". Be faithful over it and enjoy each moment of it. Don't worry about the impact--leave that to the Holy Spirit. He will do His part if you do yours:)

In His Stillness

The deafening silence

Awakens my soul

An I hear His possibilities

~Odetta Li

12 ^1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:1-2(MSG)

Do You Have A Dream?

What happened to the dream I dreamed?
Was it adjourned to a later date?
Found comatose in a vegetative state?
Was it hidden in a basement somewhere?
Discovered molded and in despair?

What happened to that dream I dreamed?
Did it sneak off on a quick hiatus,
Hoping for a more prominent status?

Waiting for just the right time to make its debut
That dream I dreamed...
~Odetta Li

Have you ever dreamed of doing something BIG? You stay awake at night excited with the promise of fulfillment and success. In your excitement, you share your dream with someone who doesn't quite catch the same vision and then discouragement comes. The dream begins to fade like watercolors in the sun...
Well don't let the naysayers bury your dream with your permission. Snatch them from the grave and hold them up to the sun! They are still alive and ready to grow. Start with baby steps and celebrate even the small successes. You can do it:)

Write the vision, and make it plain on tables, that he may run that reads it.
Habakkuk 2:2

Shut up!

Shut Up

Shut up…

The words you say

When you don’t know

A better way

To say

Shut up

~Odetta Li

Yes-- I said these words to someone yesterday after finally reaching my boiling point We we're having a discussion..well not quite a discussion. It was just...DRAMA! I always feel badly after saying these words because I remember telling my children that these were unacceptable words to use. Neverless they came falling--no shooting out of my mouth. Why did I say them? Anger. Frustration. It doesn't matter. Word sting, hurt and can be damaging. I'm not perfect and I hate feeling that my tongue got the best of me--that time. It's in the past now and though the emotion was justified--the weaponry of the tongue was not. Sooo...I will apologize for that at least.

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3

Is your life feeling stale?

It's true...the past is behind you. You can choose to make the winter of your discontent a fading memory.Spring is here and so are new opportunities start fresh and proactively refocus your life. God has equipped you and you are well able to dream again. So...take a moment to breathe and enjoy the simplest pleasures of spring.

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19 ESV


Spring bud
So crisp and fresh
Waiting
Just waiting...
Bursts open!
With fragrant anticipation
It drinks in spring's waters
So alive
So alive!
~Odetta Li