I disagreed with this Facebook post yesterday because let me tell ya, it’s wisdom sometimes to put on a fake smile and keep it moving. I told them how I could be boiling angry inside, but I’ve learned to put on a poker face and keep my emotions in check. Even yesterday, I had my daughter with me at work, and a representative came from one of our banks to say hello. I brought Julie to my office to meet him because he brings such energy, personality, enthusiasm, and positivity with him. I told Julie, “This is how I want you to be when you go to New York. No matter how you feel inside, you show up with that joyful, fun, and eager attitude. You fake it if you must!”
There is an art to this wisdom thing that I’m learning from God and a big part of that is knowing the battles to fight and the ones to ignore. I loved this message from my Joel Osteen’s inspirational email today:
“And they regarded Saul with contempt and did not bring him a gift. BUT HE IGNORED THE INSULT AND KEPT SILENT.” – 1 Samuel 10:27
That’s wisdom, baby! We have to get great at this ignoring if we’re going to live God’s best life, He had planned for us before we were even born. Unfortunately, that means faking it (putting a smile on your face) whenever necessary and leaving certain situations and people with God to fight for us. I loved the verse our customer, Richard, told me one day under my God tree:
“Vengeance is mines, says the Lord.”
Minutes after speaking to Him, it was 59 minutes past the hour, and I went to page 59 of our family’s website, and look what incredibly showed up there:
“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.” – Romans 12:19-20
God went to the trouble of confirming that this is where He wants us all. So all day, I want us to have precious conversations with God about the battles we’re to fight and the ones to ignore and keep silent about. Everything is between God and us, not between us and anyone else. And let me tell ya, when I ask God to be the Guide and priority of my life, the blessings chase me down.
Yesterday was one of the best days ever with my daughter, Julie. Today it’s Ember’s turn, and I’m so happy teaching them my side of the family hustle for when she starts her college internships in New York, by the grace of God. Teamwork makes the dream work! This morning, I ran into a fellow jogger who explained that everyone has their cross to carry, but he opened his arms and said, “Look around. Look where you live. You’re in paradise!” That’s the blessings of God that I don’t want you guys missing out on. God has been the trusted Guide of our family. Not that we’re perfect, but even the imperfections are all a part of His perfection to help us be calmer, wiser, more loving, braver, and closer to Him people. I loved what my brother, Kevin, said today when I said God was teaching me courage. He said, “No, God is teaching you to depend on Him for your security and not other people.”
Pray all day. Every day. Tapping into God’s direction for our lives on a moment by moment as we show up as our best and shiniest selves, all for His glory! Amen!