Ok, so it’s mid-January now and you’ve taken off. Hopefully you’re still going to the gym. You’re still eating healthy. You’re still studying or writing or working on whatever you have dedicated yourself to pursue. How do you do that? You stay focused. Expect turbulence. Be prepared for what could happen that might cause a delay. Don’t become distracted by what’s going on around you. Don’t quit. You can do it. Trust the instruments. In other words, trust what God said in His Word and trust His promises. Proverbs 3:5-6 states Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. I’m reminded of how I had to encourage myself to keep going and stay focused. If you read my book you’ll find out that when I divorced, I was not in the best shape from a financial standpoint. While living in a mobile home park, the gas expenses to cook and heat my single wide trailer were skyrocketing. I had to make a decision. I could stay there and keep paying those astronomical prices or... move. I was forced to find somewhere else to live by the following winter. In Chapter 4 I describe how my realtor presented the opportunity for me to build a home. So this meant I didn’t have to keep renting, but I could invest my hard earned money more wisely by having something that belonged to me. It was such an exciting time! I started the process and I had to trust God even though I did not have a huge bank account. I did not let that stop me. I was motivated to keep going forward. I was able to provide every penny that was required at the time of my closing, and it was such a wonderful feeling to have the keys to my first brand new home! I promised God that if He brought me through that, I would give Him the glory and let everyone know that He did it. I’m keeping my promise. I’m still telling others about His goodness. By the way, I've decided to devote 1/2 hour on 4th Saturday nights to talk about the goodness of God. The sessions I hosted during the holidays were so powerful that I have to continue. Join me on Facebook at 8 pm on Saturday, January 23. I don’t know what you’re faced with today. I don’t know what your goals are or what you want to accomplish this year. I just want to say that even if you are faced with what appears to be insurmountable circumstances, don’t speak what you see, but walk by faith and not by sight. I must share what a good friend told me. She said she's watched me for the last couple of years and said: "Charlene, you are purposeful. You try to put into your schedule what you need to do. You guard and set boundaries for what you want to accomplish and for your rest time. You are very focused and conscientious about what you need to get done, not just for yourself but everyone you are giving to. You have a spirit of producing. You are fruitful." Wow! I was so humbled by her words of encouragement. I must also add that I guard my time with God by making prayer and Bible reading/study a daily priority, and I guard my TV time by setting limits so it does not interfere with goals. I'm learning that the more productive I am, the more I can glorify God with my life. I try to stay focused and I encourage you to do the same. The same way God has been helping me, He will help you. Don’t give up because our God is able to keep you on the right path. He knows how to redirect, when needed. He can keep you from collisions and the obstacles that you can and cannot see. ALWAYS trust Him! I'm praying for you!
