Light, Love, Hope

For day two of this challenge, I’d like to share with you a quote that has really meant so much to me through the years since I found it.  This quote is from Joyce Meyer.  Now, I do realize that some people love her while others do not.  I’m not here to debate at all on this but to offer the quote that helped me when I needed it the most.

True freedom never comes until we fully realize

that we don’t need to struggle to get from man

what God freely gives us:

love,

acceptance,

approval,

security,

worth,

and

value.

~Joyce Meyer~

I wanted to emphasize on the words, thus the reason I placed them by themselves to really draw attention to them.

How many times have we all struggled in this area?  Whether we were trying so hard to gain the approval of our parents, siblings, or other family members … or whether it was friends or coworkers on the job … or maybe even approval from a controlling person that focused only on themselves unless they were tearing at your self esteem and self worth?  I think we have all struggled from time to time with self esteem issues and self confidence.  When I found this in one of Joyce Meyer’s books, it screamed at me,

“STRUGGLE NO MORE, CHILD!!!”

We have everything we’ve been searching for right there in the arms of Jesus Christ!  God not only approves of us, He loves us so completely!  There is no need to strive to gain from man what GOD freely gives each and every one of us!

Be blessed and encouraged today, whether you’re a huge fan of Joyce Meyer or not.  Her words encouraged me when I greatly needed it at a time in my life when I was extremely down and out over the disapproval of others all around me in the work place.  Thankfully, I was able to get out of that toxic work environment.  This quote helped to strengthen me and realize that my strength came from the Lord … who has already approved me, loved me, and offers so much love and acceptance while providing security!  I know I have worth and value.  My Jesus tells me so!

Chances are that you’ve heard the following quote by Mother Teresa before.  I’d like to share it with you any way, and I ask that you please take time to slowly read through it allowing her words to touch the very heart of you.

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It never was between you and them anyway.

~Mother Teresa

Her words are perfectly stated and confirm what I’ve said on this site before.  Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.  The only one you truly need to be concerned with is God.  Do all things for your audience of ONE, and when your time on earth is through, you shall hear Him say, “Well done, my child, my good and faithful servant.”

~*~*~*~*~

My sweet friend and fellow blogger, Barbara London, previously offered this quote challenge that I have now accepted.  I have felt like I did not have much to offer in the way of words of wisdom lately, and so the blog fell silent until Greg posted this past week, which I appreciate much more than he will ever know.

Going back and reading Barbara’s challenge stirred something within my soul and inspired me to write again.  Someone out there may need to read these words, and so here I am.

Thank you, Barbara, for issuing this challenge, but more than that … thank you for being such an inspiration with YOUR words and the wonderful person that you are.  I look forward to reading your Facebook posts daily, and I look forward to reading your blog.  You are some kind of wonderful, and I hope you know it … I mean truly know it to the very core of your being.  I have been blessed to get to know you better and be called “Friend.”

While growing up, I never really listened to the Beach Boys much. It wasn’t until I grew older that I grew to really love some of their songs; “I Get Around”, “Barbara Ann”, “Good Vibrations” and so on. I have even played a few of their songs in bands over the years. So when I saw the Brian Wilson movie “Love & Mercy” for rent on Amazon this past weekend, I snapped it up.

The movie is about the struggles Brian went through while with the Beach Boys and later on in life. It culminates in how he finally found someone that helped him get away from bad influences to get the help he needed to begin living his life again. The movie opened my eyes to what an amazing person and musician he is. I, of course, had to check out some of the things I saw in the movie to see how true they were and I found the movie was pretty accurate in its story on his life.

They spent a bit of time on the recording of the Beach Boys album, “Pet Sounds”, which is considered a critically acclaimed work for its writing, production and performance. I will be honest. I never owned Pet Sounds. I have never heard the whole album. However, there are two songs on there that are favorites of mine; “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and “God Only Knows.” Since I watched the movie, I have been listening to these two songs over and over. I have found that “God Only Knows” has a very special place in my heart at the moment.

“I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I’ll make you so sure about it

God only knows what I’d be without you”

The chorus has such a powerful message for me. I recently had the rare chance to spend some time with someone that has influenced me in ways that I cannot even begin to explain. I know that they have no clue as to how they have been such a great influence upon my life and how they have helped to make me a better person.

“God only knows what I’d be without you”

I am sure many of us have had our lives touched by others in such a way. Yet, we never tell them. We never let them know how much we treasure them and their part in our lives.

“God only knows what I’d be without you”

Have you ever thought that you may be that person to someone else and never know it. That is part of the wonder of what God puts in our hearts for us to share with those around us.

“God only knows what I’d be without you”