I was reading Donald Trumps book, Think Like A Champion, this morning. Hes one of my favorite motivational authors and speakers. The chapter today began with this quote: At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. Albert Schweitzer It made me think of the people in my life that God has used to inspire and motivate me to be a better me. One was my 5th grade teacher at Laurel Elementary School in Hollywood California. I grew up in a very dysfunctional home. He was a very polished and intelligent black man with a kind heart. He saw that I had been crying before I came into school that day. He was kind and careful how he spoke to me about it. He called me aside and said, You are a very intelligent young woman. One day you are going to stand in front of many people and teach and help change their lives because of what youve gone through. Youve got it inside you. Dont let what youre going through now stop you. Those words gave me hope for a better future and helped me press on. Another one was my English Honors teacher in 12th grade, Mr. Bickford at McDowell HS in Erie, PA. I was very sick that year from a very bad kidney infection. But I kept up my school work from home and made almost straight As anyhow. I really wanted to go to college. He offered to pay for it. My mother would not allow it, but the encouragement of somebody else believing in me like that has stuck with me to this day. In my 20s and 30s, I used to share all of my business with everybody. I thought it was all about being honest. A bad mistake. One of my friends walked into a situation where four or five of my other supposed friends were talking badly about me because of all of my problems. She stood up for me, and she also came to me and gave me great advice about guarding myself from such people and such situations by being cautious about who I gave my confidences to. It is a lesson well learned and never forgotten. It changed the course of my life. Last year a dear friend helped me through the circumstances of my older brothers death. I was on the road and weary and tired and truly could not have gotten through it all without their help. I will never forget what all they did. There are so many others that God placed in my life that I am thankful for. They are people I will never forget who helped me to pick up the pieces of my life at times when I didnt even want to live. They lit the candle of my life when it had gone out and caused me to not only live, but to be a better person for having gone through what I went through. What they did for me made me want to do good for others as well. Who in your life has been that kind of friend to you? One who believed in you even when you did believe in you? Those kind of people are true gold and not to be forgotten or let go out of your life. I treasure those who are in mine that God has used in that way. I would literally take a bullet for them. I would be proud to stand up for them if the need arises. You never know what your help or a word of encouragement in due season can do for someone. Let alone a prophetic word in due season. Each person has great potential. The root word for that is potent, which means powerful. Look for who you can encourage in their potential today. Be the spark of hope that lights their candle to enable them to see their way out of the darkness they are in. It just may have eternal consequences. To those of you who may be going through something difficult today… Dont let the present circumstances of your life stop you from stepping into the victories of tomorrow. This too shall pass. And for you, this is my prayer: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV) (35) Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (36) For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (Heb 10:35-36 NKJV)
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 15:42:52 +0000
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