Thoughts...

Hello there,

I know, I know...it hasn't been very long since my last post. I realize this. But I need to write. So, here you go!

Ah, life. It's such a funny and fickle thing, ya know? One minute it's going great, your heart is soaring, the future looks bright and promising....and the next, well it's not going well. Why does that happen sometimes?

I guess by now, I should expect the unexpected to happen, because it usually does. It should be absolutely NO surprise to me that things pop up in one's life that you don't see coming. That's just the nature of this thing we call life. I guess it's how we handle those bumps in the road, those unexpected arrows flying our way that matters.

Because until life is no more, we will have things come up that we never, in a million years, could have anticipated. And that's okay. It makes life interesting. Varied. Challenging. And, as one of my friends would say, "It builds character."

This past weekend, I had a few unexpected bumps in the road. Nothing that can't be overcome or worked through...just unexpected bumps. That's all. No worries? Right...

I can't remember a time in my life that I've been good at the whole, "Let's not worry about this. Everything will turn out fine. Just fine." First of all, I dislike the word fine. Why? It's lame. It's a copout. And I think of the Italian Job, when they say what it stands for - F.reaked Out I.nsecure N.eurotic E.xcited. Secondly, I like to be in control. I like to know what's coming, what's right over the next bend. Ask those who know me well, I'm always thinking ahead. Always. Thus, sometimes, I worry. And consider, and plan, and fix.
Yeah, so anywho - how do I deal?

It depends. Sometimes, I freak out. Mostly, I think about how to resolve or move past whatever the situation may be. And, because I have "Strategic" as a top strength from Gallup's Strengthsquest, I immediately think of numerous solutions and then drop some down and end up with 2-4. Pretty quickly I choose what I think is the best option. And then I proceed. So - that's the default for me. But sometimes, it's really hard and I get scared. It's at those times that I cling to my good friends. I pour out my heart, ask for prayer and guidance, and of course - seek the Lord.

In the midst of a few "bumps in the road", I'm determined to...
- Keep my head up.
- Believe life will improve.
- Trust my King.
- Listen to my friends.
- Pray a LOT.
- Breathe
- Try not to focus on the bumps too much, even though it's hard.
- Continue to work through the issues.
- See how to do things differently next time.
- Continue to love and forgive.
- Embrace the truly hopeful future (even though it doesn't feel too hopeful right now)
- Take one day at a time...and one step at a time.
- Be patient. (I'll have to try REAL hard at this one!)

Yes. Life happens. Things come up. Surprises hit you in the face. Life keeps moving...it doesn't pause or slow down or stop. We have to keep going too! And thankfully, we have the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit to lean on and let be our sustenance. And for that - my friends, I am thankful.

Here's a photo of me this morning. Hopeful for a brighter day than the last; optimistic that life will improve, even if the odds are against me; ready to face the day - joy in heart.


Thanks for listening. For trusting and believing that we continue to grow as we journey on this path called life. The bumps, the decisions, the people in our lives create who we are today. Let's choose wisely, dear ones.

enJoy this brand new week. For it's NEW - clean, and fresh. A clean slate....a blank canvas, waiting and ready for the paint of your life to be splashed across it into a beautiful picture.

Embrace. Live. Love. Breathe. Experience. Hope. Be.

Until next time,
Tina Lou