Beware of your Influence

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This apple looks pretty impressive, doesn't it? Granted... the photo of this (currently) nice looking apple is apple number two... and thankfully it WAS okay on the inside.   Imagine my surprise when cutting open, my original apple, one morning, while preparing my kiddo's school lunches.  It was rotten!!  Rotten to the core. 

I was so glad I grabbed a photo...of it, just for this topic today.

 Beware of your influence!! 

An interesting title I'm sure... and one that can be taken both ways.  Who are we influenced by and who are we influencing?  Its tempting to look good on the outside and perhaps it can be done for awhile... but, we all know what is on the inside is what eventually comes out.   It wasn't going to take long for this said "good" apple to present its true ugliness of heart.  I honestly thought it was going to be an AMAZING, crunchy, good and sweet treat for my kiddos.  Again, I'm glad the second one was!!  I will also admit here...I wasn't so trusting of the second apple.  I was "SURE" that it, too, would show up to be a bad apple... isn't that what happens?  It only takes one to ruin the whole basket?     I don't know about you... but this gave me pause.

How am I as a Woman of Influence?

(that is a big deal!)

And, WHO are my Influencers?     
(which is an even greater BIG deal!!)

There are so many analogies and things that could be read between the lines in this post, today, but I'll leave that up to you.  I only trust I am making you think.  Be aware...
Influence is a real thing.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  ~ Matthew 5:16, ESV

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Joining up with Five Minute Friday - writing community (from last Friday!) - when the prompt word was: influence.

Strong (and Courageous) - word for 2019

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Here we are, a few days in 2019 and I have yet to share my word of the year with you!!

Funny.  I haven't always taken hold of a word so surely as I have been the past year and now for this one.  If you have been reading here - you may remember my word last year was GROW or Growth!

This year... along the same lines is that I want to keep growing... but the word that comes to mind is 

STRONG!

However.  In order to grow STRONG - one needs courage.

COURAGE is another word that keeps coming to my heart and mind.

I'll take them both!!  

Be Strong and Courageous.

I cling to the verses from Joshua chapter 1 starting loosely in verse 3 and continuing through verse 9.

Not wanting to take Scripture out of context, in the least.  I do, however, see these verses as a message of encouragement to myself as a leader of team.  A business builder.  A woman of influence.  As a wife.  A mother. A friend.

(I encourage you to open your Bible and read these verses for yourself. Perhaps you will reap the encouragement for you - as well.)

I feel such hope.  Such encouragement.  Such confidence - from our Lord... that HE will be with just as he has promised.    They say that things that cause fear to rise up in you are really what is your calling.

I believe that.
There are things that I get white-knuckled about, have fear for and the knees begin a-knocking.  While I want to be and do - all these things... there is something that still holds me back.

I want to have faith for this.

A faith that is unwavering.   My heart cries...

Lord!  Let me faith be marked by these three things.

1. A quiet spirit (no questions asked!)

2. A gentle spirit (no details needed)

3. A sweet submissiveness (no struggling against the unknowns)

** found these "marks" in a book somewhere a long time ago and have had them written in the sideline margins of my Bible ever since.  So, I can't give credit, here.  My apologies.

I believe, Lord.  Forgive my unbelief.  Help me... Slow down and take the time to grow - STRONG!!

Wrangling the courage to go through it and emerge.  Trusting the process.

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Look out 2019!!

a Winter poem - by my ten year old...

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:: Winter White ::

Gently falling 

Winter White -

all are dancing 

in the night.

Waking up to

piles high, 

the snow has drifted 

to the sky .

From the window 

I did say, "Oh, the 

snow -- stay home,and play."

Rolling, Tumbling 

Winter White 

snowmen family 

in our sight.

Gently whisper 

"nighty- night"

Dreams of snowflakes

through the night.

~ Aubrey S. (10 yrs)

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I'm proud of my little one.  She was home "sick" the first day back to school in the new year and we got talking about things she is looking forward to in the upcoming school days.  She mentioned that she will be venturing into poetry.  So we sat down and started writing.  I helped to tweak or challenged her to use a "deeper word" here and there... but this is HERS!!!  I love poetry.  Always have...

 The snowflake mug mats were a gift from a dear friend... whom, I don't want to forget.  Ever!!