Five Signs of Hope

Hello, July.  It's been far too long.

So, Reader, I'm not sure if you even give credit to these little life lessons, but here they are--my five for the week:

1.  Do what makes you happy, but know your limits.
Yeah, that's right.  So if cooking is your thing, do it!  But when you end up baking five dozen cookies, steaming more veggies than your family could ever shovel down, and realizing that you just stuck the past seven hours of your life in the oven, then it may be time for you to take a step back from the stove and try to think of the last time you sent a text, or received a call, or were acknowledged for existing... (Proverbs 25:27)


2.  You can't make everyone happy.  
It's simply not going to happen.  Now, I'm not advising anyone to go out and cast the cares of others to the wind, but beating yourself up because you cannot do everything for everyone else is simply ridiculous.  My mother has told me plenty of times, "the best way to please others is to please God."  (Galations 1:10).

3.  Accept yourself.  
In high school, I was among the palest girls in my class.  My wardrobe was less-than glamorous.  Words were constantly failing me, and awkward could have substituted as my middle name.  Needless to say, I was not exactly content with who I was.  Fast forward a year later:  I'm still pale.  Name-brand clothes have yet to be placed in my closet.  My mind still goes blank when I'm searching for the right things to say, and to this day, I'm a walking awkward moment.  The difference?  I'm all right with it now, and I have to admit, life is much more enjoyable that way.  (Psalm 139:14)  However...

4.  If there's something you need to change, then change.  
In 2 Kings, immediately when he heard the Book of the Law, King Josiah tore his clothes and instituted major changes in Judah when he realized just how far away from God's commands that the nation had become.  He didn't wait.  There was no, "I'll take care of this in a week, and this in a month, because I'm just so swamped with being the king and all right now."  No--he saw what needed to be done, and he took steps to correct a nation.  What keeps us from doing the same? (2 Kings 22).


5.  Take a chance.
No matter how bad you've been hurt, or how sure you are that something is not going to turn out exactly as you wish it would, take a chance.  Go on a date.  Apply for a job.  Say yes to something slightly outrageous (but don't get too crazy).  Talk to someone about something you normally wouldn't.  Try something new, and see just how far the Lord takes you.  (Matthew 19:26).