Monday, July 5, 2010

What's your Gift, Passion, Dream?

Hello my dear sweet Lovelies,

Sorry I haven't been in blogland much since coming home, how are you all? I do hope you have been taking good care of your lovely selves.

I've had my two beautiful nieces stay with me for a couple of nights while they were in town for the school holidays. They are back at home with their wonderful Mum my beautiful sister. While the girls were here we veg'd out by watching dvds and one of the movies I fell in love with was Julie & Julia. Oh, how this movie has touched me...I loved it so much I had to own a copy of it and watch it again. I have been inspired by both these ladies and also their husbands. I fell in love with there passion and how they did something about it instead of just dreaming about what they love to do they did it and didn't let obstacles get in the way and give up...like I have done so many times before. I can really relate to Julie, when she says that she has never finished anything...that really rang true for me. I could understand her excitement when she got her first comment on her blog and felt for her when that comment was from her Mum. There was so much in this movie that touched me, like how encouragement from a loved one can give you wings to soar and to follow what your passionate about, it helps when you have cheerleaders in your life. Sometimes though we can become obsessed with pursuing our dreams that we become so self focused that we neglect our loved ones as Julie found out but she soon learnt from her wrongs and made them right and found a balance. We need balance, to much of one thing is no good and how much sweeter is the journey when we share it and take the time to appreciate those we love. As for Julia, this remarkable woman I so want to glean from, she didn't let her age stop her from anything. I don't know about you but I think about my age quite a lot especially since I'm nearing 40. Julia not only married later she also pursued what she was passionate about later in life and I didn't hear her whine about not being able to do anything because of her age to me she just got on with living the life that she had and was supported by her adoring husband who was her biggest cheerleader. What a blessing this wonderful man was, so patient, loving and supportive. He was with her 100% in whatever she wanted to do.
I know, I do waffle on don't I?



Just today as I was visiting this wonderful blog by Lynette @ Imagination Lane Lynette, has her favorite quote on the wall and it really grabbed me.

"Ask yourself two questions: what do you love to do...
and why aren't you doing it?"

I also received this devotional via email today

What's Your Core Gift?

Source: The Word For Today

'We have different gifts... ' Romans 12:6 NIV

You may have several different gifts, but you must discover your core gift and build your life around it. David sensed that he was more than a shepherd; he was a king-in-the-making. Killing Goliath just gave him a chance to demonstrate it. Had he failed to realise that, he'd have gone back to tending sheep. What blinds us to our core gift? (1) Focusing on our flaws. Instead of focusing on our strengths we listen to our critics and rehearse the qualities that discourage us most. Be careful; the company you keep will either lift you or lower you. That's especially true of those who resent your success because it reminds them of their own lack of it. (2) Envying the gifts of others. It's ok to appreciate others as long as you don't try to duplicate them. Instead of living in somebody's shadows, stand on their shoulders and glean from their wisdom. Be an Elisha; ask God for twice as much as your mentor. Uncommon people are just common people who recognise their core gift and put it to work. Paul speaks of seven different gifts: 'We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully'. (Romans 12:6-8 NIV) What's your core gift? Discover it, develop it, and then dedicate it to God's highest service!

"With God All things are possible."
Matthew 19:26


My Sweet Lovelies I want to encourage you to seek God, search your heart, what gift/s are you leaving wrapped up and sitting on the shelf for a day when maybe you might see yourself worthy to receive that gift by opening and sharing it.

I'd love to encourage you to pursue your dreams with passion and to hear what your gifts/passions are....I'm here and listening :)

Sorry, for some reason I was unable to add any pics :(

Photobucket

4 comments:

Merana Leigh said...

MELLY!!!! My dear lady, let me say that you have been missed tremendously!!!

I can SO relate to this post for many reasons. You'll have to get on my blog & check out my post of June 6. For the record, my gift is writing, thus the Lord led me to even enter the life of blogland & meet some lovely people such as yourself!

I have yet to watch this movie, but now that you've written this, I feel truly encouraged to get on Netflix & get to watching it (they have it on Instant Viewing!!!).

The one thing I can say about age, don't ever let that lie from Satan discourage you from anything. If God put a passion in you, you must pursue it (albeit, sometimes it just takes awhile to determine what that passion even is). Always remember, we are given only one chance at life . . . we must at least attempt to pursue our dreams & explore what to do with our passions & dreams by asking God to show us what HE wants us to do with what He placed inside us. He'll make the way. I, for one, fully intend to NEVER get to end of my life and say "I wish I had ...". After my mom died, I realized just how much of life she embraced, but how she let so much hold her back. And then it ended too quickly. She died at 64. I often wonder what her dreams were that she never pursued. I know she always wanted to go to Alaska & never got to. I plan to do that one day for her (expensive trip tho' & 2 kids at home kinda put that one on hold for awhile!). Anyway, it just served to awaken in me to never let life pass you by without reaching out to grab hold of it. It sure can be bumpy, sometimes dark, sometimes rutted, sometimes monotonous, but God will join us & light the way...and make it overall a beautiful ride!

One of my movies of inspiration (there are many, I admit) was "Last Holiday". I highly, highly recommend it. I even plan to do as Georgia did & create a "book of possibilities". God has blessed me richly, but I know there is more to come.

Glad you had a wonderful time with your family. Family is EVERYTHING!

Love to you & hugs aplenty ~ Merana

Anonymous said...

Hello Melly,

Yes, I too believe that God has sprinkled at least one gift to one person :-) And Papa sure reminds us from time to time. Oooooohhhhhhh but why do I keep forgetting at times? Or maybe not actually forgetting but not actually putting the right mind into it.

Look how that arrow is flying direct me when asked of something that has been in my mind that I would like to try but not doing about it. Yikes! :-)

Oh well. I did get to watch Julie & Julia. I enjoyed it very much. Two different women, different lifestyles, but same lessons can be learned. You just have to admire these ladies . . . their perseverance . . . their passion. And family :-) I believe they are our own cheerleaders :-)

One thing I always pray, that in whatever I do or whatever I decide to do, big or small, I ask for his guidance. For I may not be strong in words but hopefully in what I do and in what I am, it will all reflect not back at me or for my glory but to Him. Not so easy to do but trying and asking Him for help does help :-)

Thanks Melly for the reminder and making me reflect. :-) We do need this.

Mizpah,
Li

Lisa said...

Hummm, I don't know caring for animals?? I guess I have a few but I am best at this!
I know what you mean about Julie & Julia! LOVED IT! I guess you have to be a blogger to understand. I have recommended it but friends look at me funny! I thought it was great! What a way to change your life! Great women!
Hugs, Lisa

PCovi said...

I love to love on teenagers that seem to need a trusting adult! I thank God for my love of kids and ability to deal with them.