Walk this way?

Everyone has their own walk.

Last night our small group met again. This is our third week together and we're just getting to know each other. Each week two or three women get to share their story. They are very different stories and very different storytelling approaches. We've only heard from five women, but each woman's walk with God is very different. I'm not surprised, but it makes me think how different we are but still searching for the same thing.

One thing I think we are searching for is acceptance. We're all unique and we should accept each other for who we are -- but that's easier said than done.

My own journey is two fold. First, I want to live my faith better. Second, I want to just be a better person in general. I know they're probably the same (but I haven't studied the Bible enough). When I say a better person - that's physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. If I'm obnoxious, I want to know it (but I doubt that I am). If I drone on about something, I want someone to shut me up. My feelings might get hurt, but I'll get over it and how can I improve if someone doesn't point these out to me.

It's hard to "correct" someone on their "faults" - after all, who are we to say "something's wrong with you"? But, I think we do want to know.

So, how do you say something? Please share how you would approach this - I need help in this area. I swear I won't start pointing out everyone's faults (it usually takes something significant to catch my attention), it's just the one fault that everyone has a problem with.

What else do you think people are search for?

God answered my prayer yesterday.

Monday was a little rough. I was starting to get down about finding a job. I'm drawing unemployment and I have to submit three applications every week in order to get paid. Normally I wouldn't have an issue with this -- after all, I do want a job, unemployment is about 10% of what I was getting paid, and government shouldn't have to continue to support me (but thank goodness it is there as support).

So I'm feeling down because I now have to apply for positions I don't want with companies I don't want to work for. I now have to expand my search to for-profit companies. Sure some of them sound interesting, but this is not what God told me he wanted me to do AND not what I want to do.

I decided to take Tuesday "off". I slept in until 9am, checked my usual online sites, and then ran errands for the next two hours. I was in the middle of running my errands and wasn't feeling better about my situation. I prayed to God to please lift my heart and give me something to feel good about. Fifteen minutes later, I received a phone call asking me if I was available for a phone interview for a position I had applied to a month ago. Thank you God! My prayer was answered.

We will never forget.

Ten years ago, on the morning of September 11, 2001, I happened to be the first one in our office (a rare time of silence). About five minutes before 9am, a coworker arrived and said "did you hear what happened - a plane flew into one of the World Trade Center towers". I had not heard the news and we immediately ran to turn on the TV to see what was going on. Oh my God! Not just an expression, my thoughts immediately turned to God.

My pastor's message on Sunday reminded us that we were a nation of prayer and one founded on Christian principles. After all, our country's motto is "In God we Trust."

More prayers were probably made that morning than any other day. But what has happened over the past ten years? We need to change this. Our leaders need to bring faith into every day tasks and let the rest of us see it. I've been a leader for most of my adult life, although I never really realized it or thought about it until recent years. It seemed to happen naturally and not something I desired, worked at or ever hoped to achieve. But like it or not, the positions that I've held have been ones of leadership.

I've embraced that more this past summer than ever before. I've read several books on leadership this summer and it's helped me identify my strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. One area that I am and will focus on most will be using Jesus as my model for the ideal leader. I now desire another position of leadership. I enjoy it and think I'm pretty good at it -- now just to get better. And being a better leader is always thinking of others and never yourself.

My pastor used King Solomon as an incredible example of a great leader on Sunday. Forth in the series, here's the link to listen to Sunday's message: http://www.northpoint.org/messages/recovery-road. Wouldn't it be incredible if President Obama or any of the GOP candidates and all of Congress could get down on their knees and ask God for help? Our nation might recover. Humility. I know that's easier said than done as a leader. We don't want to look weak in the eyes of others, but listening to Andy Stanley, it's not a sign of weakness but a sign that we have a greater leader and answer to a higher being that is all powerful and wants this nation to be great again.

What do you think makes a good leader? What traits do you find the best leaders have? What are some of your examples of great leaders?

Inspiring Quote

"The greatest thing in the world is to know how to be one's own self." - Montaigne

My small group fun!

Last night about 13-14 of our small group women met to socialize, have fun, and paint. I enjoyed all three!

It was just the second time we've met and not everyone could be there, but I'm looking forward to making new friends and growing spiritually. I've never been part of a small group - unless you consider a clique of girls in high school! That was fun back then, but I'm not looking to re-live those days.

It was a nice ice breaker and I think everyone felt pretty comfortable expressing themselves in their creativity. Lara and her husband own the shop and it was so nice of them to welcome us in.

Over the next six weeks, we will get to know each other more, discuss a faith based book, and support each other the best we can through conversation, being together, and praying for each other.

I can't wait!

Tell me about your small group or how your circle of friends, family or co-workers support each other.

How do you pick yourself up?

Lately, I've been finding it harder and harder to get motivated - to do anything. I've been very fortunate in my life that depression has never found me (but it might be lurking around the corner now). It's a growing problem in the US. I'm sure in part to the economy, unemployment, Washington not able to agree on anything, more disasters, etc, etc.

Because of my status of unemployed, I don't really have a schedule anymore -- and I find it a bit disturbing. Will I end up being one of those many millions of Americans still unemployed after a year? Gosh, I sure hope not. I'm a smart person, experienced, quick learner, talented problem solver, but why no phone calls? I can't honestly say that I have been beating the pavement. I've actually been kinda slack at looking for a job. I've spend hours on my resume, even more on my cover letters, and still when I look at how many jobs I've applied to - I'm surprised. I submitted many to my "chosen" employer, but they haven't reached out yet. It's a different world out there than it used to be. I'm not used to working hard at finding a job. I've had four jobs in my life and four interviews. I did have one interview back in June - I was actually shocked that I got one. Obviously I wasn't right for the job - it was a stretch position, but I was still hopeful. After all, each interview I've had so far always landed me a job.

Anyway, back to my original point. What do you do when you really have nothing to do to motivate you to get moving? I am motivated to get the right job (the one I choose), but the "right" job doesn't come along that often. I am trying to focus on my relationship to God, because I believe he will help me in this search. But I get scared sometimes - how long can I wait? Will God really help me (is he speaking to my ideal employer on my behalf)? I believe, but life can get you down sometimes and definitely cause you to doubt everything.

I'm trying to keep busy every day, but find myself making excuses not to leave the house. I hate to clean, so that's not really an option to keep me busy. Although I still have junk in the basement to toss out -- that usually perks me up.

I'm actually thinking about volunteering, so I have to be responsible for something. Just being a wife and looking for a job isn't all that fulfilling.

So, what do you recommend? Last night I made a list to keep me on track - but it's still just a list - I have to do something with it. Need help with motivation, inspiration, guidance to give each day a purpose to get busy.

Something to aspire to.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius