IMPACT

There are so many people that think what they do doesn't matter. Yet, there is nothing that anyone does that doesn't have some impact on someone else. Even the simplest act can mean the world to someone.

Some of us go through life trying to figure out how to leave our mark. We invest so much time and energy and resources in trying to do something so extravagant, so mind-blowing that we fail to realize that everyday, mundane is making more of an impact than we could ever fathom.

Today's word is something I came across that says, "Your life has purpose. Your story is important. Your dreams count. Your voice matters. You were born to make an impact."

Don't ever think that you don't matter or that what you do doesn't matter. I know it's old and clique but it is absolutely true that you may think that you are a nobody in this world but the truth is that you are the world to somebody. Whatever you are doing is important.

No one will ever remember me, and that isn't a bad thing. But, I do know that the actions I take, the words that I speak, the legacy I leave will have an impact. You were born to make an IMPACT!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Get up and walk

People who really know me know that I am a realist. I am not an optimist; I don't see the glass as half full. I am not a pessimist; I don't see the glass as half empty. I am a realist. I see a glass with some water in it, and if you're thirsty, you have to make the effort to pick up the glass and drink.

Now, that's not to say that I am jaded or unbelieving. Quite the contrary. I know that my GOD can do whatever He wants, however He wants, whenever He wants. I just believe that there are times when GOD has a real blessing for us but we never receive it because we are too focused on the effort required. It almost seems that we want every blessing, every good thing, but we aren't willing to make any effort to attain it.

I am in no way implying that we "earn" GOD's favor. No, we get great things from GOD just because we are His, and He loves us. But, how much do we miss because we refuse to get up and do?

Today's word is John 5:8, ESV, which reads, "JESUS said to him, "Get up, take up your bed, and walk."

This man couldn't get to the pool quick enough to be healed, and he had no one to assist him with just that. However, he had faith that JESUS could heal him. He knew that healing was available. When JESUS offered him healing, it came with this man doing something - he had to get up!

GOD has great things in store for His children. Don't let things intimidate you and cause you to sit there waiting. If GOD is telling you, leading you, to get up, if you will, you may be amazed at what comes next. Get up and walk!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Everything you do

Have you ever played the "what if" game? You wonder how your life would be different if you could only go back and change one thing, if you could go back in time and change that one decision. We tend to think that if we changed that one moment that everything else would be exactly as it is and all that would change is the result of that one decision.

The truth is, though, that changing that one thing would have set off a whole different set of circumstances and happenings that may have led to something entirely different from what your life is today. The same holds true for the part(s) we have played in others' lives.

Today's word is a paraphrase of a quote I heard that I think may be attributed to Jane Goodall. So, I am just going to say it the way I say it..."Everything you do makes a difference. It is up to you to decide what kind of difference you will make."

Everything I do makes a difference. From the time I get up in the morning until I lay my head down at night, everything that I have done during the day has made a difference for more folks than I could ever imagine. My attitude will, obviously, affect folks. But, so too, will the way I take care of myself. If I don't try to take care of myself, I may leave an extra burden on my wife and kids. The way I react to obstacles may lead my family to make the right decisions when they are faced with similar.

Everything you do will make a difference. It is up to you to decide what kind of difference you will make.


Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Eternal Rock

I have probably shared with you before that I have major trust issues. I trust very, very few people. Where these issues began, I have no clue. It seems that this issue, this lack of trust issue, has been with me, has been a part of me for as long as i can remember.

There is a simple "team building" exercise that requires one member to fall back into the arms of his/her teammates. It takes a lot of trust in those catching to allow yourself to fall back into their arms. I don't know that I could do it. Oh, I could fall back; I don't know if I would actually trust them to catch me.

There is one that we can ALWAYS trust. Today's word comes from Isaiah 26:4, New Living Translation, which reads, "Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the Eternal Rock."

We can trust in GOD completely and entirely. We can trust in GOD immediately and eternally. We can trust GOD to do exactly what He said He would do - be faithful.

While I have issues trusting others to catch me if/when I fall, I fully trust GOD to see me through each and every day. I have absolutely no doubt that He will ALWAYS catch me, comfort me, strengthen me and sustain me. He is my Eternal Rock!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

The Future

I recall a time in my life when someone wanted to "read my future". I was totally opposed and refused the offer. It amazes me at the number of people that are drawn in by these devices. Only GOD knows our futures.

On the other hand, I have plans for everything. I have to admit that it is, at times, quite overwhelming. Trying to figure out retirement and college for the kids and paying for cars and new roofs and HVAC units and etc., etc., etc. There is so much that could happen and is going to happen in the future that we seem to stay in a constant stat of fretfulness.

Today's word is a quote attributed to many. It says, "The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time."

Can you remember your first day of school? How long ago was that? Hasn't the time flown? On that first day of school, all we concentrated on was that moment, learning where the bathroom was, where the lunchroom was, our teacher's name, trying to figure out who was going to be our friend(s). We were in the moment; we lived that day.

Now, it seems that we can't live today because we are so caught up and concerned with tomorrow or next month or next year or twenty years from now. Yes, there are things we need to plan for. Yes, there are things we need to do and get done. But, we cannot live the next twenty years today. The future will come one day at a time. Don't miss a single one by losing yourself in tomorrow.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Being Searched

A couple of days ago, I was discussing the Mel Gibson/Helen Hunt movie What Women Want. The premise of the movie is that Mel Gibson gains the power to hear what women are thinking. He, then, uses this ability to further his own causes, which include winning the affection of a certain lady.

While I think it would be a neat thing to be able to do, I don't know how much I could actually stand. If I knew what people REALLY thought of me, it might boost my ego or break my spirit. It might be nice to understand someone's motivation for doing some of the things that are done, good or bad. If someone did something nice, I would like to know what they are thinking, what motivated them to do it, so that I could do whatever I did to get them to do it. Because, we all like for people to do nice things for us.

Speaking of knowing someone's motivation, today's word is Psalm 139:1, New Living Translation (NLT), which reads, "...O LORD, You have examined my heart and know EVERYTHING about me."

GOD knows why we truly do things and why we truly don't do things; He knows our true motivation. He searches our hearts and knows EVERYTHING about us. We may act like we are doing things for all the right reasons but GOD knows what is really motivating us; He searches us.

It might be nice to be able to know what people are thinking about when they see me or talk to me. I bet it would cause a few problems for all involved though. I think I am glad that I don't have that ability. It does humble me, however, that GOD truly knows every thought I have, every act I do, everything that motivates my actions - EVERYTHING.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Still Raining

Here in the south, we have suffered through some of the harshest droughts in history. Recently, though, we have also had some of the rainiest years. I try not to complain much about the weather either way. What can I do about it? And, complaining accomplishes even less.

Anyway, when it is raining, you see folks clamoring for umbrellas and parkas and plastic bags and anything else they can get their hands on to keep the rain from messing up their hair/makeup/shirt/whatever. I have three or four umbrellas in the truck, tucked neatly under the back seat. No, I don't like being soaked to the core but I seem to get wetter trying to use the umbrella, so, I seldom use one.

Not only do I not use umbrellas very often, I usually don't try to outrun the raindrops either. I mean, I could make a mad dash for the truck but I think emphasis would be on the mad and not on the dash. As I am aging, I figure it is better to get a little wet than to get a lot broken...

Today's word is from Ezekiel 34:26, NIV, which reads, "I will make them and the places surrounding My hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing."

It seems that, sometimes, GOD is trying to pour something out on us but we immediately grab the umbrella to deflect it. I am not saying that the incessant rain we have experienced in recent times is GOD'S blessings being poured out. Maybe they are, though. The rains have recharged the aquifers, brought nourishment to our soils, and refilled our rivers.

Maybe GOD is trying to recharge your spiritual aquifer with a little rain. Don't throw up your spiritual umbrella, you may just miss it!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T