Taking a spiritual inventory

in·ven·to·ry [in-vuhn-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] plural in·ven·to·ries, verb, in·ven·to·ried, in·ven·to·ry·ing. noun 1. a complete listing of merchandise or stock on hand, work in progress, raw materials, finished goods on hand, etc., made each year by a business concern.
If you've ever held a job at a retail style store, you know what I am talking about... inventory. That day where you either go in early, or stay really late to take stock of what merchandise is in the store... the sales associates come in and scan each piece of merchandise in the store. Each piece is scanned and cataloged in the computer and infractions or missing pieces are taken into account.
It's a painstaking experience that, if you are tired or stressed in any way, can be more frustrating than anything. Each display is scanned and then counted again to verify the scanned count. After that, each section is then audited and recounted or re-scanned if necessary.

So where am I going with this?

How many times do we take stock of our lives? Ask the tough questions and are really honest with ourselves. An inventory is a catalog... a count of stock... so how does this translate to our lives? On the PBS website, they provide questions that pierce through the frivolousness at the surface of life and confront us with the value and significance this precious gift of a human life offers. Who have I been all this time?
How have I used my gift of a human life?
What do I need to "clear up" or "let go of" in order to be more peaceful?
What gives my life meaning?
For what am I grateful?
What have I learned of truth and how truthfully have I learned to live?
What have I learned of love and how well have I learned to love?
What have I learned about tenderness, vulnerability, intimacy, and communion?
What have I learned about courage, strength, power, and faith?
What have I learned of the human condition and how great is my compassion?
How can I best share what I've learned?
Who am I?

While we have this life before us, what will we do with the time that we have left? What legacy will we leave behind when we go? What will people say about us after we are gone?
It's never too early, or late to take stock of your life....
Acts 20:24 reads; However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

What will you do with the time you have left? Will you live it all with no regret. Will they say that you loved till your final breath? What will you do with the time? -Mark Schultz

Better late than never...

Yesterday flew by... and before I knew it, it was Tuesday. My day off... so instead of skipping out on my blog for the week, I am completing it now.
In church on Sunday, we sang the song "This is the day", and as I sang through my once favorite (it still holds a special place in my heart) children's church song, I read the Psalm attached to the hymn. Psalm 118:24 reads: This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Perhaps you had a great day yesterday, plan on keeping that joy through the rest of the week... maybe it wasn't such a great day for you... remember those words and keep your head up, find your joy... God is right there with you.
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Hope that you had a wonderful Monday, I know I did!

Create a beautiful Day...

Encouragement on a rushed morning...

I dislike being late... but at the same time, I like to look nice for work... I always get those needling thoughts in the back of my mind... I'm not good enough, I'm not smart or pretty enough... and those just add to my Monday... So on this Monday, remember the one who created you and know that he did not make mistakes... to God, you are worth more than Gold.

Happy Monday!!!

So you had a bad day...

I've had my share of bad days... or the "mean reds" as Holly Golightly called them in Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Whether I am at work, or simply at home, feeling lazy. There are lots of reasons for bad days. When bad days (or Mondays) happen, we have two choices... if you're like me, you sometimes choose the path of complaining... we sit and grumble and whine about how our lives are not fair. The other choice is a lot tougher... we can buck up, take the good with the bad and let our joy confuse people.
Remember Philippians 4:4? Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, Rejoice!
There are several websites that offer lists of things to do when you are having a bad day... quick fixes to turn your day around.
All of them said that we needed to forget the situation, talk to someone who encourages us... if you need to call or skype, get in touch with someone who provides you with positive encouragement. If you read further in Philippians, verses 7 & 8 to be exact, they read: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
When you meditate on the things of God, rather than the pettiness of our own human nature... our attitudes shift.
When my bad days rear their ugly heads, I tune them out, listen to positive music... and I find that my bad mood shifts and a smile creeps onto my face.
So instead of a bad day, shift your focus and remember the words from Philippians... whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely [...] meditate on these things.
Don't let the "mean reds" or a bad mood spoil your day.... Repeat after me... Monday's are not your enemy... say it throughout the day if you need to, and have a blessed and happy Monday.

What is your favorite thing about Monday?

And no, I am allowing "the end of the day" as an answer....
Me personally, if I work, I look forward to shipment... it's a time to get a lot done. We, as a management team have to unpack and prep the shipment for our part timers to put out onto the floor. It's always an exciting time because you feel like you are racing the clock to get it all done by a specific time. This way, you can get the store in order for the customers to enjoy the new product. I really enjoy helping customers find something that they weren't expecting.
Does your Monday start with grumbling or singing?
Bless the Lord Oh my soul, oh my soul. Worship your Holy name, sing like never before, oh my soul. I'll worship your Holy name

Enjoy your Monday, let your heart be singing when the day comes to a close.

The trouble with Mondays...

It's always there, the day after Sunday.... it's commonly known as Monday.
For all the students and 9-5ers out there, it's the first day of your week. It is the beginning of your daily grind... and if you're like me, you need a little dose of caffeine to get you started on those long days.
Today is Labor day and I have to work... not only that, but I will be the only manager on duty all day. My first instinct was to complain about the fact that I worked the Fourth of July when I first began working at Cato... and then I stopped and looked at the good bits... I get Friday off, along with my normal day off during the week. So, instead of complaining about having to work today, I get to look forward to two days off... and that is something to rejoice about.
Philippians 4:4 reads: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice!
As I get home from work today, I am blessed to have a job that I love, I am blessed to have an amazing husband and stinky dog (the later of which,I am not so thankful)... and we have a home and food and clothes... What are you rejoicing for on this first Monday of the challenge?