Let's rock the box in 2012!

Sometimes you receive insights or revelations that would just make you totally selfish if you didn't share them. Well today I have some to share, so buckle up!

As we close in on 2012 there's a lot of planning involved. Lots of wrapping things up (pun intended) from 2011 and dreaming, planning and calculating for 2012. What are our goals? What do we hope to accomplish? Where do we start? How do we move forward? These are all questions I've been mulling over for a couple months now, and as 2012 draws near I feel the anticipation increasing.

YOU will do big things in 2012 if you set your mind to it! Are you ready?

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

- Anonymous

I read this recently in Joyce Meyer's book, "Power Thoughts." EXCELLENT book by the way. (Learn more about it here.) I'm still working through it and learning a heap load.
As I read this quote I first registered it as a warning. But then, as I read on, I realized it is also an encouragement. Here's my spin...

"Positive thoughts become life-affirming words.

Life-affirming words become necessary actions.

Necessary actions become healthy habits.

Healthy habits become Godly character.

Godly character becomes a fulfilling destiny that touches many and leaves a legacy..."
- Maddy Vieth, The getREAL Coach

Before 2012 gets here, complete this sentence... "I can _____________________." Be determined to see it through this coming year, no matter the obstacles you face. Remember, you can do whatever you need to do through Christ. (Thanks for the power thought, insight and wisdom, Joyce Meyer! ;))

Some other things I realized today while studying during "Power Thoughts..."
The world is filled with people who are pros at telling us what we can or cannot do. Ordinary people CAN do extraordinary things if they just flat out REFUSE to give up.
Proclaim today...
"I will continue forward in my circumstance and let God guide me in growing and establishing my business (or other endeavor you are on). I refuse to listen to any nay-sayers (including Satan) who say 'I can't' because...
a)________________________________
b)________________________________
c)________________________________
d)________________________________
or ANY other reason presented. I REFUSE TO GIVE UP.

This is my personal business prayer that I prayed this morning. I will continue to pray it throughout 2012, but I feel like it can be applied to whatever area in your life it is needed as well. Join me in proclaiming these things in prayer over our businesses, families, and lives!

Photo credit mdhca.org via Google images

Lord,

Help me to rock my box until it breaks. I want to break it into so many pieces it doesn't even look like a box anymore! My trust, hope, faith, and confidence is in You Jesus. 

I know You called me to this place, so here I am Lord. I'm not running from it. I'm here. I'm going to see this thing through, even though I know it won't be easy. I refuse to be deterred because You are bigger than my circumstance God! After all, "I can do anything I need to do through Christ!" 

Protect me as I walk Lord. Guide my steps so I do not fall. You are my rock. Thank You for Your grace in this. Thank You, too, for Your favor as I begin/continue this journey. I know I am not alone, even when it feels like it. You are always there. 

I'm ready. I'm ready to be strong in You. 

Keep my hand steady, my eyes focused, and my heart lifted up to You. 

Help me bless as many people as possible as You bring them across my path, through my door and into my life. Give me the courage and insight to say, "No," when I need to. Whisper to my heart when I need to say, "Yes..." 

You are so good, our Almighty King! Thank You, God, for walking me through the fire and keeping me from getting burned. 

Grant me the ability to give every time I can; to touch a life, to make someone smile. Thank You for caring about the details of my life. Thank You for the opportunity to reach out to those who may need it.

You rock, Jesus!

Amen

One month ago, today...

One month ago, today, my friend, mentor and business partner, Denai Vaughn, died in a car accident.
It's still hard for me to really wrap my mind around the fact that she is gone.
The life she lived was just that... a life. She was full of life. She didn't stand on the sidelines, waiting for things to happen for her. She got out there, she made them happen. She enjoyed life's little moments as much as she enjoyed life's big moments...
and she saw God in EVERYTHING.
Denai didn't waste a minute living her life. She didn't put things off until tomorrow. She didn't wait to tell people that she cared about them. You knew she cared about you just by the tone of her voice.
When she entered a room, she immediately grabbed the attention of everyone in it without commanding it in any way. When she hugged your neck, she made you feel like you were important, appreciated and special. She always said, "YOU are WORTH IT!" More importantly though, she really made people feel like that.
I met Denai simply because God told her to send me an email. Our friendship was a whirlwind of blessings, excitement, and fun. I learned more from her in the time we shared as friends than I ever dreamed possible. Neither of us entered the friendship with any sort of gain in mind, but what we came out with was more than I had ever hoped for.
All of a sudden I loved this woman like my own sister. All of a sudden we were close enough to call one another at midnight...
"Happy tomorrow! I figured you'd still be up working... I was thinking about something and wanted to run it by you..."
Those are conversations I will never forget.
Denai made an imprint on the world that won't soon be forgotten. She made an imprint on thousands of people's hearts that won't soon be forgotten, either...
There are still voicemails from her on my phone that I can't bring myself to delete. When I really need to hear her voice I listen to them.
There are still emails from her, sitting in my inbox, awaiting a reply... I can't delete those yet, either.
Some day I'll be able to. For now, the wound is still fresh.
I don't cry every time I think about her these days, like I did at first. This is the first loss I've felt so close to home, and man was it a big one.
When Denai died she took a piece of my heart with her. There's now a hole there where the light of her life shines through.
Somehow she reminds me every day to find God in everything... that God is good... that family is everything... that we are here to bless people in whatever ways we can.
I learned so much from her in our short time as friends, and I continue to learn from her after her death.

So this is my prayer for today;
Lord,
Please help me to live like a bright, shining light like Denai did. You are so good God, so faithful and just. Thank you for the knowledge that Denai is in heaven, "WOOHOO!!!"ing it up with the angels, singing praises at Your feet, networking and keeping everyone busy. Also thank you that she is reunited with her little heavenly children, and with her brother. What a wonderful Christmas she will spend in the heavens with You. I can only imagine how amazing it will be.
Father, help us to remember the important things, especially during this time of year. Your blessings are truly astounding on every level. Guide us as we walk, day to day. Help us to enjoy the moments we have here, and not take them for granted. Help us to live a life that reflects Your love, a life that makes an imprint on those we encounter. God, help us bless as many people as we can in the time we have here... for only You know when our hour to reunite with You in heaven will come.
Oh Jesus we sing Your praises... Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come! You, Father, are sovereign and good. So, so good.
Continue to be with all of those mourning the loss of our sweet Denai, especially her precious family. Lord, hug her for us, because we sure do miss her down here...
Amen

Guys, we just never know when our time will be. Life is so short. Love everyone you encounter. Find ways to bless people, because what is life for if not to love one another?
During this Christmas holiday, remember God's love... a love so strong that He sent His Son to die for us.

Today, I remember my friend's amazing life. Forever, I will remember the legacy she left...

May your day be filled with blessings, your moments be warmed with laughter, and your praises be sung to the Most High.
- Maddy

May you rest in the arms of our Lord and Savior forever, sweet Denai.
July 26, 1974 - November 7, 2011

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. - 1 Peter 5:10

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. - Romans 15:13

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28