Monday Morning Motivation…."Sing in the lifeboats"

"Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats"

Voltaire

I did not appreciate the deep meaning behind Voltaire's quote until I went through a major life crisis.  In the beginning of my crisis I did not sing in the lifeboat. I wailed.  I sought escape, I spent each moment in dread, mourning and fear.  I gave my life to God as a child and then again as a teenager in a small church up the street from my home.  I lost sight of God in the early days of my current crisis but I still called out to him.  I prayed and studied the Psalms.  Each day I got a little stronger.  Am I ashamed of my reaction in the early days of this trial in my life?  No.  I am human and God knows that.  He has helped me grow through it and to even thrive.  

So how do I sing in the lifeboat.  I literally sing when I am listening to Christian music.  My soul sings when I spend time with my family.  My heart sings when I take time to look at the beauty of God's creation that surrounds us even in our pain. 

"What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; 

I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also."

1 Corinthians 14:15 ESV

Happy Monday Everyone

Enjoy Your World

KathieyV:-)

Monday Morning Motivation…The Joy...

(from Pinterest)

Sometimes we get caught up in our disappointments, in our emotional/physical pain, in the stress of daily life.  So caught up that we fail to take the time to actually do the things that once brought us joy.  If you are going through a major trauma in your life such as illness, death of a loved one, divorce, or what ever the case may be, it is hard to do the things that once brought joy.  All I can say is push yourself to do what you used to love and you will once again find joy in them.  Maybe not right away but keep trying and it will come.
When my husband first left me.  I sank deep into depression and despair.  Joy was the last thing I ever expected to experience.  I thought my life was over.  Wrong!!  It took some time and determination but here I am nearly two years later and I am finding joy.  I find joy in my family, my friendships, in music, in my faith, even in my work.  I love photography, blogging, writing, travel, movies,  Zumba, flowers, cooking, Brodie my dog, and the list goes on and on.
If you are struggling to find joy.  I suggest you push yourself to do something you used to love.  Reach out to your friends, lean hard on your faith.  It takes time but your joy will come…

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Psalm 30:5b

Happy Monday Everyone!

KathieyV:-)

Inspirational Quotes Found on Pinterest

"It Takes Two and Other Nonsence" by Donna Hayden

I found a great website called With Every Step by Donna Hayden. I found an article on the site called "It takes two and other nonsense".  Here is quote I can relate to…

Do not tell me divorce takes two! I don’t care what the reason for the divorce - it very often only takes one. The other has no say. There are always two sides to every story, but it definitely does not take two. It takes two to get married as you have to say “yes” and “I do,” but divorce only takes one person. The judge does not ask if both parties agree as it does not matter.

Yes, I can relate to that statement. It only took one to make the decision to leave. To make the decision to disregard any attempt at counseling. To throw away our vows to God as thought they were meaningless. I was willing to do anything to save our marriage. It does, as Donna says, "very often only takes one. The other has no say." Yes I can relate to that.

She goes on to talk about the things not to do or say to those of us going through this unwanted life change. Then she tells us what you should do for a friend going through this….

Do let me cry on your shoulder.

Do encourage me to find myself.

Do encourage me to find inner happiness.

Do remain my true friend.

Do check on me from time to time.

Do continue to invite me to outings, even if I decline 100 times.

Do be a good listener, sometimes we just need to vent.

Please, if you were friends with both of us, remain friends with both of us. 

 Just keep our lives separate.

Do say  "Come hang out. I'm not taking no for an answer." 

 I didn't really feel like dressing up and going out. It was nice to just 

“be” with a friend that made time for me .

Great advice. You can check out her article here .

Remember to hold onto your faith and your friends.

Hang in there!

KathieyV:-)

Monday Morning Motivation…"Shoulders" by For King and Country

"Shoulders"

By For King and Country

(This is my song and my testimony for the week

My comments, as this applies to my life,  will be in red)

When confusion's my companion
And despair holds me for ransom
I will feel no fear
I know that You are near

(I could so relate to this when I first entered the realms of the soon to be divorced.

Confused and in deep despair was all I felt)
When I'm caught deep in the valley
With chaos for my company
I'll find my comfort here
‘Cause I know that You are near

(Yes I was in chaos.  Trying to place bandaids on the extreme pain.  I was able to find

comfort in you God and continue to.  Thank you Lord:-)
[Chorus:]
My help comes from You
You're right here, pulling me through

(Yes you are Lord…Thank You!)
You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

(Thank You for carrying me Lord)
My help comes from You
You are my rest, my rescue
I don't have to see to believe that You're lifting me up on Your shoulders
Your shoulders

(Thank You Lord for lifting me on your strong shoulders:-)

You mend what once was shattered
And You turn my tears to laughter
Your forgiveness is my fortress
Oh Your mercy is relentless

(I was completely shattered but your mercy is relentless.  Thank You!)

[Chorus]

My help is from You
Don't have to see it to believe it
My help is from you
Don't have to see it, ‘cause I know, ‘cause I know it's true

(All I can say Lord is thank You and I love you)

Happy Monday Everyone

Enjoy Your World!