Inspire Me Monday - Week Three
It is Monday!Can I tell you how I actually look forward to Mondays? I really do! And Sunday Nights are spent dreaming about what inspired me the week before, what is inspiring me now and what I think will bring a smile or a bright happy smidge of inspiration for you!I seriously spend a crazy amount of love time on these. Just ask my kids. Although I am figuring out how to "watch" Good luck Charlie with them on the couch and still get some writing done. It still counts as snuggle time, but I only do it for one episode, and then it goes into serious snuggling and no computers allowed!My inspiration for you this week is a story on what happened this weekend. My fifth grade son is on a basketball team and there was one boy who had not made a basket all year ( I know...this sounds like the video, but it happened to someone I actually knew!!!). Well, this weekend, during a tournament, the boys made up their minds to make sure this boy made a basket. They were up by quite a few points. Every time they got the ball, they gave it to this boy. And each time, he would miss it. I would love to say he made a basket in the first game, but he didn't and you could see him getting frustrated with himself.And oh, that is so much like my life. I know what my expectations are, but sometimes too many things are flying at me, I cannot catch the ball or I totally miss the mark:I say the hurtful thingsI forget the parent conferenceI am late with a deadlineI lose the super cute picture of my children with Santa which will probably be the last photo I ever take of them (still a bit sad on that one...)And yet, God still keeps giving me the ball because that is my purpose. I cannot. give. up.
I think of Martin Luther King, Jr. and these words he lived by. We celebrate him today and the values he shared with those he came into contact with. Who do you come into contact with? Who is on your sphere of influence? What do you feel is your purpose? What ever it is...you must keep moving forward. You must keep shooting the ball. And, then you will make that basket. This boy finally made a basket! It was in the second game, and it was after many tries, but he made the basket. People were on their feet. The players really did go give him back slaps and high fives. It was one of the most beautiful moments in any sporting game I have ever seen.And Friends, you know what? I want to make that basket! And I will. And you will.You will make that basket. It might be in this game. You might hear the cheering of the crowds or even the thank you of little voices when you give them an extra helping of mashed potatoes.You might remember that conference and even the class party.You might not only make that deadline, but get praised for your work.You might say that one word of encouragement that lights up a life.But you also may not. I may not.We might not make the basket in this life. Our basket may come in the second game. The one that was worth dying for - the moment that is only between you and Jesus. And he will be waiting for you.And when he sees you, He will smile, just because you are His, andJust because you breathe, He will take his pierced hands and applaud for you. {click to tweet}For by His grace, that basket has already been made.And now for a few Awesome Sauce Inspirations from last week's link up:There were the sweet and inspiring words from Lauren who lost her husband and shared how she is:"learning how to still find joy in what I still have left such as my children, my life and my purpose in God. I’m learning how to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit to keep going and pressing on. I’m learning how to hold fast to my faith in God, in that He has my best interest at heart and that He will work all things together for my good."Isn't that just grace filled beauty?
And a CRAZY YUMMY recipe for Chicken Pulled Sammies from Sarah
You must go get this recipe now. I will wait...
These two won the free download of INSPIRE specially created for this link up! Stay tuned for more giveaways coming! Don't forget:The best way to link back is to put a button on the blog post or even just a link within the blog. It means so much to the hostesses and even more people will see your great inspirations! Also, please go visit and follow and check out our sweet hostesses. These ladies completely rock.Angie {Facebook, Twitter}, Cindy {Facebook, Twitter}, Denise {Facebook,Twitter}, Natalie {Facebook, Twitter}, and Robin {Blog, Twitter}And here is where we make it easy to share a little love - just copy this code to put in your blog post.
So now it is your turn...We all need a little inspiration.Rules are easy peasy:1. Write, show, or share something that will inspire others. It can be one thing or several. It can be a quick thing like a quote or a longer thing like sharing some verses in the Bible and what it says to you or a tutorial on making your own wrapping paper. Anything goes.2. No blog? No worries… share in your comments something that could inspire others.3. Link back over here using that sweet little button made just for this or a blog link and invite your friends.3. Link up your blog and join the community of inspiring people by using the cute little linky tool.4. Use the URL of your specific post, not just your home page. We want to get right to the inspiration that you are sharing with us!5. Make sure you go get some inspiration from other bloggers, but especially the one right before you and give a little comment encouragement! This is the fun part ~ already encouraging and inspiring others right from the get go!