Compassion! Who Needs It?

Do you remember the day that you allowed Christ to rule and reign in your life? I do! For me it was an experience I shall never forget. Like most people I was facing challenges that seemed insurmountable. I felt and rightly so that I wasn’t able to face them alone. I had just plain run out of steam and answers. Yes, it had to come to that! After I turned my heart over to Him I remember driving in my car the very next morning. Looking out my window the sky seemed so much bluer and the grass so much greener. As a matter of fact, it was like I was seeing all of it for the very first time.
 
My relationship with Christ began when I was thirty-three years of age. So many Christians, including leaders, seemed to be crowing about the fact that they came from a long and strong Christian heritage. At first I felt deprived, then I noticed something peculiar. It seemed as though some were relying on that heritage to procure a special place or privileges in the body of Christ. My conclusion was simple; while a family’s heritage in Christ is admirable, I learned that nothing could take the place of developing a vibrant personal relationship with Him. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel as though you are less spiritual because you had to start from scratch. Remember, God doesn’t have any grandchildren, only children!
 
A disturbing recent trend in the church is counting the possession of material comfort or wealth as a demonstration of an individual’s spirituality. This is a slippery slope, one that is dangerous on a number of levels. God wants us to prosper, I get that, but He is careful to warn us in, Matthew 6:33 (NKJV) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” The emphasis is on seeking God first, not material possessions. Let’s check our hearts and see what we really believe. We may fool people but we will never fool God. He sees, hears and knows all. I attempt to remember this each day!

 
Have you ever noticed that when little children want to hide they cover their eyes? Their belief is that if they can’t see you, you can’t see them. Funny, as adults we do the same thing with God! We spend so much time working on our outward appearance, our standing in society, our bank accounts and our special seats in church. All the while who is looking at our hearts? God is looking to see what is written there. Are we more concerned about what others think, or more importantly what our heavenly Father thinks? Selah
 
Following God, really following him, not just in word but also in action will always cost us something. Doesn’t any real relationship? For many years I heard that God had already done, accomplished or provided all that He was going to. If you found yourself in a trial, it was because you had brought it on yourself. Perhaps this is true. Just maybe, you have brought it on so to speak, simply because you refuse to quit in the battle for your destiny. Paddling upstream against the current towards destiny is always a much more difficult task than floating downstream going with the flow.
 
"Mercy saves us from what we deserve; Grace gives us what we did not deserve."
 
What does criticizing others in the midst of their battle accomplish? Internal renovations are not always readily apparent on the outside. Let’s not be counted as someone who jumps on the bandwagon of criticism singing the songs of judgment. I’ve gone through a number of trials in my life. What I’ve noticed is, some people only offer to help as a pretext to finding out the gory details in order to judge and then just walk away feeling superior.
 
Have we been created to be judge and jury of another’s life? How can we possibly judge another person? We can’t possibly know what has been arrayed against them, nor all the details. Could we honestly say that we would have made better choices if we were in their shoes? When we judge others, we find ourselves on the wrong side of God. God is full of mercy, grace and forgiveness. If we fail as the church to walk in compassion, how will we ever be able to reach the world? The world is searching for demonstrated genuine love and can smell a hypocrite a mile away.

The Message translation of Matthew 7:1-5 says it best. “Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.”
C.H. Spurgeon said, “Those who dive in the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls.”
 
When we sit on the sidelines of life, we add nothing to the game. We will never break a sweat. We will never be weary or at odds with the majority. We will never be criticized, ostracized or demoralized. We are neither a threat to the enemy nor an asset to the kingdom. We will simply just exist!
 
"Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand." Emily Kimbrough
 
My grandfather introduced me to boxing when I was four years old and it has always served as an analogy of life for me. I learned that life was not a popularity contest. Perhaps that is why I have always fought for the underdog. I was raised this way and have raised my children to defend the weak and less fortunate. As a mother what I am the most proud of in my children is not who they know, where they live, where they went to school or even how beautiful they are. I am most proud of the fact that they have compassion resonating on the inside of them and  it freely flows out to others.  What a wonderful and priceless gift!
 
Abraham Lincoln said,  "I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."
 
Let us dare to walk in compassion with others. Some take advantage of those that do,  others, see this as a sign of weakness. Isn’t life more than “Me, myself and I?” Try  living a compassionate, caring and loving life. Lets imitate our heavenly Father.
 
Warning: This lifestyle is not for the faint of heart.
 
My Prayer:
"Dear Lord: As in this world I toil and through this world I flit, I pray make me a drop of oil and not a piece of grit."-Anonymous

Check more from Diane Broos at her website www.dynamicliving4u.com

Life Lessons Learned From Liam

Yes, it’s true! It’s possible to learn what’s really important in life as seen and shared by a 2-½ year old boy named Liam. Of course I’m rather partial, he is after all my grandson and “Grandma’s Little Man”.

Come along with me on one of our little adventures…

Liam and I like to go for a walks. It seems I always have a purpose in mind and Liam just simply enjoys the journey. While I’m focused on getting there, he has other ideas in mind. It becomes very clear Liam has yet to hear the phrase, “Walk with a purpose!” Not yet anyway, and you can be sure he will never hear it from me!

First of all we stop longer than we ever walk. We sit on the sidewalk (yes, it’s cold and yes I remember what our mothers told us about sitting on cold sidewalks) nevertheless I am the Grandma after all. Part of my job description is doing what ever my grandchildren enjoy. (Of course when he gets much older and wants to sky dive I will have to break my own rule and decline.)

After we have sat on the sidewalk for a while picking up stones, twigs, grass and yes, some unknown objects, then and only then we move on. A few short steps later and we’re picking up maple keys and throwing them up in the air. At first I just want to watch him as he squeals with joy. Liam on the other hand will have none of that! He insists we both throw them up into the breeze together. As I toss mine I am reminded of my childhood and how much fun this really is. Liam laughs spontaneously with a belly laugh so deep it would cause even the most solemn person to crack a smile.

A few more steps and Liam feels it’s necessary to bend down and touch all of the driveways as we cross over them. My job as I see it, is to point out whether they are made of asphalt or concrete. This becomes too much fun for him and we must repeat these actions over and over and over again. I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun touching driveways, have you? It’s at this point that I am reminded that I had indeed promised myself to begin an exercise routine. Something that seems to skip my mind when I am not with him put pops up over and over again as Liam and I go on our adventures!

I now think I’ve forgotten what our destination was to begin with. I’m so wrapped up in watching the planes fly overhead and laughing with Liam at what tricks the birds seem to be up to. Everything is simply fascinating! After walking for about 35 minutes to a destination that could have easily taken 8, we finally arrive. Yes, that’s right, we are at Liam’s neighbourhood park.

While he is busy climbing up the jungle gym and then sliding down the slide I’m busy catching him and making a huge fuss over how great I think he is. Of course, I never need an excuse to sing his praises, that’s for sure. After countless repetitions we now embark on a much bigger project. In case you’ve tried to guess what our next task is, forget about it. You could never guess in a million years. Liam has decided that we need to cover a huge rock with as many dried leaves as we can find in the park. I have to admit it was actually fun. This is what they must do in the army known as camouflage. Liam is wise beyond his years! Why should the other kids that come to the park and find this rock so easily? He must believe he’s making it more fun for the other kids or why would he do this?

When it’s time to leave the park I illogically assume the trip home with be quick without any stops. How wrong could one Grandma be? After all, on the way to the park all the things we did were so much fun how could we not do them all over again and again. Of course this time with a detour into a muddy forest. Oh well, so much for my shoes. Liam was smart enough to wear his boots ☺

Lesson Learned:
Now I don’t focus on the destination or I will miss the fun along the way! When I’m out with Liam I do what he taught me to do, I enjoy new things. I make sure I look up and all around. I never realized how much I was missing until now.

P.S. Always check out what your grandchildren are wearing on their feet. This perhaps may give you a hint as to what you’re about to step into.

Check more from Diane Broos at her website www.dynamicliving4u.com

Courage For Living

Far too often we seem to focus on our weaknesses instead of our strengths. On what we cannot do instead of what we can. We look to others for their approval of our lives instead of looking inwardly in order to find out, “What’s the song in my heart?”

Each year around the globe men and women of every race, creed, religion and financial status are imprisoned. Sent by others to serve their appointed sentence behind bars. No matter what the crime a penalty is imposed due to behaviour considered by society inappropriate.

The statistics on the number of people incarcerated around the globe is astounding yet, there are millions more who because of wrong thinking have allowed themselves to become prisoners. Self-imposed by fears, insecurities, negative thinking, circumstances both (past and present), hurts, lack of self-confidence; the list is endless and so different for us all. Some people live their lives convinced that circumstances or other people have kept them down. The truth is simple, only we hold the key to our own success.

For many years I had given mental assent to this truth but nothing changed until the coin dropped. Only when the coin drops in our heart can we derive the truth in any given circumstance.

As a businesswoman I have found myself in countless corporate offices. One of the most prominent features is what I call motivational sayings. You know, the kind that excites your soul when you read them, make you feel like a winner when you hang them on your walls, or superior to others as you send them on their way via email. As if by the mere fact of having done so equates to success. Oh, if it were only that easy!

The only constant in the world today is change. With this in mind we shouldn’t be surprised when we face challenges, or as I like to call them opportunities for solutions.
One of my favorite quotes,” I am never down, I am either up or getting up!” People who have fallen short because of life’s circumstance and yet summon the courage to continue to move forward are extremely successful and valuable to the rest of us.

It is with this message in my heart that I will endeavor to speak with as many people who have faced adversity and continued with an unshakeable courage in spite of it. No one is exempt from pain or failure in this life; it is however what we do with the pain that counts.

For example, recently my daughter Jennifer sent me a link to this video on YouTube about Patrick Henry Hughes. WOW, what a testimony about the human spirit overcoming adversity. Not only about Patrick, but about his parents, especially his father. Enjoy the video above.

In the quiet moments of my life I wonder how I can get back to the so-called basics. As if to pull the slack out of us a day that will forever mark the history books occurs, September 11, 2001. Lives from that moment forever changed. After the initial horror even those of us who have looked on from a distance ask, how does this affect me?

I believe it is time for us to look inward and search our hearts. You might even be surprised by what you find there! I’m a firm believer that we all have been given gifts and talents that were meant to be used to help others. Some people have never measured success in this way and still others know the truth and have not summoned the courage to move forward in the direction of their dreams.

There are many ways pain can become a part of your life. Yet the greatest pain to endure is to continue day by day with your song unsung. However, you may find that when you begin to sing you’re singing solo. Continue to sing “the song in your heart” others will gather around you and begin to sing also!

Additional information at my website DynamicLiving4U.com

Get A Grip On Life

What is true success? Society measures success as power, position, cash, the right tags on your clothes, where you live and what you drive. Perhaps you do as well. Don’t play the fool, check it out for yourself!

Try this on for size… Success is not who you are when everything is going right. Who you are when life is easy? Of course you would be confident in your abilities, your stuff, your life, perhaps thinking as you look around that you are better then others, when the living is easy.

The true measure of success is who you are when the storms of life rage in your direction. When the rains of adversity throw you down to the ground. Who are you in the tornado of life, when everything you thought was true ends up to be just the exact opposite. Who are you when that happens? I personally measure success by the ability to get up after heartache, depression, failure, rejection, and hurts, to just name a few.

People who have been through a lot are more valuable to society. They are not losers that we just toss away and think we are superior to. I feel as though I have been through so much in my life and this has taught me how to connect to people. Really connect with them and have empathy for them as they go through negative circumstances. Our value comes when we have gone through the storm and are then able to help others come through.

George S. Patton said, “I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.”

Some people think that if you fail you are less valuable. The truth is, that if you never step out, if all you ever do is play it safe you’ll never know what could have been. Life is not always kind, but it is what we take away from our challenge that sets us apart.

When I was 4 years old my grandfather introduced me to boxing. It was important to us as George Chuvalo, the Canadian Heavyweight Boxing Champion lived across the street. Everything about boxing reminds me even to this day about how life works.

Muhammad Ali is quoted by saying. “Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.”

Who would you rather watch your back? Someone who is too delicate to fight back, or afraid to make mistakes and so never ventures out into any thing new, or someone who has failed a number of times and just keeps getting back up?

Additional information at my website DynamicLiving4U.com