An Unexpected Turn of Events

I came across a photo today of a tan-african-braided version of myself. That picture brought back such sweet memories to me. I was 16 years old and on a mission to reach the people of the Maun Desert in Botswana, Africa. I could’ve never imagined myself spending my summer days in the sand covered far far away land.

Three months before I took that journey I was sitting in an auditorium for a youth conference. I sat in my chair - way in the back - arms crossed - with my atheist boyfriend sitting beside me. I did NOT want to be there. I had a hardened heart at that time. I didn’t understand the point in keeping my purity, I didn’t understand why I shouldn’t have a serious relationship with a boy who was against my beliefs, I didn’t understand that the same God who spoke to the hearts of the people in Old Testament Times - was the same God who speaks to the hearts of people in TODAYS TIMES.

I was deeply depressed, highly rebellious, and hypocritical beyond measure. I flirted with fire. Like a rebellious child, I would stick the tip of my toe in the sin that my parents told me not too.

Though I sat in that auditorium with arms closed and a heart hardened; it was that night that radically changed my life. The pastor called out from stage those teens who knew they were in situations they shouldn’t be in, they knew they were living lives apart from God; but they knew without a shadow of a doubt that they wanted to be forgiven and step into the abundant-filled life that God wants everyone to live in. He urged those of us to take a stand and make a new commitment to turn away from those things & turn towards a loving forgiving God.

My heart was pounding and my mind was racing - I stood without even thinking about the fact that my atheist boyfriend was right beside me. I cried out to God to change my heart & give me the strength to live a life full of purpose that He planned ahead of time for me. In that very moment He spoke to my heart that He wanted me to go to Botswana with the youth missions group that summer.

It was so unlike me but I was nearly giddy with excitement. I rushed downstairs to turn in my application and gather information I would need. Before I turned away from the lady processing my application; I stepped close to her and whispered, “where is Botswana?” In that very moment I knew God was calling me to Botswana... even though I had never heard the name before & had no clue what continent it was located. (It happens to be in Africa by the way)!

I’m not sure the point in sharing this story with you today... perhaps it’s to stir up your heart to seek a relationship with God, perhaps it’s to move you into living the abundant life Jesus provided for you, perhaps it’s just to tell you - that even today in the 21st century - God still has a heart for His people. He is not a Being whose stuck in the historical written pages of the Bible; He is God who was and is and is to come. He is the same today as He was yesterday. His plan has never changed. His desire to have a relationship with you has been there since the foundation of the world. He formed you in your mothers womb, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He has a purpose for your life. His thoughts towards you are as countless as the stars in the sky. He wants to speak to you & direct your paths, if you will just listen.

I promise your life will be forever changed. I know mine was!

The D Word

Discipline... offensive, isn’t it? It’s not the most warm and fuzzy word, nor does it evoke the most warm and fuzzy feelings. In fact if you ever hear a person tell you how much they “love to be disciplined”, you probably want to know what their smokin’!

In the short years I’ve lived my life, one thing I’ve learned is: Life without discipline is chaos. It’s like spinning your wheels with no ground to tread on. Without discipline goals cannot be achieved & dreams cannot be made true. If you want to lose weight; it takes discipline in your eating habits. If you want to grow a business; it takes discipline in your work ethic. If you want to be financially fit; it takes discipline in your spending habits.

Most often discipline means doing the very thing we are most opposed to doing. Have you ever noticed how often times it’s the things you hate doing, that bring about the results you love getting? I was thinking about that today as I motivated myself to do the one activity that I tend to put off the most. I agonize and procrastinate on that very activity... even though I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt, it will produce much fruit!! Know what this is called? Self Sabotage! Don't do it! 

Discipline brings about all kinds of rewards - both physically & emotionally. You’ll be looking better, thinking better and feeling better. The discipline to save your money & spend it wisely will make you a rich woman; and you can take a huge bite out of anxiety in your life. The discipline to eat healthy and excersize regulary will make you a super fit woman; and self consciousness will turn to self confidence. Can you even imagine what discipline could do for you?

These last three months I feel like I’ve been on a discipline course. My hunger for discipline is like a roaring lion. I want to be so on top of it all... in my finances, my health, my business and my relationship with God. I CHOOSE to be disciplined. 

Life is one long self improvement course; and I want to score an A+ by the time it’s over. I want to use my talents wisely, invest in the things of value, and be a woman who places an importance on the eternal. I want to make a difference in this world.

I invite you to take this journey with me. Become a student of discipline and allow it to be your teacher. And if you have too... turn the imagry of the word “DISCIPLINE” from a stern drill sergeant, to a pretty-in-pink-totally-healthy-wealthy-smart YOU. Can you even imagine?!

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.

 Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace 

for those who have been trained by it.” - Hebrews 12:11

Declare your origionality

Choices. I’m so thankful we have them. When we’re faced with statistics, facts and opinions of others; it’s so liberating to know that we still do have a choice in the matter.

It’s sad when people base their decisions on the success rate of others. Why give so much power to a percentage rate on a piece of paper? Have you ever noticed that when you verbalize a dream of yours, there’s always someone whose willing to “protect” you by pointing out the opposing facts of that dream?

I remember a warm summer evening when I was walking around this big beautiful pond in the dark. The moon was shining, stars were twinkling, frogs were chirping... yet my heart was fearfully pounding! I was on the phone with my father telling him that I had just gotten engaged. I was ecstatic about my news; but I knew what kind of a reaction to expect. He fulfilled my expectations to the T. “You are too young to get married... statistics show that the divorce rate of marriages at your age are extremely high.” I chose to stand firm and spoke with conviction: “Dad, I’m not a statistic.” 

That conversation was six sweet years ago.

God made you to be an “original”. Are you living like an original; or are you living like a copy? Is your life full of faded attempts to live the dream you’ve had in your heart since you were a child? Did you allow a statistic to run your life?

Ultimately we all have one of two choices; the first leads to a passionate fulfilling life, and the other leads to a life-full of deprivation and regrets.

Choose today to be bold. Choose to stand out from the mainstream. Choose to avoid the pitfalls of a statistic. Choose to be unique. Choose to dream. Choose to LIVE a life of no regrets.

Declare your originality!

What does that have to do with anything?

I'm a big thinker. A dreamer. An over-achiever. 

Mom raised me to be a "Can-Do" kid - the hot neon words boldly printed on my black T-shirt. Philippians 4:13 was my mantra growing up, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." So if I take that a bit too much to heart, blame my mom.

My number 1 passion in life is to help women realize their full potential. To realize what living an "abundant" life is all about - and I'm not just speaking monetary here either. I'm talking about a deep personal relationship with the Creator of the heavens & the earth. I'm talking about knowing "Whose Your Daddy". Because when you know the answer to that... why question anything else? Why give up on persuing the dreams that have been pressed on your heart? Why settle to struggle for survival? Why doubt that the impossible is possible?

Every small child grows up dreaming of becoming a hero, a world class athlete, a famous pianist, the President of the United States of America. And then one day somebody tells them their dream is impossible. Sadly, that child actually believes them & so their dream ends.

Something like that happened to me once.

When I was a little girl I took piano lessons every week... I would practice every day... and I would dream of being on stage with an auditorium full of people coming to hear ME. Many evenings I would turn off the lights and sit at my piano, I would close my eyes and let my fingers dance on the keys. I would put my soul into my music. My dream was to become an amazing pianist like my uncle, Emile Pandolfi. His music would make me cry; every note that he played would tug at my heart & I would be full of inspiration.

One afternoon I shared my dream with my parents who were very loving & well meaning. Every parent wants the best for their child; but sometimes their past failures cause them to put an unfair expectation of failure on their child's dream. That's exactly what happened to me. As soon as the words came off my tongue, "I want to play just like Emile"... they answered with, "That's great honey, but there's only 1 Emile Pandolfi - he has a gift."

Can you imagine how crushed I was at such a young age? I had such a huge dream and in an instant it was crushed. In an instant I was told that I could never become that famous pianist who could move an amphitheater full of hearts. For a split second I thought to myself, "I will prove you wrong!"... but a split second later I quit my dream altogether. I lost the desire to play piano.

I share this story with you because I believe we all have the right to dream; but we have to be so careful who we share that dream with. Well meaning people close to you will try to "protect" you, by discouraging you. But your dream is not their dream. It's yours. It was God-given to YOU. Protect your dreams, pursue them, and don't let anyone steal them away from you. Who knows where your dream might lead you!

P.S. I titled this blog "Lipgloss & Lollypops" because of the randomness of thoughts you can expect to read from me; all of which are meant to inspire you to become the person God intended you to be.