I have found that asking for help or needing help is often seen by others as reliance or weakness.  And it can be if it’s abused.  For me, asking for help takes great strength.  Whether we admit it or not, there are times when each of us needs help. When asking for help, key factors are how often it’s needed, how genuine it’s delivered, and my acceptance of the fact that I need help.  Prayer is how I resolve those issues within myself. I rely on prayer to move me through all issues; my faith never wavers…

If you had told me years ago that I would be embarking on my 8th year of writing a faith-based blog, toliveforsomethinggreater.com, I think I would have smiled and said to myself, “That’s crazy! “  My faith was very private, and my writing skills were deplorable.  Despite the reality of the situation, I would not have said impossible because I have had true faith for as long as I can remember. My faith allows me to think beyond the impossible.  This thinking has opened up doors numerous times in my life to things that I would…

One of the most valuable questions I have learned to ask myself before I respond to a situation is, how can I be helpful?  When I start from this perspective I am able to address any issue with compassion.   That doesn’t mean that I get involved in all interactions.   Sometimes the most compassionate thing I can do is pray and walk away.  Silent prayers asking Jesus to guide the person or situation.   Not contributing to frustration, anger, fighting or dangerous situations might be the best decision.  Being helpful might require suggesting support for someone or maybe lending a listening…

Many years ago, I discovered just how wrong I could be when judging a gift.  It was a gift for one of my children, and I felt it was unnecessary.  To be honest, I didn’t want it cluttering up the house.  At the time, we didn’t have a basement or extra storage.  I remember this item being on the gift list at least three times, which means a birthday, Christmas, and yet another birthday without being purchased. The item, a snow cone machine, finally made it under the tree two years after the original request.  I had seen…