Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Which came first, the chicken of the egg?

 


Which came first, the chicken or the egg?  Which comes first in life, opportunity or faith?

Faith is being sure of what we do not yet see.  (Hebrews 11:1)  Will you see the opportunity if you don't have faith?  Will you miss an opportunity if you don't have faith?  Could you walk past this opportunity each day and not realize it is for you?  The answer is, Yes!  Let me explain... 

I started teaching "aerobics" after participating in classes for many years.  After a few years, this business,( Energy in Motion) closed but soon another opportunity was placed before me.  (Stretch Your Faith.)  Then I was asked to teach Senior classes at another Fitness Center (Westmoreland Athletic Club)as well. 


What does this all have to do with faith, you ask?  I had many opportunities through those years, but I didn't know it was God's hand directing me behind the scenes as they say. (Proverbs 16:1) I just knew that I loved my job and was good at it.  Now after years of teaching I started to get burned out.  I thought I was going to own a cheesecake business.  Yep, I was going to supply cheesecakes to restaurants and have a small shop where people would come and eat slices of cheesecake and drink tea.  I gave up my position as Active Older Adult Advisor at the YMCA and began to make myself known.


  My friend Sheri took over at the YMCA.  But Sheri was not happy at the YMCA and I was not doing very well in the cheesecake business.  On top of that, my hands developed eczema.  After seeing a holistic doctor, it was determined that this was caused by a gluten intolerance.  Let me tell you, it's difficult to make cheesecakes without using gluten.  Sheri decided to go back to school for Medical Coding, whatever that is, so I took my position back at the YMCA.  I was refreshed and renewed, knowing that I was where I was supposed to be.  

If I hadn't taken "aerobics classes" or hadn't accepted the job to teach, if I hadn't become a Stretch Your Faith instructor, or taught Senior classes, where would I be now.  As I look back on the twists and turns of my life, I see God's hands all over it.  If I hadn't developed eczema or gone back to the YMCA, I wouldn't have been able to minister to many Active Older Adults daily as I read devotionals at the end of class or offer prayers at our luncheons, meetings, and the close of my Christian Yoga class.  Not to mention the daily opportunities to share my love and belief in my God through numerous conversations. 

I truly believe this was God's plan for me before I was knit together in my mother's womb.  Did I have this faith while all this was unfolding in my life?  No way.  It wasn't until I looked back that I could see it.  And now that I have this faith, I can look forward to letting God continue to direct my steps.  

So, which came first, faith or opportunity?  I don't think it matters as long as we trust that our God wants the best for us.  If you're not sure, take a quick glance back and see where He has led you through the hard times and has sent blessings just when you need them.  Don't doubt, have faith! 

Friday, March 11, 2022

Keep your friends close and your family closer

 

Keep Your Friends Close and Your Family Closer

Hi friends, it’s Joyce from the YMCA!

That’s right, I consider you all my friends.  If you take the time to read what I write, we must be friends.  I have friends from many places as I’m sure you do as well.  I have my friends at the YMCA.  I see them most days.  I know about their families, and they know about mine.  There are also my friends at church, school, or in my neighborhood.  We exchange greetings, information, and prayers.  Of course, there are my Facebook and Instagram friends.  Sometimes I know too much about them.  But it is nice to see their pictures and posts.  I have friends from childhood, High School, former jobs, also friends through my husband. Friends come and go but they each leave behind a memory, some good and some bad.

The definition of friend is: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection. 

Here are some ways to tell your friends that they matter: 

Great friends are few and far between. thanks for being there for me!

Through thick and thin, we've always been friends.

Here's to many more years of being best buddies!

So blessed to have you in my life!

When I count my blessings, you're always at the top of the list. So glad we're friends.

Notice anything missing from those statements.  That’s right, where is the LOVE!

I realize that not everyone was raised in a family filled with love.  But I was and I’m thankful for the bond I have with my parents, sisters, and brother.  We have a group text where we send our joys and concerns to each other almost daily.  In Ephesians 2:10 Paul tells us that, “Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it."  Yes, He put you in your family at this time in history and has plans for you.

The definition of family is: a term that describes the members of a household who are linked by marriage or bloodline.

Now I’m not here to preach to you, but I do know a thing or two about family.  My sisters and I have the same eyes and laugh but that’s about all.  We do things differently and have different likes and dislikes.  Linda likes mushrooms!  If you know me, you know I don’t eat fungus.  I have raised three daughters and they are all different in looks and personalities.  But they are family. We accept each other in spite of our differences.  Why?  Because we love each other.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all people, in all cities and schools, in every state and country, and throughout the whole world, would treat each other like family.  Look past the differences, to what we have in common, and work together to bring peace to our world.