So often we are so surprised when something seemingly small escalates into something big. This is typically how the conversation goes… “all I said was…” and then he said that “I’m not supportive.” This has been me on so many occasions. In my mind, when something went left in my relationships I had no idea how we arrived there. However, I can look back and see where one small comment here, and another there caused people to feel a certain way.  Small things compound and turn into big things.

The bible says it’s the little fox that spoils the vine (Song of Solomon 2:15)… It’s the little decisions over and over again that give way to the big things. It’s the daily choices that make your life. For example, I can be overly critical sometimes and I made the choice to give voice to that. Thessalonians 5:11 says to build up one another. Well, by always having an opinion, especially in relationships I was doing the complete opposite. However, in my mind they were just little comments. I thought that I was helping people to improve or grow and really I was offending them.  My choice to always express my opinion was the little fox that was spoiling my vine.

The devil is crafty and if you allow him to convince you that the small decisions you make don’t matter, you will look up and suddenly those things will be the only things that matter. Whatever way that he can cause division in relationships, he will try. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have to try very hard because we never see the small offenses as issues when commit them, but when they are felt/received they are always enough to make a person want to walk away from the relationship. How many times have you heard people tell you that they are divorced and you discover it is over something very small? Termites are small in size but they can completely destroy a house. Little arguments and comments can erode a relationship.  Be on guard. We always want to protect our relationships from outside influences, but it is equally important to protect it from the inside influences as well. Those small issues that arise can eventually be catastrophic. What little foxes are spoiling your vine and what do you need to catch and get rid of in your life?

If you have ever read the bio section on my blog you know that one of my constant –ever evolving life goals is to become the proverbs 31 woman… but if you have ever read proverbs 31, her list of qualities is long.  I’m like how does she get it all done? I already know that is going to take a lifetime of work to get there so I’m starting small! Ha!

When I was doing my quiet time the verse God really highlighted to me was Proverb 31:15. It says “She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.” I believe that this is the key to her success. When the rest of us are sleeping, she is up preparing and planning for her day and her household. She is talking to the Creator, consulting him about what needs to be done, and then giving him room and permission to realign her day. This is what she has shown us:

1. We need to offer the sacrifice of our time. We are all busy, it seems like there are a million things to get done and not enough hours to do them. However, those quiet moments spent with God have a way of ordering your steps and your day. Whenever you offer God a sacrifice of anything, your time, talents, and money he always rewards that and gives you things that you wouldn’t have received.

2. We benefit from the time because it transforms us into God’s image. What you hang around, you will eventually become. When you’re reading Gods word and you begin to align yourself with his will things will start happening in your life because after all, the only thing that was ever holding you back was you!

3. It renews us. When you wake up feeling that the world is on your shoulders, cast your cares onto God. He will take your burdens. We’re always trying to figure out how to do things but were doing it in our own strength instead of relying on his. God gives us new perspective. He gives us new ways of seeing things so that we know we will be victorious in whatever he has called us to.

4. Lastly, His word guides us. Psalm 119:105 states that God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light on our path. Allow God to show you what things need to be done and what you can put off. Perhaps, you are preparing for something that God knows will be postponed and you could have used that time to do something else. Only God knows what is necessary for your now and your later. God gives us guidance and he prepares us daily for the work that he has called us to.

Hey Everyone! We are well into the new year now! Hopefully, you all have made vision boards or New Year’s resolutions that you want to accomplish this year.  If you have already abandoned yours ;-) its not too late to pick them back up and start again.

 As I began to work on my resolutions this year I learned something about myself that is perhaps the reason that I was unable to accomplish all the things I set out to do in the past. I lack honor.  The word honor when used as a verb means to fulfill an obligation.  Every New Year’s resolution or item that I put on my vision board is an obligation that I made to myself. You see I’m pretty good about doing things I told other people I would do. I’m horrible about doing things I told myself I would do.

I know when I make plans with other people that I’m going to show up because I don’t want to disappoint. I know they are depending on me so I don’t want to let them down. But what about when I make plans for myself? What about when I plan to go to the gym? (One of my goals this year is to live a more healthy life) I seemingly have no problem cancelling on my gym date with myself. Or when I plan to have quiet time with God? I cancel that too; Either by falling asleep or just not taking the time to turn off TV and social media and get to it. The commitments I make with myself are just as important as the ones I make with other people…  It’s time to start acting like it. I owe that to myself. If I say I’m going to the gym then I need to honor that because if I don’t I’m letting down not only myself, but everyone that depends on me to show up and my health is a vital part of that.

Whatever that thing is that you have been putting off, that you haven’t been giving your all to, fix it! Don’t let this year be the same as the last. You are obligated to the goals that you made for yourself. Honor your commitments! Finish what you started and ask for God’s help. I pray that the end of this year finds us successful and committed but more importantly, people of honor!