A simple decision can change your whole life

My husband and I attended a marriage conference at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton, TX this past weekend with special guest Dr. Scott Hahn. It was an incredible experience for the both of us. It's important to note that Dr. Hahn is not only one of the nation's top theologians, but he was of a Protestant faith and later converted to Catholicism after having learned about the Bible, Christianity and further delving into his own personal walk with God.

A simple lesson Dr. Hahn addressed was making rightful decisions in life. Although it seems straightforward, we're all given the choice to follow Christ in every aspect of our lives. Once you make that choice and live by it, all of your priorities change as a direct result. Once you choose the route towards following Christ, you'll notice your language changes, your friends and social activities will change and your personal goals and purpose will inevitably change. I must say, Dr. Hahn is so right.

I've made it a point to leave behind the mistakes of the past and turn towards goodness, service, love and loyalty. As soon as I made this decision, I've noticed a new circle of friends I strive to become the sum of. But most importantly, my purpose in this life has taken a turn for the better...and for the good of a greater purpose.

I'd like to take a moment and reflect on the person I'm leaving behind. Looking back on old photos, I now realize altering my mind with liquid confidence as I seductively shake it on the dance floor now seems like a waste of my precious time and brain cells. Let's not forget, I just looked like a fool out there. I was known to be the first out on the dance floor, with my Mavs-Dancer wannabe moves after a shot or two of hard liquor. The liquid confidence made me think everyone thought I was hot. But I was NOT! Ick! Look at me! I was a disgusting mess. I was only fooling myself.





Indulging in the sin of binge drinking and the sexiness of the nightlife brought out the ugly in my heart. Choosing the indulgent lifestyle of partying (without a purpose) drove me closer and closer to death. Clearly, I don't mean death in the physical form. I was dead on the inside and avoided what was right and good in this world. I was seduced by the nighttime because the dark kept me from really seeing how I actually looked through beer-stained goggles. I hung out with a crowd whose purpose in life was to have fun, have a drink and pretend life is about pleasure and indulgence. (I'm mainly speaking to those of you who are at least 30 or above. Time to wisen up, people!) That slightly older group got me nowhere good. That group is what I became the sum of, which was a big fat nothing. Shouldn't I be looking up to them? That group stupidly lacks wisdom in what's right and does not care for the greater good. Sadly, they were who I chose to surround myself with...and now I'm still paying for the lifestyle choice I made.

But thankfully, I am working to live above the indulgence and have chosen to do what it takes to be more in the image of Christ. What I hope and dream in these days far outweighs the smallness that I once stood as. I've opened my my mind to wisdom and now lead my heart to follow a choice that not many would choose. And I'm proud of that. My prayer is to never fall for the "hook of adrenaline" or for temporary relief and pleasure.

Taking this route has not been easy, but that makes it all the more rewarding. It's especially difficult because I no longer see people who I once adored. But that's been a HUGE blessing in disguise. I look at them now with pity and lift up prayers for their lack of wisdom in the poor choices they continue to make. Sinful indulgence can take you away from what we're all created to do. As in Ephesians 2:10, we have been created by God to do good works which have already been predetermined for each of us. But it's up to us to make the simple decision that can potentially change our entire lives. As I've mentioned before, I can't say that I'm a saint. But I'm choosing to live while trying to be. God doesn't expect perfection from us. HE just wants our hearts to willingly follow Him. When you choose to make that choice, no matter how unnatural or unattractive it may seem in the worldly sense, the great reward is indescribable.

Forgive me, Father for I have sinned

Today's daily devotional made me take a hard look at myself. The Word made me look back on who I was and what I was doing wrong. I will be first to admit that I suffered from a spiritual condition that afflicted my service, my efforts and how everyone perceived me.

In the past couple of years, I have made an effort to not only serve the church but also stand in front of the church as someone who was righteous and good. Like the Pharisees in Matthew 15, I was always quick to serve in the church, quick to instruct everyone around me, but my heart was far from God. I was living a double life and at the time, no one knew.

Now the secret's out, and I must humbly apologize to everyone I blind-sided. I was doing good but for the wrong reason. I was serving others rather than serving the Lord. I made it about all me when it all should have been about Him. I was selfish in my perceived selflessness.

I can't say I was fully focusing on the Lord back then. Sure I knew He was there, but I didn't always keep my heart centered on holiness. Sure I was doing good works, but that wasn't enough. I fooled myself into thinking that people must have looked up at me on the pedestal I created and thought to themselves, "she's so perfect and good because of the works she does."

Looking back, I'm so ashamed. Only now I understand that God doesn't expect perfection. He only wants our hearts. I was so busy striving for the "image" of perfection. What a facade! What a phony! Never was my heart truly where it needed to be -- serving for the Lord and only Him. I wasn't supposed to serve the people, my family or any other onlookers. I wasn't supposed to serve for my own self-interest or personal gain. My service and my heart should have been in one place...centered and focused on Him.

Father, forgive me. Back then I knew not what I was doing wrong. But now, I'm doing the work and making it a point to make it all about Him. Like the billboard says, I am second. Only when my heart is centered on Him will everything just fall rightfully into place.

Party with a Purpose - Support Umphress Rd United Methodist Church

As some of you know, I'm in the building committee at the church my husband grew up in, Umphress Road United Methodist Church. Since April, we've started an ongoing campaign to raise money towards the "Believe to Achieve" building project fund. This small church is made up of people from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, ages and stages of life who seek new life in Jesus Christ.









Thanks to its growing membership, we have now outgrown the worship facility. Our building committee is working with a Dallas-based architecture firm that has created a beautifully designed plan of action for a new sanctuary. However, the financial demands are quite overwhelming. In order to make our dreams for a new church come true, donations from members outside of the community are encouraged and greatly appreciated.

I have an exciting plan to help the church in its efforts. Sign up to host a Mary Kay party with me, your MK Independent Beauty Consultant, and a percentage of what you and your friends purchase will benefit Umphress Rd UMC's efforts to build a new church facility.



As a host, you can invite your friends to get pampered for a day. Enjoy a FREE facial. Learn skin-clearing and anti-aging secrets. More importantly, party with a purpose and help Umphress raise money to build a new church.

As a thank you, each party host will earn product discounts and a FREE gift from me!! You can host a party at a location of your choice. Post a comment to this blog and I will contact you via email for more information. Please help me spread the word, and thanks so much for your continued support of my Mary Kay business. Let's get together and party with a purpose!