Back in ’09, I made horrendous choices to live by my own sinful pursuits and to rely on my own selfish gains…I chose the ultimate form of betrayal. I saw sin as sexy and secretly lived a double life. Since no one knew, how could I ever be ashamed of who I was pretending to be? I lived in this fantasy island where denial kept reality at a distance. I was not loyal…I was not kind…I was purely selfish and hurtful.
To my dismay, YOU knew all along. You sensed it from the start and although I dismissed my own premonitions of what could go terribly wrong, I flirted with sin anyway. I let go of you and was no longer devoted. I took my life in my own hands and played with fire. I knew that lifestyle was not worth living, especially at the expense of your unconditional love for me. But I knew what I wanted, and I went for it completely disregarding your kindness, your loyalty and your love for me. I was a woman on a mission. I made it happen because I so badly wanted to. I turned away from you…my world, my everything. You have always given me more than I ever thought I deserved…from material to spiritual. And in return, I betray you by choosing a life without YOU.
As life has its way of opening our eyes to what’s real and righteous, I finally got caught in the act. I had two choices…I could run away and continue to pursue my own selfish gains or I could do what’s right for once in my life. I made the decision to become submissive, to work towards faithful loyalty and to learn what it’s like to put others before me. It was the toughest thing to do but the easiest decision to have made. I chose to understand the meaning of TRUE love. It took this devastating lifestyle choice to get me out of the bottom-dwelling hell I secretly thrived in.
Now more than ever, I want you back in my life as my leader, my best friend and my provider. I want to know love like I’ve never known how great it can be. I want to wholeheartedly love and give back to you for all you’ve done for me…although I may not deserve it. I love you and can honestly admit how shallow my love once was. It took that life of sinful choices for me to finally get it.
I’m so happy for 2010 to come to a close, and I’m thankful to be ending this year on such a high note. This year I had to face damning consequences as a result to my irresponsibility. But looking back over this tumultuous year, I come to realize it’s been THE best year of my entire life. I have lived, loved and learned so much about friends, family, myself and my faith. More importantly, I’ve learned what gracious rewards await me should I choose a new life of doing good and working to be right.
So thank you for this second chance and for this new life. My promise to you is to remain devoted with a desire to live a life truly worth living. I will never leave you and will never forsake you ever again. This life isn’t my own…we’re in this together. I come only second to you. I can never repay you for all that you’ve done for me, but from this moment on I will love you, my God. Heavenly Father, I promise you this.
"I’ve strayed, O Lord, and turned aside,
I’ve disobeyed Your voice;
But now contrite of heart I turn
And make Your will my choice." — D. De Haan
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
The company you keep
In late July, I blogged about purposely surrounding yourself with the right kind of people. I recently heard a thought-provoking concept about how your personal character shines through the friends and family nearest and dearest to you. Now let’s pretend. Imagine you’re up for a big-time job interview. Instead of the prospective employer asking you to come in for a face-to-face interview, how would you feel if a family member or close friend was asked to interview on your behalf? Assume the typical questions regarding your character and work ethic were fired at will and your close friend or relative had to answer all grilling questions. Would that worry you? Or could you rest assured that their personality and professionalism would help your reputation? To put it simply, would your friend/family help or hurt your chances of landing that job?
The company we choose to keep is a direct reflection of our character, moral standards and personal ambition. Assuming that the friend/relative representing you is among the 5 people you hope to become the sum of, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. If not, it may be time to reexamine who you choose to surround yourself with and how they’ve influenced the person you claim to be when first impression matters most.
The company we choose to keep is a direct reflection of our character, moral standards and personal ambition. Assuming that the friend/relative representing you is among the 5 people you hope to become the sum of, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. If not, it may be time to reexamine who you choose to surround yourself with and how they’ve influenced the person you claim to be when first impression matters most.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
A year in review: 2010
Today’s Our Daily Bread Devotional was quite timely. I’m constantly examining the person I am today thanks to this unbelievable year of life-changing events. Thank God for this journey I’ve been blessed to learn and grow from! As recorded in my previous blog posts, I’ve learned quite a bit about life, love, faith and true devotion along my daily walk with God. The greatest bit of wisdom I’d like to impart for those still soul-searching is that all you can do is your absolute best and trust the Lord will take care of the rest.
(Psalm 77:11-14)
11 I will remember the works of the LORD;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?
14 You are the God who does wonders;
You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
Today’s devotional encourages faithful followers to contemplate where you’ve been and what you’ve done this past year. Reflect and record the significant events in your life. Be sure to include any difficulties and disappointments while highlighting sweet memories and milestones. But please remember to consider all the ways God has been with you while carrying you through every trial and triumph.
“When we look back and contemplate
What we’ve been through this year,
We’ll praise You, Lord, for all You’ve done—
Your faithfulness is clear.” —Sper
(Psalm 77:11-14)
11 I will remember the works of the LORD;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?
14 You are the God who does wonders;
You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
Today’s devotional encourages faithful followers to contemplate where you’ve been and what you’ve done this past year. Reflect and record the significant events in your life. Be sure to include any difficulties and disappointments while highlighting sweet memories and milestones. But please remember to consider all the ways God has been with you while carrying you through every trial and triumph.
“When we look back and contemplate
What we’ve been through this year,
We’ll praise You, Lord, for all You’ve done—
Your faithfulness is clear.” —Sper
Friday, December 3, 2010
Beauty for a Cause 2011 Calendar
As of Decembe 7th, I should have 2011 calendars available for purchase. These are no ordinary calendars. Inside you’ll find beautiful women all adorned in clothing and accessories provided by Bittano at Mockingbird Station and the latest in the Mary Kay cosmetic line. Everyone involved in making this calendar possible did so out of generosity and the desire to support a great cause.
I believe I’m operating a Mary Kay business for several reasons. One particular reason is that I get to be surrounded by beautiful women who know style and class. One day I decided to take my passion for photo shoot production and MK cosmetics to a whole new uncharted level. I decided to produce and direct a 2-day photo shoot utilizing models I personally casted, a fashion-forward professional photographer I hired, and a hair and makeup team of exceptionally talented women I selected. It was a HUGE success! Not only did the pictures come out great, but everyone involved was so excited to support a cause.
I have recently become involved with Genesis Women’s Shelter in Dallas. I have also admired the community outreach that the Society of Young Philanthropists Dallas has so publicly displayed. This year, SYP Dallas has pledged an audacious goal to raise $25,000 to help Genesis Women’s Shelter. After having been encouraged to take my Mary Kay business and tie sales efforts towards a worthy cause at this year’s annual MK Seminar, I merged the two organizations’ efforts. I then decided that all proceeds of the 2011 calendar featuring beautiful and fashionable women will go towards SYP’s $25k goal.
As soon as I made the decision to plant this seed and watch it grow, the response has been overwhelming. As of Dec. 7th, my vision will become a reality as I will have in my hands copies of the calendar to distribute to anyone who’d like to support the variety of artistic talent, beauty and of course, the main cause. Buy a calendar at just $10 each and all proceeds will help SYP accomplish their pledged amount to help the women’s shelter. Not to mention, you’ll be supporting the small businesses and skill sets of the makeup artists, hair stylists and photographers who have graciously participated in the project. Below is a preview of the models. Contact me ASAP to reserve your copy of the Beauty for a Cause 2011 Calendar!
I believe I’m operating a Mary Kay business for several reasons. One particular reason is that I get to be surrounded by beautiful women who know style and class. One day I decided to take my passion for photo shoot production and MK cosmetics to a whole new uncharted level. I decided to produce and direct a 2-day photo shoot utilizing models I personally casted, a fashion-forward professional photographer I hired, and a hair and makeup team of exceptionally talented women I selected. It was a HUGE success! Not only did the pictures come out great, but everyone involved was so excited to support a cause.
I have recently become involved with Genesis Women’s Shelter in Dallas. I have also admired the community outreach that the Society of Young Philanthropists Dallas has so publicly displayed. This year, SYP Dallas has pledged an audacious goal to raise $25,000 to help Genesis Women’s Shelter. After having been encouraged to take my Mary Kay business and tie sales efforts towards a worthy cause at this year’s annual MK Seminar, I merged the two organizations’ efforts. I then decided that all proceeds of the 2011 calendar featuring beautiful and fashionable women will go towards SYP’s $25k goal.
As soon as I made the decision to plant this seed and watch it grow, the response has been overwhelming. As of Dec. 7th, my vision will become a reality as I will have in my hands copies of the calendar to distribute to anyone who’d like to support the variety of artistic talent, beauty and of course, the main cause. Buy a calendar at just $10 each and all proceeds will help SYP accomplish their pledged amount to help the women’s shelter. Not to mention, you’ll be supporting the small businesses and skill sets of the makeup artists, hair stylists and photographers who have graciously participated in the project. Below is a preview of the models. Contact me ASAP to reserve your copy of the Beauty for a Cause 2011 Calendar!
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