Today I Will Make a Difference

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.

I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.

I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It’s OK to stumble… . I will get up. It’s OK to fail… . I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.

I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing and yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate, children, and friends.
Today I will make a difference.

From Shaped by God (original title: On the Anvil)
Copyright (Tyndale House, 1985, 2002) Max Lucado

There is so much wisdom in this that I just had to share. You could re-read this and everytime be reminded of something you needed to hear. I think this may end up on my fridge or somewhere that I'll see it everyday. You get 5 stars, Max Lucado.

OUR House!

Before I can show you a picture of the floor plan of our new home, I have to give you back history. Why? Beacuse that's what I do and it just makes the whole process even more wonderful. Before Ella was born, Jason was working at Waffle House. He hated everything about it. He knew he wanted to spend more time at home with us when Ella was born.  He joined Charis Mortgage. He loved the idea of helping people get into their new homes and the overall process. But he hired on at the worst possible time in the mortgage/housing industry.  He closed two loans in eight months.  Needless to say, times were very, very hard for us. I've been blessed to have a steady job that I enjoy and at that time I also picked up a part time job to help out while Jason was working and job hunting (yet again). Ella was under a year old when we left our rented home in the Five Points area, swallowed our pride, and moved in with my parents for about three months. My parents are wonderful and supportive, but even so, it was incredibly tough on us.  Then, our prayers were answered. Jason was hired on with my company! He worked normal hours and was off weekends and holidays...something he never got while at Waffle House. We were just overwhelmed by God's love and grace. We rented again and then moved February 2010 and have been there ever since.

We often think back at that point of moving in with my parents. That was as financially low as we had ever been and we were just heartbroken. We grew from that. We grew stronger as a couple, as a family and financially as well. And now, about 3 years later, this is where we are! Praise the Lord! He has been so good to us and we don't deserve any of it.

So, now, after my novel, you can see the floor plan. Now you understand that even though this isn't a mansion or even a large home compared to most, it's so much more than that to us. It's a tangible item God has blessed us with. We have just felt overwhelmed by His love and we can't thank Him enough. I have "real" pictures that I'll post here soon of the model home we saw in Madison.

Our soon-to-be home in Owens Cross Roads!
(click for a larger pic)