04.11.10
Posted in Blessings, Encouragement, Inspirational, Love, Self Reflection, Simplicity, Thankfulness, Uncategorized at 7:14 am by Sandi Rauwolf
Life is a precious gift and we don’t know the hour or the day of when we will leave this life. At that moment, there is mourning and our focus changes to a time when we no longer focus on life but upon death. Death, a projection of opposite imagery of Life meets in the middle to share a common bond, a precious gift.
We lost my great Aunt a week and a half ago to pancreatic cancer. She fought a long 17 month battle with the most painful cancer. She knew there was a better place than this suffering and did not fear death, she welcomed it – to her and all those who loved her, we embraced that day thru tears as a precious gift … an end to her suffering.
On Saturday they held the memorial service. I sat there listening to the Pastor paint this absolutely beautiful picture of my Aunt’s life. Different people shared with him things that she had done which had impacted their lives. I sat there with tears streaming down my face because I was so proud that she was MY Aunt. She lived a true life of Love. She wasn’t a pastor, she wasn’t one to go around sharing her beliefs … she lived it. As a result, it made others want to be like her … to live that Love because her entire life spoke Love without a single word. Thru my tears, I thanked God for the gift of both my Aunt’s Life and Death. God then whispered within my heart “The Dash”, encourage others to live the dash. Please watch this, it will be a true gift to you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ch8oOWkGd8Y&feature=related
As I sat there in the memorial service so proud that she was MY Aunt, it was sealed within my heart that no matter what discouragement I may face in this world that I am to continue to live that Love and encourage others to do the same. What an honor it would be to think that some day the words spoken at my memorial service could be a gift to each person there.
This blog is dedicated to my sweet Aunt Ocie Wise, who left this world 03/31/10 at the age of 78.
May you live your life in and thru Love being mindful of the mark you will leave in this world … your dash.
Much love to you all!
Sandi Rauwolf
Permalink
03.09.10
Posted in Blessings, Inspirational, Joy, Love, Special Needs, Thankfulness at 10:36 pm by Sandi Rauwolf
This past weekend I was blessed with spending my Sunday afternoon at a local Special Needs home. One of my special needs angels, Kelly, from Sunday School moved to this home a few months ago. The smile on her face when Ty, Samantha and I walked in was priceless. She is so happy there and introduced us to all of her friends. Here is this home filled with young adults who, to the rest of the world, cannot participate in normal life due to their disabilities but yet this house was filled with so much happiness and love that it should be a corner stone for all of our homes.
We had so much fun meeting Kelly’s friends and walked away with many new friends of our own … truly special angels. Jennifer stole our hearts. She is in a wheelchair, has slightly slurred speech with her eyes not being able to focus straight ahead but she is so smart! The kindness and love within her well let’s just say that I wish the world was filled with Jennifers! Brandon is incredible. He is, I believe, 17 and has Down Syndrome and loves the Cubs. He kept tapping Ty on the knee saying, “right guy?” smiling and laughing so much it was contagious. Then there was Michelle, Kelly’s roommate, who is down-right hysterical. She also has Down Syndrome so her heart flows of love and happiness but also with a twist of sarcastic humor. She had us in stitches not to mention she kept staring at Ty because “she likes the boys” so they say. Then there is Robert who is probably the biggest Elvis fan I’ve ever met! His room is filled with full size Elvis cut-outs, posters, pillows, blankets, CDs, etc. and a wall full of medals from the Special Olympics. He also has Down Syndrome and I was honored when he was telling me he has a few girlfriends special to him and now I am one of them too. These are the special gifts in life, you know?
Towards the end of our visit Jennifer showed Samantha her room and I stayed out in the main area visiting with Brandon and Kelly. They then came back and Samantha said, “Mommy, do you want to see Jennifer’s room?” I said, “Absolutely!” I followed Jennifer as she rolled herself thru the turns in the hallway as if it was nothing to maneuver that wheelchair. She began showing me some things on her bookshelf. I noticed one of the girls had followed us into her room. I had seen her lying on the couch but staying to herself the whole time that we were there. She then began to slowly come towards me a little at a time until she was standing right in front of me. Jennifer then told me that she was deaf and blind. The girl reached out her hand to me. I took her hand in mine and my heart shouted loudly, “hug her!!!” So I hugged her with a big hug holding her for a minute. When I stepped back, she placed her hand directly on my heart. I saw a peace come over her face and love was felt in the room at a dimension that I cannot describe in words. Tears formed in my eyes when I realized what had just happened … without me saying a single word, she felt who God made me to be thru my heart. It’s what drew her near me and what allowed her to perfectly place her hand directly on my heart without being able to see and without someone having to guide her to where it was. Another simple truth – this my friends is exactly how we need to live. We need to live so that others can feel us thru the heart of who we are without a single word or a single touch.
Sunday forever changed the kids and my lives because that day we were all touched by an angel, actually by many! Our hearts will never be the same and I am so very thankful! May you live so that your heart can be felt because it has “Something to Say”. (If you haven’t ever heard the song “Something to Say” by Matthew West I recommend listening to it or looking up the lyrics. That song just dropped in my heart earlier today and when I just listened to the lyrics I about fell off my chair because it sums up this entire blog :) God is awesome!
With Much Love,
Sandi Rauwolf
Permalink
12.05.09
Posted in Blessings, Christmas, Inspirational, Joy, Love, Thankfulness at 8:47 am by Sandi Rauwolf
While getting our Christmas stuff out and ready to put up this week, mixed amongst all of the stacks of things on the counter Samantha had placed a box of mini candy canes. As soon as I saw it, within my heart triggered a beautiful memory of being about her age so excitedly standing in line waiting to see Santa. I could not wait to get up there and tell him all the things I had seen in the JC Penney and Sears catalogues that year hoping he would put some under our tree. I remember my sister, brother and I would sit there for hours paging thru those huge catalogues making our wish lists. It was fun for us and gave mom some quiet time. Anyway, I took one of the mini candy canes and just as when I was little, I couldn’t open the wrapper – some things never change. :) I was determined to do this without any help and I struggled with that little bugger for a good couple minutes after which I finally conceded and got the scissors out of the drawer. Ahhh, success!
As soon as the candy cane touched my lips, another wonderful memory overflowed my heart of those special moments I have been blessed with through the holidays. Growing up we didn’t have much compared to others but we had two parents who loved us unconditionally and who instilled within each of us – hearts overflowing with thankfulness for what we DID have. We were reminded to be thankful for even those yucky green beans in front of us (well we thought they were yucky at the time). My Dad would always remind us that there are many people in the world who don’t have a single morsel of food to eat or even a pair of shoes or a clean pair of socks to wear. We were always told that NO MATTER WHAT, we were loved and we were often reminded of that after we had made a mistake. So although the consequences were harsh, we were taught to learn from those mistakes and to know that we were still loved – unconditionally. It was important we understood that it was our decision/behavior that was bad and not who we were that was bad. (See if we associate that behavior with ourselves then our self esteem is down, we feel unworthy of anything because we can’t get rid of ourselves but we can get rid of the bad behavior.) So although the candy cane taste triggered wonderful memories, it isn’t the tangible things I remember but the love and joy I felt through those times – true unconditional love. What incredible treasures they are deep within my heart.
This year if you are facing a holiday where you don’t have funds to purchase gifts or to financially help others, please remember that love and joy are FREE and everything you do in life is building a memory for someone else – give freely of your heart, of your time … share love and joy with others, it’s the best gift you could ever give to someone.
With much love, peace and joy from my heart to each of yours – go out and make a difference in someone’s life today by being the beautiful person God made you to be and making a wonderful new memory within their heart and yours. What’s your “candy cane” memory? I want to encourage you to share one thru the “comments” link at the bottom of my blog. Your “candy cane” memory may inspire another … it’s the little things we do that make all the difference.
Love to you all!
Sandi Rauwolf
Author, Blessings Too Good
Permalink
02.24.09
Posted in 26, Faith, Forgiveness, Heart Tugs, Judging Others, Love, Personal Perspective, Simplicity, Thankfulness at 11:36 am by Sandi Rauwolf
1. LOVE GOD ABOVE ALL – Many ask me how? Just like any other relationship – spend time with Him (including “alone” time), talk to Him, desire to want to get to know Him better, turn to Him in all things (good and bad), be YOURSELF in your time with Him (do not be fake or put on a façade, He made you – remember?).
2. LOVE OTHERS UNCONDITIONALLY – Yes, that means no matter what they do, you continue to love. It’s easy to love those who love you but when you can love others who do not yet know LOVE that takes great patience, strength, and humbleness. Turning the other cheek is not a sign of weakness but shows more strength than any fist could deliver (think about how much strength and self control it takes to turn the other cheek when someone is mistreating you – that speaks volumes about who you really are).
3. HAVE FAITH THAT NOTHING WILL SHAKE – When we have faith and believe, truly all things are possible – ALL things.
4. PRAY, PRAY, AND PRAY SOME MORE – The power of prayer is so incredibly powerful especially when done in numbers so be quick to offer a prayer to someone and just as quick to ask for one.
5. LISTEN TO THE TUGS ON YOUR HEART – The tugs where you know you need to check on someone or you know you shouldn’t do something. Many call this intuition or a gut feeling but it is God guiding you. When you learn to hear His voice clearly and listen to the guidance, you will be able to make decisions in your life that are going to bring abundant blessings to you and anyone who crosses your path.
6. BE KIND TO EVERYONE – a stranger, a friend, and your FAMILY.
7. LOOK FOR THE GOOD IN ALL THINGS – When we focus on the bad, that becomes all that we are capable of seeing but yet are confused as to why we seem to be surrounded by nothing good. When we look for the good then all we see is good and that is when we can truly find joy in all.
8. FORGIVE AND KEEP FORGIVING – we are to always forgive and that means over and over again. Remember you cannot change someone, only God can change someone so forgive them and pray that God will start to change their hearts. Only He can change us from the inside out.
9. SEEK PEACE – do everything you can to live a peaceful life and promote a peaceful life. Peace means freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, and anxiety – when you find peace, you want to help others find it because there’s nothing like it.
10. BE HAPPY – only you can decide how you will react to a situation, no one else can decide that for you. So don’t let life overwhelm you but instead focus on having joy and clear your mind of anything that doesn’t.
11. HELP OTHERS, DON’T JUST SAY YOU WANT TO … ACTUALLY DO IT! – give unselfishly of yourself. The world needs it. When you go out of your way to help someone whether it is a simple act of kindness like leaving change in the pop machine for the next person, letting someone cut in front of you in line at the grocery store, or you go on a missions trip – the gift you receive in/for giving unselfishly could not be purchased with all of the money in the world. I guarantee this is one thing that no matter what you are facing in life, it will help restore your soul. It just feels good! Don’t make excuses like I am focusing on my family right now – when we make time to help others, think of the incredible example we are to our children without saying a single word.
12. IF A SENTENCE EVER STARTS WITH “Please don’t tell anyone …” THEN IT IS BETTER LEFT UNSAID.
13. LET YOUR YES BE YES AND YOUR NO BE NO – never allow yourself in a situation where you need to make up an excuse, or tell a lie – again, let your Yes be Yes and your No be No.
14. BE COMPASSIONATE AND EMPATHETIC – when we can truly put ourselves in another’s shoes, our heart becomes merciful and our actions kind.
15. KEEP YOUR WORD – if you say something MEAN IT and DO IT, that means you must be mindful of all that you say, words cannot be taken back. A person’s word should count for something so make yours count.
16. DO NOT JUDGE OTHERS – you do not know what they are facing in life or if they have even been taught love. What if you are the only love God has sent into their path so they can learn from you but instead you judge them and turn away?
17. SAY YOU’RE SORRY AND MEAN IT – when you make a mistake, apologize from your heart and mean it. Do not expect anything in return (another words do not take away your apology even if someone doesn’t offer you their’s).
18. RESPECT OTHERS – when you respect another person, your actions tell them you care about them as a person and that they are worth something – remember God loves ALL His children.
19. THINK BEFORE YOU DO – if something is going to cause you to lose sleep, bring harm/hurt to yourself or others then NO amount of pleasure or fun in the world is worth it and I don’t care how good it feels/satisfies at the moment. It will just leave you feeling empty and it IS poison to your soul.
20. WHEN YOU FACE TROUBLES PUSH THRU THEM – it is our tendency to turn and try to run from difficult situations but if we are facing them, there is a REASON we are facing them. I have learned those difficult times are meant to teach us an important lesson that we need to be taught. The next time you face a difficult time, ask God to show you what it is He is teaching you – is it unconditional love? Patience? Forgiveness? Faith? …
21. SEEK WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE – pray for wisdom and knowledge, it is so important. God is waiting for us to ask Him to show us His way, to allow us to see things thru His eyes. So ask … when we ask for wisdom He will give it. Imagine having God’s Wisdom? Very powerful!!
22. DO GOOD – it’s a choice and again only we can make it, be eager to do good in this world. “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.” 1 Peter 3:13
23. DO NOT SEEK REVENGE – if someone wrongs you, forgive them immediately. Two wrongs do NOT make a right – so when you find yourself in a situation where you want to teach someone a lesson, give it to God instead otherwise evil becomes contagious and will spread destroying everything in its path. “Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath for it is written, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.’” Romans 12:19
24. RENEWAL OF THE MIND IS CRITICAL – anything that does not promote love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, peacefulness, gentleness or self control is not from God and should be pushed out of our mind as fast as it enters. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
25. UNDERSTAND AND LIVE A LIFE OF INTEGRITY – I love dictionary.com’s definition of integrity. It is “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character, honesty.” When we renew our mind to living a life that represents integrity, we find a peace that is beyond our understanding. And although the world tries to convince us it is not possible to have peace in this life, we soon discover it obtainable and not so far outside of our reach after all. “…for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:16
26. WE LIVE LIFE TRYING TO FILL THE EMPTINESS IN OUR HEARTS WITH EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE ONE THING THAT WILL COMPLETE US AND THAT IS GOD.
I felt guided to share 26 things life taught me (versus any other number) because of the biblical significance of that number. In my last blog (titled 26 :) God led me to research the biblical importance of numbers. At the time, I had no idea that the Hebrew and Greek language (which are the two languages the original text of scripture was written in) are different from the English language in that each letter of the alphabet has a numeric equivalent. It is actually where 666 being equal to the anti-christ comes from – interesting, huh? Anyway, the number 26 represents the personal name of God. His name is stamped on everything including our hearts and minds. Once we open our hearts and minds to Him, He is able to begin teaching us His language. The parable in my last blog was this … 26 letters form thousands of words – literally infinite possibilities of creation once you know the language. So, 26 representing the name of God opens up infinite possibilities available to us once we learn His language – that is powerful!
I’m sorry for not getting this posted sooner, life has been so busy but in a GREAT way. I have had multiple radio interviews and am very excited that I have been invited to be a guest speaker for the Count It All Joy Women’s Retreat in Freemont, IN on 03/14/09. Following that I am booked to be on Celebration with Marcus & Joni Lamb on DayStar TV (www.daystar.com) out of Dallas, TX on 04/14/09. You can check my upcoming events on the Upcoming Events tab from my website www.blessingstoogood.com. I’m putting together multiple seminars and workshops as well to help others have a blessed life now – it is so exciting!
God never ceases to amaze me at all that He will do for us. The blessings that are waiting for us once we open our hearts and minds to Him (and learning His language) are unending and better than we could EVER imagine!! I’m pretty confident that most could use a few blessings in life right now so may you open your hearts and minds, seeking Him more than you ever did before so He can begin to pour His love and blessings into your life.
Love to you all!
Sandi Rauwolf
Author, Blessings Too Good
Permalink
01.16.09
Posted in Blessings, Thankfulness at 9:14 pm by Sandi Rauwolf
As 2009 begins, I encourage each of us to dig deep inside our hearts to understand what exactly we are made of. What is at the very core of our being?
This economy today is one of the biggest blessings we could hope for – yes, you read that correctly, a BLESSING! :) Let’s step back and think about what gifts these times are bringing us. Let’s take a look at who we really are, what we really are about – do some deep soul searching. Let’s take a long overdue look in the mirror –
What is it we see?
Is the reflection anything we remember it to be or have we lost ourselves in “life” along the way?
As the economy deflates and we stand watching the material things in our lives get stripped away – when the rock begins to crumble beneath our feet, what exactly do we find ourselves clinging to …
Do we reach for the job that we pour ourselves into over 60 hours a week?
Do we reach for the coaches that are so important that we won’t let our kid miss a single game or practice – not even for a family gathering?
Do we reach for keys to the house we “had” to have?
Do we reach for that favorite book we keep our noses buried in as our kids pull at us crying for attention?
Do we reach for the cell phone that we can’t live without?
Do we reach for the great clothes and shoes that fill our closets?
Do we reach for the keys to the car that we love?
Do we reach for the TV that we spend more time with than our family?
Do we reach for the one person that we know will always be there – he would not turn his back on us, would he?
Let’s take a minute and think about whether any of those questions cut right to the center of our being with a pain we hadn’t realized was there. Ouch, huh?
So where does that leave us? Well it leaves us with families who are cutting out extra activities and actually spending quality time together. It leaves us with a humbled spirit working at jobs we would have never considered before but now are thankful to have a job – ANY job! It brings clarity to the clouded line of reality between true “wants” and “needs” in life.
So I ask, what can we really cling to in life that will never fail us not even when the world is crumbling beneath our feet?
There truly is only one thing and that is … our loving God.
I pray that He has touched your heart today thru the words He has given me and opened your mind to the blessings of what surrounds us this new year of 2009. May He bless each of you reminding you that when you feel lost and like there is no hope, there He stands with open arms waiting for you. Blessings!
Love,
Sandi Rauwolf
Author, Blessings Too Good
Permalink
01.02.09
Posted in Believe, Blessings, Heart Tugs, Thankfulness at 4:26 pm by Sandi Rauwolf
I hope your holidays were filled with blessings! This Christmas God sent me another very special gift (and I didn’t think it could get any better than Christmas of 1998!). It started with Him opening up the door for me to appear on FamilyNet’s Mornings with Lorri & Larry on December 23rd. My son, Ty, asked if he could come along with me to the In Touch Ministries Studio in Atlanta (that really touched my heart knowing he wanted to share in this moment with his mom). Our flights were booked for Monday night. I had worked all day and barely finished up the things I needed to get done before the holiday. The stress of work combined with the hustle and bustle we all get into around the holidays didn’t allow a single second of relaxation. We rushed off to the airport to make our 5:30 pm flight. We left the gate a little late and arrived in Atlanta around 9 pm. The Atlanta airport is huge! I couldn’t believe how big it was. Ty asked if we could walk to the baggage area (5,000 ft away – ughh!) I was wearing 3 inch heeled boots (something I am use to since I am married to a 6 ft. 3 in husband!) so I said why not – God has blessed me with the ability to walk so let’s do it! Well I had no idea just how FAR that would be but we did it. It was an hour and a half before we got our baggage, rental car and arrived at the hotel.
As we walked into the hotel, Ty looks up at the huge beautiful lobby surrounded by marble and water fountains. He turns to me with a smile and said, “You really made it, Mom.” Tears filled my eyes and my heart – well, it was overflowing. God is amazing!! I had hoped to help one person and look what He was doing. He is just TOO GOOD!
We were starving so we dropped off our luggage in the room and headed straight down to the hotel restaurant. It was open for about 20 more minutes – thank goodness! We were greeted by an incredibly, kind man. His nametag read “Work”. I said “Work?” He explained he had that done as a conversation starter. Brilliant, I thought! He said, “So you are here visiting family for the holidays?” I said, “Actually we are here because I am an author and scheduled to be on the Mornings with Lorri & Larry show tomorrow morning.” A big smile formed across his lips and he said, “Yeah that is a very popular show down here – so you are a believer?” I smiled back and said, “Yes, I sure am!” We started talking about the book and some of the things God has done in our lives. He was a kind spirit with a huge heart for God. It was obvious he touched every life God sent into his path just by who he was. He was so positive and excited about life. He understands that each minute is a gift and to cherish it!
I then felt God tugging on my heart to give a book to him. I had packed some to bring to the studio so asked Ty if he would get one out of the room for me. He did and I signed it handing it to Work. He was so thankful! The excitement of others to my story surprises me each time :) I mean after all, it’s just me! I’m no one special, just a normal person who God guided to write a book. He tucked the book under his arm and carried it around. He seemed to cherish this special gift. I saw him talking with another gentleman. He then showed him my book and pointed over to our table. The two of them then walked over. Work wanted to introduce me to William. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, William” I said as I reached out my hand to shake his. William and Work have worked together for some time. William asked me what my book was about so I started sharing some things God has done in my life. He then began to share some pretty big crosses he had to bear himself including losing his marriage and almost losing his life! Challenges that brought him to his knees but He then quickly shared how thankful he was for those times because they led them to God. “Amen!!!” I said as I smiled. We began to share how thankful we were for the adversities and challenges we have had. Can you imagine? There we stood, both of hearts overflowing with gratefulness for all of the DIFFICULT times that we had faced in our lives. Why? Well because now we understand how critical those times are to strengthening our faith and maturing us in our walk with God. It was just another testimony to how adversities make us realize that in weakness is when we are strong because we have no strength left of our own so GOD IS OUR STRENGTH. “… For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 14:10
William said good-bye as he went back to finish his shift. Work then brought our check and shared with me that in all of the time he has worked with William, he had no idea he was a believer. I smiled thinking how amazing God is! There are no coincidences in life – not with God! I sat there thankful for how God connects people. How he connects the dots in life. How something as simple as a kind gesture of a stranger has now connected two believers, believers who can now help each other along their walk with Him. And, once again how important it is we listen to that tug He puts on our hearts because we never know how it may change the life of the person crossing our path. We headed back to the room to get some sleep – it was late! As I drifted off to sleep, I said a prayer to God thanking him for the gift of being able to witness His hand in connecting two of His children!!
I’m sorry, I know this is getting lengthy but I feel God wants me to share all of this with you :) …
The next morning, we headed out around 7 am. The studio was BEAUTIFUL! Security let us in and I was again overwhelmed with thankfulness. He led us to the make-up room and showed us where we could help ourselves to beverages and snacks. I sat in the chair while the make-up artist touched me up for the show. Is this really happening? I mean, am I really sitting here in Dr. Stanley’s studio? Amazing! We then headed into be part of the studio audience to watch the show until it was time for me to go on. (Lorri & Larry have such a wonderful show bringing inspiration and touching lives around the world. I was thankful for the opportunity of meeting them. I encourage you to tune in or be part of their studio audience if you are ever in the Atlanta, GA area)!
We were going live in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 … There I stood on LIVE TV sharing the wonderful things God has done in my life with millions of people (they simulcast on both TV and satellite radio)! Lorri & Larry are WONDERFUL!! They were so kind and genuinely excited about my book. I had to fight back the tears … to think that just 10 years ago I was in a hospital bed fighting for my life, praying for a miracle and the realization overcoming me of just how far He has brought me – blessings that are truly “too good”!! There is NOTHING that He cannot do!
They announced they were opening the phones for viewers to call in to receive a free copy of my book, Blessings Too Good. My stomach dropped for a moment, “what if no one calls in?” I said a silent prayer in my head. I then looked down to see the phone lines lighting up! I cannot even express how good my heart felt knowing God was reaching this many people. The last call that came in was a woman who had been fighting an illness for 3 ½ years. She said she was in tears watching the show and was so thankful for the special gift God sent her that day in hearing my message. That single moment, I felt as of the world stopped and my soul was basking in a feeling of euphoria. Nothing fills every space of your heart like those kinds of moments from God!
God reminded me yet again that we cannot even comprehend all that He has planned for us. It’s more than I could have ever imagined!! And here I thought there could not be a gift more special than the gift He sent me 10 years ago at Christmas. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
May you seek Him in ALL things this New Year 2009 with a faithful heart knowing that He has a plan for YOU just BELIEVE!!
Love to you all!
Sandi Rauwolf
Author, Blessings Too Good
Permalink
12.02.08
Posted in Blessings, Personal Perspective, Thankfulness at 9:47 pm by Sandi Rauwolf
This time of year always encourages us to look within ourselves, to dig a little deeper, to sift thru all of the clutter in our lives in order to discover the buried treasures of thankfulness. No matter what we may be facing in our lives, there ARE treasures of thankfulness. We just need to take the time to unclutter our lives and look for them instead of shoving them into a drawer with all of the other junk. Let me explain what I mean.
Most of us have the infamous “junk drawer” in our homes. You know the drawer – the drawer that starts out with a few things and before we know it, everything that we don’t have time to deal with ends up in there. Well, if we aren’t careful, our lives can end up looking like that junk drawer. It is our natural tendency to run busily thru life shoving things to the side with the intention of dealing with them “some day”. But the reality is that despite our best intentions, we don’t! And the busier we become, the MORE stuff we shove aside. There is real danger in this for a few reasons:
1. MISPLACED – It becomes a habit so without even thinking about it, we start shoving things into the drawer that should NOT end up in a “junk” drawer!
2. ISOLATED – It goes undisturbed, so we forget about all of the things in that drawer and that includes the good things!
3. LOST – We don’t start digging thru the junk until we have a really good reason to do so and most often it is because we’re trying to find something.
Where does that leave us? In a flustered state, that’s where! But there is a special gift in that frenzy because when we face something in life causing us to feel a little frantic or desperate that is when we begin searching for something bigger. We pray “Please God help me. I PROMISE I will clean out this junk and do better next time!” Wow, if God only had a penny for every promise each of us has made to him – there would be an end to world hunger!
That frenzy state pushes us to do some soul searching, to step back from the busyness and evaluate what is really important in our lives. I mean where exactly are our priorities? Do we cherish the treasures that God has given us? Do we sprint thru life shoving everything to the side not truly appreciating what we do have? Do we have a hard time seeing past all of the junk in our lives preventing us from seeing all of the good?
Today I understand what a gift that state of frenzy is to each of us and exactly how much those tough times taught me.
It taught me that the most important gift you could give someone is not anything you can buy.
It taught me to appreciate the things in my life no matter how small or insignificant they may seem to others.
It taught me to be thankful for everything – even the challenges.
It taught me that good health is a gift.
It taught me not to take anything for granted especially LIFE.
It taught me how to love with my whole heart, even when it hurts.
It taught me to cherish the time with those I care about the most.
It taught me that there is more in this world than just me and my family and I need to be doing more. Watch this Advent Conspiracy and you’ll know what I mean. It really makes you think!
It taught me that when the world falls apart, there is only one thing I can cling to and that is our awesome God. He is THE answer to all of life’s problems.
Life truly is a precious gift so we need to embrace every second and be thankful for all that we DO have in our lives and quit focusing on what we do NOT have. It is NOT easy especially when we are surrounded with adversity or pain. When we seek God and trust His plan He will not forsake us. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Tears fill my eyes and my heart overflows with thankfulness for all of the treasures He has given me. Treasures I never again want to shove into a drawer or easily lose track of because of the busyness in life. How about you – is it time for you to clean out your junk drawer?
God bless you!!!
Love,
Sandi
Permalink
10.26.08
Posted in Blessings, Challenges and Strengths, Personal Perspective, Self Reflection, Thankfulness at 3:00 pm by Sandi Rauwolf
Last week was an eye opening experience. Within the last couple of months we have noticed Samantha becoming obstinate. She was ignoring people. She was looking at them with a stare instead of responding and then going about her business as if they did not even exist. It appeared to all around her that she wasn’t listening, following directions or being very respectful. It had been weighing heavily on my mind. What was going on with my baby?
Well, I knew she had not been feeling well due to experiencing bad allergy symptoms despite testing negative for all of them so I made an appointment for the allergist who referred her to an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist). As we sat in the ENT doctor’s office he was asking her questions and she just stared at him. I said, “Samantha, please answer the doctor honey don’t be rude by not responding.” She just sat there with “the” stare again accompanied with a look of being ashamed but still looking away not responding. I couldn’t understand what was going on with our little girl.
I told the doctor about her recent behavior so he examined her and noticed her ears were filled with fluid. He wanted to test her hearing so instructed us to walk down the hall to the hearing test room. I am not sure if you have ever seen one of these rooms but it is a soundproof booth equipped with a few different headsets and a chair facing a window where the technician performing the test can be seen by the patient. In walks my little baby into this small soundproof booth. I wasn’t sure if she would be brave because she would be alone in this little room with only a stranger staring back at her thru a small window. But she WAS brave and went right in! The technician put the headset on her and explained he was going to be speaking to her through the microphone. He told her that she would hear him thru the headset. He explained he would be saying words to her and would like her to repeat them back to ensure she was hearing Him clearly. He walked out of the small soundproof booth and shut the door behind him. She was enclosed with soundproof walls and completely shut off from the rest of the world. There were chairs right outside of the booth so I sat and watched the test being performed. The technician said a word into the microphone … “pancake” but instead of my little girl repeating pancake she said something like “panck”. He then said, “baseball”. She responded with something like “bab”. I don’t remember the exact way she repeated back the words but it was not even close to what he had said. It was a very distorted version of the word spoken to her. I sat there with tears rolling down my face. She clearly could not hear despite him speaking loudly and clearly into the microphone. What she was hearing was a muffled version of the technician’s voice.
Here our perception of her being obstinate and disrespectful was completely wrong. She wasn’t disrespecting. She could NOT hear! The fluid in her ears was preventing her from hearing properly so much in fact that they scheduled surgery for Wednesday (please say a prayer for our angel?) Sitting in that doctor’s office, my heart was heavy and I felt terrible for the way we had been treating her based on our false perception. I just kept hugging her and telling her how sorry I was.
Later that night while I was praying for the surgery next week to restore her hearing, I realized how much I needed to ask for forgiveness and pray for myself as well. I asked God to help me see the world AGAIN through His eyes, with His heart and NOT with a displaced perspective. We thought we were doing the right thing having consequences for those disrespectful moments. The problem was we didn’t have all of the facts but yet we reacted as if we did. Her blank stare when someone would talk to her was because she couldn’t hear what was being said but was too ashamed to say anything. My heart was broken!
God really opened my eyes to a couple of things:
1. We need to be mindful of our perceptions of every situation and ensure we do NOT assume anything no matter how obvious something appears. We can save ourselves and others a lot of pain if we see a situation for what it is based on facts instead of past emotional hurts or assumptions that may skew our perspective.
I’m quickly learning that if I really want God to send me to help others then I need to learn to listen with His ears and see with His eyes so none of my baggage causes wrong perceptions.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go and tell this people: ‘Be ever hearing; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.” Isaiah 6:8-9
2. How often are we the ones sitting inside the soundbooth with God speaking to us but there is something keeping us from hearing him clearly? How many things get in the way of us hearing His voice? Too many, I’m afraid. It can be the busyness of our lives. It can be the wrong influences whether alcohol, gambling or some type of addiction – it can be our peers. Are we surrounding ourselves with people that have our best interests in mind – loving us and helping us to become the people God made us to be?
We need to learn to listen to His voice and hold fast to our God so that blessings will come into our lives.
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20
God is amazing! Once we open our hearts and minds to Him, He surrounds us with what appears to be “every day” moments like Samantha’s hearing test but within those “every day” moments there lies a very powerful message from Him. The thought I would like to leave you with today is how many messages is He sending you? Can you hear Him?
Blessings!
Sandi :)
Permalink
08.27.08
Posted in Blessings, Inspirational, Relationship, Simplicity, Thankfulness at 10:18 am by Sandi Rauwolf
Since my last blog God seems to keep presenting the idea of “moments … God moments”. The funny thing is that we are surrounded by these moments all of the time but life tends to get in the way of us noticing them. The God moments are in the little things like the innocence of a child’s smile as they board the bus for their first day of school.
Today was Samantha’s first day of 1st grade. I remember back to when Ty was boarding the bus his first day years ago. He was a bundle of nerves, along with his mom! Both of our eyes filled with tears. As the bus approached, we both became seemingly more nervous. He stepped on the bus glancing back at me trying to be brave but obviously scared. The tears rolled down my face – the realization set in, my baby was growing up.
But today, Samantha was much different than her big brother (who is now an 8th grader). She confidently and very excitedly watched the bus turn the corner. The closer the bus got to us, the more excited she became! She knew every moment in kindergarten was preparing her for this moment today, and she was ready, more than ready! Nevertheless, there I stood tears filling my eyes being overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions … feeling so incredibly proud of her for the confidence she exhibited, being thankful for God blessing us with this little Angel as our daughter and the realization that my baby girl is going to 1st grade -feeling helpless knowing I have to trust that big yellow school bus to take care of her.
As she boarded, I stood outside through tear filled eyes peeking into the windows of the bus trying to find her. I noticed the other children around her with the same faces as Ty had years ago – nervous and scared …. but, then there right in the middle of it all was Samantha beaming, and I mean BEAMING. I couldn’t help but notice how the other children seemed to glance her way and suddenly their faces softened. It was as if they were unknowingly tapping into that feeling of euphoria she seemed to be illuminating. Looking into her beautiful blue eyes framed by her blonde spiral curls peeking out of her pony tail, she really did look like an Angel and not just to me but to those around her. I saw exactly what God was doing through her and it reminded me of how God works through those little moments to reach us. The exact moments sent to help us when we need something to soften our faces. The moments that are so easily missed unless someone shares the secret opening our eyes to a new perspective in life – one where we notice these “moments … God moments”.
A friend (thanks Mary Ann! :) sent me a story recently that is a perfect depiction of these moments. It causes us to step back, pause and realize how easily we all tend to underestimate the power of the simple things in life and how God touches us through them.
Twinkies and Root Beer
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.
The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?
“He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? God’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”
Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked,” Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?”
He replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God.” However, before his son responded, he added,” You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
~author unknown~
May God open your eyes this week to that secret … the “moments … God moments” that surround us every single day allowing you to embrace them with a knowing and true understanding that God works through them to reach us. The smallest moments in life make the largest impact so I encourage you to seek those moments in your life and to let God work through you to bring Twinkies and root beer to someone who needs it.
Love and Blessings!
Sandi :)
Permalink
08.03.08
Posted in Blessings, Challenges and Strengths, Thankfulness at 4:27 pm by Sandi Rauwolf
Hi everyone! Well, I have finally created a blog! :) I hope to post an entry weekly, sharing those little blessings we all have a tendency to overlook. I also would like to share inspirational stories that touch my heart in hopes of touching yours.
Things are incredibly busy these days in preparation for the book release (Blessings Too Good). I feel more than blessed for all that has been happening in my life. The excitement building is hard to contain! This entire experience feels surreal. To think I felt the tug on my heart to share my story and then one month later had it on paper is incredible. Now, I sit here typing a blog being hit by the realization that I, Sandi Rauwolf, will be a published author in a month! What??? I mean, who am I to have such an incredible opportunity??? I am not worthy and certainly far from perfect. But, here I sit pinching myself and feeling so blessed for this reality. This experience is teaching me a lot. I am realizing, we can ALL be messengers for God. And the cool part is, God can and WILL use us, just as we are – no matter how imperfect that may be!
I have never dreamt of being an author but my heart has always been tugged with the desire to help others. When I was very ill, I remember praying countless tear-filled prayers clinging to the hope that God could touch just ONE life through all I was facing. Here I sit and that realization comes crashing down … the moment God has been preparing me for, the moment I didn’t know I was so desperately seeking or what would bring me here, the moment, now that I’m here is clear that every tear, every smile, every hurt, every fear was bringing me right here – one step closer to the person God made me to be. It brings tears to my eyes and fills my heart beyond anything I ever thought possible.
There is something I wanted to share with you. On a recent trip to visit my dad, I felt the urge to scribble these thoughts down on paper:
Here In This Moment With You
Long ago when life seemed to be overwhelming,
You were there for me.
Through all of the tears,
through all of the pain,
You knew I would be,
one step closer to where You wanted me.
I didn’t know where life was taking me,
I didn’t know this was where I was supposed to be,
but you saw me through and knew exactly where you were bringing me.
Everything that once felt right,
now feels wrong to me.
Life is different now,
but I know it has to be.
Life never felt so right,
life never felt so good,
Now that I’ve arrived,
Here in this moment with You.
Looking back now,
I can clearly see,
everything was leading me,
Right here …
Here in this moment with You.
– Sandi Rauwolf
Now, it is clear where God has been leading me … right here in this moment with Him. What an incredible gift! Well, it goes without saying … I have felt more than guided in all of this and give all of the glory to God.
May this coming week fill your hearts with something that brings you one step closer to that same moment, your moment with Him. Hugs!!!
Sandi
Permalink
