Inspiration

Don’t compare.  Don’t compete.  Be who God created you to be.   You are not a copy, you are an original. His original. God loves you- for you!

I have to admit that sometimes I find myself comparing myself to others, and usually wind up feeling bad in the process.  Just this week I went looking at Top bloggers, women who speak around the country, etc.  WOW! I found some amazing women.  As I was looking at all they were doing, accomplishing, etc.,  I begin to doubt myself.  Is God really calling me?   Gosh, I don’t have what they have, etc., all those negative thoughts that the enemy throws in to stop us.  Have you ever felt that way?  God calls us for His purpose, not to be someone else. Just be me, with all my imperfections, my ups and downs.  He loves me.  He loves you.  He doesn’t want us to be anybody else.

In my searching I came across this message from Jennie Catron.  She said this so perfectly that I wanted to share it with each of you. Be blessed.

A Little Reminder – Jenni Catron

Delinda

QUESTION:   In what areas do you find yourself comparing yourself to others?

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       702-510-1212     www.delindalayne.com

Louisiana College, (known as LC), is a small Baptist school in Pineville, LA.  It is a beautiful campus with pine trees, magnolias, and Southern charm.  Several of us from our church in Bellevue NE, went to college there. How do you get from Bellevue, NE, to Pineville, LA?  Interesting story.

Bellevue was the home of SAC – Strategic Air Command, for the Air Force.  Most of us in the church were ‘Air Force brats’, as we were commonly called.  As it turns out, one of our youth workers, was married to an Air Force man, and her Dad was the President of LC, Dr. Quinn.  Of course, she told us all about the school, they set up a information night, and the works, and several of us, six I think, decided that was ‘it’.  Not only did we all go, we were all music majors.  Pretty fun, huh?

As I mentioned, LC was a small school, about 900 total for the four year school.  We had all graduated from a high school with over 500 in our Senior class, so a big change.  The good news is it was a chance to really do and be involved in whatever you wanted to do.  Sort of the big fish in a little pond concept.  I was able to be in the music productions, Booster Club, a cheerleader (and my voice professor really did not like that, he almost kicked me out of music department).   The point is, we had choices of things to do.   Another really great thing about it was we had small classes, got to really know the professors, and we felt like they really cared about us and wanted us to succeed.

Most of us were active in local churches.  I was able to direct children choirs, teach Sunday School at a local school for disabled kids, as part of our church reach out program, work in the church office during the summer, and sing in both the adult choir and the singles ensemble.  The opportunities to serve and be part of the working body was a great learning experience, as well as a time of growing closer to the Lord and seeing Him work through all of us.  My roommate, Martha, was a Godsend in many ways.  First, I never knew how to study until I met Martha. Thanks so much – I graduated!  Even more important is that we are still great friends.  She is a wonderful woman of God, and is still serving and ministering in her church.  (There are many others of you, so I  can’t name individually, but just know, you bless my life.)

It is amazing to me that after all these years, so many of my friends in College are still serving, being faithful stewards of the Lord.  Some are in paid positions, and many are lay persons, teaching Sunday School, leading small groups, etc.   They are making a difference in their churches and communities.  This is part of what we learned and practiced while at LC. Little did I realize how God was grooming all of us for His work, for His kingdom.

As you continue to think about your story, can you think of a time when God was grooming you, that now you can see it, but at the time, maybe you didn’t.  These are precious things to remember, and be thankful.

I’d love to hear your story. Will you share it with me?

Blessings

Delinda

QUESTION:   Have you been thinking of your story? How has God been grooming you?

TO FOLLOW and LIKE  this blog go to TOP LEFT  above the PINK Band- Thanks

I am available to speak to your group.  To  Reserve a Date –

       702-510-1212     www.delindalayne.com

Most of the time we talk and tease about the people who hand out tracks.  Mostly because we can’t imagine ourselves doing it.  It’s just too scary. That really is an evangelist, and that is their calling.  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up   (Ephesians 4:10-12)   We may not be called to be an evangelist, to hand out tracks, but we all have a story to tell.  I hope you are thinking about yours.

Part of my story is about one of those people. When I was a little girl in Abilene, there was a neighbor,  who gave me these handouts that had pretty pictures with scriptures.  I had accepted Jesus into my heart and I loved Him.  I loved going to Sunday School and church, and when we couldn’t go, I taught my brother and sister Sunday School with those pictures.  I think I made my own flannel board type of thing to put them on.  (I guess I was ahead of my time.)

Each summer we would go and visit family.  My grandmother and aunts took me to  Sunday School and VBS. I have a great heritage of Christian women in my family.   Those are wonderful memories, and God was at work through it all, and it was fun.

My dad was in the Air Force so we moved around. We went from Abilene, TX, to Minot, ND, (Yes, it was sooo cold there), next on to Shreveport, LA, and then by Junior High, we were in Bellevue, NE.  It was in in junior high youth group and youth choir that God made a call on my life.  In 7th grade  I sang my first official solo in church. In those junior high years, God placed a call on my heart  and He is still accomplishing that call today.  He who began a work in you is faithful to complete it.

I’ve always been thankful for that man in the neighborhood for sharing God’s word with me through those pretty picture hand outs. I’m also thankful for my youth workers. Bless all of you who may be youth directors, youth workers, those in children’s ministry, etc.  You are making a difference, and you never know how much those seeds you are planting will grow and the fruit they will produce, because you are faithful!

As you think about your story and how Christ has worked and touched  your life, can you remember the people who were there and have touched your life?

I’d love to hear your story.

Blessings

Delinda

QUESTION:   Have you been thinking of your story?  Maybe you have some stepping stones too.  Who are some of the people who have touched your life?

TO FOLLOW and LIKE  this blog go to TOP LEFT  above the PINK Band- Thanks

I am available to speak to your group.  To  Reserve a Date –

       702-510-1212     www.delindalayne.com