Forgiveness

Forgiveness doesn't just happen. The bitterness and the hurt feelings don't just go away overnight.

Choose it! God already forgave them, by refusing to forgive, you're pretty much saying that your opinion and feelings are higher than God's.

And who are you really hurting with all this bitterness? The person that hurt you? Nope.

It really hit me the other day as I was listening to the radio, a Matthew West song came on called forgiveness. The lyrics went like this:

"Forgiveness; it'll clear the bitterness away,

it can even set a prisoner free,

there is no end to what its power can do.

So let it go and be amazed,

by what you see through eyes of grace.

The prisoner that it really frees is you."

Surprise!!

I know...such a little thing, yet it made a world of difference.

So remember, by choosing to forgive, you are only doing yourself a favor. And if you reaalllyyyy can't come to forgive them, ask God to be your forgiveness. Believe me, He comes through EVERY TIME. Where we are weak He is strong, and that's a promise. :)

"The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace." 

Psalm 29:11

Go in peace and strength, with a smile on your face and forgiveness in your heart. Be a light to this world!

XOXOXO,

Random Fact #5- The first movie to gross over $100 million was Jaws.

Comment below, or Tweet me @elisewiddis

YOLO (the truth about it)

This made me laugh!!

Oh Dear. How many times have we heard that phrase? It is true though, we do live only once (on this earth anyway!). But should we let that little phrase be the excuse to cater to our every whim?

We have the wrong idea I think. What purpose did God create us for? To glorify Him! Not ourselves.

Instead of thinking "how can I live for myself today?", we need to be asking "what great (little) thing does God want me to accomplish today?". We need to be looking for opportunities to minister to others! We need to preach the whole gospel to every person we see, not in word but in deed! (1 John 3:18) Meaning: with the little things.

You don't have to know your theology perfectly (I certainly don't!!).You don't even have to be involved in a ministry at church! You don't need any talents. You only need the love of Jesus in you. 

Beautiful picture of Jesus by Akiane

I challenge you to step up and do the little things! If you work in a fast food place, ask the customer how their day went while you're waiting for the order, you'll be surprised the kinds of conversations that will start!

If you are the customer, ask your cashier how work is going! While you're walking past a neighbor, stop and have a little chat. 

If someone's having a rough time and you know it, offer to pray for them as God brings them to mind, especially if you don't know them! Be bold! Romans 8:28 "If God is with us, than who can be against us?" Don't be afraid to reach out and love someone. I promise they won't reject it (unless they think you're a creeper... ;D ), everyone craves love. And if they're grouchy, it just means they need it all the more! You could be the one that completely changes their perspective on well...life.

SMILING is a big one! A little smile will brighten anyone's day!

Awwwww <3

You've probably noticed my "little" theme by now! I have a few reasons: 

-I'm a little person..lol :D  

-It's much less daunting to start with the little stuff!  

-Luke 16:10 "If you are faithful in little, I will make you faithful in much!"  

-Sometimes the littlest things can have the largest impact!  

-1 Cor. 13:1-3 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love...it profits me nothing."

It's never too late to start, start now! (Go wash the dishes for your mom!!! :D ) Better yet, tell me about your stories, I want to hear them, all of them! Comment or Tweet me @elisewiddis, I would LOVE to hear from you!

XOXOXO,