Don’t you dare compare

Don’t you dare compare

NEVER stop to compare yourselves with others.

The grass on the other side might be artificial. In that case- your lawn isn’t in the same category.

If it is real- you don’t see the team of people taking care of it. You don’t see their water and landscaping bill.

Take care of your side with thoughtful intent. Enjoy your side- camp in it- make s’mores in it. Sit under a tree and read a book on your side.

Comparison is the true thief of joy.

Don’t waste precious minutes of this short life on wishing you had more. Enjoy every season and every stage. There are always challenges- but there are hidden gems and moments to cherish.

There will always be someone with more- more degrees, more influence, more money- just stay in your lane. Don’t stop your race looking over to another racer.

Don’t you dare compare yourself. There is only ONE YOU in this universe. You have ideas, skills snd abilities that need to be seen. There is only so many hours in the day- how are you using your time?

The apostle Paul talks about his constant state of contentment- no matter the circumstance. Philippians four, one of the most quoted verses of all time, reveals the “secret” of being content.

“I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:12-13‬

Writing this letter, you would think Paul was in a beautiful Airbnb looking over the gorgeous view. He was in fact in prison, chained, starving, with rats probably biting him. But he let nothing phase him because of the joy that it gave him to be preaching the gospel and helping local churches.

If the apostle Paul can talk about having contentment in any situation, then we can surely find joy no matter the circumstance.

14 ways to be kind to others and treat others with love

Just a reminder to always lead with love. (John 3:16)

Step forward in kindness before all else. (1 Corinthians 13)

Forgive before being given forgiveness. (Luke 6:38)

Give without expecting a return. (Luke 6:35)

Go the extra mile. (Mathew 5:41)

Be the first to accept, the first to hug, the first to comfort. (Romans 12:9)

Life is too short for pettiness, grudges, arguments, prejudices. (1 Peter 4:8)

Life is too short to harbor hatred. (Col 3:13)

Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Today is a gift. (Ecc 11:11)

Let kindness be how you respond even though it might not be the default reaction. (Phil 4:8)

Take a breath, think “is this helpful, or will it be hurtful?” Before speaking or typing. (Ephesians 4:29)

You can change the world with a kind word, a kind action or a gift given in kind. (Proverbs 13:3)

Be the KIND of person that others want to be like. (John 13:35)

Show the next generation the KIND of people they want to become. (1 Tim 4:12)

Olympian’s aren’t made at the olympics

Olympian’s are not made at the Olympics.

They are made in the early mornings, the late nights- years of hard work- the sweat, the soreness, the tears, the empty gyms with no spectators.

They are made in the sacrifice of saying “no” to things that could get them off course and “yes” to things that get them closer to their goals.

Olympians are made in years of obscurity, practices at 4:30 AM, drills, fundamentals and muscle memory.

Medals are won with that millasecond of a difference in time, one inch difference in height, one pound difference in weight.

It’s daily choices, daily decisions, daily sacrifices that make you or break you.

Start your Olympic training NOW- today. Take those steps. Get up 30 minutes early. Organize your time to make your goals a priority.

The apostle Paul knew all about training your spiritual man for the tasks that are put before us.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:8, 13, 15-16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Over and over, Paul says words like “be diligent,” “devote,” “give yourself wholly,” “watch your life…” these are the same words that we use for training athletes. They must devote themselves wholly to their sport, discipline their bodies, be diligent, and watch all their habits.

The apostle Paul knew all about athletics- the Ancient Greek olympics was ingrained in their lifestyle and culture.

As followers of Jesus- we need to treat our daily walk with God with the same disciple and habits as an athlete- wholly devoted to Him, His Word and our lifestyle reflecting and glorifying our ultimate prize- Our eternal crown to be laid down at HIS feet.