Inspiration and Motivation

Whenever you hear me ask you, “Do you believe it?” you may be interested to know that that phrase

has a very special meaning to me.

Many years ago I was struggling with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. I felt as though I

was pretty much “less than” everyone else around me.

I was also struggling with prayer during that time. I had experienced the power of prayer in my life in

the past, as Jesus has worked truly miracles in my life and my family, but with my feelings of “less

than,” somehow I felt as though my small prayers for simple things weren’t important enough to

bother Jesus with. “He had lots of more important things to focus on than my small prayers,” I

thought.

Yet, one of my favorite old, worn-out T-shirts is one that has an amazing picture of Jesus with a little

girl in His lap. She is whispering in his ear and He is listening attentively. The caption under the

picture reads “No prayer is too small.”

I never really told Jesus in prayer the way I felt about my “small prayers.” But those feelings were

always there somewhere….on the sidelines of my prayers. And Jesus can definitely read between

the lines. He knows us more intimately than we know ourselves, and He knows what we need before

we ask Him.

One day as I was wearing that T-shirt, going about my daily activities, I happened to look in the mirror

and began admiring the picture. I looked at the stroke lines of Jesus’ hair that the artist had painted,

the care that the artist had taken in the details of Jesus. I thought about how much admiration and

love the artist had put into his portrait and studied it for several minutes. As I looked closer, my eyes

finally fell on the words “No prayer is too small.” and just as those words registered in my mind, in my

thoughts came an almost audible question that spoke gently and firmly to my heart “Do you believe

it?”

It was a direct and poignant question that came into my thoughts separate from my own, and I knew

that it was Jesus asking me. That was it…. “Do you believe it?” That’s all He needed to say. His

question seemed to be suspended in time. It is like all things stopped for His voice in my heart. He

was present with me,…in that moment,…specifically to ask me that question. And He was there for

the answer….waiting…. It could almost have been as if I was the little girl in His lap at that moment

and that was the question He responded with…waiting for the answer.

His question stirred my heart, inspired and challenged me, as it reminded me of His complete interest

in all aspects of my life, every little thought, fear, errand, challenge, surprise, success, dream,

frustration, celebration, great laugh, kitten hug, weight gain, business decision, thank you,

operation, concern with my family, need for our home, birth, death, you name it….everything in my life

is important to Him. He wants to DO LIFE with me!

And…Do I believe it? Do I really believe it?

I have yet to hear God’s audible voice, as some of my friends have mentioned that they have. But I

have heard His voice that is audible to my heart, my soul and my spirit. And, as Jesus says in the

Bible, Follow Him…. So that means if I believe it, then I should put my belief into action. Prayer… Believing

that I can take all things to Him in prayer, and then doing it. That would be the essence of following

Him. He’s not too big for my smallest of prayers, and…by the way…He’s big enough for my hardest

questions, too.

So when you hear me ask you “Do you believe it?” you’ll know that that loving challenge has a very

special place in my heart, and that, yes, those words are GOSPEL to me! I may challenge you from

time to time with those words, as Jesus has challenged me. …When we believe something we do

truly put our belief into action.

Believing does take work… We have to work on believing something. We have to BUILD belief in our

hearts. It takes commitment to build on a belief.

Jesus has turned my self image and life perceptions around, especially with regards to any feelings of

“less than” others around me. It is important to Him that I understand how much incredible value that

I have to Him and to others, too. I am no less and no more than anyone else around me. He has

given me a new life and a new hope for each new day.

His changes in me didn’t happen overnight, just as those negative feelings didn’t develop in me

overnight. But He continues to work with me and daily He BUILDS with me. Someday we’ll see

what completed work He has been working. We’re not done yet!

May He continue to challenge me with those words, as with daily activities and life I tend to need

often reminding. And He knows that. He’s got me covered, because we’re Doing Life Together!

How about you? What do you believe?

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

It’s just a matter of want to —
no more, no less you see —

It doesn’t matter if you have your Masters,
or your PHD.

It doesn’t matter if you’re rich,
or maybe even poor!

YOU must decide if you want to,
and open up your door!!

You may be tall, you may be short,
you may be black or white;

You may be heavy, you may be slim,
either one’s all right —

You may have kids, or maybe not — they could be teens or little tots.
Whatever age, do it for them and
you’ll be happy in the end.

So quit making excuses why it will
never work for you —

The only reason it doesn’t work,
is because you really don’t want it to!

Author Unknown

The butterflies in my stomach have started to dance.

I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and I’m taking the chance.

There’s a race to be run and a challenge to take, a

Journey that many are too fearful to make.

Others have gone before me and have paved the way, I’m

Not waiting any longer–I’m starting today!

I’ve heard of the bumps and stones and hurdles tall,

Of the obstacles that arise to make us fall.

And though the path may be narrow, up and down, and Long,

I am excited, focused and determined to stay strong!

Yet the course doesn’t seem so rough or so far to the End,

When you’re running with support and the hand of a friend.

See, I’m not running alone–I’m part of a team,

Some are running for fun–some to accomplish a dream.

Well, I have a dream, a goal, a plan of attack.

While those who don’t have started to slack.

Some have lagged behind and some have quit,

but I refuse to slow down, to stop or to sit.

The power to keep going and strength I find,

Is not in my legs, but all in my mind.

From negativity and doubt I’ve chosen to be numb,

Forgetting what is behind and focusing on what is to come.

I’ll plunge again into the valley and I’ll continue in the race.

For there is so much to accomplish and so much to embrace.

And when I’ve reached that highest mountain and my Climb is finally done,

I’ll look back over what I’ve achieved and know my race is won!

Author Unknown

I used to have a Comfort Zone
where I knew I couldn’t fail,
The same four walls and busy work
were really more like jail.
I longed, so much, to do the things
I’d never done before
But I stayed inside my Comfort Zone
and paced the same old floor.
I said it didn’t matter
that I wasn’t doing much,
I said I didn’t care for things
like diamonds, cars, and such.
I claimed to be so busy with
the things inside the zone
But deep inside I longed for
something special of my own.
I couldn’t let my life go by
just watching others win!!
I held my breath and stepped outside
to let the change begin!
I took a step and with new strength
I’d never felt before,
I kissed my Comfort Zone good-bye
and closed and locked the door!
If you are in a Comfort Zone
afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners
were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise
can make your dreams come true,
Greet your future with a smile,
success is there for YOU!!!

-Author Uknown

This is a little tune that we sang before each field performance when I was in high school marching band.  I don’t know the author, so if anyone does, let me know so I can give credit. I heard a marching band play it a couple of years ago at the Rose Parade so I contacted them, but they were unable to provide me with the information. This tune is a great little pick-me-up!

If we believe

Within our hearts, we’ll know

That no one can change

The path that we will go

Believe that we will find

The pride to carry us on

Together we can’t fail

If we believe

Believe in ourselves, right from the start

Believe in the magic that’s inside our hearts

Believe all these things, that’s all we have to do

So Believe in ourselves

Yes, Believe in ourselves

If we Believe in ourselves, our dreams will all come true!

Quit! Give up! You’re beaten! They shout out and plead.
There’s just too much against you, now, this time you can’t succeed.
And as I start to hang my head in front of failures face
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.

And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children’s race, young men, young boys. Oh, I remember it well.
Excitement, sure, but, also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell.
They all lined up so full of hope, each through to win that race
Or tie for first or if not that at least take a second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his Dad that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes afire
To win, to be the hero there was each young boy’s desire.
And one boy in particular, his Dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the lead and thought, “Oh, my Dad will be so proud.”
And as he speeded down the field, across a shallow dip
The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace
And mid the laughter of the crowd, he fell flat on his face.

So down he fell and with him hope, he couldn’t win it now,
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear, somehow.
But, as he fell his Dad stood up and showed his anxious face
That to the boy so clearly said, “get up and win that race.”
He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit, that’s all
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win
His mind went faster than his legs, he slipped and fell, again.
He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace,
“I’m hopeless as a runner, now, I shouldn’t try to race.”
But, in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face
That steady look that said again, “Get up and win that race.”
So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last.
“If I’m going to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve got to run real
fast.” Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight or ten
But trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell, again.

Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
“There’s no sense running, anymore, three strikes, I’m out — why try?”
The will to rise had disappeared. All hope had fled away.
So far behind, so error prone, closer all the way.
“I’ve lost so what’s the use?” he thought. “I’ll live with my disgrace.”
But, then he thought about his Dad, who soon he’d have to face.
“Get up!” An echo sounded low, “Get up and take your place.”
“You were not meant for failure, here. Get up and win that race.”
With borrowed will, “Get up!” it said, “You haven’t lost at all.”
“For winning is not more that this, to rise each time you fall.”
And so he rose to win, one more. And with a new commit
He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.

So far behind the others, now, the most he’d ever been,
Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he’d fallen, stumbling; three times he’s rose, again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner as he crossed first place
Head high and proud and happy - no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line in last place
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, not proud,
You would have thought he’d won the race to listen to that crowd.

And to his Dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me you won” his father said, “you rose each time you fell.”
And when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face
The memory of that little boy helps me in my race.
For all of life is like that race with ups and downs and all
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
“Quit! Give up! Defeat!” They still shout in my face.
But, another voice within me says, “get up and win that race!”
- AUTHOR UNKNOWN

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning… to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1934-1998)

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth…
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars… the house… the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Author Unknown

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit

Life is queer with its twists and turns
As everyone of us sometimes learns
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worse that you must not quit