Sister U Matter!

What do we do when we can’t see beyond what we anticipate?

Back to the refrigerator experience again. I measured the space, many times. Remember, I had been looking for a new refrigerator for some time. And according to my measurements, the refrigerator I selected would have fit into the allotted space. So what happened?

I didn’t notice that the counter top had encroached on my refrigerator space. I also didn’t notice that the counter top was not cut evenly. It was cut at an angle—more narrow in the back, wider in the front.

So what happens when we make decisions in life based on good information but things occur that we didn’t anticipate? How do we handle the disappointment? The failure? The discouragement? The hurt? The set back?

We make adjustments and keep moving. We learn from the experience and apply the lessons to the next situation. Eventually, we learn we can’t anticipate everything about every situation. We keep moving even though we can’t see beyond.

Spread the word…Sister U Matter!®

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I recently purchased a new refrigerator for my home. I absolutely love this refrigerator. It’s a style that I have desired for some time. But guess what? It’s too big for the space I have allotted for a refrigerator in my kitchen. (Yes, I measured before purchasing...that’s another blog post.)  I have tried everything short of a complete kitchen remodel to make the refrigerator fit.

That got me to thinking…what other areas of my life may I be trying to squeeze into? You know, trying to make myself fit into a space that is just too small for me? Relationships? Social circles? Careers?

Have you ever noticed how we try to minimize ourselves to fit into some places in our lives? You won’t fit. We’re just like my refrigerator---we’re just too big. We can try to fit but we will end up scratched, dented and sometimes even stuck in places we were never designed to be. Just maybe we were designed to fit into a larger space or better yet a space that will accommodate us.

Sisters, when we realize that we won’t fit where we’re trying to fit into, just keep moving; a more perfect fit just may be in the next step you take forward.

Spread the word…Sister U Matter!®

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“Break his leg” were the instructions given by the opposing team’s coach in the movie, The Karate Kid. And his student tried with all his might to carry out those instructions to the fullest. His opponent, Dre, seemed down and out; it looked like that blow was the final one and the match would have to end. The opposing team thought that there was no way that their opponent, Dre, would bounce back from that one. You see there had been other blows to encourage this young competitor to quit the match and allow the opposing, more seasoned team, a win by default but Dre kept coming back even after advised by a medical professional and his coach to not do so. Dre insisted because he stated that he still had fear in him and he did not want to leave that arena with fear still in him. So win or lose, he would leave the fear in the arena when he finished that match.

Sisters, I don’t care what life throws at you, GET BACK UP! The more you get back up, the more it threatens the opposing team because they will not know what else to “break” to keep you from moving forward. The fear will shift from you to them as they panic to come up with a plan only to find that their arsenal is empty. But you’ll stand with confidence, knowing that because you got back up from all that has been thrown at you, you still have some weapons that you can use that your opponent knows absolutely nothing about and therefore, are not expecting. Sisters, Get Back Up after each punch, each blow, and each attempted break. As you get back up, you’ll find that you’re not broken but better--better equipped, better prepared and better situated for the journey ahead.

Get Back Up because…Sister U Matter!®

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So remember last week’s post about forgiving the same person even for the same offense an unlimited number of numbers? What was your initial response while reading the post? “No, way.” “Nope.” “I can’t do that!” “Really?” “That’s stupid.” “God didn’t tell me that.” “B.C. ‘Bakeba’ has lost her mind.” “I’m glad it’s her and not me.”

Well…what if, just what if, that someone is you? What about when it’s you? It’s you that you have to forgive an unlimited number of times for the same offensive action that you committed. The act most likely hurt you more than it hurt more than it hurt anyone else or at least it feels that way. You know that forgiving ourselves is probably the most difficult component of the forgiveness process.

So now what’s your response when the forgiveness is all about you? Can you forgive yourself as many times as it takes? Can you cut yourself some slack? Can you give yourself some grace? Some mercy? Some love? Some gentleness?

So, what about when it’s you?

Remember…Sister U Matter!®

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I have recently had a change in perspective regarding this question. I have known for most of my life that the expectation is to forgive everyone an unlimited number of times. However, until recently, I thought this applied to every time a person’s words/actions were unpleasant towards to me. But oh my, I have found myself recently forgiving the same person for the same the incident multiple times even sometimes multiple times in one day. I am learning that, for me, forgiveness is ongoing especially when the offense cuts really deep. You know a deep cut  like being betrayed by someone that you NEVER EVER imagined would betray you…that’s more than a flesh wound—that’s a heart break.

But I have to tell you that it liberating to know that I can forgive over and over and over again. (It’s even more refreshing to realize that I may have to do this multiple times and that it is absolutely okay.) I’m sure there are some people in my life who have had to extend the same continued forgiveness to me.

So what about you, how many times have you had to forgive the same person for the same act? Did you do it? Or better yet, how many times have you benefited from someone else’s continual forgiveness towards you? I encourage us to be willing to give what we so easily accept…and forgive as many times as needed. Forgiveness does far more good for you than the other person.

Spread the word…Sister U Matter!®

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