Live, laugh, love, and BE loyal

“This is the only race worth running. I have run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting--God's applause!” 2 Timothy 4:7

Osteen’s devotional is titled “Finish with a Smile”. He lifts up 2 Timothy 4:7 which says, “This is the only race worth running. I have run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting--God's applause!” This message which speaks to Paul coming to the end of his life mirrors the sweet life of my dear friend, colleague, and siSTAR, Tennille, who was laid to REst yesterday. Osteen says, “Notice, he didn't finish defeated, depressed, or sour. He finished with a smile on his face. He finished with a spring in his step. He finished with a song in his heart. That's what it means to have a flourishing finish.” As I REflect on yesterday’s celebration of life, it was evident that this is just what my siSTAR did. Though she was absent from the body yesterday, her presence was felt. In all things there was JOY, from her beautiful smile on the cover of her obituary, to memories of her on stage captured and displayed to see and hear her gifts as friends and family gathered. The way she finished her race, no one would have ever known the battle she was fighting, but in actuality she wasn’t fighting, she was just on the battlefield because she knew this battle wasn’t hers, but the Lord’s. I am grateful for the story of Paul, but I’m most grateful for a present day example through Tennille. May she REst in power with our Lord and Savior, and continually BE an example for us to live fully with a smile and JOY until the very end of our JOurneY on earth.

Lamentations 2

Let us always REmember Lamentations‬ ‭2:17‬ which says, ‬‬”The Lord has done what he planned; he has fulfilled his word, which he decreed long ago.” He has, He is, and He always will do just what He says.

REflection from Promises For Your Everyday Life

Meyer encourages us this morning to “Break Out of the Mold”. She says, “The world - those we know and deal with on a daily basis - is continually trying to conform us to its image.“ But she goes on to REmind us of Romans 12:2 which says, "Do not be conformed to this world.” We all, though made in His image, are unique and fearfully and wonderfully made. As we heard from Dr. Seuss since our young age, “Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” Let us REmember to stay true; I must BE me and you must BE you. Let us always and forever REmain true to who we are and what we are meant to do and pursue.

Proverbs 19:21

We can plan but only His will will take place.🙏🏽💚🦋🌈

Live, laugh, love, and BE loyal, my friend.