Hope Inspires, Hope Wissel, Unclutter Your Life

Looking for Your Sweet Spot

“There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NLV)

When I am looking for inspiration, I scroll through past blogs and on this day in 2014……..I was talking about finding my “sweet spot”.  I truly believe God nudges us in the direction we need to go.

Suzie Eller’s blog post on crosswalk.com has me thinking seriously (yes, AGAIN) about my “gifts”.  She talks about her Pinterest frenzy and how she tried all kinds of things.  Then one day her daughter after surveying her efforts said “Mom, you need to know your sweet spot and this isn’t it”.  YIKES!  How many times do we try things in an effort to be something we aren’t?  OR maybe our sweet spot has seasons, and it is time to move on.

WOW!  I know I have been talking about this A LOT lately but life has been changing for me.  I’m sure I am not the only one who experiences seasons with their gifts and talents, eight? I struggle with people pleasing so change is not easy.  Each of us is designed differently on purpose so we can come together to make a whole. So, what is your sweet spot? How has God gifted you for His purposes?

I struggle because although I know I have gifts and talents, Doubtful Debbie comes a knocking just when I think I am making strides.  Along with age (hitting 65 this year), recovery and MS issues all seem to play a factor.  Here are a few of my sweet spots:

  • Making a difference – I truly believe this is one of my greatest gifts.  I am a glass half full kind of person and believe in sharing it.  Don’t get me wrong, there are days when Negative Nellie is around but they are fewer and far between lately.  Whether it is as simple as a card, a kind word or an angel to brighten someone’s day – I want to bring a smile to others.
  • Crafty.  Angels have become the center of my crafting world – from sewing them to jewelry pieces to plastic canvas.  I love to share them with others and hear the stories as to why people pick certain ones.
  • Writing.  I love to write.  Crazy as it sounds,  it started with poetry as a child then it moved onto grants in my professional career.  The initial challenge to blog was scary but exciting at the same time.  It is my hope I can inspire others through my strengths, hopes and experiences.
  • Cooking.  Since moving to our forever home, I have found I LOVE cooking and sharing it with friends and family.

God can use these sweet spots for His purposes. God uses my unique design when I invite a neighbor or friend for dinner.  If your sweet spot is hospitality and making a home beautiful, then there are people who will be touched by this gift. If it’s humor and laughter, then someone needs to find that joy, too. If it’s teaching, teach.  Whatever your sweet spot, God has a purpose for you.

Time for me to focus on my sweet spots and make strides in all areas of my life.  How has God formed and fashioned you? Share your sweet spot with us.  It is not about being like someone else, it is about being ourselves and ACCEPTING ourselves including the gifts and talents God has given us.

Have an Epic day!

 

Hope Wissel, Relax, Reflect, Recharge

LOVE

Today is a day to reflect, relax and recharge….As Christmas is only 4 days away, during the hustle and bustle of the holiday we tend to lose what is important.  Sharon Jaynes is writer with Girlfriends in God who always seems to touch my heart and help to focus on what it important.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:13

1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style ©By Sharon Jaynes

If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of your way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

Take a moment today to hug the ones you love and tell them that you love them.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

#virtuouswomen, #love, #girlfriendsingod, #reflect, #relax, #recharge

 

 

Business Tips and Tricks, Hope Wissel, Relax, Reflect, Recharge

Finding Your Sweet Spot

“There are different kinds of gifts. But it is the same Holy Spirit Who gives them. There are different kinds of work to be done for Him. But the work is for the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NLV)

Suzie Eller wrote a blog on crosswalk.com that made me start to seriously think about my “gifts”…  She talks about her Pinterest frenzy and how she tried all kinds of things.  Then on day her daughter after surveying her efforts said “Mom, you need to know your sweet spot and this isn’t it”.  YIKES!  How many times do we try things in an effort to be something we aren’t…

WOW!  Those people pleaser efforts come flooding back…Each of us are designed differently on purpose so that we can come together to make a whole. So, what is your sweet spot? How has God gifted you for His purposes?

This is a question that I struggle with because although I know that I have gifts and talents, Doubtful Debbie comes a knocking just when I think I ams making strides.  Here are a few of my sweet spots:

  • Writing.  I have learned that writing is my greatest sweet spot.  Whether it is grants, poetry, blogs – I love to write. It is my hope that I can inspire others through my strengths, hopes and experiences.
  • Cooking and having people around my table.  I don’t do this as much as I would like anymore but I LOVE cooking and sharing it with friends and family.  Can’t bake worth a darn so I will leave that up to the talented bakers.
  • Crafty. I know my limits so I am not going to knit or crochet anything.  I can sew – making clothes, doll clothes, crafts and more through the years.  Needlecrafts – like plastic canvas that inspires.

God can use these sweet spots for His purposes. In a devotion like this. God uses my unique design when I invite a neighbor or friend for dinner and board games after.  If it’s hospitality and making a home beautiful, then there are people who will be touched by that gift. If it’s humor and laughter, then someone needs to find that joy, too. If it’s teaching, teach.

Time for me to focus on my sweet spots and make strides in all areas of my life.  How has God formed and fashioned you? Share your sweet spot with us.  It is not about being like someone else, it is about being ourselves and ACCEPTING ourselves including the gifts and talents that God has given us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!