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Front Parking Spot – Silver Linings

At this very moment, you and I, and all of our family members are in the middle of navigating life. At any given moment, decisions are made, events take place, and hopefully our plans go as anticipated. Other times our “Plan A” can falter and slip into a reality that we never initially imagined. I have found that when I try to deal with all of these issues on my own, my thoughts can turn emotional or the question may arise, “What could I have done differently?”  However, when I stop and ask Jesus to intervene in my situation, with his guidance and perspective, I can be confident in knowing that He has the answers. Sometimes His answers aren’t the ones we want or see but they may happen because of an unknown situation. His divine plan is always better than the one we can create or control. I call these times of change and flexibility, silver linings.

The definition of silver lining is a “consoling aspect of a difficult situation.” Silver linings aren’t always the ones that we choose, but they are the ones that God puts in place, so we can grow and change into the form in which He is molding us.

Challenge yourself daily to put God first in your mind as you ask for His help with these unique situations when they present themselves. If a change in plans comes along, rest assured that there is a silver lining and this is the best outcome for your life right now.

In addition, be kind to the people that cross your path, because you never know their circumstances, or how their own personal journey could have been altered from their original plans. Maybe they are currently working to accept their own “silver lining” and a little extra kindness may help them in their resolve.  As soon as you stop and put Him in control of your situation, you can find comfort in knowing that you have laid all of your challenges at His feet and it is now your turn to let go and trust.

Proverbs 3:5-6(NKJ) “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding: In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”

 Front Parking Spot - Be Genuinely Invested

In our lives, there are people that come and go. Some stay for a season and then others drift away and we never see them again.  Others make a mark in our lives, and every reunion with them is like you’ve never been apart.  Why is this the case?

From my experience, the difference seems to be in those who choose to genuinely invest for the long term in their relationships.  It’s the friend or family member who has your back all the time.  It’s the one who calls, just because they were thinking of you to find out what happened with the situation you were previously facing, maybe even from months ago.  It’s the one who cares and is solidly in your corner.

So why not decide to be that friend to someone else?  Step outside of your personal bubble and make a point to think of others more than yourself.  Reach out to that person when you think of them.  Don’t believe that since you follow them on social media you are “up to date” with what is happening in their lives. Never assume that a “like” on a person’s post replaces a real and authentic conversation.  The day to day moments and life decisions are not usually chronicled on social media.  Call them when you think of it, instead of simply sending a text.  This phenomenon is the Holy Spirit purposefully prompting you, so this is your que to be obedient.  You may be the only one who takes action, when everyone else keeps putting it off.  Let your conversation be “just what they needed to hear” in regard to something that has been weighing on them or a decision that they are struggling with.

Right here and now, I challenge you to be that genuine friend that others thank God for in their prayers.  You will find that this support will come right back to you when you need that personal phone call of encouragement, yourself.  Make a mental or actual note about something they have said and circle back to that the next time you see them.  Adopt this practice and you will be amazed by the unbreakable relationships that you will treasure, as your life progresses throughout the decades.

Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say to him, Friend, lend me three loaves.

Front Parking Spot – The Long Haul

It was 62 years ago that my parents exchanged their life long wedding vows.  They were married 60 years when my Dad passed away, just 2 years ago.   As I was thinking about my post for today, a clear topic emerged.  What makes a couple go through the long haul of 60 years of marriage together?  

This is a big weekend for Christian and Jewish families.  Christians around the world will be celebrating Easter, remembering when Jesus rose from the dead, as He said He would (Mark 16:7).  In addition, the Jewish faith commemorates the beginning of Passover, the time when the Israelites were freed from Egyptian slavery more than 3,000 years ago (Exodus 12).

Life.  It’s pretty simple if we let it be. Why do we complicate it? There is a constant pull in this world to be the best, the most popular, the one with the most happening, but why do we let this control our actions? Why do we need to be like everyone else going through the wide gate? When we know it says that the wide gate brings destruction. Who wants that?

Front Parking Spot - Forgiveness

Becoming Free with Unhindered Prayer

One of the biggest blockades of our prayers is probably one of the most difficult to overcome. This is unforgiveness. It’s that person that really hurt you. The one who said the unkind and untruthful words, or even worse, caused you physical or emotional pain. Why is it so hard to forgive?

Basically, we think that if we forgive, it justifies their actions and withholding forgiveness gives us a sense of power over them. What we don’t realize is that our own lack of forgiveness hinders our own prayers and causes us to walk around with an anchor at our feet, keeping us from what God has planned for our own lives, not to mention leaving prayers unanswered.

Holding a grudge or harboring resentment allows that person to live rent free in our heads. It’s that dark part inside that the thief manipulates to steal our joy. Don’t be a dweller, move on and forgive. Break out of the prison of unforgiveness and the deep seeded grudge that you may have toward someone who has done you or your family wrong.

It is only through this step of forgiveness, where you can truly be freed.  This allows our prayers to become unhindered and releases God’s gift for us through the Front Parking Spot ideology, so we can live fully and free.

Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Mark 11:25 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”