"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Last night, our instructor presented us with a challenge that she has been given. Part of that challenge was exploring what characteristics capture a true servant leader. I've been thinking about this a lot, and calling myself into 'check' as to where I am in fulfilling the primary characteristics of a servant leader.

Am I kind to others? Am I living my life transparently enough that they can see
Christ through me?

This morning on the way to work, I was listening to a song whose words went something like "the amazing thing about amazing grace is being able to pour it out", and I remember thinking this statement was so true, it is amazing that God pours out his grace on us, and how he calls us to do the same to others.

Then, in my email today, I received a devotional that had the above line at the bottom. "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." As a receiver of God's grace, and just as it mentions in Zechariah 12:10, that God promises to "pour out a spirit of grace and supplication" on his people, I, too, in becoming more christlike, must strive daily to do the same.

So with today's triple whammy documented, and being a person who receives bountiful portions of grace daily, what a simple way to measure whether I am truly a woman of grace. Be kinder than necessary. Pour out grace.

Michael & Tiffany Bouska

Well, Today is a *NEW* Day.. over the Monday doldrums, and onto working towards Friday !! I've mentioned that we have seven kids (haven't I?) and we're raising our grandson. I'll introduce you to them in the next few posts. First, is our Daughter Tiffany and our Son-in-Law Michael. They got married a year ago this month! Tiffany is a high school calculus teacher at Magnolia High School, and she and her husband have just started working at a new embroidery business called "Life's A Stitch". They have the *cutest* new puppy .. Ace. They live in Tomball, Texas, near Houston. They just bought a new house, and we're very proud of them both. They love each other, and they love the Lord. My prayer is that God will bless them with the desire of their hearts, and that we'll have little Mikey and Tiffy's running around soon! (gotta pray for that, right?)

I'm feeling very overwhelmed today. I'm sure it will pass. On days like this, I make lists.. somehow listing all the things I have to do helps me to prioritize, and then the downside is that it helps me to procrastinate. Either way, the overwhelmingness leads me to take a deep breath, step away from the business and re-focus my thoughts on God. He gives me peace when chaos is all around me. On my desk is a small frame that Tiffany gave me that says " Lord, help me to remember that nothing is going to happen today that you and I together can't handle!" How True !! Please renew my spirit, restore my strength and refresh my heart today, Lord. As I go from here to class tonight father, help me to have a joyful heart and a peaceful mind.

I've been praying lately that God will bring other people into my life for close friendships as well as accountability. I know that I can't lose weight alone, and along with God's help I also need others that struggle with what I am struggling with to encourage me. I'm good at encouraging others, but somehow when it comes to "self-encouragement" ... I don't believe me. ha! Isn't that terrible? Since I'm now a month away from my heart surgery, and the doctor has released me, it's time to implement the "physical" phase of my change in lifestyle. I'm very proud that I have quit drinking coffee, actually cutting out all caffeine out of my diet (now that I have quit taking excedrin to give me enough energy to make it through the day!). My water consumption is definately NOT what it should be. And.. I would have to say that ice cream is still my downfall. I think its going to be like someone who smokes cigarettes .. either all or nothing. And for me to be successful in this next phase of life change, it's going to probably be 'nothing'. Or at least nothing most of the time. I did buy those little Blue Bell cups, so perhaps I'll work one or two a week of those into my diet, and forego those awesome Braums cherry creme and pecan shakes. Poor Darious, he'll really miss our stops at Braums on the way home! Ben has promised to get the Gazelle set up in our guest room, so that will be the first phase of exercise. Coupled along with a few nights of taking Darious out for walks, then I should be able to ramp-up the weightloss. We'll see! Still praying for those close friendships... I don't know why it is that I have 'lots' of acquaintances, but very few people that are close. I know its not that I don't trust others, sometimes I wonder if something in me is broken? I do have one very good friend, Dianna, but we definately do not get to spend enough time together with all that is going on right now! So two things ~ accountability ~ closer friendships. Near the top of the prayer chain for the week.