Letting go is one of the most difficult things ever.  You know I’m telling the truth here! It doesn’t matter what “it” is, it is hard to let go.

Letting go means you place 100% trust in whomever you are letting things go to.  It means that you have confidence in that person to handle things better than you would handle them yourself. 

You relinquish all control and you step away, trusting.

Letting go signifies great faith.

We have so much to let go of don’t we? I’ll list just a few that quickly come to mind:

• Emotional baggage from the past
• Fear of failure for the future
• Fear of success
• Choices we’ve made and the outcome that is sure to follow
• Our children and their choices
• Our health, appearance and physical features
• Our finances, or lack thereof
• Our dreams, desires and opportunities that await us
• Our fear of the unknown – the what if’s, why’s and what was I thinking
• Our yesterday, so we may enjoy today, while looking towards tomorrow

Many think that letting go is a sign of weakness, but in all actuality, it displays great strength and faith.

I want that kind of faith.

I want to easily let go and let God.

As a Christian we are “letting go” of those things to the Lord.  Our Savior! Our heavenly Father! The Kind of Kings, Lord of Lords and name like no other.

We aren’t just letting go to some other person that just halfheartedly cares about us – NO, we are letting go to the ONE who gave HIS Son for us as a sacrifice.  We are letting go to the ONE that cares for our desires, hopes and dreams like no other.  We are letting go to the one who created us and then planned that everything would work out for us as He planned.  We are letting go to the ONE who overcame death, hell and has endured anything we could ever endure.

I pray that you’ll confidently let go of whatever it is that weighs you down, knowing that the One you are trusting your eternity to is the ONE you are letting go of your problems, hopes, dreams and fears to.

Let go and Let God!

What do you need to hand over to God?  Many people see this site daily and I’m sure they would be encouraged to see that they “are not alone” in handing over a few things.

Encourage someone in the comments below.

(I’ll start out by leaving mine here)

This comes from a dream that I recently had.  In the dream our family is struggling with all that we are currently struggling with. I felt extremely small and overwhelmed at the things we faced. The dream was very chaotic and fear ruled my heart.  (I won’t bore you with the gory details, but my daughter’s health, the finances that have hit us due to this, my son spending his first summer so far away – completely in God’s will, but still painful as I miss him much more than anyone could ever imagine and several other things)

I was walking and praying as I so often do and somehow ended up on a bridge.  I have a horrid fear of heights and this was really, really high.  Immediately my fear kicks in and I’m frozen.  I can’t think and can barely breathe when the bridge starts to crumble.  It’s foggy and I can’t see below.  I’m hanging on for my life and I hear, clearly, God saying… “trust me, let go”

I’d love to say that immediately, I just let go, but I can’t.

I did what most of us do and cried out in fear and anguish, “but Lord, I’m scared just get me off here” He again, said…”trust me, let go.”

At that point, with tears flowing, my heart was thinking ok, it seems I don’t have a choice, but I woke up before I let go, so I don’t actually know if I truly trusted God enough to let go.

When I woke up, I had been crying in my sleep….that is just how fearful I had been.

So, today…right here, right now… as best as I know how, I’m letting it all go to Him.

My family – I prayed for a Christian family, HE gave me one…they belong to Him.  Lord, just keep using us for YOU.

My finances – with more appointments, specialists, surgery and such looming, there is no way we can ever afford any of it without the Lord. (When the dr. left the room, the first question Megan asked was….Mom, can we afford this? I told her it is a non-issue, that God will provide.)  It belongs to Him.

My dream of a larger home – we’ve lived in a tiny 1100 sq ft home since Megan was born. If I get a bigger home, I get one.  If not, I’ll enjoy my mansion in Heaven one day.

Spreading Joy & Helping Others -- God allowed me to start this and HE will have to fund it.  I won’t borrow money to help people.  If we help others, it’s because God will put it on the hearts of others to partner with us.  We will do what we can with what we have. It’s His.

I’m going to just trust Him.  It’s all I can do.  It’s all HIS.  I’m letting go.

{{hugs}}

Never Let Go – David Crowder 

Never Once -- Matt Redman 

Overcome – Jeremy Camp

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:5
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Our days seem to get so busy, our time escapes us and our hearts can be so heavy.  During all of these times, we not only should pray, but praise.

I hope you will spend some time just thanking the Lord.  Thanksgiving needs to be a daily thing for us, not just an annual event.

I’m thankful for:

• How detailed the Lord is…even when we aren’t.
• How HE remembers…even when we don’t
• How HE cares for us…even when we are too busy to care back
• How HE inspires us with the smallest things…even when we feel uninspired
• How Great our Lord is…even though I am the least of these
• HIS great love…even though my love can’t compare
• His perfect plan…even though it’s painful sometimes
• His reminders and examples from His word…even though we neglect it more than we should
• His thought and concern to give me the greatest friends ever…even though I fall really short all to often
• His perfect love….even though I am the picture of imperfection
• His never ending light…even though darkness surrounds me
• His joy that strengthens me…even when I feel I can’t continue
• How HE delights in me…even though HE knows the worst about me
• His amazing grace…even though I don’t deserve it at all
• His renewing mercies each day…even when I try to go it alone
• His abundant blessings…even though sometimes I grumble because I don’t have more
• His limitless knowledge…even when I don’t understand

Spend some time thinking about all that you are grateful for.  Dwell on it, wrap your heart in it and praise HIM for it.

I love the nuggets of truth sprinkled all throughout the book of Proverbs.  I hope you enjoy these and are  inspired and motivated by them.

1. Proverbs 4:26 Think about the path you are choosing, walk the straight & narrow
2. Proverbs 5:21 Just because no one else sees you, doesn’t mean you weren’t seen
3. Proverbs 6:16-19 Don’t be part of these things that God hates, be part of what HE Loves
4. Proverbs 8:11 Do you desire wisdom more than things? Nothing else compares
5. Proverbs 8:17 Do you seek the Lord daily? HE loves those that love Him & you will find him when you seek Him
6. Proverbs 8:32 When you read & hear HIS instruction, do you listen? If so, you’ll be blessed
7. Proverbs 9:10 Want Wisdom? Have a Holy respect for the Lord
8. Proverbs 10:12 Don’t hate. Love covers all offenses. Be loving today, even in the midst of adversity
9. Proverbs 10:28 The hope of the righteous brings gladness & JOY.  Do right, live right…serve right
10. Proverbs 11:2 Pride comes…just before a fall. Remember where all good things come from
11. Proverbs 11:21 Think those that aren’t serving the Lord are excelling more so than you? Let God take care of that
12. Proverbs 12:4 Ladies, are you a crown to your husband? Sit back & remember why/when you fell in love
13. Proverbs 12:22 are your lips an abomination to the Lord? Or are you a delight to his heart?
14. Proverbs 12:25 A good word does more than you may realize. Use them frequently
15. Proverbs 14:13 JOY is a choice as there can be sorrow in the heart of the joyful
16. Proverbs 14:21 Want JOY & Happiness? Have mercy on the poor
17. Proverbs 14:29 keep that temper in check.
18. Proverbs 16:2 Your actions may look “pure” but, remember, God sees the heart
19. Proverbs 16:3 Want a successful event? Commit “it” to the Lord
20. Proverbs 16:5 God sees and abhors arrogance
21. Proverbs 16:16 Wisdom & Understanding are more precious than gold and silver
22. Proverbs 16:20 True JOY & happiness are in the hearts of those that TRUST the LORD
23. Proverbs 17:22 Laughter and JOY is healing like medicine….we need this daily!
24. Proverbs 19:4 Those friends that stick with you when you have nothing are total Keepers!
25. Proverbs 19:17 When you help the poor, it’s as if you are helping the LORD Himself.
26. Proverbs 20:11 Even a Child is known by his doings… What are YOU known for?
27. Proverbs 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches – What are you choosing today?
28. Proverbs 22:2 Remember the Lord is the maker of us all…the rich and the poor
29. Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of Gold – your words are powerful! Use wisely
30. Proverbs 28:27 Are you lacking what you need? Help out someone worse off than you
31. Proverbs 31:20 The Virtuous Woman reaches out to the poor. Who are you reaching out to?

What is your favorite verse in Proverbs?

Leave some wisdom for us in the comments, you never know who you’ll inspire by your kind word.

Download a free PDF of this here to share easily!

When trying to fathom how marvelous Gods love for me is, the only thing in this world I can compare it to is the love a Mother has for her child.  

• Unconditional Love – A Mother is filled with unconditional love for her child from the moment she confirms that she is pregnant. If she is hoping to be pregnant, that love is apparent before confirmation. At this point in our tiny life, in the womb of our Mother – she loves us, no matter what.  God’s love for us as His children was deep in his heart before he even created the foundations of the world.  John 17:24 says “for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” It’s an unconditional love.
• Never Ending Love – A Mother’s love is never ending. It goes without saying that no matter how much we hurt our moms, how far we stray, how we disappoint them time and time again, she loves us – ALWAYS.  We can ask for forgiveness a million times and the answer is always yes. We can make promise after promise and then choose to break them and still, she is there – waiting to forgive us every time. We can break her loving heart into a million pieces and still, the love she has for us will never end.  Ps. 36:5 reminds us that His love & mercy are never ending. Jeremiah 31:3 says “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” Not only does He love us with an everlasting love, but he will always draw us to himself.  We just need to be willing to go to Him when he draws us.
• Desires the Best for us – Mothers, by instinct have a desire to make sure their children have the best they can give.  The best clothes, toys, food, friends and the absolute best future.  Which is why Moms devote countless hours of praying, working, molding, guiding and even shoving towards what we know will help their child succeed.  Mothers want their children to make the best choices, even if it means enduring the heart break of sitting back and watching them fall off the swing set after we’ve told them a million times not to stand in it and swing.  God’s love for us to have the best is so much greater than even this. In Matt 10:29-31, God reminds us that He takes care of the sparrows, that not one falls to the ground with out his knowing AND that even though he takes time to take care of such matters, that HE loves us more than even this. His ultimate desire for us is a Mansion in Heaven that HE is preparing for us.  Not just another home, room or house – a Mansion! He gives us wisdom in Proverbs, to make decisions, he gives us courage in Psalms – reminding us that He is with us. His desire for us is to give us the very desire of our heart. Ps. 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” God truly desires the best for us!
• Always Willing to Forgive – This almost goes along with never ending love, but I can’t stress it enough. Mothers will forgive their child time and time again. Knowing the pain we’ve caused, knowing the hurt we’ve caused, risking even more hurt by trusting. God forgives us more than that.  Because of His amazing sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins, He is willing to forgive us when we ask.  Does this give us a license to go out and do wrong simply because we can beg forgiveness? No. If we truly love our Heavenly Father (just as we love our earthly Mother) we will want to keep the relationship right. We will want to keep moving closer to them, instead of doing wrong and moving farther away.  If our relationship is right, we will not want our Mother or our Heavenly Father to have to forgive us of anything.
• Willing to Sacrifice Individual Desires for Child – Mothers will do without a new Easter dress, dessert, new clothes, perfume, sleep, comfort, warmth, happiness and coolness for her child.  She will endure pain, suffering, discomfort, fear, loneliness, sadness, horror and do things for her child she would never consider doing for anyone else. She will fight the fiercest, hairiest spider, wade through trash for the lost treasure, drive through raging storms to get last minute items needed to please their child. No sacrifice is too great.  I John 4:14 reminds us that the Father sent the Son to be the savior of the world.  God sacrificed HIS only son for us on the cross, just so that we could live as joint heirs in heaven with Him. God endured the agony of watching His only son be beaten for our sins, be tortured beyond recognition, being mocked and spit upon. God gave up the comforts of Heaven, the continual praise of the angels and the adoration of all the saints so that He could become man in the flesh, endure every trial, struggle and pain that we go through – all because he LOVES us so.
• Willing to Sacrifice Her Very Life – A mother will protect her child at all costs.  She would fight off an attacker, be mauled by a pit bull, step between the barrel of a gun and her child with NO hesitation.  Risk her life without thought of her own being for her child.  As Jesus was crucified on the cross for our sins, God knew what having our sins on His son would do for the perfect relationship they had always had.  Yet, the sacrifice had to be made because He loves us.  As  our sins were placed upon him and the sky turned black – God, our Father had to turn his back on his ONLY son.  He had to sacrifice that perfect relationship with His son – all because he LOVES us.  The ultimate sacrifice.  The gift of eternal life from the gift of His very son’s life.

When you gaze into your child’s face and think of just how much you love and adore him/her and your heart is bursting with amazing desires and great love, know that as God looks down from Heaven as our Father, His love for you is so much greater than the love you are feeling in your heart.

As you ponder how much your very own Mother loves you, try to see just a small glimpse of the extraordinary love that God has for us.

We can never fully comprehend His amazing love for us, but looking at the love and desire our mother has in her heart, we get to see a small piece of Gods Heart for us.

Try to image everyday, how much God loves you.

Remind yourself that He is always there, no matter what the journey is.

If you are on the mountain top, His love is wrapped around you, if you are struggling – making your way through the valley, His love is still wrapped around you.  Always.

I love the story of Joseph.

Many people identify with him.  They do what is right, help where they can and are simply a blessing to those around them but things just seem to keep going wrong in their world.

What are they supposed to do?

Be like Joseph and Do right…regardless

The following is from a Bible Study that I held on Twitter.  enJOY and add to it in the comment section below. 

God knows everything and is in control.  We know this and STILL try to navigate our own way.  Do like Joseph, let go and let GOD.

Joseph was the son of Rachel and Jacob.  Rachel had been barren for many years and Joseph was an answer to prayer.

Gen 37 tell us that Israel love Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he was the son of his old age. Can we see the issues that this will cause?

He gave Joseph a beautiful coat of many colors.  Is favoritism worth the bitterness and hatred between siblings that it causes?

Each child has great potential.  Take time to mold that potential. Work on their individual strengths and dreams.  Never ever compare your Children

God spoke to Joseph in dreams.  Joseph told his brothers these dreams.  The bitterness in their hearts cause them to hate him even more

Christian…YOU should rejoice at the success of your brother & sisters in Christ.  Don’t be bitter or jealous.

Rejoice with them. PRAY for great blessings for them.  I faithfully prayed for a friend for over two years for an awesome job.

I’m super excited that he loves a job that he can be and IS wildly successful on.  Be happy for your friends’ success!

Christian, don’t be tempted to be resentful when your brother/sisters in Christ are succeeding.  REJOICE!!

He was 17, he had to know that they were not thrilled with his dreams.  His brothers wouldn’t have any part in bowing down to him

Joseph did what was right in his father’s eyes. He did what was right in God’s eyes.  Even though it seemed not to help anything at all

Joseph, doing what his father wished, went to check on his brothers.  They were so filled with hatred that they wanted to kill him.

Reuben, hoping to come back and rescue him later, talks his brothers into throwing Joseph into a pit.

The brothers stripped him of his rob and threw him in the pit.  As if their actions were ordinary, they sat down to eat.

Don’t let it be “ordinary” to cause trouble to other believers

While eating they saw slave traders off in the distance, and decided to make some money off of the little dreamer.

Joseph was taken to Egypt.  The brothers took the robe, dipped it in blood and took it to Jacob.  Jacob grieved for his son.

Can you imagine the anger and bitterness in the hearts of Joseph’s brothers to WATCH their father grieve and NOT tell him Joseph was ok?

Joseph was sold by the Midianites to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.

Joseph does right and is the captain. Even though Joseph was ripped from his family, God is blessing his faithfulness

When we are doing right, serving the Lord faithfully and things go wrong, we tend to blame God, whine at God and wonder where HE is.

God, the creator of the universe can use the trials, sin and anything else HE chooses to bring blessings.

Do you get all kinds of whiny with God when you are doing right & everything is going wrong?

Potiphar’s wife tries to seduce Joseph.  Joseph says – how can I sin against God? Joseph ran from sin!

How often do we run to sin?  Be like Joseph and run from it. Stay far away and avoid it.

Can you imagine Joseph’s heart at this point?  He is a young faithful man, doing right regardless and yet things still are going wrong.

Chapter 39 says that God blessed Joseph in jail. The blessings we “want” may not be the blessings we get.  Recognize them anyway.

You may desire blessings of a huge 5,000 sq ft home, new teal blue corvette & others material things, but God knows better

He gives you blessings of a faithful spouse, Children that choose to serve the Lord because they want to and a desire to make a difference for Christ.

Be so close to the Lord that when you are blessed in the midst of the trials & problems that you easily SEE your blessings.

The Butler and the Baker are in Jail and need someone to interpret their dreams.

Joseph reminds them that God interprets dreams.  Joseph, while in jail, is STILL giving GOD the glory! Still giving all credit to God.

Be very very careful to give God the credit for your blessings. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above

Even though the Butler forgot about Joseph for 2 years, Joseph continued to do right and Gave God the glory.

Pharaoh has a dream and the forgetful butler Finally remembered Joseph. (in God’s Time)  Again, Joseph does what?

He says that God will give the answer to Pharaoh’s dream.  He doesn’t take any credit at all.  None.

God allowed Joseph In Gen. chapter 41 to tell him that the famine is going to take place and because of the double dream it would happen shortly

Pharaoh puts Joseph in charge of all that he had.  Other than the throne, no one was higher.  God blessed Joseph.

God can work past our sin, our doubts, our fears and our short comings.  God will accomplish HIS desires, in spite of us

Joseph, during all of this time did absolutely NOTHING wrong.  He didn’t deserve to be sold into slavery

Joseph didn’t deserve to be thrown in jail, he didn’t deserve to be forgotten about.  But even through all of that Joseph was faithful

Joseph simply chose to do right….regardless.  He trusted God to work everything out.  It couldn’t have been easy.

There was probably more tears than we know.  A 17 yr old boy would have been homesick to see his father.

There was probably more fear than we know.  Even though young guys are “manly men” they are fearful too.

Regardless of the tears or fears, Joseph chose to do what was right in God’s eyes regardless of the circumstances around him.

His brothers come to Egypt to get food.  They had money but need food.  When they got to Egypt and saw the 2^nd in command, what did they do?

Indeed, they bowed to him.  Just as his dreams of long ago had foretold.

Joseph put the 10 brothers through some testing. Teaching them a lesson, accusing them of being spies and such.

In Gen chapter 45 He can’t contain his emotions any longer.  He weeps so loudly that everyone hears him.

He tells them, I am Joseph.  Notice his first question. IS MY FATHER still alive?  The brothers couldn’t answer him.

His faithfulness was rewarded in that his family was saved from famine & he was allowed to see his dad again

Can you imagine their shock?  Then their fear?  I wonder what was racing through their hearts.

Joseph tells them that even though they sold him, Gen 45:7 “And God sent me before you to preserve you”

God is faithful to keep his promise.  Regardless of what we do or don’t do.  God will bring all things together for good.

In the midst of the injustice, pain and sin, God is able to keep his promises.

Joseph stayed faithful to the Lord even though things didn’t seem fair.  Even though things were not going as he had dreamed.

Joseph did everything to the best of his ability, regardless of the position he was put in.   Joseph did right, regardless.

Bringing this home to us, what can we apply to our own lives?

Are you willing to trust God and do right regardless?

Will you look for and can you find the blessings among the trials and hardships?

Will you allow everyone around you to see God in you, even when everyone is doing their best to stop you in your tracks?

Make the choice today to do right….regardless!

Are you willing to do right, regardless of the situations you are in.  Are you willing to choose, like Joseph to do right while waiting?

What are your thoughts on this? Have you had times where you’ve had to choose to do right…regardless?

Encourage someone by leaving a comment below.

*GASP* did YOU see that title?

Ohhhh my GOSH!!

Look, being genuinely joyful by nature, the truth of the matter is that I’m grumpy.  And since we are being completely honest here, the truth of the matter is YOU are grumpy too.

We all get grumpy.

But, if we take some time, sit back and analyze our grumpiness then maybe we can figure out a way to be less grumpy. Or not.

Our families will thank us for this one day.  Or not.

So, with a little dash of humor, a lot of honesty and being authentically me… let’s see what makes this happy joy spreader grumpy…shall we?

Ok, here goes…. Let the grumpiness begin:

(ummm, I’ve never actually sat and thought about this, so I’m having a difficulty getting started.)

1. Naps – ok, naps don’t make me grumpy. I actually have reached the point in my life that I take them more often than I should.  It’s the waking from naps that leave me in a fog and that “partly cloudy” state leaves me feeling grumpy, dazed and confused.  Megan actually thinks this state is pretty entertaining.  I will often tell Steve that no one should have to “encounter” me immediately after napping.
2. Hot Flashes at the most inappropriate time – they just don’t happen at night time.  The thing is, when my internal body temperature rises I start feeling sick on my stomach.  Nausea is no fun, so I counter it with crackers or toast and a really cold diet coke.  Talk about being miserable.  Ugggh
3. Nausea and puking – This is the world’s worst.  I actually don’t know how my daughter does it.  She has a rare disease that causes her digestive system to not work and this can be a way of life for her.  When I’m puky sick, I’m very whiny and the best thing to do is sleep.  I’m worse than anyone you’ve ever met.  I want my momma , an ice cold rag to put over my eyes and ice cold unsweetened tea to sip on.  But I mostly sleep, so that no one has to endure the ickiness.
4. Forgetfulness – ok, some forgetfulness.  Like, reaching for a pen and paper to write something down so I DON’T forget it and start to write and “poof” it’s gone.  That is just wrong. Just Saying.
5. Technology – Talk about grumpiness. Technology just doesn’t like me.  I can be doing something that everyone else is doing and out of nowhere, technology will start picking on me. Everyone else will be ok and me….I’m just looking all kinds of stupid. I’m so thankful for a few techy friends that will come to my rescue. IT Heroes are Super Heroes in my book.  When me and technology fight, I usually lose and have to phone a friend.  Rock on IT Heroes.
6. Flat Tires – this is just crazy to me.  I’ll be driving to work at 5:15 in the morning, minding my very own business and boom!!! There she blows.  And do guys stop to help the damsel in distress? Noooo, why??? Because society is stupid, ax murders lurk in the shadows and it is sometimes not worth the risk in the dark.  So, there I am, jumping on the lug nut wrench trying to loosen the bolt.  Praying and being all kinds of grumpy.  And then, as I’m not in the “best” position, I hear “ma’am, would you like some help.  In an effort to NOT scare him away, I calmly say Yes and THANK YOU – when I want to run over to him, give him a big hug and say pleeeeeeeese!!
7. Never ending Automation – ok, when I press zero, it is because I’m tired of the never ending recording you have just put me through.  THEN you tell me zero is not an option? What in the world people?  Where ARE you?  At some point there has to be a real live human that can help me.  I’m not asking for much, just a pulse.
8. Green lights that is only green for 3 cars to get through – Really? Seriously? What is the point there? Hellooooo you guys that set the timers for these things. Can you at least let 10 cars go through before you turn it back red?  Hmmm? Who do I contact about this? Ohh, wait – that will put me square in line with never ending automation. Ummm, nevermind
9. One of “those” days – you know the day.  I love the little things in life that make life big, but the reverse is also true. There are “those” little awful things that happen that make you grumpy.  Let’s recount one…shall we? You wake late, hurry to get ready and you get out the door and your shirt is wrong side outwards.  You run back in and fix it, get in your car and spill your coffee all over yourself.  You run BACK in, change and head back out.  You’ve bribed the kids out of bed with cupcakes.  You get half way to work and you hear it. A tiny, quiet sigh from the back seat. Your mind is jolted back to the moment as you realize you forgot to drop the little one off at daycare.  At this point you are ready for a do-over.  You finally reach your desk and realize that the meeting has started…. I could go on and on, but you get the picture.  Those days happen to us all! Just remember, you are not alone and enjoy a cupcake for breakfast too.
10. Mean people – Some people are just mean.  So, what do you do? Give them a taste of their own medicine? Nooooo, no no NO.  It makes me extremely grumpy and ill, but I lay on the JOY sooo thick that it just oooozes.  Mean people don’t like that much joy all in one setting.  They simply can’t “take” it. And somehow, spreading joy to mean people makes me feel a lot less grumpy. There is simply no reason to be mean and icky, even when you are grumpy.  I want to shake them and say “be JOYFUL….do you hear me?” somehow I don’t think they’d take me seriously.

So, there you have it.  In random order, cause I’m a random gal  – some of the things that simply make me grumpy.

What about you?  Will you share with us? Hmmm?

It might make you feel better and If not, others will see that they are not alone in their grumpiness.

Spill your grumpiness in the comment section below.

amazing talent played in this tournament

Tournament Happenings

This tournament was completely amazing.  I’m so honored to have been able to have sponsored it.

Here is what YOU provided to these awesome kids in Hot Springs Arkansas

Free Tournament  (HUGE as many can’t afford to play for awesome prizes)

Free Basketball

Free Lunch & all the water they needed/wanted

Free Cats Care wrist band (thank you Charlotte Bob Cats)

A free opportunity for each player on each team to win the following:

1^st place – $150 Gift card to Foot Locker

2^nd Place – $50 gift card to Hibbitt Sports

3^rd Place – A very nice basketball & water bottle

Half Court Contest – Winner receives $100 cash

Reese’s Cups for everyone that attended and extra for those that truly looooove them.

Capture some Awesome Shots

There were 8 teams – 24 players & about 60ish people total.  I was happy to see those that came out and cheered for their friends.

Kids start showing up early to practice.  It was awesome to just soak up the excitement.  There were many college kids there to help in any area needed.  These kids amaze me with their huge hearts.  They will always have a special place in my heart.

The teams start playing and one team makes it to the very end undefeated.  Nothing short of amazing.

The 2^nd team playing for 1^st place has played several games back to back AND has fought their way back from losing early on in the tournament.  We couldn’t have asked for a more intense game.

The kids are playing with all their might; the undefeated team loses their first game! It’s anybody’s game as the 2^nd game between these two team starts.

I’m snapping pictures and playing with the littlest cheerleader and I look up and see it!  The score is tied up – 13 to 13.  They are only playing to 15. Wow! It couldn’t have been any closer!  I see it… Dude shoots in the ball and no doubt, he scores!  The team that had lost early on had just made the winning shot!  Cheers and excitement all around.

The excitement was amazing.

A great start to Spreading Joy Across America

The half court shot?!? UNBELIEVABLE – not a single one of us was recording this as we just figured no one would get it! but…. Khory – a 15 yr old completely blew us away and made it! It was my honor to present to him his prize (on his birthday) of $100 CASH!  The gymnasium erupted with cheers and shouts! High fives were all over the place!

As if ALL of this wasn’t enough excitement and encouragement wasn’t enough…there is MORE.

Pastor Eric Capacci of Gospel Light Baptist Church and President/Founder of Champion Baptist College spoke and gave a devotional about “The next 24 hours being critical”

He discussed how quickly time flies and how we aren’t certain of tomorrow.  In his challenge, he also presented a clear presentation of the Gospel of Christ and 6 teen boys accepted Christ as their Savior.

God Wins.

Top row is 1st Place Winners!! $150 gift card to Foot Locker EACH

All the work, all the emails asking for donations and support for this event was worth every minute of it.  Spreading Joy can and often is a lot of work for me on the “organizing end” and needing donations part of things, but it is and always will be worth all the effort, hard work and long days that go with it.  When we can encourage those that are discouraged and beat up by the world, they will go on to encourage others.  The lasting effects may never, ever be realized.

We never want to be a Non Profit that is set on “making money and living the high life.”  But we will always and forever be the Non Profit that simply reminds others of the JOY of giving….even if it’s giving your time, voice or a hand.  Regardless of what it is…it is HUGE and has an awesome impact on the heart of others! And always will!

We will remind others to place value on their gifts, regardless of the size or value they may think it is.  We often negate the value of our voice or time spent in helping but those are priceless, as well as the financial gifts.

Remember, when you are doing what you can with what you have – when the finances increase, you’ll continue to do what you can and your financial giving will increase as well.

Thank you for making a huge impact in the life of these kids and those that came to watch & help.

2nd & 3rd place Winners!

We were able to give every child that was there (even those that came to “watch”) a free basketball.  We purchased 100 balls, so the ones that were left over, were given out as well to local neighborhood kids!  How awesome is that? Hmmm?

You guys are amazing Spreading Joy heroes!

Thank you for your HUGE heart and for your efforts in Spreading Joy!  Without you, none of this would have been possible. YOU are pretty awesome!

Ohh, and the 15 yr. old that won the half-court shot?  Get this:  He wasn’t going to stay.  Nope…they were just going to leave.

He and his friends saw the size of the older kids and thought there was NOOOO way they would win. I talked to them, told them the worst that could happen would be that they would get a free lunch, free basketball and wrist band and have a ton of fun…so stay!  And they did.  And then HE won the half-court shot! Simply amazing!

Your time, voice and financial contributions did this! YOU are awesome!

YOU did an awesome thing!! Thank you for Spreading JOY with me!