“Never hesitate to take what you think are small things to God; after all, everything is small to God.”

This was on Joyce Meyer Ministries Facebook page today. When I think about the person that God used to most influenced my faith…it’s Joyce.

If you’re looking for some solid, practical, no-nonsense biblical teaching, check out Joyce’s website, you’ll be glad you did! Smile

Who’s the person that God’s used to most influence your faith? Wassup?

* For anyone who might be interested in seeing the only picture I have with Joyce (not kidding…), click “Like” on the Encouraged in Heart Facebook page to see it! But before you do, keep in mind that I’m not a stalker, okay?

This morning as I looked out my office window to admire the overcast sky, I found my neighbor, the neighbor, in which I asked two years ago, to please put his rottweiler on a leash. I felt very uncomfortable doing so because I love both dogs and peace, but I mustered up the courage and asked him anyway.

Let me just quickly summarize – it didn’t go well.

The neighbor adamantly declared that his dog was well-trained and obeyed commands and didn’t need a leash. Then to prove just how obedient his dog was, he called the dog, and his dog was all like,


(photo from Google)

“Huh, dude?” and ran away from his owner.

Can ya stand it?

Back to today…

One hour after the rottweiler freely frollicked in the grass near my home, I drove away with my apprehensive kindergartener and eager second grader to meet their new school teachers. Seconds into the drive, I noticed that my sexy minivan had a wobble to it. Just to clear the air, the wobble was not due to my champion eating session(s) at Stacey’s wedding weekend…okay? The wobble was a flat tire.

Since the Finkster was working from home, the boys and I did the car/car seat exchange fire drill and made it to school on time…YES! Go team Fink! only to be parked right behind a familiar man. The man, that made the way low offer on our home.

Am I on Punk’d? Is Aston Kutcher going to jump out from behind a bush and say, “Slam…you’re so punked?”

Nope, no Aston.  With rolled eyes, I just had to laugh.  “You can be bitter or better…but ya can’t be both” is a phrase that Joyce Meyer often says. And I realized that I have choices, many choices, all throughout the day, particularly this day.

As we walked past his abandoned car, I noticed that he left his side door open.

Yes, I closed it…and laughed again.

There are endless opportunities to be bitter or better. I actually told my dolphin watching girlfriend, Leslie K, yesterday that, “I feel like the enemy planted idiot bulbs this past spring and that the idiots are in full bloom this summer.”

Sorry if the word “idiot” sounds a tad harsh…it’s actually a whole lot better than what I would have spoken fifteen years ago…where my language mirrored more of a Jersey Shore cast member. I may still be on the spazznastics mat, but my word choices…well, there’s some progress on that front.

All this to write, what’s inside, eventually comes out. When life throws ya a couple of lemons, don’t just take the bitter juice for what it is, make the better lemonade!

Where’s an area that you debating with yourself about being bitter or better?