 James 1:5 ~ "But if any one of you lacks wisdom, he (or she) should ask God who gives to all, generously and ungrudgingly, and he (or she) will be given it." Decisions, decisions, decisions. How many of us ever get tired of making them? My hand would be the first to be raised, believe me. I am told that supposedly teachers make 1500 decisions in a day which ends up being four decisions per minute. What??? Perhaps that explains why I go into full on pajama-mode, completely exhausted after work, and have a hard time figuring out what to make for dinner! Wow! Recently, I read that there is legitimately something called "decision fatigue." When I read that I thought ~ Wait, that's actually a thing? Through a quick internet search decision fatigue is described as: simply being tired of making decisions. Really??? I can relate. The concept is that the more decisions a person has to make, the more weary he or she feels with that entire process. For this reason, people in this category tend to delay or put off decisions. The problem is you can only put off decisions, especially the important ones for so long. (https://onlinemba.wsu.edu/blog/decision-fatigue)  I had a little guy I taught one year that took great pride when completing assignments, to come and ask me consistently "What me do next?" It was hard not to giggle with his cookie monster-like lingo, but I sure had to give him credit for his initiative. I have felt like my student many times in my life especially when it comes to making big and important decisions. I am left thinking... What is my next move? What do I do next? What me do next? (LOL) I have found that taking some time to reflect is a very healthy process, but I also have to remind myself that eventually a decision has to be made. Recently I have been attending something called Prayer School at my church. I have learned so much more about prayer and new ways to communicate with our Heavenly Father. One thing that really resonated with me was when wisdom was discussed. In the verse quoted above, it clearly indicates that when wisdom is needed, if someone asks God for it, it is a GUARANTEE. Not everything we request in prayer are we guaranteed to receive, but with wisdom we are. Isn't that a powerful truth to comprehend? I sure thought it was.  Photo by MART PRODUCTION at Pexels If you are presently struggling with decision making, I implore you to invite God into the process. There is only so much we as human beings can figure out on our own. Some decisions have a lot riding on them and can literally affect the entire course of our futures. Requesting help to get these decisions "right" is not only wise but very necessary. Taking some time, taking it to the Father, and talking to people you trust about big decisions will set you on the path to wise decision making. The great thing about having God on your decision making team, also provides you with an added bonus of peace in the end. It doesn't get much better than that my friend. Tuck that in your heart today ❤️and repeat this prayer below if you would like to ask for wisdom from Jesus in both your big and little decisions. Dear Jesus, Thank you that your word says that if I need wisdom, you are more than willing to freely give it to me. Thank you that you are concerned with the big and little aspects of my life and the decisions around them. Please grant me your wisdom to make the best, healthiest and most appropriate decisions for both myself and my family. May these decisions honour You and serve to advance your kingdom. In Jesus's name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana P.S. Do your best and let God do the rest!
Tags: decision making, decisions, decision fatigue, wisdom, prayer, Godly wisdomCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
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 Photo by Silvana Carlos on Unsplash “Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they’re always there." (Old saying) Charlie Brown has Snoopy. Scooby Doo has Shaggy. Woody has Buzz Lightyear and the good old Fonz has Ritchie Cunningham. Okay by the latter example I am really dating myself, but my point is: where would we all be without true friends? True friends are what keep us going through the hard times, keep us laughing in the good times and keep us from losing our sanity during the craziness that is our lives some days. If you have those types of people just described in your circle of influence, then consider yourself very blessed. BFFs are what we call best friends nowadays. I hear a lot about this in my classroom. I remember when I didn’t even know what that acronym meant, but now it is very commonly heard. I have a very sweet student who calls me "Miss Naldi." My last name is Romualdi, so it is close, but not quite. I had to smile the one day when she said "I am not calling you Miss Naldi anymore." I inquired about what she planned to call me going forward thinking she finally got my name correct. She replied "I am going to call you bestie." So cute! It is easy to see who is friends with who in a small classroom. It is also easy to see who may be feeling left out or lonely. It is quite painful to witness at times. I try to be very aware of this and set up scenarios where I select the partners, pick teams and provide a setting of inclusion. I remember when I went to school this did not always happen. We were asked to pick a partner, or pick teams and the same kids were often left out or picked last. You could see how painful it was for them. I am so glad we are making positive steps to move away from those types of practices today.  Photo by Elle Hughes at Pexels I love the James Taylor song “You’ve Got A Friend.” My good friend Rosie and I sang it together in high school. It was one of my proudest moments and fondest memories of high school. If I do say so myself we had a great duet going on with some lovely harmonies. The words say “You just call out my name and you know wherever I am, I’ll come running to see you again! Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you have to do is call and I’ll be there! You’ve got a friend!” Those lyrics speak to the power of those true friends who will drop everything to come and help us. Those types of people are very precious and valued. I hope you are blessed to have some of those gems in your life. I am very fortunate to have several in that special category.  Photo by Pixabay at Pexels Good friends come in all shapes, sizes and age categories. Some of my closest friends through the years have been very different from me, yet despite our differences we formed amazing bonds and still found we had very much in common. We developed a kindred spirit that still continues to this day. Be open minded when it comes to new friendships. You never know who might just walk into your life and become one of your closest and dearest friends. Friends are truly one of life’s greatest treasures. Let your “besties” know what they mean to you today. Believe me they will appreciate it and you will feel great that you let them know how you feel about them.  In Proverbs 18:24, the Bible talks of Jesus who is the “friend that sticks closer than a brother.” Personally I have found that to be so true in my walk with Christ. Sometimes people can disappoint us because they are only human, yet Jesus will always be at our side if we are open to His leadings. Tuck that in your heart today ❤️and repeat this prayer below if you would like to become a follower of Jesus and know the feeling of having a friendship like you have never known. Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that you are God and are able to forgive me of my sins. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and become my personal saviour. Come into my heart and change me into the person I am meant to be. Help me to live for you from this day forward. Thank you for coming into my life. In Jesus's name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana
Tags: friendship, relationship with God, true friendsCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi) 2nd edition, © 2014, 1st edition ( You've Got a Friend)
 Photo by RDNE Stock project at Pexels 2022 was a very hard year for my family. Not only did my family lose my mom but a couple months after that we found out my father-in-law had advanced brain and lung cancer. He tried treatment and fought valiantly but the cancer was very aggressive. We were very blessed to get a bed for him in hospice, where he received excellent care just ahead of the Christmas season. Every day, I would go into work, work a full day and then go see him every night. As I was fearful each and every day was the day he would pass, I dared not to miss a day for one more goodbye or hug. Dealing with impending loss of this magnitude day after really takes its toll.  This is me all tucked in at my dad's house. I remember one particular day, I just couldn't take it any more. I was at work and realized that I needed to leave as soon as possible. I just couldn't be there. I was at the end of myself, emotionally, mentally and physically and I needed to be anywhere but at school. I called in a supply teacher and as I was leaving the building, I realized I did not have a car that day. What was I to do? The answer was simple. Call my dad. Dad answered with his faithful "Hi Babe, What's up?" I was a mess and told Dad he needed to "come get me immediately and take me home. I had had it." Dad replied as he ALWAYS does "Be RIGHT there." Dad was very concerned and decided to take me to his house. He followed my lead and felt that what I needed more was rest than to chat. You see that is what a good father does. He never lets his kids down. He knows what they need. Dad had a brand new comfy recliner chair and he suggested that would be a perfect spot for me to find respite. He tucked me in with warm blankets and told me to simply rest as long as I needed and enjoy the peace and quiet. I cried and thanked him for everything as he was so intuitive and empathetic. I felt so loved. He knew exactly what I needed at that moment. It is a very special memory for me of what a loving dad does when his kid is hurting.  In Proverbs 18:10 is says The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are safe. (MEV) Just like the way my dad came to my rescue, our Heavenly Father is ready and waiting to come to us when we need Him. We just have to take that first step like I did with my earthly father. I reached out to him and asked for his help. Our God is never too busy to lend a hand, hear us out, provide us with a safe space to unwind or a soft place to land and just feel protected by his incredible love. Jesus is a friend that I would truly be lost without. He has rescued me time and time again. I find solace in His presence, rest when I am weary and unconditional love whenever I need it. It is a very sweet arrangement that He has offered to me and all of us who are Christ followers. When we come to the end of ourselves, His Holy Spirit gently encourages us and gives us the strength we need to carry on and face another day. Perhaps you are at the end of yourself today. Life has hit you hard. I know how that feels. It is a scary and lonely place to be. You can't breathe and you need an escape. Please know that you have a Heavenly Father who is waiting in the wings for you. He is concerned about you and loves you so, so much. Won't you run to Him? He will welcome you with open arms and He is ready to make your life so much better than you ever thought possible. Tuck that in your heart today ❤️and repeat this prayer below if you would like to become a follower of Jesus and know the feeling of resting in His presence when life just becomes too much. Dear Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that you are God and are able to forgive me of my sins. I ask you to forgive me of my sins and become my personal saviour. Come into my heart and change me into the person I am meant to be. Help me to live for you from this day forward. Thank you for coming into my life. In Jesus's name, Amen Sending you a virtual hug, Dana
Tags: Father's love, fathers, dads, parenting, God's forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness of sins, salvation in Christ, sinner's prayerCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi) |
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