The path to Excellence is a long, rough, rocky sloping road with no shortcut. To live at a higher level, we realize very quickly that the mental ingredient of discipline is the tool that manuevers us through the toughest curves and provides the stability to climb every slope. A disciplined life launches us to the experiences of God’s abundance and the joy of living in His presence.

It was here on our Christmas Tree Farm where God showed and taught me the true meaning of discipline.

Scripture Memorization

“And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

Life provides hundreds of opportunities. We are given the challenge of realistically looking at the decisions we have made and evaluate whether our decisions measure to the standard of excellence. If we fall short of excellence according to biblical standard; we adjust our pursuit. If our goal really is excellence, we need to be prepared to stay the course with persistence and disciple.

The Study

What is self-discipline?

Self-discipline is the ability to get yourself to take action regardless of your emotional state. Without self-discipline our intentions will not be accomplished. But with sufficient self-discipline, it’s a done deal. You will know when  you have arrived at the pinnacle of self-discipline when you make a conscious decision and its virtually guaranteed you will follow through on it.

How do you acquire self-discipline?

Self-discipline is a life skill that requires practice. You have to decide to live intentionally.  Set goals and work hard to accomplish whatever aspiration or task you have decided to tackle and don’t stop until it is finished. The environment that presented the opportunity to develop the skills of discipline and hard work for me was in the Christmas tree field. Yes, I am a Christmas tree farmer. The fields and the business of growing and retailing Christmas trees  taught me this:

You must produce a quality product.

Good practices must be a routine to produce a quality product.

Time limits are automatically in place dictated by the season to perform the good practices that produce a quality product.

Accountability appears at harvest time revealing whether we have done every thing required to produce a premium Christmas tree. It is shown in the number of harvestable trees and in the products final grade.

In life the same is true. You must plan for excellence by virtue of planning to finish well what you have started. Set the goal, make a plan and see it through to excellence.

Complete pages 87-89 in Excellence with Simple Elegance: The Study. 

Decisions we make for ourselves will affect us throughout our entire lives. We must choose to be  hard workers and disciplined to experience God’s best for our lives. See choosing to sidestep boundaries and taking shortcuts because it appears easy and gratifying will be short-lived and painful. If our goal is to live God’s way–one of excellence, we need to be prepared to stay the course. Being patient and diligent with what God has entrusted to us, nurturing it the best we know how, we will then grow into women of excellence.

Promise

“Come to me and I will give you rest–all of you who work so hard. ” 

Blessing

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling…be glory and majesty…both now and forever.”

Both Excellence with Simple and The Study can be purchased at Amazon.com

https://a.co/d/3Iyzm1q

https://a.co/d/0ayecaT

Passion allows endeavors of life to be enjoyable, fun, and creative.

Whether we’re thinking of what career path we choose or where to volunteer our time or selecting a leisure time activity, it’s important that we follow our passions. When we think about what is needed to be successful in life and in our work, we usually think about characteristics like value, talent, ambition, intellect, discipline, and persistence. What many of us often fail to include in this recipe for success is passion. The passion we have, or don’t have, for the life we choose should not be underestimated. Sometimes this ingredient could make the biggest difference of all.

Mother Theresa said, “I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, He will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life rather He will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?’”

True success is, or at least should be, primarily defined as an achievement of something desired. So, the most successful people are the ones who achieve the things they most desire. And what we desire the most is to be proud of what we do with our lives. I believe this is especially true when it comes to our work and our family. A truly successful person is one who is proud of the work she does and the care she gives to her family.

What I Mean by Passion

When I speak of passion, I don’t mean it in the romantic way. What I mean by passion is the powerful feeling of enthusiasm we all have inside of us. We are all enthusiastic and passionate about something, whether its finance, food or a favorite activity. That enthusiasm is very powerful. When we can combine it with our pursuits and our faith, we are setting ourselves up well for achieving true success.

Passion Is so Important

When we are enthusiastic and proud of the work we do, the better equipped we’ll be to overcome the many obstacles that will surely arise.  Also, the more enthusiasm we have, the more inclined we are to work harder at improving ourselves. This will allow us to continuously get better at every pursuit we are engaged in.

Where does the passion come from?

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5: 2

As a young child, I loved Jesus. It was simple. I was excited about the decision I made to invite Jesus Christ Lord into my life.  I could not wait to share this good news with my best friend. I wanted Sara, my childhood friend, to have the blessing of eternal life in heaven too. I wanted her to love and to accept Jesus into her heart also.  So it became my daily pursuit to live God’s way and to share the love of Jesus. And that same desire, passion continues still to this day.

Surprisingly this passion never changed. Oh! definitely the picture has changed with each new season: I am not swinging on a playground swing telling my friends about Jesus. I am not involved any more in the high school or college campus ministry sharing the truth of the gospel. I am not even that young mom raising her young sons in the faith and leading them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ or being that teacher/instructor who wanted so desperately for my students to experience the abundance of a God-centered life. Those seasons have passed but in my present season the passion continues.  God has graciously brought me to a new space to share.  I simply love Jesus; so I write, counsel, mentor, lead, speak and encourage women to live simply, passionately, and intentionally for Jesus.

This passion has brought purpose and fulfillment in my life. It has not only enriched my personal life but brought wonderful enthusiasm to my career life.  I encourage you today to really seek the passion that God has placed in your heart and run to it.

The Study: Complete in the workbook pages 83-85. 

Promise

“He will give you the desires of your heart”

Blessing

“Be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Both books can be purchased at Amazon.com

https://a.co/d/5DoT4VL and https://a.co/d/ib89HE1

God grants seasons of favor for His people in order to extend His kingdom

Heavenly Father, please give us the courage to walk confidently onto the stage of what you have called us to. Release all worries. In this season of favor, help us to let go and trust You.

Scripture Memorization

“Whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men.” Colossians 3:23

For the most part, God’s hand of providence remains hidden, and we do not always know how things will turn out for us. Trusting Him and doing the right thing even if we know it might cost us; is not an easy feat. But I do know for certainty that God is ever working for our good and His glory. God’s protection and favor is available to us just as it was for Esther.  Esther’s courage resulted in the deliverance of God’s people.

Have courage and answer His call.

Promise