A New Day with Janie T.

Today A New Day, Part 2

 Opportunities Lost?

 In part one, I shared a story about my early childhood experience with a cute little Shetland pony named Tiny, that I had a love__hate relationship with. I loved to ride her but, “oh my” what I had to go through to get that ride. I hated the two hour chase time to catch her, the bites she would give my backside when I jumped up on her back to take a ride, the trips into the fence, and the times her brakes seemed to grab and I would go off right over her head and then another hot pursue to catch her again. It gave the impression of a no-win situation at times. I tried the grain in a pail or a veggie or apple treat. She was way smarter than that. It usually took some help from other siblings or neighbor kids to get the job done.

 Here is a valid lesson that I learned from this pony that I applied throughout my quest to find my purpose and destiny in life. If I wanted the ride bad enough it was going to take time, a lot of frustration, effort, and a whole lot of patience to get it. And I might add the ride was worth it all.

 My dream of singing and teaching life lessons came the same way. There were times of frustration to the point of giving up because I couldn’t see anything happening. I asked the same questions that you do. When God, are you going to help me with this that I have prayed till I am blue in the face? I would ask, “Why” don’t I see some changes? 

 Here is what I didn’t see. Opportunities would come my way but I was unable to see that they had anything to do with what I wanted God to do for me. They seemed so menial, how about a smile, or a listening ear or maybe something so simple as a compliment to a weary person, or an act of kindness in someway? Simply stating it would be, “What should I be doing for God?” God’s Word is full of advice. Do for others what you would like someone to do for you. 

 These simple but yet so vitally necessary gestures and acts are the very tools it takes to make a person feel that he or she is important to someone. And the giver of all these simple and easy gifts will be set up to become someone great. These attributes are what make a person a real success. Compassionate, thoughtful in all our ways will bring untold opportunities our way. 

 Why are opportunities lost? Many times we think we cannot do what is asked of us. FEAR takes over and we will not give it a try. Lost opportunity. That may well have been training for your dream. It has taken a lifetime of preparation for this moment in time for my dream to come into fruition. 

 I remember one time many years ago, a neighbor girl asked me to sing at her wedding. I asked her if she had ever heard me sing before, she said, “No, I just know that you can do it.” Well I didn’t settle for that. I asked for her and her mother to come to the church and listen to me first and then they could decide. My confidence was zero, but I took the opportunity and with fear and trepidation, I sang for her wedding. From that came many more invitations to sing. The rest is history. I have often wondered what would have happened if I had let that one pass by. It was the beginning of a music dream that has taken me all over the world.

 Long hours of practice and learning how to sing with accompaniment tapes didn’t come easy for me. It took HARD WORK! NO LAZINESS PERMITTED. Years were spent singing to my front room walls and chairs, but in my heart I always sang to filled chairs in my front room. I always invited Jesus and His angels to come and listen. I could not see them but I sang into their faces as if the natural eye could see them. By faith I saw the audiences that later I saw with my own eyes. I knew God would not let me down if I did my part.

 Guard against laziness and impatience. Never let go of the sight of your dreams. Be persistent as I was to get that pony ride. Don’t give up! Reach for the STARS! JESUS IS WITH YOU; HE WANTS YOUR FAITH TO BE RENEWED TODAY. YOU CAN TRUST HIM!

 Have a wonderful, encouraging day! 

Janie T.