Aspire to Inspire {Father's Love}

Thank you to the following ladies who participated in my first Aspire to Inspire. I appreciate you all taking the time to link up.


Paula from Paula Grace Designs
Traci from Beneath My Heart
DeeDee from DDzine
Audry from At Town Square

Aspire to Inspire {Fatherly Love}


A while ago, a friend sent me a link to this video. Thanks Louise!

In case you don't watch it, which I highly encourage you to do so, I'll summarize.  It's the remarkable story of Patrick Henry Hughes. Born without eyes and a medical condition that prevents him from straightening his arms and legs, Patrick has succeeded his "disability" to become an amazing virtuoso pianist, vocalist and trumpeteer.

As if Patrick HENRY"S story is not enough inspiration, you meet his father, Patrick JOHN.

Spoken in true humility, Patrick JOHN says this "I'm just a parent of a young man that wanted to be in band". Patrick JOHN works midnight shift just so he can attend his son's every class and band practice. Acting as his son's eyes and legs, Patrick JOHN tirelessly maneuvers his son's wheelchair through the formations of the 220 member Marching Band at the University of Louisville.

How amazing is that! A true testimony of the love a father has for his child.

As I thought about this story I was momentarily saddened that my father and I are estranged. But then I remembered I have a Heavenly Father that loves me just as much as Patrick JOHN loves his son and has sacrificed so much more for me.

Here's a letter I received from my Heavenly Father reminding me of how much he loves me:

 

Works for Me Wednesday at We are That Family

My Dearest Child,


You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Ps 139.1)

I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Ps 139.2)

I am familiar with all your ways. (Ps 139.3)

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10.29-30)

For you were made in my image (Genesis 1.27)

In me you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring (Acts 17.28)

I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1.4-5)



I chose you when I planned creation (Eph. 1.11-12)

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Ps 139.15-16)

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17.26)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139.14)

I knit you together in your mother's womb (Ps 139. 13)

And brought you forth on the day you were born (Ps 71.6)

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ( John 8.41-44)



I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ( I John 4.16)

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (I John 3.1)

Simply because you are my child and I am your father (I John 3.7)

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7.11)

For I am the perfect Father (Matthew 5.48)

Every good gift you receive comes from my hand (James 1.17)

For I am your provider and I meet your needs (Matthew 6.31)

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29.11)

Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31.3)

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Ps. 139.17-18)




And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3.17)

I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32.40)

For you are my treasured possession (Ex. 19.5)

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32.41)

And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33.3)

For if you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4.29)

So, delight in me and I will give yo the desires of your heart (Ps. 37.4)




For it is I who gave you those desires (Phil. 2.13)

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Eph. 3.20)

For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thess. 2.16-17)

I am also the Father who comforts who in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1.3-4)

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Ps 34.18)

As a shephered carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40.11)

One day I will wipe away every tear form your eyes. And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21.3-4)


 

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ( I John 4.10)

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8.31-32)

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (I John 2.23)

And nothing will ever seperate you from my love again (Romans 8.38-39)

When it's time for you to come home and I'll throw the biggest party Heaven has ever seen (Luke 15.7)

I have always been your Father, and will always be your Father (Eph. 3.14-15)

My question is...Will you be my child? (John 1.12-13)

I am waiting for you (Luke 15.11-32)



Love Dad,

Your Heavenly Father



This weekend, as I celebrate my birthday, I know I've already received the greatest gift.


Sincerely, Lisa

Stories that {Aspire to Inspire}

I truly believe that we are all surrounded by inspiration. It's in the untold stories of loved ones, uncaptioned photos and the unseen works of artists.

That thought was the inspiration for my first MckLinky...

Aspire to Inspire. A place to share the stories behind the people, beliefs, art or words that inspire you.

As I prepared to write this post, I thought about all the things that inspire me and what I would like to share with you. Although, I made list after list of potential items, I kept coming back to the same topic; storytelling.

I wanted to tell you why storytelling is so important...

Storytelling has been a long-time tradition in the African community. It basically served as a way of passing along traditions and beliefs from one generation to another.

Although storytelling may have been mastered by the African and African-american community, it's practiced everywhere. By everyone.

If you've been reading my blog, you know I love to tell stories. It's how I make sense of life. But what you may not know, is how much I love to hear stories. This also helps me make sense of life and keep things in perspective. It's probably why I became a counselor.

Following the loss of our baby, the stories of others became a source of encouragement and inspiration to me. The website Journey of Hearts was a lifeline. I was especially found of the article, The Importance of Telling (and Listening) to the Story. Author Kirstin Dyer summarizes the benefits of storytelling as:

• 
  
  Inspires and provides hope during dark times
• 
  
  Life changes and losses are assimilated into a person's life story by the telling of their story
• 
  
  Translates memories into concrete manner that can help preserve tradition and cultures

As a new blogger, I've been encouraged by reading all your blogs. Endless stories of hope and resiliency. Lessons ranging from how to paint to blog etiquette. Tender memories of loved ones lost along the away and new challenges ahead....none of these words have fallen on deaf ears. I appreciate you all sharing those moments with me and your fellow bloggers. Your openness and vulnerability has encouraged me beyond words.

So now I'm preparing for a new chapter in my life. On March 29, I'll be starting nursing school, which is one step closer to pursuing my dream...of moving to the ocean.

Thank you all for listening to my story (over the past few months) and more importantly being part of my story. The words you leave here will continue to inspire me.
As the date draws near, I have alot of work to be done with organizing childcare, orientation, Dr appts, ordering uniforms, etc. Although, my time will be limited, I'll keep you posted on our decorating projects, but I apologize in advance if I don't get around to visiting you all.
So please Link up those inspiring posts now, while I have time to read them...
Sincerely, Lisa

Aspire to Inspire

INSPIRATION-arousal of the mind to special activity or creativity.

That's the definition of what blogging has become to me. I've spent most of my life wanting to help and inspire people to live better, happier lives. Along the way, I've spent alot of money, probably too much money on education. Yet since I've started blogging, I've learned more about myself and others than any school could ever teach me.

I've learned that I, like most people want to be inspired and in return, want to inspire others. Just think about it;

• Absolutely Beautiful Things is a lovely and very popular decorating blog about nothing more than "the beautiful things I find which inspire me".
• The Lettered Cottage and Young House Love are two awesome DIY blogs with everyday couples tackling projects historically presented by Bob Vila-type handymen.

I could go on and on listing blogs that we go to for our daily dose of inspiration.
So what do we do with all that inspiration? We do things that we never thought we could do.
Don't believe me? Just check out Monday's at Between Naps on the Porch and Tuesday's at A Soft Place to Land. They're filled with SAHM teaching themselves how to operate nail guns, compound miter saws, etc. All in an effort to make a beautiful home and life for their families while working within their budgets and utilizing resources readily available to them.
Although, I haven't attempted to use any tools, blogging has inspired me to do something more. Explore my creative side. Write, open up, reach out to others. Believe it or not, I hate to write. I love to talk, but I HATE to write. But since I've started blogging, I've become more comfortable and confident with my writing skills.
So with that said, let me get to my point. This winter, I've found myself increasingly saddened by personal memories of loss, the crisis in Haiti and the hurts of fellow bloggers.
Yet for every sad moment, there'a a dozen more happy ones...you just have to look to find them. I can't tell you how much reading your blogs and celebrating life's smallest victories with you has lifted my spirits and reminded me of the resiliency of human nature. I look forward to your creativity. Some days it's the escape I need from the harsh realities of life. The smallest reminder that "this too shall pass".
So this is what I'd like to do. I want to host a MckLinky party called Aspire to Inspire.
The purpose of this party is to share your favorite music, quote, book, picture, or object in hopes that it will encourage someone else. Most days, we are surrounded by inspiration. Stories that are unheard by others, photos that are uncaptioned. Pieces of art that are unseen. All items taken for granted by us and possibly something that could possibly encourage or lift the spirit of others.
To get you thinking, I'm just going to give you a list of things that inspire me. I won't elaborate, that's the purpose of the MckLinky party. But at least this will give you something to think about.

1. The movie Rudy
2. Easter Holiday
3. Broken angel statue

As you type up your post, try to answer these questions

• How/why does this inspire me?
• How/why do I hope to inspire someone else by sharing this?

Okay, lets shoot for next Wednesday January 27th to have our first Aspire to Inspire Party. Maybe by that time I'll figure out how to host a MckLinky party and make a cute little button. If you have any ideas or suggestions please leave me a comment or send me an email. Thank you!
Sincerely, Lisa

Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family