Lately I’ve been inspired by many clichés and encouraging quotes. I don’t know if it’s because I’m noticing them more or because it’s coming my way more. Perhaps it’s both.

One cliché I heard recently that touched me is this: “When the student is ready, the teacher will show up.” I heard this one at my daughter’s middle school. Our PTO sponsored an education motivational speaker for a special event. I was there as a parent helper. He had many clichés, quotes and stories that inspired me. Perhaps it was because I was the student that was ready. 

Surprisingly there are now numerous motivational speakers in the business world that are also in great demand and very successful. They charge a fortune for their services too. What’s surprising is that there’s a growing client base. I was lead into this field by my husband. Frustrated with his employees for many years and having tried many incentives that failed, my husband came across this abstract field of inspiring the business workplace. He was most inspired by Jon Gordon’s work. His books are simply written and I sensed his Christian background while reading. Later I found that I was right. 

I know some hardcore believers do not like these “water-down” messages or sharing Christian principles without proclaiming Jesus Christ. However being married to a tight-lidded husband who would shut out Jesus instantaneously, I have seen my husband open himself up to the writings of Jon Gordon and other writers of Christian influence. This has helped our relationship tremendously.

Sometimes I wonder if my growing zeal for God and my faith in Jesus Christ makes him more opposing of Christian beliefs. I don’t know. But how can I deny my growing convictions? Miraculously, somehow we live harmoniously and grow in our patience, tolerance and love for one another. I believe it’s the amazing grace of God that comes from obedience.

At times, I get very frustrated and wonder how long can we live together and so spiritually apart. That’s when I have to stop myself and command my mind to think of things that are truthful, inspiring and hopeful. 

Another cliché that I recently heard was this: “One of the keys to happiness is to be easily inspired.” I like this one a lot. God’s word in the bible is full of inspiring and encouraging promises. I believe God wants his children to be easily inspired because hope gives us the faith to keep believing. Without belief in a positive outcome, we become depressed, lethargic and give up completely. 

For me, one of the saddest thing to witness is a chronically downtrodden Christian. Their lives left such a bad image in my mind as a young person that I try really hard not to be that way. I remember it left a very poor impression of God to me as a young believer. God is good. I don’t want anyone to expel God’s love because of my conduct and negativity. I evaluate myself regularly on this. 

The motivational speaker at my daughter’s school urged everyone to keep a personal journal in order to make sense of your thoughts, to remember the struggles and the victories of your journey. He kept a journal ever since a young teenager. I would not be surprised if he was a Christian too. 

This blogging is my personal journal. If it helps you in some way then good! Praise God! I know it helps me to look back at my old entries. I forget so easily of God’s faithfulness, love and loyalty. Praise God for giving me this avenue to express and document his amazing grace in my life!! 

I discovered another blogger who writes nicely about journaling to hear from God.
http://inspirationandhope.org/2013/09/01/journaling-as-a-way-to-hear-god  

Friends, let us be easily inspired even by cheesy clichés, and the inspiring stories and promises from the bible! 

Philippians 4:8Amplified Bible (AMP)
8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we live by believing and not by seeing.