So NOISY, So CROWDED...My Room!

I recall, when I was pregnant with my first daughter (Diamond), the many "horror" stories I had to suffer through from experienced mothers.  I heard about their labor pains, their mood swings, their uncontrollable bladders, their morning sickness...UGGHHHH!! It was torturous! 

Was there pain?  Yes.  Did I spend lots of time in the restroom?  Absolutely!  However, the discomfort I experienced during those nine months could never outweigh the joy of talking, singing and reading to this little miracle growing in me...the anticipation of what (or who) was to come.  Had I focused on the "tales from the dark side" I would not have been able to enjoy the tremendous blessing of carrying life.  The memory of that experience brings me to this week's thought...How did it get so noisy and so crowded in my room? 

It's not easy keeping a secret when you are excited about something great that's about to happen in your life.  God has made room for you and you want to tell the world about it!  Whether it's a new business venture, finishing school at a later age, or even pregnancy, there is always someone who has some kind of experience in that area.  These "experts" are usually relentless in wanting to share "how hard it was", or "how long it took"...sometimes they even ask, "are you sure you want to do that?".  Their seeds of pessimism begin to settle in the soil of our minds and then what happens next?  We begin to worry or even doubt what was just a passion five minutes before we had that conversation.

So many of us have unfinished accomplishments and unfulfilled dreams because we gave someone the liberty of opinion.  I'm reminded of these competitive television shows where so many walk away discouraged from using their talents because of three or four judges.  I am excited when I see those same people move on to become celebrated artists who top the charts.  There's just something about not giving up!  This week I challenge you to practice fortitude...simply put, don't share "it" until you are ready to stand up for it.