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| My beautiful cousin Jen and me. (another nice girl!) |
“Is She Really That Nice? No One Can Be Happy Like That All The Time…”
This is a comment that comes back full circle to me quite often…(if it is the worst thing ever said about me PRAISE the LORD! HAHA!) But, it is worth mentioning…
Each day I pray that God will allow me to see people through His eyes, even if it is just a small piece of “goodness” that I can find out about someone …I consider it a gift. Is it easier to find negative traits about people? Sometimes it is..because we are ALL sinners…However, people are God’s greatest creation with whom He made in His image, so I think we are pretty important in His eyes … we are all worth the extra effort.
Jesus said “ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
-John 13: 34-35
Loving one another is a COMMANDMENT! WOWSA! And guess what?!
We aren’t only to love the people who are loveable…
We aren’t only to love the people who are loveable…
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
-Luke 6:27-35
I have had my life experiences, but I am afraid if I wore them on my exterior all the time, I wouldn’t be very joyful and most importantly I certainly wouldn’t be very approachable. No one would want what I have…(CHRIST!). I have experienced tragic deaths (suicide, car accident, stroke), job loss (my husband was out of work for over a year!) , illnesses, divorce (my parents), post partum depression (with 2 out of 3 births) , heartbreak, disappointment, and much more. But, I chose to be joyful …Why? Because my Maker has given me instructions and I chose to follow Him and not man. Some days are easier than others…and some days I fail miserably, but I prayerfully get up the next day asking for Joy and mindfully seeking to help and be kind to others.
Be always joyful
1 Thessalonians 5:16
May my hard times make me closer to the Lord, may my pain and suffering give me testimony for others, and may my mistakes be someone else’s learning experiences.
May my gifts be shared with you and may we walk together with the Lord serving Him and serving others!
Be NICE!
Much Love, Janelle
Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree. ~Marian Wright Edelman
It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice. ~Author Unknown
Don’t wait for people to be friendly, show them how. ~Author Unknown
I have posted this video before on this blog…but wanted to share it again, the end of the video has some of my testimony.
It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice. ~Author Unknown
Don’t wait for people to be friendly, show them how. ~Author Unknown
I have posted this video before on this blog…but wanted to share it again, the end of the video has some of my testimony.
I am participating in Living Well Wednesdays and Titus 2sdays
Like you as a family we've faced some challenges and I agree with you that positivity is a choice. Sometimes people cannot see the challenges we face and they forget we all have burdens to carry. I believe it's how we react to life that makes us who we are and I choose to trust that God will carry me through. Some days it's hard to be joyful but I have to try!
I love that you reach out to everyone! It's so much easier to find fault in people than look for the good. We need more people in the world like you!
Thanks for this! So many people need it and you're an inspiration to us all. Blessings and peace. Keep spreading that joy!
You are such an inspiration to me. We live in a small town full of small town issues. No one seems to be nice anymore! Everyone is looking out for #1. I want to be a light in our community! I want my children to see that you can make a change! I know we already are making a change, bc we have made so many friends and great neighbors by hosting small friendly get togethers, and while we may pray before our meal and that be the only thing we do that is directly to God that night (no bible study or anything, just wholesome conversations, etc). They come back, bc they want to know more! They ask to come over again bc they know we know God! I am so proud of that!!! My children see that you don't have to push God on someone, they have it in themselves, and sometimes it just takes being nice to them to bring out that want for more in their life! It's a very important decision to choose nice. The alternative doesn't look so hot 😉 I hope that all made sense! I'm getting a bit tired as it's already 10pm here and my kids are snoring beside me, makes me more tired!! lol!
Aw Janelle thank you for these words. I am with you and it took all of 2010 for the Lord to show me just HOW to be joyful in every situtation. I walked away from a profitable business that I had for 6 years because God said too. It was the first step to my complete surrender of my whole life not just parts. I get up every morning praying the say things and for Him to show me how I can serve Him better with what He has in trusted me with!! Some think we make this look easy however its getting up everyday giving our life to God to help us get through each and every day!! Thank you for your kind words!!! Love you girl
You inspire me…a choice. Every minute of every day. Thank you.
What an amazing testimony! Thank you for sharing what God has done in your life. And look at what Hes done!! Romans 8:28!!
In His Love,
Adrienne
hi janelle.you were wonderful..i pray some day too that i will get to where you are right now in your leadership role..so many women are lost and hurting ..i meet them breifly like in parks ,stores waiting in line at banks,post office etc..i also feel i dont know enough ..im still facing challenges over coming fears and "what ifs"…my house not quite right.. (i know the devils crap)in my head ..but you know what, this year i just know… breakthroughs are comming and for now i hang on to what you said "that he does not call the qualified he qualifies who he calls" i so want to win souls for jesus.
i am so blessed by your testimony
mia
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! After much wondering what I can do for others as a SAHM of two small boys, your blog has encouraged me to share food with others. I love to cook and I see it as a way to connect to our neighbors, share the love of Jesus, and hopefully see their lives changed for eternity!
Janelle,
I LOVE this! Love real and transparent you are on this and that it's a choice. What an encouragement you are!! I thank God for you.
Love, Kristen
I love that you have begun mixing writing in with your recipes – your heart is beautiful and no doubt you are one of the "nicest" people I know!!!
Love ya,
Courtney
Ohhh I loved this Janelle! I've heard the same thing said about me too. Totally understand girl….like being called "Nice" and "Happy" are bad things. What I especially LOVED about your post was that you showed your life isn't without heartbreak, but you choose JOY anyway! Being happy and nice and joyful is a CHOICE! We all have heartbreak and disappointments in our lives but it's how we handle those situations and how we turn them around for good with the help of our Lord!
Hey Janelle-I think your blog's tone speaks for itself. I swear, this place is like a great, big, honky-tonk hug! I'm not sure if it's the pics of the hot drinks or the hot food, or just your warm smile, but it is an inspiration to say the least. And I can tell that you ARE that nice in person. So you go, girl! and we all really could benefit by being a better human being to those around us.
Becky, Leigha, Sonya, Janene, Adrienne, Mia, Shannon, Kristen, Courtney, Angela, and Ammie…I want to thank you so much for allowing God to speak through you to me…YOUR encouragement keeps me going…I am so grateful for the Sisters in Christ that are in my life..for those I know in person and for those I know through this blog ministry..I am sincerely grateful. Love to you, Janelle
Oh…Ammie, LOL!!!!! your comment cracked me up, thanks!!!!
Love the quotes. And I still haven't watched the entire video, but I hope to watch it tomorrow. It's 1 am!
Your post reminds me of my friend's husband who used to say, "I don't like that guy enough, I really need to get to know him." He knew there was good in most people and made an effort to find it.
We need to change your header to read, "Honky Tonk Hugger" I like it.
LOL..It reminds me of Lottsa Huggin Bear on Toy Story 3. I think I need to find an app! HA!
So very honest, open, and encouraging. You've encouraged me to be looking for ways to show Christ's love to my neighbors. Thanks so much! I've used so many of your recipes already and look forward to trying more. Julie
Thank you so much Julie! Love, Janelle