Zay's Lesson

Today, I watched my 4-yr old son get knocked out by the Wii Computer. Immediately, he threw the remote on the floor and started bawling! I knelt down beside him and asked him why he was so upset. Woefully he said "Mommy I hate to lose."  I told him sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. When we lose, we keep trying, until we win. He said, "Mommy I just wanna be good and win."  I told him just because you win doesn't mean your good.  "Practicing" makes you good. That's why you go to your basketball practice during the week before your game, so that you can be "really good".

Later down the road, he'll understand the many lessons in that statement, but for now he understood the gist and kept trying. I love teaching my children lessons about life.

Isn't it funny how losing or failing at something can teach you a powerful lesson and give you the opportunity to be thankful for the overall experience that made you hurt, cry or scream?   Then when you really think about it, sometimes losing a "title" is far better if you won the "lesson".

And in the end... It's really up to you whether you win or lose.    (c) 2011 Jessica Hicks

Photo by: Corbis

"Soaring With The Armor."

                    

This morning I dreamt I was standing on top of a huge rocky mountain in the middle of the Sahara Dessert. There I stood at the edge of the cliff, naked because I was unashamed of past failures. Sweat ran profusely down my body. The swift beat of my heart felt like it was going to jump straight out of my chest. Anxiously, I closed my eyes, spread out my arms, tightened my toes and took a deep breath…..

Then all of a sudden, I felt a soothing gust of wind whirl around me, feeling like a warm hug. Then the soft yet powerful voice of my heavenly father whispered, “My daughter, I did not give you the Spirit of Fear! I gave you the Spirit of Power, the Spirit of Love, and the Spirit of a Sound Mind. Together, we can do all things. Carry my Word with you at all times, hold on to your confidence and Trust in Me!” Calmly, I smiled and cried, “Abba! Thank you for always being here for me when I feel so alone.” He wiped my tears, kissed my cheek and uttered sweetly, “I will eHenever leave you nor forsake you! Put on your whole armor, so that you may be able to stand against all the strategies and deceits of the devil.”  

I opened my eyes and stepped back from the cliff. There to my right lay “The Mighty Armor of God,” and attached was a note that read, “Put on this armor, so that you can defend yourself and be victorious. Always be ready with truth wrapped around your waist, like a belt and let God's justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all of the evil flaming arrows. Let God's saving power be like a helmet and for a sword use God's message that comes from the Spirit. Never stop praying.”

Firmly, I hiked up to the edge of the cliff and confessed, “Abba! Please forgive my disbelief. I will respect you say.” Tightly, I closed my eyes and whispered softly, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in fresh tender green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life; He leads me in the paths of righteousness, not for my earning it, but for His name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the deep sunless valley of the shadow of death I will fear or dread no evil; for You Abba, are with me; your rod protects me and your staff guides me, they comfort me.”  I paused for a moment of silence.

Suddenly, I felt a warm tingle rush up and down my body, I popped open my eyes and shouted with glee, “I'm ready!”  Together we jumped with no hesitation and soared confidently with the gentle wind that directed our destination. At that very moment, I had not a care. I was free from FEAR!  When I awoke from my dream, I jumped off my couch and praised Him for restoring my life!

Today, I stand a powerful woman who is confident in my heavenly father’s word, fearless on my walk and ready to conquer the world!  You see a few months ago, I wasn’t able to utter these words with confidence. They say, “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” True indeed, because thanks to God, I am stronger than ever. This year I conquered a huge goal and paid a huge price for it. I learned when the opposition is heavy, the reward is abundant. Whatever you do, don’t surrender to your challenger; knock him out with the word of God!  

(c)  2010 Jessica Hicks

"One Day My Happiness Just Disappeared..."

Nervously, I shuffled thru papers, sermons and songs asking myself, “Where are you?” You were just here last week shining brightly thru my heart. Then all of a sudden POOF, you vanished!  No where to be found. Not even Yolanda Adams or my fast running feet could find the happy in me. I never realized my happiness could disappear right from my very own heart, but truth be told, it did. So, here I was on this new quest to find where my happiness went.

You see, life was all good once I pushed beyond my flesh and spent 10 consecutive weeks exercising my mind, body and spirit during 6 AM runs. My Holy Helper taught me great lessons during those times. He helped me see beyond my own understanding and gave me the power to conquer my long days.  At first I hesitated to try the early morning runs because it was a bit cool for my lukewarm routine, but the moment I yielded to God, I found it was smooth sailing. He and I skirted easily through the rough current together.  Since I let Him, the more experienced driver, drive, long days became productive days and productive days became “happy days,” and I was experiencing a new balanced lifestyle. Until one day, my happiness just disappeared.  

I once heard in a lecture, “Professionals Practice.” Kobe Bryant hits the gym every morning by 5 AM to practice. Magic Johnson used to dribble to and from the grocery store to practice. Michael Phelps became The World’s Greatest Olympic swimmer because he practiced; Jackie Joyner-Kersee became an All-time great athlete in the Women’s Heptathlon because she practiced. Prayer Warriors practice praying, writers practice writing and Happy Moms practice being happy.  

Life will always bring rough waves to knock you down, but it's your choice to use the power God gave you to withstand all things. Don't look to any person, place or thing to find your answer. Don't focus on the rough current, hardship, pain or problem. Rather, seek God's presence and meditate on His written word for “the joy of the Lord is your strength”. My happiness faded when I stopped balancing my life with my helper. I had forgotten that He and I were a team and it is He who brings wisdom to my knowledge. So here we are again skirting through the rough current together…   

(c) 2010 Jessica Hicks

Seeing Life thru Another Set of Eyes...

You and I might not be going through the same situation, but there may be a correlation with the learning lesson. Don’t judge someone because you think they are not as mature as you. Pride can keep you from learning a powerful lesson and have you running around in circles for years, only to find yourself trying to learn the same lesson. Sometimes you have to step outside yourself, look beyond yourself and check yourself, so that you can then be yourTRUEself.  As you are enlightening someone else, keep open-minded because you may just be learning the same lesson. Pay close attention for the underlying message. Revelation is key.

(c) 2010 Jessica Hicks