January | 2017 | mandiesworld

This past Wednesday our youth pastor talked about the new year and setting goals for ourselves. Here are a few quotes from the message.

“It’s the little things that are vital. Little things make big things happen.” -John Wooden

It’s often the small things that no one sees that result in the BIG things that everyone wants.

Sometimes we don’t know that we are making a difference with small things we do. We can make small adjustments to our thoughts, words, and habits; and that will make a big difference.

Our youth pastor gave us a few minutes to think of two things: Our One Word, and a verse. Our one word is something we would like to get better at this year, and the verse basically backs up our word. Some of us though of a word and verse right away, while others are still searching for their one word and verse.

My word is Celebrate. I feel like this past year I was stressed and did not live my life to the fullest. This year I am going to give my all in everything I do, and celebrate the life that I have been given, hoping to make an impact in someone’s life. My verse was Psalm 118:24 which says; “Today is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

This past week and even today God has been showing me many “signs” revealing that I have chosen the correct word for this year. I work at a fast food restaurant, and I was taking orders through the headset for drive through. (this was two days after I heard this lesson and picked my one word) A lady pulled up to the window and asked who was on the headset. “That was me.” I answered nervously. I thought I had done something wrong, but then she surprised me. She said, “I love your voice. I want to thank you for making my day. It is hard to be positive sometimes, but you were so sweet.” She went on to say some other things. I thanked her and told her she had, in turn, made my day. I couldn’t stop smiling and thanking God for that small opportunity to share my smile and positivity with someone. Later that same day, some of my fellow workers were reading some questions from a kids toy. The question was, “Who is the happiest person you know?” I wasn’t really in the conversation, but I overheard the question being asked and one of the girls answers. She said me! She said that I was the happiest person she knows, and that she has never seen me angry or frustrated. That made my day even better. Every day when I go to work I pray that God will let me change someone’s day with my smile, and when she said that, I knew God had been helping me smile.

And then today it continued! My family and I went to church this morning. I always love worship, because I love to sing and praise God, but today was even more special. Almost every song we sang had something about celebrating in it! The first song made me smile and laugh because it is based off of the verse I chose, Psalm 118:24. ‘Today is the Day’. The second song we sang was ‘Happy Day’ which says, “CELEBRATE, Jesus is Alive…” and the last song we sang was ‘God of Wonders’ which says, “Early in the morning, I will CELEBRATE the light…” It is truly incredible to see how God is working in my life to remind me of my One Word.

So my challenge to y’all is to find your One Word, and a verse to go with it. You may not find it right away, but don’t lose hope, you will find one! And remember this one word shouldn’t end on December 31 2017. It should continue your whole life!

Matthew 25:21-The master was full of praise. “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s CELEBRATE together!”

I hope this inspires someone today!

❤ Mandie