I recently used the 360 Lite tool to get insight about areas of strengths and those areas where I need to grow. A dear friend who has known me for ages it seems (since I came to Albania) wrote a comment stating I seem to have lost my joy.

Hmmm…. ouch. What would lead her to think that about me? Am I exhibiting frustration, sadness or worry more frequently than happiness, joy, and peace? Her comment began brewing in my heart and mind so I decided to probe deeper to see if what she said had any validity.

Where do you go when you lose something? Most restaurants, activity centers, airports, movie theaters and offices have a Lost and Found box. So that’s where I decided to go hunting to see if my joy had somehow ended up there.

I opened the Lost and Found Box of my life and took a good a look to see what’s been hiding inside.

Not completely to my surprise, I did find some of the following items:

The biggest item I found in my lost and found box was: (Can you guess….???) Yep: 1. Worry– about the future, finances, our desire for children, family health issues, etc.

A second item I found, though somewhat reluctantly was: Selfishness– it seems that these past few years I’ve been much more self-consumed and preoccupied, as opposed to other-centered and servant-hearted. Stress and fear were among a few other items that were lurking inside my “found” compartment.

lost and found box of life

In the smaller corners of the box, I did see that JOY was there– it had simply been covered up by worry and fear. JOY was deeply connected to a PERSON– the person of Jesus. One of my favorite quotes about Jesus shows this vital relation between Jesus and joy:

“The Gospels show that Jesus quickly established intimacy with the people He met… He cut instantly to the heart of the matter, and after a few brief lines of conversation these people revealed to Jesus their innermost secrets… People liked being with Jesus; where He was, joy was.” Philip Yancey

Tucked under other items like material things and worldly concerns was thankfulness. How could I bring joy out of my Lost and Found Box to the center and surface of my life? Through Thankfulness– thankfulness is key to ridding my life of worry and fear.

A great quote I recently read states:

“The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing.” Hannah Whithall Smith

There’s been so much to be thankful about: good health, a great hubby, wonderful family, answered prayer, significance and impact through our ministry and the work God’s entrusted to us, etc.

Thus, I’ve decided to pull out of the Lost and Found Box those two most precious items to keep with me at all times: Joy and Thankfulness.

And I’ve also decided to empty my Lost and Found box by tossing in the trash those things that were bringing me down: worry, fear, selfishness, pride, and materialism.

It’s not always an easy choice– sometimes selfishness stubbornly shows up at the door and demands her way in– and mistakenly I’ve put aside precious time connecting to the Source of Joy, foolishly letting selfishness rule.

But I was extremely thankful for my friend’s profound feedback from my 360 Lite Review as it got me thinking– how do I come across to others? Are they seeing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control grace my life? Or am I characterized by worry, fear, selfishness, discouragement or other undesirable characteristics?

As I’ve changed my focus these past few months to one of giving thanks and choosing joy, I’ve noticed my disposition and outlook have markedly changed and that peace has enveloped my heart on a daily basis.

What about you? What is lurking in your Lost & Found box that needs to be dusted off and embraced or thrown out in today’s trash?

For finding out more about using a 360 Lite for personal growth and development, click here.

With the remains of roman candles and black cat firecrackers littering the ground throughout Albania’s capital city, we enter 2010. Tirana will sleep for 2 solid days as stores, cinemas, and even the most populated coffee shops are closed for hibernation. Baklava is fresh and bountiful in homes, having been made the 2 or 3 days prior to the New Year, to welcome all those who venture outside their homes to make the rounds of New Year’s visits at friend’s and neighbor’s homes as is custom here.

2009 has passed, 2010 is upon us. On blogs and in the news we see endless lists that cause us to pause for reflection on the past. “The best & worst movies of 2009.” “The 30 best posts of 2009.” “Best dressed of 2009.”

Though it is a great time for looking back, remembering the achievements and special joys of this past year, pondering the challenges we’ve experienced and the ways we’ve grown through them, many of us would prefer to look forward with anticipation of a new beginning, a chance to get things right, gain a fresh start, set new goals and make necessary changes so that 2010 is a better year, or even “the best year yet” as many New Year’s well-wishers express.

As I transition to a New Year and New Decade, 3 timeless truths that I can cling to enable me to move forward with hope and anticipation, not worry or dread.

1. His mercies are new every morning, every day of the year—not just once a year.

Perhaps for many 2009 held financial difficulties, job loss or great personal sorrow that resembles Jeremiah’s bitterness in the Book of Lamentations… “I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I’ve swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—the feeling of hitting bottom.” (Lam. 3:19).

Despite how difficult and painful the past has been, there is reason to hope. Just 3 verses later we read, “God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, His merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great is your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God… He’s all I’ve got left.” (Lam. 3:22-24, The Message).

What gives me great hope is that His mercies are not new just once a year, upon the arrival of the New Year, but every day, they reach down to us in whatever despairing situation we find ourselves in. God’s loyal love is a reality, for each of the 365 days in 2010.

2. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

In pondering the happenings of 2009, while I could easily dwell on the difficult circumstances we’ve faced– my father-in-law being diagnosed with cancer and business clients who haven’t paid their bills among others, I’d much rather bring to mind the countless ways we’ve seen and tasted God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives, even through challenging trials. So as we head into this New Year—what a great truth to cling to—God is constant, unchanging, steady, solid… just as He has shown His faithfulness to us throughout the past year, He will continue to do so in this new one.

3. God holds the future, so I can relax (not worry) and focus on today.

Not knowing what the future holds can be scary and even intimidating at times. But God is all about embracing today, just as His name is “I Am.” I don’t need to walk with trepidation into 2010 with worries, anxieties and “what if’s” flooding my mind— doing so would only paralyze me and keep me from moving forward.

Instead I can cling to this wonderful truth– God is sovereign and He holds the future. His will is good, pleasing and perfect for my life, so I can take one day at a time, living in His strong embrace, knowing that His grace is sufficient for all that I’ll face today and every day.

As you enter 2010, what truths give you hope, courage and joy in facing a New Year?

Photo by: Konrad Mostert

“Albania in NATO: We secure our freedom and our future”

April 4, 2009 will go down as the second most historic day in Albania according to Prime Minister Sali Berisha at ceremonies held in Strasbourg, France. He said it comes second only to Albania’s independence from the Ottoman Turkish Empire declared in 1912.

Indeed, it is a significant milestone for this nation, considering how just over 18 years ago Albania was pulling out of a strict Communist dictatorship which had severely isolated it from the rest of the world. Now it is part of a military alliance with 27 other countries.

The weekend was marked by government sponsored festivities including two nights of concerts in Skanderbeg Square and a breath-taking display of fireworks on Sunday evening.  Albanian & NATO flags dotted the main boulevard and key streets along with several large banners hung on bridges like the one picture above.

Being a part of NATO means greater security and protection for Albania and hopefully is the first step down the path of Albania being integrated into the European Union.

How do Albanians feel about all of this? I’d say there’s a mix of feelings and opinions– some feel that all the government hoopla is only propaganda in light of elections that are to be held this June and that the actual standard of living doesn’t match up to the ‘amazing progress‘ that is proclaimed to the press and by world leaders. Others see the significance of such an alliance as far-reaching by providing military security for future generations as well as hoping that potential foreign investors will see Albania’s inclusion into NATO as a safe opportunity for business investments and trade.

I personally congratulate my Albanian friends on the progress Albania is making, though painfully ’slow’ in some regards. I don’t, however, embrace the banner title above proclaiming that entrance into NATO will secure Albania’s freedom and future. There’s only One who can bring true freedom and a secure future- the One for whom we were uniquely designed to have a personal relationship with, who out of great love for all of mankind suffered on the Cross 2,000+ years ago to set us free from the grip of sin and to provide a secure, peaceful, and joyful eternity forever in His presence and love.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
(John 8:36, NIV)

In Jesus, we secure our freedom and our future!