Month: March 2019

Could Anticipation of The Future Keep Us From Embracing The New?

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Embracing The New, Uncategorized

ISAIAH 43:19(NLT) – FOR I AM ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING NEW. SEE, I HAVE ALREADY BEGUN! DO YOU NOT SEE IT? I WILL MAKE A PATHWAY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS. I WILL CREATE RIVERS IN THE DRY WASTELAND.

This blog week we have been talking about different ways we can potentially miss seeing the beautiful new things that the Lord is doing in our lives. One way is by doing things that no longer serve us. Although they may have served a purpose in our past, they may not in our present.  The second way is through our personal agenda’s. Sometimes we can be so focused on it that we miss all that he is doing in the process. This brings me to the third and final way, which is anticipation of the future.

How many of you at the end of last year were looking forward to the beginning of 2019? Perhaps 2018 was not exactly what you had hoped it would be, and you were wanting a clean slate. Or, maybe it was everything & more than you could have imagined and you were excited about what was to come. Whatever the case may have been for you, could it have kept you from truly seeing all that he was doing at the time? If you’re anything like me, likely so. Sometimes we can be so focused on the future that we miss the gifts that are hidden in the present.

The truth is, each day that we are given the Lord is doing something new in and through us all. It is the point of our existence.  We were not meant to stay as we are, but rather become all that he created us to be. It is a process, my friends. That is, we are a work in progress. Let us strive to embrace the new by living every moment fully present. In doing so, we will begin to see the “pathways” and “rivers” before us! I am sure of it!

Thank you all for being here this week. Please send me your thoughts and ideas on anything that we covered. I always love hearing from you guys!  Otherwise, I’ll see you back here on Monday and on Facebook-  https://www.facebook.com/thefaithfilledtraveler/ , until then. Happy weekend! Take care!

 

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

 

 

 

Are Our Schedules Keeping Us From Embracing The New?

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Embracing The New, Uncategorized

Could our busy schedules be keeping us from embracing the new that the Lord is attempting to do in our lives? Are we so focused on our own agenda’s that we are failing to see the things that he is doing before our eyes? Although I cannot speak for you guys, I, for one, can see where this has been the case in my own life.

As a planner, I generally have my days planned out in advance. From the time that I wake up until I go to bed, I have a To-Do list of task that I check off each day. This combined with daily disciplines that I rarely veer from, like going to the gym help me to stay focused, be productive and achieve goals. This routine all started when my children were younger. During that time, I was working long hours and trying desperately to be the best wife and mother I could be. In order to do that, I woke up extra early and worked from a To-Do list that prioritized things that were important me. I didn’t want to jeopardize my family and their needs for the sake of building a career.

That said, over the years I have grown more and more dependent on my To-Do list. Because of this, I often have to step back , regroup and remind myself not to be so laser focused on the task at hand, that I miss the things that the Lord is doing in my life. After all, our journey here on earth is all about him and his plan for us, right?

So, what about you? Is it possible that your schedule could be keeping you from seeing and experiencing the things that the Lord is trying to do in your life? If so, are you willing to forgo somethings throughout your day in order to embrace it?  I sure hope so. For he is doing new thing, my friends! Let’s dare not miss it!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

Letting Go Of The Old While Embracing The New

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Embracing The New

Can you think of something in your past that served a purpose at the time, but no longer serves you today? Take this old barn for example, I’m sure at one time it served the purpose of housing farm animals like horses, but in it’s current state, it would not be a good option for them today. This brings me to my first point of the blog week of things that keep us from embracing the new and that is the past.

See, if we allow it, our past will rob us from the new and beautiful things that the Lord is doing in our life today. One thing that stands out in my own life, is our children.  When they were younger, I would  teach, guide and protect them by holding their little hands and walking them through various experiences. But now that they are older, I let them figure somethings out on their own. And while I am here to love, support and advise them should they want me to, I no longer hold their hands. I believe this approach gives the Lord space to do what he wants to do in and through them.

So, could there be something in your past that is keeping you for embracing the new things that the Lord is trying to do in your life today? Perhaps its something that you’ve been doing for years that served a purpose initially, but no longer serves you today. Or, maybe it is something or someone that hurt you. Are you allowing it/them to keep you from embracing the new? If so, it’s time to let it go! Don’t allow the old to keep you from the new, my friend! For HE is doing a NEW THING!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

Embracing The New

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Uncategorized

Hello there…happy Monday! How was your weekend? With a few things on our schedule, the Watson’s were busy bee’s. However, we did manage to slow down for the majority of the day yesterday to celebrate my oldest daughter’s birthday. Although it was a simple celebration, the time that I spent with my family combined with the conversations that we had throughout the day were pretty special. Well, enough about me. Let’s get started with this blog weeks topic.

Have you noticed how new construction seems to be popping up everywhere? I feel like every time I turn around there is a new business &/or home being developed. To be honest, I often fail to notice them during the construction phase. It isn’t until they are completed that I find myself wondering how I missed the whole process of them being built, which can take months…years. I think this holds true for the new things that the Lord is trying to build in and through us. We often miss the construction phase in pursuit of our own agenda’s. Or, we are so focused on the old that we do not recognize the new things that he is currently doing.

The word says in Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)- “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” Guys, do you hear what I am saying? The Lord is creating beautiful new things in, through and around us, and we are missing them. That is, we are missing the blessing’s that are taking place in the space between that which is old and new.

For the next few days we are going to talk about 3 things that keep us from missing the “construction phase” in our own lives. I hope that you will join me each day and that by the end of the blog week we will be more aware of these things so that we can embrace the beautiful new things that the Lord is doing. Will you join me? I hope so. Have a great Monday! Take care!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

 

 

 

You Are A Blessing To Others

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Blessings

What if you are meant to be someone else’s blessing today? Perhaps the blessing will come in the form of something that you say to a friend, a smile that you extend to a stranger, or time that you spend with a loved one. Could it be that the Lord intends on using the unique gifts and talents that you have been given to bless the world around you? Yes, my friends…the answer is yes!

For the past few days we have been talking about blessings that are often found in the ordinary day to day things and the people that cross our paths, but the Lord also uses us to bless others. See, each one of us have some things to offer the world that only we can.  They are unique to us.  And although they may seem insignificant to us, they could be quite the opposite to someone else.

Take my friends and family in the picture above for instance, each of these beautiful people bless me in some way when I am around them. From Ben and his strong southern accent to Dayton and her precious giggle to Morgan and her beautiful smile and Montana’s encouraging words, I always feel blessed to be in their presence. Besides, what mom wouldn’t like to hear, ” Mom, you’re beautiful”. Right?

With that said, who will YOU bless today? How will you be the difference in someone else’s life? The truth is, you may never know. The impact that you have on the world may go unnoticed by you, but be certain that it will not go unnoticed by others. For the light that is within you shines bright! You are blessed to be a blessing!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! I’ll see you here on Monday, and on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/thefaithfilledtraveler/, until then!!!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

 

 

Blessings That Are Found In The Ordinary

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Blessings, Uncategorized

Do you suppose that the Lord could be using every day things to bless us with answers to prayers? Or, to confirm that we are on the right path? As silly as it may sound, I’m talking about things like t-shirts. Yes, t-shirts. Could he be using ordinary things in our day to day to bless us? Of course he is!

Yesterday I received this t-shirt from a friend that I have not seen in well over a year.  I met her while on a retreat in October 2017, and I have only seen & spoken to her a couple of times since.  During the retreat I shared a little bit about my running journey that started in August 2013 with her and a small group of ladies. I told them how when I first started I could not run halfway around the track near our home without stopping and gasping for air. Yes, it was awful and a little funny, too. But, with time, patience, and persistence, I managed to build up to 16miles , and I still faithfully run to this day, some 5.5 years later.

During that time, I distinctly remember hearing a small still voice say, “Meet me at the track”. In fact, I heard it many times over the course of that year.  What I began to realize is that the Lord was using my training time to teach me new things about myself, and most importantly about him. See, the running adventures had very little to do with running at all, and everything to do with what the Lord was trying to do in me as a result of them.

Fast forward to today, where I find myself in new territory with a blog and creating t-shirts to sale to help support my family & fund my daughters adventure, I received the reminder above. That is, I received a blessing from the Lord in the form of a t-shirt reminding me that it is not about my blog or t-shirt designs, but rather what he is doing in me as a result of them, and that I am on the right path. Guys, I was in tears. I mean ugly tears. Especially when I found out that she has had the shirt ready for about a month; although, she delivered it yesterday. My friends, do you see the blessings surrounding this? It was all in the Lord’s time. I received the shirt at the time that I needed it most. And what blessing it was … it is !

So what have you been praying for? Are you needing a confirmation that you are on the right path? Look around! I am certain that he is blessing you with the answers that you are seeking, and that he is using the ordinary things to do it. Don’t miss it! It’s beautiful,  so…so beautiful! Keep your eyes, ears and hearts open to the blessings around you. They will likely not come as you expect for them to, but rather how they are intended to!

Make it a great Wednesday, everyone. As always, I’ll plan on seeing you on Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/thefaithfilledtraveler/ later today and here tomorrow morning as we wrap up the blog week. Take care!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

 

Blessings That Come Through Others

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Blessings

Have you ever noticed how being around other people effects the way you feel? You can be walking around with the weight of the world on your shoulders, have a conversation with a friend, loved one or stranger and instantly feel a little lighter. What about when someone smiles or laughs, do you do the same thing in response to it? I sure do, and I don’t think twice about it. It’s like magic! If someone smiles, I smile. And if they laugh, I laugh. It’s contagious!

I believe these little moments are blessings from God. I am certain that he sends people into our lives when we need them the most, whether we are aware of the need or oblivious to it. It can be someone that we’ve known for years or someone that we’ve just met. Perhaps it’s for a moment or an extended period of time. Regardless, he uses people to bless us with what we need when we need it.  It’s such a beautiful thing that I think we often miss, because it’s generally so subtle.  So subtle that we sometimes fail to see the Lord’s hand in it.

So, is there something that you have been praying about that the Lord could be using someone else to help bring it to pass? Or, could it be that he is trying to show you something new through the actions of others? My challenge for you this week is to be present…to be fully aware of the people in your path. As you begin to notice them through eyes of faith, I believe you will inevitably see the Lord at work blessing you in more ways than one. And I would love to hear about it. If you are willing to share these experiences with me, you can comment below, send me an email or private message .

On that note, I pray that you all will have a wonderful Tuesday. May the day be filled with abundant blessings for each and every one of you. I’ll see you later today on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thefaithfilledtraveler/ ) and right here tomorrow morning. Take care!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

 

 

 

Be Open To The Blessings Around You

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Blessings

Hi, guys! Good Monday morning to each of you. I hope you all are rested up and ready for the week ahead. I, for one, am excited to start a new week. That is, I am excited to dive into this weeks topic, Keep Your Eyes, Ears and Hearts Open to The Blessings Around You.

Could we be so lasered focused on our own agenda’s each day, that we miss the multitude of blessings that surround us? Could the Lord be speaking to us through the people and things in our midst? I believe so. The picture above is one small illustration of this.

Over the weekend, John and I went out to take pictures for this weeks blog post. While I was in the process of capturing a few, I turned around to find John smelling the flowers on the tree behind me. Now, I realize that it is not the best photo, as I was trying to catch him in action quickly, but I believe that it gives you a good visual of the small blessings around us that we often miss in pursuit of what we are trying to accomplish.

See, my agenda for part of the afternoon was to take pictures of the beautiful trees near our home. I wanted to take the photos and move on to the next location. While doing that, John embraced the small blessings at hand. Not only did he enjoy the beauty of the flowers on the trees, but the smell of them also. Seeing him, reminded me to slow down and enjoy that which was right in front of me. That is, the blessings all around me.

In a world that seems to be moving faster than ever, we must make it a point to stop and “smell the roses”.  It is during times as such that we see and feel the Lord the most. Our father, the Creator of The Universe, is speaking to each of us all day, every day through the people that we come in contact with and the things that are in our midst. And it’s generally in the smallest of things that we have the potential to see him best.

So, today as you are going about your day, keep your eyes, ears and hearts open. Leave your home with a new pair of lenses. As you do this, he will show you more. Your vision will become clearer and clearer. I guarantee it.

Have a great day, everyone! I’ll see you here tomorrow morning and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thefaithfilledtraveler/ , later today. Make it a great day, my friends!!!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

 

Schedule Time to Pursue Your Passion

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Passion

When was the last time that you were scheduled to be somewhere to support a loved one, but didn’t follow through? Perhaps it was for your child’s soccer game, the launch of a friends new business or a neighbors holiday party.  What about the last meeting at work or with the organization that you are a part of that was on your schedule for weeks, did you not show up? My guess is never…no. Or, at least not intentionally. So why do we schedule time to support others, but not ourselves? Why do we not schedule time to do the things we enjoy, that we are passionate about?

As silly as it may sound, we have to make time for these things by scheduling them as we would anything else. Yes, that means blocking time in our schedules to do the things we enjoy, that we are passionate about.  They must become a priority by either writing or typing them into our schedules; otherwise, we will likely never get around to them. Why? Well, because LIFE HAPPENS. Although our intentions maybe good, things will inevitably come up. Can I get an amen this Thursday evening?

So,  where do we start when every minute of every day seems to be occupied with things that we “need” to do? I say start small and grow from there. That is what I have done over the years. Maybe that means committing to 30 minutes every day or 3 times a week. Perhaps you can plan on getting up a bit earlier, staying up a little later or using part of your lunch hour. Whatever you decide, commit and follow through. Write it on your calendar and protect the time that you have allotted yourself. Do not allow anything to keep you from taking that time. That may mean saying no to somethings . After all, we make time for the things that are important to us. Don’t we? Are the things that you are passionate about important to you? Of course they are! Give yourself permission to make time for them.

The Lord has designed each of us with things that we enjoy doing and wants us to do them. I truly believe that our passions are an indicator of work that the Lord wants to do in AND through us. By not pursing them due to guilt or anything else keeps him from doing just that. Let’s make a decision together today that we are going to strive to make time for these things by scheduling them into our calendars . I am certain that we will find that we will not only be better for doing so, but that our loved ones will be too!

Thank you guys for being a part of this blog week. I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend! Cheers!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson

 

 

Pursing Our Passions Opens Doors of Opportunities

by thefaithfilledtraveler, posted in Passion

As we begin to pursue the things that we enjoy, the things that we are passionate about, the Lord reveals more. It’s true! See, that “thing”  is a doorway to many opportunities of growth that lie ahead.  Having set out to launch this blog on 12/31/2018 after many years of dreaming about it, I can attest to this first hand.

Not only have I learned a great deal about blogging, but building and managing a website, graphic design, marketing, photography, etc. All of those things combined with the people that I have met along the way has allowed me to grow in ways that I could not fathom before venturing out. And it’s only been a few short months since this whole thing transpired.

My point? We must move past the guilt of pursuing the things that we enjoy, the things that we are passionate about, because the Lord wants to use those very things to raise us to higher ground. Why? Because as we learn, grow and become who he created us to be, those around us will find the courage within themselves do the same. This brings glory to God!

As a wife and mother of 3, I realize that we have obligations on the home front that we must tend to, but there are things outside of our 4 walls that the Lord wants to do in and through us. We should not feel guilty about this in any way, shape or form. And I am speaking to myself here as I type this message out to you. It’s funny to me, but the Lord often uses my messages to speak to me.

So, where do we start? How do we move past the guilt and pursue the things that the Lord created us to enjoy and are passionate about? Well, I think I have a few practical ideas that might just help you. Let’s plan on ending the blog week tomorrow talking about them. Until then, take sometime through out the day today to reflect upon those things and consider what has kept you from pursing them. Let’s see if we can begin to work towards them.

I’ll plan on seeing you here tomorrow morning and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thefaithfilledtraveler/) later today. Make it a great Wednesday, my friends! (Hugs) to you all!

Warmest regards,

Salina Watson