Let me begin by sincerely thanking all the readers of this blog and acknowledging you for seeking to grow and improve your life.  Currently, this blog has readers from around fifty countries including: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Greece, Ireland, India, Germany, Spain, Bahamas, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Philippians, Republic of Korea, Finland, Malaysia, Switzerland, Brazil, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Mexico, Ecuador, Norway, South Africa, Indonesia, Turkey, Haiti, Singapore, Japan, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jamaica, Belgium, Italy, U.S. Virgin Islands, Latvia, Kuwait, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Ethiopia, Austria, Slovakia, Guatemala, Russian Federation, Portugal, Poland, Hungry, United Republic of Tanzania (The countries are listed in order of traffic each has generated to the site).

I am deeply committed to doing all that I can to fulfill my God-given purpose to lead, teach and inspire people.  I certainly do not claim to an expert by any form of the imagination.  In fact, I am a “work in progress” myself.  However, I hope my experiences, studies, and thoughts can be of value to you.

Today, I would like to recognize a very special person, Wendy.  I want the world to know who she is and why I think she is so special.  I hope you will gain strength by her example.  

Wendy is like all of us…doing the very best she can as she travels through this thing called life.  She has struggles and victories…good days and, well … not so good days.  And, although anyone can see her outward beauty, what’s going on inside is what I want to share with you. 

First of all, Wendy is a survivor.  Although very well put together on the outside, independent, and seemingly flawless, she is truly fragile and fearful internally.  Anyone relate?  She endured some very difficult challenges as a child, had a hard time with school (although exceptionally bright), and questioned herself thanks to the comparison game.  After school, she never began the career she wanted to pursue, but rather took a different path in life which, ultimately, led her to wake up one day tired and concerned as a struggling single mother caring for a young son diagnosed with Autism. 

Now the challenges, although specific to her, may not be unusual in your life either.  Just as M Scott Peck said in the opening line of his book, The Road Less Traveled, “Life is difficult.”  Yes, it is.  In fact, in my latest poll, “Which of these emotions do you experience most often?”  Stress was the predominant answer.  Consequently, my amazement with Wendy is not that she has had some challenges to face in life, but rather how she has chosen to face them.  She will always be the first to offer a smile to someone.  She is bubbly.  She is positive.  She is up-lifting.   She is a true survivor not because she has encountered challenges and is alive today, but rather she is true survivor because she has weathered storms without her heart hardening.  She has not let her circumstances make her, but rather she has chosen well what to make of her circumstances.   She is a great example to everyone facing life’s challenges.

Wendy is hungry to grow personally and spiritually.  I always respect the people I meet that have developed themselves.  However, what inspires me are the people that are hungry to grow regardless of their current level of development.  Wendy has centered her life around her faith and her desire to grow seems itself to continue growing.  She is constantly reading and learning.  She is not the same person she was last year and I doubt she will be the same person she is next year.  How could anyone stay the same with so much hunger and effort towards growth?  Wendy’s example consistently inspires me to grow and be, “New and improved” rather than, “The same model, just one year older.”  Let her example inspire you too.

Wendy has a huge heart for hurting people.  It is what stirs her emotionally.  Show her some footage of sick and hurting orphans and you had better get her some tissue.  She hurts deeply and quickly for those who hurt—particularly the very young or elderly.  If you were to ask some people what stirs them emotionally, many people wouldn’t have an answer.  They just don’t know.  However, the greatest clue to your assignment in life – that is, what God has called you to do with your gifts – is given by what stirs your soul.  I love how her soul stirs for those who are in need of help and are hurting.  Wendy’s heart is so big for them that I have no doubt in my mind her life will reflect making a great difference in the world.  Have you taken the time to discover what stirs your soul?  Do you know what will cause someone to need to grab you some tissue?    

Wendy has an amazing God-given gift of humor.  I see her making people smile and laugh everywhere she goes.  Her quick wit is beyond understanding.  It is truly a gift.  What is really amazing is to see her gift naturally apply to her passion towards helping those who are hurting; as she says when talking about the suffering children in third world countries, “If I can just bring a smile to one child’s face…”  What is most remarkable, however, is how at one time she didn’t even accept her humor as an important gift.  “How could being funny be an important gift?” she asked once.  It came so natural to her that she didn’t see the big deal in it.  Isn’t that the case with so many people?  What comes naturally to you (your God-given gifts), you can easily downplay, miss their uniqueness to you, and often even miss the importance of their application in life.  You walk right pass what you are called to do looking for what you think you should do.  Ironic, isn’t it?  Are you downplaying your gifts like Wendy did at one time?  Your gifts lead to your purpose in life.  Apply your purpose and fulfill your calling.

Finally, Wendy is a dreamer.  She is willing, even when she is fearful, to dream.  She has not let her past define her future.  I love her dreams of a happy family and fulfilling God’s purpose for her to make a difference in people’s lives…even if it’s just to bring a smile to one child’s face.  Wendy could have given up on her dreams, but she didn’t.  She could have excused herself from the playing field of life, but she didn’t.  I admire her courage.  I hope she inspires you to connect with your dreams.  I hope you will pull them out and share them with the world like Wendy.

There are some people that seem to be drifting through life who make little or no impact on you.  There are others who make some impact that help you become a better person.  However, a few people cross the path of your life that are truly significant and impact you greatly.  Wendy is one of those people to me.  In fact, she has dramatically impacted me and I deeply respect, admire, and love her.  I am grateful to God for bringing her into my life and today I hope you are as well.