Stake Your Claim Part 1 of 3

“Stake a Claim on the Here and Now…” (Oprah Winfrey, from her book, What I Know for Sure.) — “Stake a Claim on the Here and Now…” (Oprah Winfrey, from her book, *What I Know for Sure*.)

Isn’t life an adventure? Sometimes it goes according to plan, but more often than not, it’s usually plan B for me. I am not at all disappointed where I have ended up–but more I say this to celebrate that reality can be far greater than your wildest dreams.

Do you feel the same way?

Please join me for Part 1 of a 5-part series about what I like to call, “Staking Your Claim on Today”.

On a Sunday afternoon, a few years ago I stepped out to the porch of our church with my restless one-year-old son. He was not interested in one more minute of stillness. As I held him in my arms, together we watched rain dip off the awning above our heads onto the top of a rose bush that had new blooms coming on. I watched big round drops roll down the side of each rosebud and gather on the ground below. Just then, a flood of gratitude filled my mind. We had been living overseas for about a year and I felt lucky to be there. I felt like it had been an unexpected answer to prayers, a dream come true, to fulfill my urge to travel and experience new cultures. A chance to experience all the things.

For this dream to come true, we had to take a leap of faith. It felt easy to say “yes” when the opportunity came up. It felt easy to sell many of our belongings, including our home, pack the rest up and get on a plane. But, I believe the ease came because that is precisely where God wanted our family to be and knew it would push us to try new things and push us completely out of our comfort zone.

Turning again to the fresh, crisp air, I breathed deep and closed my eyes to really enjoy that exact moment. I was happy. Truly happy. This wanderlust adventure did not end as calming and smoothly as it had begun (more on that in my next post). But, in that moment, I needed the reminder that God does hear and answer prayers. He heard the deepest yearnings of my soul, to stake a claim on today, and he granted it. I wanted to see the world and experience every possible thrill and emotion it has to offer.

Do you feel urges to start new things, something you know little about or have never done before? Only to talk yourself out of it before you have a chance to see how it could be? Why do we do this? What are we afraid of? Go ahead, give yourself permission to stake your clam on today and do all the things.

Small actions, every day, will have a huge effect in your life.

I know don't want to miss any of what God has planned for me. What will you do to Stake a Claim on Your Today?