Kristina Mastrocola wrote an article called, “Lost Your Sparkle?  Experts Share How to Get It Back.”  Your inner sparkle is the part of you that ignites your confidence and makes you who you are.  It’s that joy that naturally springs up when you’re being true to your God-given nature.

 Mastrocola writes that we must pay attention to little things that light us up.  Think of something you used to do that brought you joy.  When was the last time you lost track of time?  Go back and recreate that activity or mindset.  Don’t try to please everyone, but feel free to be the real you.  Then you can relax and be kind to others.

Also, aggressively pursue friendships.  Once you’ve developed friendships, these people can help you sparkle.  In the process, create boundaries so that people don’t drain you of energy.

God created the Sabbath rest because he knew that we need to recharge our batteries by taking time to be ourselves.

Develop rituals that build you up instead of tearing you down.  Take time every morning to be still and say, “Thank you,” to God.

We must come home to our true nature.  That nature is found in the God who created us and who recreated us by coming into our hearts.  Jesus will provide the true sparkle as we rest in his grace.

Sunday I’m preaching on “Hey, Weary One, Come Home!” from Matthew 11:25-30.  We’ll talk about “Simply Trust,” verses 25-27; and “Simply Come to Jesus,” verses 28-30.  Sunday is our Homecoming, our church’s 71^st Anniversary.  Please come to Sunday School at 9:00 and worship at 10:30 with cake afterward.  Come home to El Camino and help us come home to the people God created us to be.

Eloise Kell’s Memorial Service is at our church this Monday at 2:00.  One of her sons, Phil, will give his testimony in Sunday’s service.  Eloise is someone who truly sparkled on earth and is now sparkling in heaven!

Love,

Jim Meek