Janet Perez Eckles-Walking by faith, Not by Sight-Saturday | Old Things R New

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On my last trip, I leaned toward the escort who was helping me get from the airline counter to my gate. “I need to visit the ladies’ room.”

“Sure, it’s right up ahead,” he said.

I left my suitcase with him and entered using my white cane for guidance. The place was empty. That meant no one was there to direct me to the right place. Yikes! What to do? Walk around aimlessly? Or go back out and ask the guy to come in help me? Can’t do that. How embarrassing!

In the midst of my dilemma, I happened to hear a trickle of water from one of the sinks nearby. Using that sound as a point of reference, I went to this side, then to the other. Finally I found the place I needed.

And when it was time to exit, that trickling water gave me the reference point again. I made my way out like a pro.

As I settled in my seat at the gate I grinned. How beautiful that God provides what we need, when we need it. Yes, in bathrooms. But when lost in life, He provides what we need, too.

He offers the living water that trickles through His Word. When lost, when confused, when blind, and unable to find our way, His Word trickles a delightful sound. The sound that gives direction to our life. The sound that gives us meaning and the sound that brings hope when lost in the place we don’t want to be.

via The sure way to find direction in life. | Janet Perez Eckles.

Janet’s weekly newsletter has a “What’s Been Happening” section. This is what she shared this week.

I wish you could see me grin with gratitude when I get comments to my blog posts. And this one particularly made my heart smile.

“I like your vibrant faith, too. It’s simply amazing that you love Him so much in spite of your blindness. Have you ever questioned the Lord as to your condition?”

What a great question. Of course, I questioned God in anger, in fear, and in frustration. Then He spoke to me: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).

And His strength, His peace, and His comfort in the midst of my physical darkness shined a light of hope, of peace, and of unexpected success. Now I still question Him: Why did You choose to bless me in such an undeserving way?”

Tags: Blind, Faith, God, How to find direction for life

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Categories Janet Perez Eckles-Walking by faith, Not by Sight-Saturday
Author Onisha Ellis

Five promises to keep you safe and secure. | Janet Perez Eckles

15 Aug

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“Well I did something kind of interesting,” my friend said.

I was all ears because this is a friend whom I truly admire.

“I went target shooting,” she said.

I gasped. “Shooting? Like with a gun?”

“Yep.”

I learned that many women are taking that measure for safety. And thinking that was a good idea, I asked, “Can I go with you next time?

She laughed. And I did, too, when I realized that blind people might not have the best aim.

That night, I wondered about my protection, and that of my family. Like everyone else, I need to feel safe, secure and protected from intruders, thieves and the evil that lurks around. Unable to handle a gun, how could I manage that?

God was quick to give me the answer. Actually in Psalm 121, He gives us all the same answer. It’s found in these five promises to feel safe, confident and secure no matter where we are:

via Five promises to keep you safe and secure. | Janet Perez Eckles.

Tags: 5 Promises to feel safe., Blind Inspirational author, Psalm 121, Target shooting, What makes you feel safe?

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Categories Janet Perez Eckles-Walking by faith, Not by Sight-Saturday
Author Onisha Ellis

Three steps to fulfill your desires | Janet Perez Eckles

8 Aug

A hot summer afternoon in Orlando is perfect for a cold smoothie. I blend strawberries, bananas, pineapple, a touch of honey and almond milk. I place a glass full before my grands.

Seated at the kitchen table, they wiggle in anticipation. After the first sip, they echo, “Hmmm…it’s yummylicious. Thank you, Nana.”

Then with no warning, my granddaughter said words that nearly made me giggle with delight.

“Nana,” she said, “you don’t look old like you’re 60. You look like you’re 40 or 48.”

I pulled my shoulders back, lifted my head and gave a huge grin. “Thank you so much sweet thing.”

In an instant, a flood of plans filled my mind—got to try harder to keep wrinkles away and make sure to color the gray.

Than I had a thought and my vanity melted into the smoothie of reality. A seven-year-old child has no clue about how age should be reflected in a person.

But I accepted her comment because of that thing we all have. That thing we tuck way deep inside. That thing called “desire.” We all have the desire to look better, get thinner, stay younger, become healthier, get richer. We long to be significant in some way, to be successful, to have meaning and to live with purpose.

via Three steps to fulfill your desires | Janet Perez Eckles.

I enjoy receiving Janet’s email each Wednesday. Along with her blog she shares a short update. I especially enjoyed this weeks:

What’s Been Happening

On the way back home to Orlando this past Sunday, I sat at the window seat, waiting for the plane to take off. Moments later, a giggling little girl sat beside me in the middle seat. Her daddy sat to her left in the aisle seat. I turned to her, “Do you want to sit by the window?”

“Yeah,” she said.

“I appreciate this,” her daddy said as I gathered my stuff and changed seats.

The little girl ooh’ed and aah’ed at all she saw out that window. The four-year-old commented about her delight of watching the plane take off, the clouds, the city underneath, the lakes and the scenery only a child would find fascinating.

But what fascinates me is that the little, insignificant things we do in life are the ones that mean the most to others.

In my upcoming trips, I’ll try to find more ways to bring a little happiness to others.

Tags: #Latina, Blind, What do you desire?

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Categories Janet Perez Eckles-Walking by faith, Not by Sight-Saturday
Author Onisha Ellis

Tips to live a satisfied life. | Janet Perez Eckles

21 Jul

Tips to live a satisfied life. | Janet Perez Eckles.

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Categories Janet Perez Eckles-Walking by faith, Not by Sight-Saturday
Author Onisha Ellis

How to become a winner. | Janet Perez Eckles

11 Jul

Recently, I sat beside my dearest friend at a banquet presented by AWSA (Advanced Authors and Speakers Association) as I munched the yummy dish before me, I listened to the awards being issued to illustrious authors in various categories. There was even an award to singer, comedian, and author, Chonda Pierce.

And when the details were announced about the candidate for the BEYOND ME AWARD for modeling a “You first life in a me first world,” I was quite impressed by the description of that individual.

Suddenly, my friend elbowed me. “Stop eating.”

I gave her a puzzled look.

When my name echoed in the room as the winner, I tried to swallow, but it wasn’t easy as the excitement, surprise, joy and deep gratitude nearly choked me.

I did not deserve this award. And nope, contrary to what you might think, the award which is given to those who go “beyond themselves” to reach out to others didn’t define me. But rather it defined God’s grace and His loving nature.

That night I lay on the pillow of disbelief and gratitude. Not only was the award lovely, it served as the reminder to keep going, keep on believing, serving and hoping. Pressing forward through struggles, pain, hardships and disappointments. While we press on, in spite of the enemy’s discouraging whispers, we draw closer to the reward that has nothing to do with earthly recognition, but everything to do with God’s eternal rewards.

via How to become a winner. | Janet Perez Eckles.

Tags: AWSA, Christian, Inspirational, What should I draw close to God?

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Categories Janet Perez Eckles-Walking by faith, Not by Sight-Saturday
Author Onisha Ellis

Grateful to be an American | Janet Perez Eckles

4 Jul

We were the envy of the neighborhood. Our neighbors watched us ride in a cab toward the airport. We were leaving Bolivia and heading to the land where dreams come true.

And along with dreams, integrity fueled my father to enter the U.S. with documents in hand, sacrifice in his heart, and commitment in his resolve.

Now, years later, as naturalized citizens, each 4th of July fireworks of gratitude explode in me.

Yes, America has her issues, problems and struggles. But to me and my family, it is still the greatest country on earth. And America is uniquely special as he is the place where her founders honored God above all.

Through the years living in our new home, we learned the joy of prosperity and also the sadness of trials. But how sweet to know that mountaintop episodes make us grateful, but rough valleys make us grow.