Sunday, May 6, 2012

The Beauty of the Middle

Spring always reminds me of new beginnings! There's a special excitement that comes with the beginning of a goal, but somewhere along the way that excitement starts to fade. The original drive and anticipation is met with the reality that sometimes things take longer than we would like.


It's in the middle, the place between where you started and where you are going, that you learn the most about trusting God with your plans.

It's hard to stand in the middle of your situation and be able to see all God has brought you through yet still not be at the place you desire. But in those times of being caught between the past and the future sits the beauty of the middle, the beauty of this present moment. Life only has three places you can reside within: the past, the present, or the future. If you spend all your time worrying about the past and anticipating the future, you will miss the beauty of being in the middle of God's present will for your life.

Thanks for hopping on over to my blog today for a visit! Be sure to sign up for my free giveaway. Winner will also receive an autographed copy of my award winning book Set Free to Live Free: Breaking Through the 7 Lies Women Tell Themselves (Revell).


**Don't forget to keep hopping!!  Link: Full List of over 50 Blogs Participating in the Blog Hop


John 3:16 Blog Hop Contest


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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73 comments:

  1. Cindy NavarroMay 6, 2012 at 9:20 PM

    Starbucks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMay 6, 2012 at 9:28 PM

    I have never looked at my walk with Christ this way. Often times the struggle to get where you are going blinds you from accepting the now and savoring the moment. Great Blog. I will enjoy my now as I walk to my future!

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    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:30 AM

      So true Tanquella! Amen to enjoying now as you walk into your future!

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 14, 2012 at 8:49 PM

      tanquellarhoden@gmail.com

      Delete
  3. UnknownMay 6, 2012 at 9:31 PM

    Olive Garden gift card

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 14, 2012 at 8:32 PM

      Congratulations Tanquella! You won!!! I will be sending you an email to find out what address you'd like for me to send your prizes. Blessings to you!

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 14, 2012 at 8:51 PM

      Thank You, I know this book is devinely ordered for me!

      Delete
  4. Felice GerwitzMay 6, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    Happy to meet you and follow your blog. I'm a coffee girl so would love to win the starbucks card, however just happy to have met! Blessings and contact me about a radio interview at some point. I love interviewing authors on my podcast http://www.WritingandPublishingRadio.com

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    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:33 AM

      Great to connect with you as well Felice! And YES I'd love to share my publishing journey on your show. Thanks for the offer! Here is some of my story: http://www.eewmagazine.com/SAUNDRA-DALTON-SMITH-EEW-MAGAZINE-BEST-BOOK-OF-THE-YEAR-WINNER-SET-FREE-TO-LIVE-FREE.html

      Delete
    2. Cathy HorningMay 8, 2012 at 5:37 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  5. PatriciaMay 6, 2012 at 11:44 PM

    Thank you for being a host of this Giveaway!

    Patricia

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    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:34 AM

      Thanks for stopping by Patricia! Let me know which gift card you'd like if you are the winner.

      Delete
  6. Sidney W. FrostMay 7, 2012 at 6:39 AM

    I love both Starbucks and Olive Garden, but go to Starbucks most.

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  7. Barbara CreasyMay 7, 2012 at 6:44 AM

    That's a good way to look at it. I'm being especially impatient with my life at the moment, wondering what (if anything different) I should be doing... need to quit wondering and just relish today more!

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:35 AM

      Absolutely Barbara! Time is short enough, so enjoy today!

      Delete
  8. SherylMay 7, 2012 at 7:37 AM

    I love your view! I had opportunity to learn just what you are talking about in my year of cancer treatments...it is sooo true, we have such opportunity to learn amazingly rich thinks about God when we are in the "middle" and forced to rely on Him. My book Towdah: A Cancer Survivor's Song of Hope" comes out in a couple weeks and speaks to some of this...but you have said it so eloquently in your blog above. Visit my blog if you like -- and anyone else
    http://Towdahalwaysasongofhope.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:37 AM

      Congratulations on your upcoming release Sheryl and thanks for sharing it with us! There is hope, even in the middle! Blessings to you and don't forget to let me know what gift card you would like to have if you win.

      Delete
  9. KimMay 7, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    Olive Garden gift card, please
    Kim
    alittlesanity@gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glenda Parker Fiction WriterMay 7, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    I would like the Starbucks, we don't have an Olive garden any where close. Thank you very much. God bless you.

    Glenda Parker
    parker.glenda@ymail.com

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:38 AM

      Glenda I've asked God to help your Olive Garden deficiency, every town needs an Olive Garden! Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  11. Nothing But BooksMay 7, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    Hi Saundra,

    Glad were on the same team!

    Blessings

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:39 AM

      Hi Paulette, thanks for stopping by! Team Jesus all the way!!

      Delete
  12. Sandra McLeod HumphreyMay 7, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    Olive Garden sounds good. I'm following your blog now and what a great Blog Hop!

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    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:40 AM

      Thanks for the follow Sandra! Happy hopping and hope you win some of the great prizes!

      Delete
  13. Tracy KraussMay 7, 2012 at 3:57 PM

    Hi Saundra. Happy hopping

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:41 AM

      Thanks for stopping by Tracy! What a fun Blog Hop idea!

      Delete
  14. Aggie CMay 8, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    Hi Saundra, Just visiting, and hoping today's a good day for you.

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 9:42 AM

      Hi Aggie, hope your week is going well also. Blessings to you!

      Delete
  15. Connie ArnoldMay 8, 2012 at 4:23 PM

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful post! I like your blog and am following you. I'd like to invite you to visit mine if you get a chance. In the middle is about living each day to the fullest in the joy of the Lord, isn't it?

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 8, 2012 at 5:08 PM

      It certainly is Connie! Thanks for following. Will head over to check out yours as well.

      Delete
  16. God Mission PossibleMay 8, 2012 at 4:41 PM

    Hi Saundra- I'm enjoying the "hopping" and your blog is awesome! Be blessed...
    It's all about HIM

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  17. ShelleyMay 8, 2012 at 5:25 PM

    Thanks for everything you do and allowing Jesus to shine through you :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Cathy HorningMay 8, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    I feel like the Lord just released me from the middle, after being there for twenty-five years. Thank you for your post. Your words are true! And, any card would be fine. God bless you!

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    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 10, 2012 at 4:57 PM

      The middle can be challenging but His grace makes it more tolerable. Happy to hear you persevered Cathy!

      Delete
  19. AnonymousMay 8, 2012 at 7:15 PM

    Hopping thru. Let's see.. Amazon is in the middle. Maybe I could buy a book!

    Kevin

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 10, 2012 at 4:57 PM

      LOL, Amazon is happily in the middle and a very good choice! Thanks for dropping by Kevin.

      Delete
  20. Dawn WilsonMay 8, 2012 at 10:09 PM

    I'd love to read/review your book. Have you ever read "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets them Free" (by Nancy Leigh DeMoss)? Please put me in the drawing for your book ... and if I win a gift card, I could use Amazon to order books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 10, 2012 at 4:59 PM

      Love DeMoss's heart for the truth Dawn. I'd be happy to have you review Set Free to Live Free. I'll send you a private email. Blessings to you!

      Delete
  21. Steph Beth NickelMay 9, 2012 at 4:51 AM

    The site looks lovely. I like it!
    Thanks for participating in the blog hop. I hope you have a great week and gain many new readers.
    Blessings...
    ~ Stephanie (stephanienickel[at]yahoo[com])

    ReplyDelete
  22. Steph Beth NickelMay 9, 2012 at 4:54 AM

    P.S. The Amazon gift card would be great. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Crystal BalzerMay 9, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    Thank you for participating in the blog hop and giving us the opportunity to win and discover new authors!

    cbalzer0426(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. rose mccauleyMay 9, 2012 at 3:57 PM

    Hi Saundra, just hopping by to say hello. Isn't this fun visiting each other's sites and getting to know each other better? Happy hopping!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 10, 2012 at 5:00 PM

      Friday is my "Hop Day"!! I will be visiting and posting on everyone's site then. I can't wait!

      Delete
  25. gadhillMay 11, 2012 at 4:08 AM

    Great post, Saundra. Love the picture too. Glad to know you through j316

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 12, 2012 at 5:09 AM

      Thanks! John 3:16 has been a great group to be a part of!

      Delete
  26. The Crazy Cat LadyMay 11, 2012 at 4:51 AM

    I'm really liking this pink you have here ~ very gentle and soothing. Love the post ~ right on target! Thank you for sharing with us!

    amanda38401 at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 12, 2012 at 5:12 AM

      Pink is my favorite color. Thanks for hopping by Amanda!

      Delete
  27. UnknownMay 11, 2012 at 5:45 AM

    Just hopping through the blog trial. Have a great day. Following you.

    ReplyDelete
  28. My 7th HeavenMay 11, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    Thanks for contributing to this giveaway! I am now following your blog, it's awesome! Please enter me :)

    Anastasia Watson
    inmy7thheaven at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. ChrissyMay 11, 2012 at 7:24 AM

    Thanks for the chance to win! And for being in this blog hop. I've become a GFC follower.

    Chrissy Peebles
    http://chrissypeebles.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  30. Faith Hope and CherryteaMay 11, 2012 at 3:03 PM

    ooo choices ! lovely - starbuck's or olive garden? ! TY!

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  31. Faith Hope and CherryteaMay 11, 2012 at 3:06 PM

    also look fwd to receiving the autographed copy of your award winning book Set Free to Live Free: Breaking Through the 7 Lies Women Tell Themselves TY!

    ReplyDelete
  32. April GardnerMay 11, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    You have a beautiful blog! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

    aprilmarieg@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Yvonne Pat WrightMay 12, 2012 at 1:37 AM

    Hopping by to leave some love

    ReplyDelete
  34. Saundra Dalton-SmithMay 12, 2012 at 5:16 AM

    Love and prayers coming your way Yvonne! Thanks for hopping by. Bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Carol BrownMay 12, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    Blessings on your writing Saundra. I enjoy reading your posts even when I don't leave a comment. I'm one of the quiet people; don't say much but appreciate a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Lisa LickelMay 12, 2012 at 3:21 PM

    Hi, Saundra, enjoying another hoppy day :)
    Thanks for the support.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Lorilyn RobertsMay 12, 2012 at 8:01 PM

    Stopping by, Saundra. Love the color theme of your blog. Thanks for being a part of the John 3:16 Marketing Network.

    ReplyDelete
  38. FlyfishingJosieMay 13, 2012 at 1:32 PM

    The present is really all we can live! So live!

    Thanks for being a part of the HOP and the Network. Looking forward to more of this joy!

    Blessings,
    Ray and Mary Jo Lincoln

    ReplyDelete
  39. Heather BixlerMay 14, 2012 at 12:16 PM

    Great connecting with you during the blog hop!

    ReplyDelete
  40. JosephJYoungMay 14, 2012 at 1:56 PM

    Hi Saundra,
    Great post about the middle. That place where we can be incredibly tried. The sometimes make or break place. It can be sweet if we find the grace to endure.

    God Bless
    Joe Young

    ReplyDelete

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