Alida Sharp
About the Author

Alida Sharp loves holding hands with her husband, competitive powerlifting, and sipping ginger tea. A missionary, devotional writer, speaker, and personal trainer, Alida is passionate about helping women harness the power of godly habits. She married her high school sweetheart, Tom, in 1981. Belize has been their home since 2010.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alida,
    Thank you for a poignant reminder to check our motives. If we are doing or serving out of a need to “get” something for ourselves….recognition, purpose, identity, affirmation, then we are doing it for the wrong reason. First, like you said, we need to inhale His wonderful grace and find our identity in Christ. Only then are we able to truly go out and connect with others in His Name. Anything else is pride. Beautiful….
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Bev,
      Keeping check on my motives is not always easy but it always results in the blessing of growth and transformation.
      I’m grateful to have been able to connect with you!

      Blessings,
      Alida

  2. Gratitude and grace shine forth from this piece, and I needed the message that my frustration is not the biggest thing in any room unless I let it overflow and give it a life of its own. Thank you for beautifully demonstrating that because of the blood that connects us all, I can respond in the ever-renewable grace that has been extended to me.

    • Michele,
      Not allowing the frustration to overflow and take on a life of its own is a challenge but one that is worth overcoming!
      I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect with you!

      Blessings,
      Alida

  3. Thanks Alida!
    I love the reminder to just breathe and be…
    (and Let Go and Let God).

    Bless you.
    Sharon

  4. I needed this- tired and frustration and sadness were leading the way this morning as I approach the day. I’m a counselor as well, and while I do my best and am so thankful for my work at times, like you describe, there are the hard, hard patches. Thank you so much for this simple, beautiful mantra- breathe, watch, listen, give thanks- yes, yes, yes. Thank you for your words!!

    • Alison,
      May God continue to strengthen you and infuse your being with His grace as you breathe, watch, listen and give thanks!
      Bless you for the work of hearing the hearts of others.

      I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect,
      Alida

  5. Our days are so full. I love your reminder to “breathe in His grace. I watch for signs, I listen for His voice, and I give thanks for another day to check my motives, learn from my mistakes, and try again.”
    Breathe
    Watch for Him
    Listen to Him
    Give thanks
    Check
    Learn
    Try
    These sound like a comforting beat of a drum as we walk through our business and clamor of others’ needs.

    • Kate,
      Blessings to you as you move to the rhythm of that comforting drum beat throughout your day!

      I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect,
      Alida

    • Blessings to you, Lynn!

      Thank you for sharing the post and for your kind words.

      I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect,
      Alida

  6. Love what you shared, and humbled to think so many times my motives are not right. Thanks for reminders and to breathe in Christ and His Love into our imperfect bodies so we can be His hands and feet….

    • Janette,
      May you breathe in His unfailing love throughout whatever you have to face today!

      I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect,
      Alida

  7. I want to thank you for reminding me of what motivates my interactions with others, why do I feel the need to hug everyone I meet , whether for the first time or the 20th time. What drives me to do this. Is it look at me or do I genuinely care for the person. Is it pride or am I doing it for love to live up to God’s word” love your neighbour as you love yourself. I have taken Jesus into my heart and am filled with thoughts of Him throughout the day , I chat to Him i try to be in constant prayer , but it can be difficult with 4 generations under the one roof, someone always wants something of you or from you. I think about Christ Jesus and of empathy and His Grace in helping others. I have chooks so I share them with mainly the elderly of my church, I don’t want thanks or recognition I just want to help them, if I make Bible paperclips I make enough to take to my studies, I do it for I believe I am directed by God, to just lift these people up and show them that someone is thinking of their needs or maybe a little pick me up, to brighten their day. I don’t need confirmation for my random acts of kindness, for it brings me more joy in believing I am doing the right thing for the right reasons.
    Thankyou and ” may Christ Jesus be with thy spirit . And grace be upon you”
    Julie

    • Julie,

      May God bless and strengthen you with all those generations living under one roof!

      I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect,
      Alida

  8. Alida, thank you so much for your message and sweet reminder to “exhale the day’s stress, and inhale perfect peace infused with grace”! Love that. I needed this reminder today. May the Lord continue to show you He is right there, may He continue to fill your cup to overflowing!

    • (in)courage,

      Blessings to you in your ministry to us all! Thank you so much for this haven you’ve created.

      I’m so grateful for the opportunity you provided to connect with others!
      Alida

  9. Thank you for these encouraging words. Life truly is in the blood! What really struck me though was when you wrote, “Being needed equals having value to this empty nester.” I have recently begun navigating life as an empty nester myself and have been struggling with the lack of feeling needed as I once was — I have gone from six children at home to none now. While my husband & I are enjoying more quality time together, it is a struggle for me to be leading a more slow-paced lifestyle. I often start my day in prayer asking God to open my eyes, my ears, my hands & my heart so that I can know who might need some help that day, so that I can continue to serve Him in whatever way He has for me to do.

    • Mary,
      May God fill your home with His presence and may you hear His voice regarding how you can serve Him each day!
      I’m grateful for the opportunity to connect,
      Alida

  10. Thank you for sharing your story. Not only do I appreciate it as a mother and Christ follower, but I appreciate it and half-nod/half-shake my head relating as a former missionary. : ) I think that living “overseas” is romanticized the same way having a new baby is romanticized! : ) They are both miraculous and mundane, beautiful and brutal, exciting and exhausting! I’m so thankful Christ’s mercy and grace is available to us all! Breathe, watch, listen, give thanks. Thank you.

    • Melissa,
      lol! I agree about the romanticizing of having a new baby! What a perfect illustration.
      Blessings to you! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect.
      Alida

  11. Thank you so much for this post which is so timely and having brought me to weeping and realization of the intimacy with which our Lord is involved in our lives, may His peace reign in and through us for His glory.

    • Martha,
      May He overwhelmed you with His peace and loving grace today!
      Blessings to you and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect.
      Alida

  12. I leave for work and give thanks to God for His gift Jesus blood and His grace to because to do His will. Thank you for the reminder of how we are connected. Gods blessings

  13. AHHHHHHH……I breathe. Your owrds are so poetic, lilting and beautiful that I’m riding on them as I breathe. As I sit listening, receiving my Holy Ghost grace transfusion, I see that God is here, He is good and IT is good. Now for me to practice this when the RUB comes…Your words will ring in my heart and bring me back to this place.

    • Tyra,
      May God strengthen you as you practice breathing through the hard spaces of life. May He infuse you with His grace and fill you with His peace. Blessings to you and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect!
      Alida

  14. Hi Alida! Your beautiful reflections make me want to breathe – watch- and listen. Thank you for bringing us into your day and your honesty about what it means to serve. Blessings to you. I really enjoyed reading this post.

    • Thank you, Joy!!!

      I truly value and appreciate your kind words! Blessings to you and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect here in this space.
      Alida

    • Rebecca,
      I love your word for 2018! I am waiting with great anticipation to hear my word for next year. This year of connection has yielded so many great lessons and blessings along the way.

      Blessings to you and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect here in this space!
      Alida

  15. Thank you for this, Alida. I’ll never think of donating blood quite the same again! What came to my mine re being connected by blood is that we’re connected through His blood. And though we’re connected, all of us, by the stain of sin, through God’s grace His Son’s blood also connects all who will respond to His loving invitation. Have a blessed time in Belize, my sister!

    • Beth,
      Isn’t that the connection through His blood the most marvelous connection He’s provided for us?!

      Blessings to you and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect.
      Alida

  16. Thank you for your story. I hope to breathe, watch for signs, listen for His voice and give thanks for His grace.
    Bless you my sister!
    Lynda

    • Lynda,
      May God bless you as you breathe, watch, listen, and give thanks!
      Blessings to you, dear sister, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to connect.
      Alida

  17. Thank you so much for the reminder, checking in to my motive, actually checking into to God’s motive. Listening for His voice. I too lack patience especially in rush hour traffic (maybe we need to change the name from rush hour to calming hour!?) People disregard so much in their cars, and yes when I wait for something, a long wait, my patience is no longer like a thin worn pair of yoga pants, it is like the desert, dry. I will learn to listen and seek what is the message He is providing for me in these moments.

  18. Beautiful, poignant reminder! Thank you for sharing! It takes courage to bravely allow yourself to be vulnerable. Thank you for sharing your gift in words and deeds.

    • Sharon,
      I truly appreciate your supportive and kind words. Blessings to you and I’m so grateful for this opportunity to connect.
      Alida

  19. Oh this speaks to my heart in such a profound way this morning! I can imagine that seen sitting in the office and waiting having been in the Island. Love and appreciate that journey and most importantly how you summarized the Goodness and Grace of God. Connection! through the His Blood and your blood giving life to someone somewhere. Yes this will be my prayer “I crave an infusion of His grace to correct my mindset and change my heart.
    Vowing to be more vigilant in prayer that I might serve Him and connect with a pure heart, I breathe in His grace. I watch for signs, I listen for His voice, and I give thanks for another day to check my motives, learn from my mistakes, and try again.” Thank you!!

    • Carlyann,
      May God hear your prayers and answer you with a sweet infusion of His gracious presence in your life.
      Blessings to you and I’m so grateful for this opportunity to connect.
      Alida

  20. Thank you for always giving, listening and being and example of Grace and understanding. Thank you for the reminder to look for the good in every situation.

    • Mervin,
      I truly value your kind words! Blessings to you as you seek the good in whatever situation God has you in for this season!
      Alida

  21. Tears shot from my eyes as you realized your reason to be thankful in that moment. I love those moments. They propel us forward in our walk. God is so good with his lessons and his heart work in us.

    • Angel,
      God’s lessons are always so precious and it’s such a grace filled moment when realization hits! Blessings to you and I’m so grateful for this opportunity to connect.
      Alida

  22. Alida,

    Our lives are very busy, hectic & stressful. We (I) don’t always act in a Christ like manner. To often I get tired & irritated & react un Christ like. Thus I ruin my chance to share His love & grace. This post is a reminder to me to watch my reactions to life & inhale more of His grace. It is also a wake up call to be more vigilant in my prayer life. I can pray anywhere, anytime. I just need
    to start the conversation & keep it moving. I hear these words in my head at work: “If God can trust me with little things then He can trust me with bigger ones.” Matthew 25:23 states it: “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ I strive daily to do a good job with any thing I’m given to do at work from trash, vacuuming, & cleaning to working up invoices & typing Home Inspection letters.

    Blessings 🙂

    • Beth,
      May God strengthen you as you continue on the path of faithfulness to Him! Blessings to you and I’m so grateful for this chance to connect.
      Alida

  23. Alida,
    Thank you for sharing your experience at the blood donor centre. I’ve recently left a long successful and impressive career to become a phlebotomist at donor centre myself. Although I know God has led me there, I’ve struggled with my ego being left behind in the previous role and the self made identity I had created there.
    However! God keeps affirming this decision to move on and your experience I feel is another whisper from God. Because every day now when at work taking blood over and over I’m going to remember “blood connects us.” Multiple times a day I’ll be reminded of how Jesus shed blood for us and his Grace is abundant! I won’t forget! And possibly God will use this to share my faith with others – who knows what He has planned!
    So thanks for sharing, as God is using your time growing with Him to help me and others grow in different ways also.

    • Sheryl,
      Tears filled my eyes as I read your words. Thank you so much for sharing about the work you left behind and the path that God has you on now. I am truly grateful for my experience allowing me to make a connection with you!
      Blessings,
      Alida