"Throughout this journey, I've seen the markings of a very well-laid plan. I realize now that there are no "accidents" and that things truly happen for a reason. It's difficult to remain spiritual in a very human world. Our lives get so busy and hectic that we don't have time for the very thing that we are here for; to strengthen our souls and learn valuable lessons.
Sometimes we need a shake up to listen to what our inner voices are trying to tell us. My shake up occurred on July 2, 1998. It's true that I lost a big dream...but I've been blessed with the gift of another, bigger and better dream in Canine and Abled. I am able to give back to my community and fellow service dog team-mates...and by doing that; I receive gifts back through the generosity and support of others around me.
I believe that have been given a voice in order to share some very important life's lessons. I hope in some way that my lessons will make others see the triumph that can arise out of tragedy, without ever having to go through what I did in order to learn the lesson."
--Kimberly Carnevale, Canine and Abled, Inc. President/Founder
God's Cake
Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wondeful explanation!
A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."
"Here, have some cooking oil," her mother offers.
"Yuck" says her daughter.
"How about a couple of raw eggs?"
"Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Mom, those are all yucky!"
The mother replied, "Yes, all those things seem bad by themselves. But when they are all blended together in the right way, they make a delicious cake! God works much the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for the good. We just have to trust Him and eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every Spring and a sunrise every morning.
God does not promise to give us the easiest of journeys, but He does promise us a safe place to land. Sometimes He will bring you around a challenge, but sometimes He takes us through the thick of it. This is where our faith is tested to the max. Embracing the challenge and using it to make us grow will propel us to greater heights, ensuring us more opportunities...and challenges in the future.
Remember the next time a challenge comes your way: it's not what happens to us, it's what we choose to do about it that makes us stronger. Challenges can beat you down or make you stronger. Commit to be strong, and you will realize potential beyond your wildest dreams!
Hello? God, are you out there??
I've recently experienced a tumultuous experience that stripped me to my core. I've never questioned my faith; or the meaning of life more. But in the end, I realize that it was not an accident. Just like everything I've been challenged to face throughout my journey, this too, was a learning experience. One that I didn't think I'd overcome...
In one horrible, frightening night in October of this year, my daughter and I lost our family, our financial support, my advocacy, and our home. I packed up said daughter, dogs, and all the belongings I could fit into my van and drove off from my childhood home, never to return...
Yet undaunted, I vowed to continue the program that I hold so dear to my heart. I counted on an outpouring from friends, community members and past audience members to get me through this difficult time. But that never happened.
What did happen was everyone got busy in their own lives, figuring that I was okay once a trusted friend took us into their home. They didn't realize the torment and loss that I was going through, and didn't take notice that no news, was in fact, not good news. Busy in their own lives, I can't fault them for knowing the hell I was enduring. I felt out of sight and was obviously out of mind.
I grew resentful, because in the past, when I'd had my accident and wasn't "whole" anymore, my friends deserted me then, too. I started thinking that I was only deserving of friends when I was whole and my life was on track; but that when my life was in shambles, I was so very much alone... scared, lonely, isolated and sick.
At first, I was hurt...then hurt turned to anger, and finally dispassion. I had to worry about feeding my child without enough food to last through a month. I had to figure out a way to get medical attention to my dogs; and stretch dog food. I had to try to get my brain to work through an entire day, when after an hour of being awake, it threw in the towel.
It was during one particularly lonely, pain filled day I found myself on my knees, praying to God. Tears that had been held off for weeks spilled unchecked down my face as I confessed the true fears of my heart to the One above. I told him how much the absence of my friends hurt me. How I felt that no one cared about the hell I was going through... and asked Him to comfort me and bring me peace.
It was very shortly thereafter that I got an answer. I realized that in order to grow in this trying time... I needed to depend on Him, and Him alone; just as it was following my accident. Leaning on others would only have served to make me dependant... leaning on Him would make me grow.
Things are still really rough, but there is help on the horizon now. Messages from friends I haven't heard from in months are beginning to trickle in, and I realize that God took me aside for a reason.
When we are stripped down to nothing, and are facing incredible challenges, this is when we turn to God. I had gotten away from Him. I got busy and forgot to include Him in my everyday challenges. But I realize now that I can not accomplish this goal He has laid out before me without Him alongside me every step of the way.
Sometimes we feel as though everyone has abandoned us, including God. I realize now, that those times are actually the times when He is closest to us; calling us and inviting Him to be an intricate part of our lives.
Copyright 2007 by Kimberly Carnevale and Sarah Lynn Communications, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any way without the expressed, written consent of the author.
