Many things in life have a order in which they have to be done. You can't learn to walk, until you've learned how to stand. You can't start lifting weights at 100 lbs you have to build up. It's a process. You can't ski down a mountain until you've climbed to the top.
Having to jump through hoops in order to get to the finish line isn't always fun. Okay, let's be real... it's not any fun. But... jumping through the hoops is essential to learning how to get to the finish line so it must be done.
Having to take one step at a time when looking at a marathon race of 26.2 miles seems like a billion too many steps to take just to finish. But... without the first step and the 1000th step and the 10,000th step... you would never cross the finish line. All the steps you have to take to accomplish the goal are ALL necessary to achieve the goal. No matter how small they are or if they were in the beginning or the middle of the end of the race. Every step, no matter, put together with the other steps played a part in getting to the goal.
I feel like I'm doing a marathon in my life right now... and sometimes I think that it's actually a marathon walk...made for toddlers!... Because I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere too quickly. I don't think I've gotten to the 1000th step yet!... I have miles to go before I sleep! lol...
Patience... do NOT EVER pray for God to give you patience. Learn from my mistake! That is one thing you do NOT pray for! Because... He will give you that prayer! And the only way to give you patience is to allow you to live in such a way that you have to develop patience on your own! And how very painful that can be! I didn't used to be a patient person as a teenager. Got married... I prayed (oops!)... by the time my first baby came three years later, I had patience. By the time the second baby came four years after that... I had the patience of Job! God DOES answer prayers! I amaze friends and family with my patience level. They would all cave. Oh well, I'd say... chill... it's no big deal... I'm patient. I used to teach the 4-5 year olds in church. I loved them! Great fun! Were they rowdy and hyper? You betcha! Did we have fun? You betcha we did! Did they listen to me and obey? Pretty much, yep! Would anyone else dare step foot in the room with the energy level? Nope! (chickens!)... so, I am a very patient person.
All that just to say... I'm starting to get impatient. I've been flying around in a holding pattern over the airport to land just so I can pack and take off again... but the darn plane won't land! God knows my patience level. I wonder if He's trying to stretch it even more? I wonder if it's a faith thing? God knows I have all my faith in Him. And then I thought... maybe it's just a steps issue... everything has to be done in specific steps... maybe I'm supposed to be learning something now that I will need to know down the road. Like learning to stand before a baby can walk. So, I pray that God would show me what I am supposed to be doing in this particular 'step' of my journey...because sometimes we can't take the next step until we have fully completed the previous 'step'.
If you're stuck in a holding pattern wondering what your next step is supposed to be, I would encourage you to pray for God to reveal to you what your next step is to be and make sure you learn what you're supposed to learn on this 'step'.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Others...
Open the eyes of my heart so that I can see what you see God...
so that I may see others how you see them...
...loveable despite their sins...
...heart broken and trying to move on...
...desperate for answers in a world with nothing to offer...
...lost in the dark and feeling no way out...
...turning to drugs because evil is always just a heart beat away...
...searching to find out who the really are, but getting lost in the world's description...
...deceived by the ones they love because their best interests aren't being made...
...lonely and hurting with a smile on their faces hiding behind the wall they've created...
I'm sure you know people that 'fit' into at least one of those descriptions, if you were to take time out and really look into the lives of the people that surround you. Problem is... life is busy...there are things that have to get done...bills to pay, clothes to wash, meals to be made, children to take care of, the list goes on... we're so busy living our own lives that we often forget to reach out to others in need.
There is a world full of broken and hurting people that could use a friend to help them find their way. If only people would take the ten minutes to find out what others around them need. Often just to know that someone cares about them and would pray for or with them about their situation in life would make a huge impact on them. But... sometimes we just don't take the time to find out what small meaningful thing we can do to make someone elses' world a little brighter.
so that I may see others how you see them...
...loveable despite their sins...
...heart broken and trying to move on...
...desperate for answers in a world with nothing to offer...
...lost in the dark and feeling no way out...
...turning to drugs because evil is always just a heart beat away...
...searching to find out who the really are, but getting lost in the world's description...
...deceived by the ones they love because their best interests aren't being made...
...lonely and hurting with a smile on their faces hiding behind the wall they've created...
I'm sure you know people that 'fit' into at least one of those descriptions, if you were to take time out and really look into the lives of the people that surround you. Problem is... life is busy...there are things that have to get done...bills to pay, clothes to wash, meals to be made, children to take care of, the list goes on... we're so busy living our own lives that we often forget to reach out to others in need.
There is a world full of broken and hurting people that could use a friend to help them find their way. If only people would take the ten minutes to find out what others around them need. Often just to know that someone cares about them and would pray for or with them about their situation in life would make a huge impact on them. But... sometimes we just don't take the time to find out what small meaningful thing we can do to make someone elses' world a little brighter.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
What is hope?
What is hope?
It's a feeling that you have that something you desire will happen or you will achieve or that a situation will turn out for the best. To believe... to desire...to have expectations...
Have you ever hoped for anything? Yes, I know that's a silly question! Everybody has hoped for all kinds of different things their entire lives, from being a baby and hoping to be fed and loved to being a child and hoping for a special toy for Christmas or birthday. Hoping to pass a test, or to get a date with someone you've got your eyes on... hoping your best friend will forgive you when you messed up and hoping your parents don't find out that you were out past curfew.
Hope is what keeps us going, it's what makes us get up in the morning...hope for a better day than the day before. Hope is that feeling that you desire something to happen and you believe it's going to happen because that's what we do...we hope and believe...
Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience
Now, I don't know about you, but I do not always hope with patience. (Patience is an entirely different matter and I'll talk on that another day.)
Hope for what we do not see?... That's hoping there really IS a God in heaven that created me and loves me like the Bible says. That's hoping that a surgery comes out with a success. That's hoping that the future does hold promise of a better tomorrow. That's hoping your loved one will stop doing drugs. That's hoping your spouse will put God first in their lives. All these things we can not see with our eyes, yet we hope in them. Just because we can't see them, doesn't mean they aren't real or that they aren't important. We can't see God, but He exists.
Psalm 39:7 And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
There is NO better place to be!! No better place to put your hope then in your God above! If you have all your hope in God how can you go wrong? God loves you more than anyone in this world. He alone has your best interests at heart. God of all people can be trusted with anything and everything. I place ALL of my hope in Him alone!
Psalm 71:14 But I will hope continually, And will praise thee yet more and more.
Hope continually!? And praise?.. Exactly!! Praising God during the good times and the bad. I praise God no matter what my circumstances are. Everyday I praise God. And if I put all my hope in God, then that covers everything I could possibly need, because my Papa in heaven has my back. He wants what's best for me and will provide for all my needs.
Psalm 119:114 You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.
Ahhh.... my refuge and my shield... I take comfort and shelter in my Father. If I ever feel scared or uncertain about my future, I just pray (talk) to my Papa... He IS my refuge and where I seek comfort. I know that He will protect me. And I know that I can read His word (Bible) and believe and that His word gives me hope for my future. My future is not of this Earth. My future is with Him in heaven. That is the hope of my heart.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
When we have to wait for what we hope for that is hard (understatement)... I mean...wait?!... seriously?
Why can we not have what we want when we want it?!... You know, like Burger King "Have it your way at Burger King" (I've got those song lyrics going through my head right now, and you do too if you grew up in the 80's like I did). Who wants to wait?... but... that saying "all good things come to those that wait". God wants us to wait. God wants us to put ALL of our trust and hope in Him alone! And when we do... the payoff is amazing! And definitely worth the wait!
When I have a hard time with hoping for something that seems like I may never get it I listen to this song "Satisfy", because its asking God to come and satisfy my needs showing me that He is all I need. And when I look at God as being all that I need, then the desire and hope to have something else goes away.
And in that moment...of calling out to God to satisfy my needs, I find the most amazing peace of spirit!
Peace of spirit so intense that it would sell on the streets! If you don't have a clue as to what I am referring to, don't fret... once upon a time, I didn't either. If you are reading this and that is you questioning and wondering... please feel free to email me and share so that I can pray for you. Or share with you how you can experience God's amazing peace of spirit. Because no one should go through life being "left out"!
Tenth Avenue North
"Satisfy" lyrics
(google it since I can't play it here)
Before the sun has touched the sky
Colors bursting from Your eyes
Before the flood of the morning light
Before the earth has felt Your heat
Before I stand up to my feet
Before I begin to feel this weak
Satisfy me Lord, oh oh
Satisfy me Lord, oh oh
I'm begging You, to help me see
You're all I want, You're all I need
Oh, satisfy me Lord
When the day is closing in
Like the stars in the night I am falling
Into the pull of the earth and it's affection
In me, oh lord, can you create
A pure heart cuz I'm afraid
That I just might run back to the things I hate
Satisfy me Lord, oh oh
Satisfy me Lord, oh oh
Yeah, I'm begging You, to help me see
You're all I want, You're all I need
Oh, satisfy me Lord
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You're more than all this world can give
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You're love is all I need to live
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You're more than all this world can give
You're beautiful, more beautiful
You're love is all I need to live
It's a feeling that you have that something you desire will happen or you will achieve or that a situation will turn out for the best. To believe... to desire...to have expectations...
Have you ever hoped for anything? Yes, I know that's a silly question! Everybody has hoped for all kinds of different things their entire lives, from being a baby and hoping to be fed and loved to being a child and hoping for a special toy for Christmas or birthday. Hoping to pass a test, or to get a date with someone you've got your eyes on... hoping your best friend will forgive you when you messed up and hoping your parents don't find out that you were out past curfew.
Hope is what keeps us going, it's what makes us get up in the morning...hope for a better day than the day before. Hope is that feeling that you desire something to happen and you believe it's going to happen because that's what we do...we hope and believe...
Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience
Now, I don't know about you, but I do not always hope with patience. (Patience is an entirely different matter and I'll talk on that another day.)
Hope for what we do not see?... That's hoping there really IS a God in heaven that created me and loves me like the Bible says. That's hoping that a surgery comes out with a success. That's hoping that the future does hold promise of a better tomorrow. That's hoping your loved one will stop doing drugs. That's hoping your spouse will put God first in their lives. All these things we can not see with our eyes, yet we hope in them. Just because we can't see them, doesn't mean they aren't real or that they aren't important. We can't see God, but He exists.
Psalm 39:7 And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
There is NO better place to be!! No better place to put your hope then in your God above! If you have all your hope in God how can you go wrong? God loves you more than anyone in this world. He alone has your best interests at heart. God of all people can be trusted with anything and everything. I place ALL of my hope in Him alone!
Psalm 71:14 But I will hope continually, And will praise thee yet more and more.
Hope continually!? And praise?.. Exactly!! Praising God during the good times and the bad. I praise God no matter what my circumstances are. Everyday I praise God. And if I put all my hope in God, then that covers everything I could possibly need, because my Papa in heaven has my back. He wants what's best for me and will provide for all my needs.
Psalm 119:114 You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.
Ahhh.... my refuge and my shield... I take comfort and shelter in my Father. If I ever feel scared or uncertain about my future, I just pray (talk) to my Papa... He IS my refuge and where I seek comfort. I know that He will protect me. And I know that I can read His word (Bible) and believe and that His word gives me hope for my future. My future is not of this Earth. My future is with Him in heaven. That is the hope of my heart.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
When we have to wait for what we hope for that is hard (understatement)... I mean...wait?!... seriously?
Why can we not have what we want when we want it?!... You know, like Burger King "Have it your way at Burger King" (I've got those song lyrics going through my head right now, and you do too if you grew up in the 80's like I did). Who wants to wait?... but... that saying "all good things come to those that wait". God wants us to wait. God wants us to put ALL of our trust and hope in Him alone! And when we do... the payoff is amazing! And definitely worth the wait!
When I have a hard time with hoping for something that seems like I may never get it I listen to this song "Satisfy", because its asking God to come and satisfy my needs showing me that He is all I need. And when I look at God as being all that I need, then the desire and hope to have something else goes away.
And in that moment...of calling out to God to satisfy my needs, I find the most amazing peace of spirit!
Peace of spirit so intense that it would sell on the streets! If you don't have a clue as to what I am referring to, don't fret... once upon a time, I didn't either. If you are reading this and that is you questioning and wondering... please feel free to email me and share so that I can pray for you. Or share with you how you can experience God's amazing peace of spirit. Because no one should go through life being "left out"!
Tenth Avenue North
"Satisfy" lyrics
(google it since I can't play it here)
Before the sun has touched the sky
Colors bursting from Your eyes
Before the flood of the morning light
Before the earth has felt Your heat
Before I stand up to my feet
Before I begin to feel this weak
Satisfy me Lord, oh oh
Satisfy me Lord, oh oh
I'm begging You, to help me see
You're all I want, You're all I need
Oh, satisfy me Lord
When the day is closing in
Like the stars in the night I am falling
Into the pull of the earth and it's affection
In me, oh lord, can you create
A pure heart cuz I'm afraid
That I just might run back to the things I hate
Satisfy me Lord, oh oh
Satisfy me Lord, oh oh
Yeah, I'm begging You, to help me see
You're all I want, You're all I need
Oh, satisfy me Lord
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You're more than all this world can give
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You're love is all I need to live
You're beautiful, You're beautiful
You're more than all this world can give
You're beautiful, more beautiful
You're love is all I need to live
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Dreams...do you have one for your life?
“There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, "Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams." Then they put the box away and bring it out once in awhile to look in it, and yep, they're still there.” Erma Bombeck *** Very wise woman
The problem a lot of people have is that they get caught up in living life that they lose sight of the dreams they had when they were a child and didn't have the responsibilities of an adult. As a child we are free to dream and create what we want our future to become... and then... we grow up and responsibilities happen and bills have to get paid and babies have to be taken care of and spouses want your time and attention and the next thing you know twenty years have passed by and the dreams you had as a child... are still there...in the box you put them in, under your bed or in the back of your closet...unlived...
God has a way of stirring your heart and making you aware of those past dreams. He reminds you that He gave you those dreams as a child and that even though you have been living life and not tended to those dreams in years... that it's okay because His timing is best and He lets you know when it's time to get those dreams out of the box. Not just for show and tell or a trip down memory lane, but when it's time to start down the road to living that dream...
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” Gail Devers
You just have to seek Him first above all else and listen with your heart to what He has to say... God wants you to follow your dreams that He gave you and He'll make them the desire of your heart that can never be quenched until you are fulfilling your dreams that He has layed before you...
The problem a lot of people have is that they get caught up in living life that they lose sight of the dreams they had when they were a child and didn't have the responsibilities of an adult. As a child we are free to dream and create what we want our future to become... and then... we grow up and responsibilities happen and bills have to get paid and babies have to be taken care of and spouses want your time and attention and the next thing you know twenty years have passed by and the dreams you had as a child... are still there...in the box you put them in, under your bed or in the back of your closet...unlived...
God has a way of stirring your heart and making you aware of those past dreams. He reminds you that He gave you those dreams as a child and that even though you have been living life and not tended to those dreams in years... that it's okay because His timing is best and He lets you know when it's time to get those dreams out of the box. Not just for show and tell or a trip down memory lane, but when it's time to start down the road to living that dream...
Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” Gail Devers
You just have to seek Him first above all else and listen with your heart to what He has to say... God wants you to follow your dreams that He gave you and He'll make them the desire of your heart that can never be quenched until you are fulfilling your dreams that He has layed before you...
God is smiling....
Knowing God is in control of your life and the He alone knows the "big picture" of your life while we try not to get lost in the woods gives me great comfort. It relieves me of having to worry about what's going to happen and if everything is going to 'work out'. I just give it all to God. That's HIS job. I'm just along for the ride. He's the pilot...I'm the passenger. I love this set up.
Though, sometimes it's not easy to NOT know what's going to happen because we want to be in control and that's where FAITH comes in. You simply have to have faith that God IS in control and that God loves you enough to care about what happens to you in this life.
Faith isn't always easy. Faith is easier for people when their life is going well. When they have a job, their health is good, their bills are paid and there is nothing going 'wrong' in their lives. That's not having true faith.
Faith is shown and displayed in the darkest part of the tunnel... when life is NOT going your way... when your world is crashing down around you and all you can do somedays is wake up and breathe... when in the midst of your darkness, when in the peak of your unknown future, when the mountain top can't even be seen because the clouds are hovering above...when you can call out to Jesus and stand in the knowledge that God IS in control... that is faith.
“Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amid joy.” Arthur Helps
Oh so very true... you can't get strong when you don't lift any weights...
The last four years have been a very bumpy road for me... complete with some very dark tunnels...
“If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.” Corrie TenBoom
God never left me. He was always there shining His light giving me direction.
These last six months have been a 'blessing in disguise' having suffered a work injury and having to have knee surgery... off work all this time... still waiting for the second surgery. My friends and family have thought I was crazy having the attitude that I've had about the injury and having to have surgery... I think they even thought that perhaps I was a masochist with the surgery. They thought me weird to think of a injury and surgery as a 'blessing' after all... blessings aren't supposed to have pain and hardship...are they?
Aren't blessings supposed to be like money pouring from heaven? soft cuddly teddy bears? new cars? great job? anything other than pain and hardship!...
“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise” Oscar Wilde (smart man)
It's ALL a matter of perspective... I immediately looked at my hardship as a blessing because I know that I know that I know that GOD IS in control of my life! God loves ME! And that with that perspective in mind... I know that the situation will work out. Knowing that it will work out with a great blessing of an outcome! There have been so many blessings that have come from the injury already... God is good!
And I have recently found out there are more blessings to come and I just know that my Father in heaven is smiling down at me and my excitement for having discovered something He knew all along! Because I wasn't worried about the situation I never bothered to look ahead.
Friends recently were urging me to look ahead (their concern for my 'dismal' life and future) and so I did... and what did I find?... An amazing blessing that God knew all along!...So, I see God smiling with me today as a loving Papa as I discovered something He knew all along and happy to see my delight and happier even more so that I put ALL my trust in HIM these last six months and didn't question what was happening. I think my Papa is smiling with me in my joy of what's to come and happy that He knows that I fully trust Him.
Though, sometimes it's not easy to NOT know what's going to happen because we want to be in control and that's where FAITH comes in. You simply have to have faith that God IS in control and that God loves you enough to care about what happens to you in this life.
Faith isn't always easy. Faith is easier for people when their life is going well. When they have a job, their health is good, their bills are paid and there is nothing going 'wrong' in their lives. That's not having true faith.
Faith is shown and displayed in the darkest part of the tunnel... when life is NOT going your way... when your world is crashing down around you and all you can do somedays is wake up and breathe... when in the midst of your darkness, when in the peak of your unknown future, when the mountain top can't even be seen because the clouds are hovering above...when you can call out to Jesus and stand in the knowledge that God IS in control... that is faith.
“Strength is born in the deep silence of long-suffering hearts; not amid joy.” Arthur Helps
Oh so very true... you can't get strong when you don't lift any weights...
The last four years have been a very bumpy road for me... complete with some very dark tunnels...
“If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.” Corrie TenBoom
God never left me. He was always there shining His light giving me direction.
These last six months have been a 'blessing in disguise' having suffered a work injury and having to have knee surgery... off work all this time... still waiting for the second surgery. My friends and family have thought I was crazy having the attitude that I've had about the injury and having to have surgery... I think they even thought that perhaps I was a masochist with the surgery. They thought me weird to think of a injury and surgery as a 'blessing' after all... blessings aren't supposed to have pain and hardship...are they?
Aren't blessings supposed to be like money pouring from heaven? soft cuddly teddy bears? new cars? great job? anything other than pain and hardship!...
“What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise” Oscar Wilde (smart man)
It's ALL a matter of perspective... I immediately looked at my hardship as a blessing because I know that I know that I know that GOD IS in control of my life! God loves ME! And that with that perspective in mind... I know that the situation will work out. Knowing that it will work out with a great blessing of an outcome! There have been so many blessings that have come from the injury already... God is good!
And I have recently found out there are more blessings to come and I just know that my Father in heaven is smiling down at me and my excitement for having discovered something He knew all along! Because I wasn't worried about the situation I never bothered to look ahead.
Friends recently were urging me to look ahead (their concern for my 'dismal' life and future) and so I did... and what did I find?... An amazing blessing that God knew all along!...So, I see God smiling with me today as a loving Papa as I discovered something He knew all along and happy to see my delight and happier even more so that I put ALL my trust in HIM these last six months and didn't question what was happening. I think my Papa is smiling with me in my joy of what's to come and happy that He knows that I fully trust Him.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Word of God Speak... listen...
Sometimes you just don't know what to say...
Sometimes you just don't know what to do...
Sometimes the only thing you can do... is pray... and it's okay...
You can't hear God speak to you, if you're always talking...if you're too busy living life to listen to Him, to hear Him and what He's trying to tell you...
Sometimes you just need to say nothing and get in His presence so you can hear what He has to say...
Mercy Me "Word of God Speak" lyrics
(google it - LOVE this song!)
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
[REPEAT CHORUS 2x]
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Luke 11:28
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Sometimes you just need to say nothing and get in His presence so you can hear what He has to say...
I pray that you would pray that God would open the eyes of your heart so that you can see what God sees and that you also pray that God would make the desire of your heart what He would have you do with your life. Because the only way a person can truly feel fulfilled in this life is if they are serving God and serving others. This life is not your own... You are here to serve God...
Sometimes you just don't know what to do...
Sometimes the only thing you can do... is pray... and it's okay...
You can't hear God speak to you, if you're always talking...if you're too busy living life to listen to Him, to hear Him and what He's trying to tell you...
Sometimes you just need to say nothing and get in His presence so you can hear what He has to say...
Mercy Me "Word of God Speak" lyrics
(google it - LOVE this song!)
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
[REPEAT CHORUS 2x]
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Luke 11:28
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Sometimes you just need to say nothing and get in His presence so you can hear what He has to say...
I pray that you would pray that God would open the eyes of your heart so that you can see what God sees and that you also pray that God would make the desire of your heart what He would have you do with your life. Because the only way a person can truly feel fulfilled in this life is if they are serving God and serving others. This life is not your own... You are here to serve God...
Friday, January 15, 2010
Forgiving... yourself...
Ask yourself, if I met someone and heard their story, and their story was the exact same as mine.. mistakes made and all... how would you feel for that person? Would you feel judgement? Would you be critical of them? Or would you feel compassion and understanding? Would you want to extend them grace and love?
“Forgiveness means letting go of the past.” Gerald Jampolsky
You can't live in the past and forgive in the present.
Love is an act of forgiveness... you have to love yourself. Because if you don't love yourself... you can not love others. You just can't. People treat others how they feel about themselves.
Forgiving yourself is one of the hardest things to do... sometimes I think it's harder to forgive yourself then it is to forgive others. If you met someone that had made the same 'mistakes' (life decisions) as you have made. You would be more apt to extend grace and forgiveness to that person that you would yourself. You have to be able to treat yourself with the same compassion and grace as you desire to treat others.
Grasping the fact that you are God's child and that he loves you completely unconditionally, not despite of your 'mistakes' but simply because He created you just how you are with all your strengths and weaknesses. He loved you before you were born. You did and can do absolutely NOTHING to "earn" that love. It is yours because God is who He is ... your creator.
Humbling thought... but what an absolutely comforting thought to KNOW that you are loved by your heavenly Father no matter what you do!! Ahhh!....
Regret...
Living with regret over your past decisions and how life has gone is wasted energy that you could be used to make your future better. If there is something in your life that you wish you had done differently, then make the decision today to change your ending... no one can go back, no one can change the past, but everyone can start today to make for a different ending...
Treat yourself as if you are the stranger you just met that has made some poor choices in life and extend yourself the love and grace that you would extend others... and live for the future in the present! That way, you can truly love yourself and thus you can truly love others where they are in their lives... :)
“Forgiveness means letting go of the past.” Gerald Jampolsky
You can't live in the past and forgive in the present.
Love is an act of forgiveness... you have to love yourself. Because if you don't love yourself... you can not love others. You just can't. People treat others how they feel about themselves.
Forgiving yourself is one of the hardest things to do... sometimes I think it's harder to forgive yourself then it is to forgive others. If you met someone that had made the same 'mistakes' (life decisions) as you have made. You would be more apt to extend grace and forgiveness to that person that you would yourself. You have to be able to treat yourself with the same compassion and grace as you desire to treat others.
Grasping the fact that you are God's child and that he loves you completely unconditionally, not despite of your 'mistakes' but simply because He created you just how you are with all your strengths and weaknesses. He loved you before you were born. You did and can do absolutely NOTHING to "earn" that love. It is yours because God is who He is ... your creator.
Humbling thought... but what an absolutely comforting thought to KNOW that you are loved by your heavenly Father no matter what you do!! Ahhh!....
Regret...
Living with regret over your past decisions and how life has gone is wasted energy that you could be used to make your future better. If there is something in your life that you wish you had done differently, then make the decision today to change your ending... no one can go back, no one can change the past, but everyone can start today to make for a different ending...
Treat yourself as if you are the stranger you just met that has made some poor choices in life and extend yourself the love and grace that you would extend others... and live for the future in the present! That way, you can truly love yourself and thus you can truly love others where they are in their lives... :)
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Just for me...thinking on page...
This one is for me today... because you might have had similar thoughts and it might help you to know that others do too and you're not alone...
Heavy heart...hands are tied...feeling helpless...
Praying non-stop...Seeking wisdom...Need direction...because I just have to do something... anything to help... because as a mom it kills to be sit back and watch...
When you become a parent it changes your life. (Or at least it did for me). It changed my whole perspective on my life. Prior to being a mom, I lived totally for that day. No worries of dying. Carefree and no hope of a future. No thought of growing old (honestly figured I'd die young and I was okay with that). But when you have a baby... you put them first. And suddenly you want to live to see them grow up and have their own babies. Everything you do, every decision you make is made with the thought of what's best for them. You want to make your babies' world perfect. I don't know if I went over board in that area because I didn't like how my childhood was and I wanted to make my children's as close to "perfect" as possible. Loving them unconditionally everyday. Smothering them in love, hugs and kisses. Always there for them, to show them that they are not alone and that they are important to me. Teaching them about life... wrongs and rights... goods and bads...
But there comes a point when it doesn't matter how much you love your baby... it doesn't matter that you would give anything to make their life, their world "perfect", because life happens...
Just as life happens in your own life, of course it happens in your child's life as well. And that...life happening..is the hardest part of being a parent. Even if 'life happening' is because of decisions that you made, or they made... there are things in life that we have no control.
Yes, I could have said "No, you can't play", (actually I DID say that on many occasions and for many years!)...if only I'd held out...
People put their trust in Doctors thinking that they went to school, they know... that's wrong. Just because they went to school... they don't know all. They aren't God. Always go with your gut. God gave us our instincts for a reason.
It's hard to go with your instinct all the time when you have a child with a dream, a talent and a passion that is thinking and living like all kids live (thinking they are invinsible!) So, you are persuaded to go against that instinct that is telling you "he could get hurt", "he's already had a concussion, don't let him go out again"... so, you do what any parent would do. You go to the Dr... the specialists that "know"... and they run tests and decide that 'it looks good'... he's free to play. So, against your better judgement because you want your child to be happy, and he has such a passion for the sport and is so talented you tell him that since the Dr... the specialist says you're okay to play... you let your son play because as a parent you want to make your child's world happy.
Football made him happy. He played with more passion than I could ever comprehend. But I didn't need to understand it fully, just to respect it and allow him to play with my love and support. Going to every game to cheer him on. To be there to soak in his victories and to console in his losses...
I didn't know... I didn't research concussions enough. I read on them when he suffered from his first one, and from his second one... the information just isn't out there... they just don't tell you... because the truth is... they don't know.
As I have since discovered. They should come forth with more information that they DO know! But... they haven't.
There is a gap. A huge gap! Between what is readily available about concussions and what they do know and just don't say. It's lack of education, information... it's cost my son BIG.
Despite our technology today, the brain is still widely unknown territory for understanding.
So, my problem that I am faced with as a mom is to help my son whom now suffers from Post Concussion Syndrome... which according to the websites.. "will get better in a matter of weeks or perhaps months"... uh huh... it's been ten months now since my son's last concussion... he's not getting better... perhaps even worse.
Memory issues that Dory can relate to. In the movie it's cute and funny...in real life... it sucks!
Concentration issues that a person with ADD can relate to. (but we can't medicate the healing brain)
Depression (well, duh! who wouldn't; besides the clinal depression the brain is actually trying to heal with all the 'extras' that don't belong in the brain caused by the concussions) and
Headaches... daily headaches... and then as a bonus whenever you try to read, which strains the brain, you get really bad headaches. (fyi.. the brain can not retain any information put into it when it has a headache going on).
So, today... I feel like my hands are tied... I'm praying and worshipping God KNOWING beyond ALL that HE HAS a plan for my son's life! He has spared my son's life on more than one occasion. So, there is no doubt. But walking down this dark tunnel right now wanting to be the mommy that makes it all better, and I can't...
is the hardest part of being parent... your heart breaks for your child because you want to flip a switch and make it all go away. You want to walk through it for them so they don't have to suffer... but you know that they have to walk through it themselves, but never alone. They have to learn to trust in God and to lean on God and seek God themselves... and all we can do as a parent is lead them in the right direction and pray. Pray that they have the desire to follow God with all their hearts. Pray that they don't take a turn down a different road because it may seem easier then hanging on and keeping the faith.
Heavy heart...hands are tied...feeling helpless...
Praying non-stop...Seeking wisdom...Need direction...because I just have to do something... anything to help... because as a mom it kills to be sit back and watch...
When you become a parent it changes your life. (Or at least it did for me). It changed my whole perspective on my life. Prior to being a mom, I lived totally for that day. No worries of dying. Carefree and no hope of a future. No thought of growing old (honestly figured I'd die young and I was okay with that). But when you have a baby... you put them first. And suddenly you want to live to see them grow up and have their own babies. Everything you do, every decision you make is made with the thought of what's best for them. You want to make your babies' world perfect. I don't know if I went over board in that area because I didn't like how my childhood was and I wanted to make my children's as close to "perfect" as possible. Loving them unconditionally everyday. Smothering them in love, hugs and kisses. Always there for them, to show them that they are not alone and that they are important to me. Teaching them about life... wrongs and rights... goods and bads...
But there comes a point when it doesn't matter how much you love your baby... it doesn't matter that you would give anything to make their life, their world "perfect", because life happens...
Just as life happens in your own life, of course it happens in your child's life as well. And that...life happening..is the hardest part of being a parent. Even if 'life happening' is because of decisions that you made, or they made... there are things in life that we have no control.
Yes, I could have said "No, you can't play", (actually I DID say that on many occasions and for many years!)...if only I'd held out...
People put their trust in Doctors thinking that they went to school, they know... that's wrong. Just because they went to school... they don't know all. They aren't God. Always go with your gut. God gave us our instincts for a reason.
It's hard to go with your instinct all the time when you have a child with a dream, a talent and a passion that is thinking and living like all kids live (thinking they are invinsible!) So, you are persuaded to go against that instinct that is telling you "he could get hurt", "he's already had a concussion, don't let him go out again"... so, you do what any parent would do. You go to the Dr... the specialists that "know"... and they run tests and decide that 'it looks good'... he's free to play. So, against your better judgement because you want your child to be happy, and he has such a passion for the sport and is so talented you tell him that since the Dr... the specialist says you're okay to play... you let your son play because as a parent you want to make your child's world happy.
Football made him happy. He played with more passion than I could ever comprehend. But I didn't need to understand it fully, just to respect it and allow him to play with my love and support. Going to every game to cheer him on. To be there to soak in his victories and to console in his losses...
I didn't know... I didn't research concussions enough. I read on them when he suffered from his first one, and from his second one... the information just isn't out there... they just don't tell you... because the truth is... they don't know.
As I have since discovered. They should come forth with more information that they DO know! But... they haven't.
There is a gap. A huge gap! Between what is readily available about concussions and what they do know and just don't say. It's lack of education, information... it's cost my son BIG.
Despite our technology today, the brain is still widely unknown territory for understanding.
So, my problem that I am faced with as a mom is to help my son whom now suffers from Post Concussion Syndrome... which according to the websites.. "will get better in a matter of weeks or perhaps months"... uh huh... it's been ten months now since my son's last concussion... he's not getting better... perhaps even worse.
Memory issues that Dory can relate to. In the movie it's cute and funny...in real life... it sucks!
Concentration issues that a person with ADD can relate to. (but we can't medicate the healing brain)
Depression (well, duh! who wouldn't; besides the clinal depression the brain is actually trying to heal with all the 'extras' that don't belong in the brain caused by the concussions) and
Headaches... daily headaches... and then as a bonus whenever you try to read, which strains the brain, you get really bad headaches. (fyi.. the brain can not retain any information put into it when it has a headache going on).
So, today... I feel like my hands are tied... I'm praying and worshipping God KNOWING beyond ALL that HE HAS a plan for my son's life! He has spared my son's life on more than one occasion. So, there is no doubt. But walking down this dark tunnel right now wanting to be the mommy that makes it all better, and I can't...
is the hardest part of being parent... your heart breaks for your child because you want to flip a switch and make it all go away. You want to walk through it for them so they don't have to suffer... but you know that they have to walk through it themselves, but never alone. They have to learn to trust in God and to lean on God and seek God themselves... and all we can do as a parent is lead them in the right direction and pray. Pray that they have the desire to follow God with all their hearts. Pray that they don't take a turn down a different road because it may seem easier then hanging on and keeping the faith.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Forgiveness...dissolving the link...
Forgiveness... what's that mean to you? Are you the type that believes "forgiving is forgetting"? or do you think forgiveness is unattainable? Or maybe you have the attitude that you will forgive that person, but you will never forget...?
“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” Catherine Ponder
I believe there is a lot of truth in Catherine's quote. The whole dissoving the link...
Something to think about... how much is "too much" to forgive? Is there a limit on how much we are to forgive or are capable of forgiving?... according to God the answer is No. We are to forgive everyone everything or He won't forgive us our sins.
In real life that is so very much easier said then done. I mean seriously, you can forgive people's rudeness to you, you can forgive all those types of 'small sins', you know that don't 'really' effect you and who you are. But on the grander scale, the scale of sins that actually effect who you are as a person, those kind of sins that make an impact on who you become...because the sin puts a mark on your soul... can you forgive those?
For instance, I didn't have a grand childhood... not that everyday was horrific with abuse (but there WAS abuse) and not that there weren't good times (I recall some of those), but the abuse I suffered as a child had a HUGE impact on who I am today. Can I forgive that? Is it forgiveable? Forgettable? I believe it is forgiveable because I've already done that. So, I know that without a doubt. Will I ever forget the past? No. God gave us a memory... for better or worse... and I will always remember...but that doesn't mean I can't forgive. That doesn't mean that I live in the past and allow it to effect who I am today. I don't use it as a crutch and feel sorry for myself. I don't act as if the world owes me something because of the abuse I suffered. NO!!... It happened. Bad things happen in life. That is a fact of life. People sin against others. You allow yourself some time to heal, and you move on.
When people choose to hold onto the sins that others have done against them, they are allowing that sin to have a continual hold on their lives. That sin then becomes who they think they are as a person. (more on that another day) They carry that sin around with them like it's their skin. Wearing it, showing it to others as if it's a trophy. The problem is... they haven't forgiven the sinner. The sin owns them...owns their life.
They are then bound by that sin and are not free to be who they were meant to be in Christ.
Forgiveness frees you.
It makes you capable of moving on past the sin, past the hurt and pain...it allows the sin to become just a memory that you can then draw upon down the road to help you have compassion for other people that you encounter that are suffering from that same sin... and then you can help that person see that even though they are suffering from pain of whatever sin it is...that they too can forgive and heal and move on with their life. And not be bound by the sin themselves. And without having your own personal memories to draw from how much harder would it be to relate and thus help othes? And you can't help others forgive their sins if you yourself have not forgiven yours. If you are not a Free person, you can't help Free others.
For the Bible says that we are to bear one anothers burdens... so learning to forgive others sins allows us to in turn help others learn to forgive sins and move on with their lives free from the bondage that unforgiveness has. It's has the potential to be an awesome domino effect.
Could you forgive someone for verbal abuse?...physical abuse?... sexual abuse?... being molested or raped?... could you forgive someone for murder of a loved one?... Now those are some deep wounds! Deep sins against you that most people would say... I understand that you could never forgive that (whatever one of those it is). I personally have suffered all but the murder of those sins against me. Yes, I have had them all... (that's for another time to discuss). Yes, I have forgiven all those that did those sins against me. I had to... because it then freed me from the sin. Those sins no longer have a hold on my soul. They can't have a hold when you forgive those people.... it sets you free!
Reading the book 'The Shack' last summer really opened me eyes to just how powerful God's spirit is and just how serious He is in telling us that no matter what the sin is... we are called to forgive those that sin against us. If you haven't read the book, you don't know what I'm referring to and I would urge you to read the book! It is one of the most powerful messages!
In the story there is a scene in a cave where God tells the father that he has to forgive the man that murdered his daughter... (I don't want to give it away), it's a very powerful scene. Read the book.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Mahatma Gandhi
I believe this to be true. You have to be strong in who you are in Christ. You have to know that you are a child of the Abba Father in heaven that made you in his form with all of your strengths and weakness to be just who you are and that no matter what... He loves you. He loved you before you were born simply because you are His child. Similar to how a mother loves her child the moment she finds out she's pregnant. It doesn't matter if that child will be a boy or a girl with what color hair, or who it will look like, that love is there immediately simply because it will be her child. But the Bible says God loves His children more than we can even comprehend... so how cool is that?! I'm a mother. I've got four children...I know what that feeling is like to love a child before they are even born. And to stop in awe at the thought that I am loved by my heavenly Father more than I love my children is hard for my brain to understand. But then... God is tamquam ignotum, utterly unknowable. Our brains are just not smart enough to be able to compare.
Sincere forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time.” Sara Paddison
Sara is a wise woman. I have forgiven people that have sinned against me, some I have verbally expressed this to them, others died before I could tell them. But that's okay. I didn't forgive them in order for them to apologize to me. That's not having the right heart in forgiving. You can't expect an apology from those that sin against you. You can't expect that that person will change who they are or that they will even be sorry or remorseful... you simply have to forgive and move on.
“You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.” Lewis B. Smedes
Lewis is wise as well... when you can have the heart for those that have sinned against you and despite the pain they cause you, truly wish them well on their journey of life...then you know in your heart that you have forgiven them and have God's love for them. And how very freeing that is to have!!
“He who is devoid of the power to forgive, is devoid of the power to love.” Martin Luther King, Jr
People that can't forgive others of the sins...don't love themselves. You have to love yourself before you can love others. Without self love, you are incapable of loving others. Thus you can't forgive others. If that is you... I pray that you will read the book "Abba's Child" and "Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning. And I pray that you would release the sins of others against you, so that you can be free to be who God made you to be! Trust me... you have no idea who you truly are until you have learned to let go of the sin!
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” Paul Boese
Forgiveness is a choice. You have to choose to forgive others, no matter how big or small the sin. Because by not forgiving... you aren't fully living in the truth of who you are and were meant to be. You allow that sin to own you. To keep you hostage in your own body.
Choose to be a forgiving soul... so that you can be FREE to be the REAL you!
“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” Catherine Ponder
I believe there is a lot of truth in Catherine's quote. The whole dissoving the link...
Something to think about... how much is "too much" to forgive? Is there a limit on how much we are to forgive or are capable of forgiving?... according to God the answer is No. We are to forgive everyone everything or He won't forgive us our sins.
In real life that is so very much easier said then done. I mean seriously, you can forgive people's rudeness to you, you can forgive all those types of 'small sins', you know that don't 'really' effect you and who you are. But on the grander scale, the scale of sins that actually effect who you are as a person, those kind of sins that make an impact on who you become...because the sin puts a mark on your soul... can you forgive those?
For instance, I didn't have a grand childhood... not that everyday was horrific with abuse (but there WAS abuse) and not that there weren't good times (I recall some of those), but the abuse I suffered as a child had a HUGE impact on who I am today. Can I forgive that? Is it forgiveable? Forgettable? I believe it is forgiveable because I've already done that. So, I know that without a doubt. Will I ever forget the past? No. God gave us a memory... for better or worse... and I will always remember...but that doesn't mean I can't forgive. That doesn't mean that I live in the past and allow it to effect who I am today. I don't use it as a crutch and feel sorry for myself. I don't act as if the world owes me something because of the abuse I suffered. NO!!... It happened. Bad things happen in life. That is a fact of life. People sin against others. You allow yourself some time to heal, and you move on.
When people choose to hold onto the sins that others have done against them, they are allowing that sin to have a continual hold on their lives. That sin then becomes who they think they are as a person. (more on that another day) They carry that sin around with them like it's their skin. Wearing it, showing it to others as if it's a trophy. The problem is... they haven't forgiven the sinner. The sin owns them...owns their life.
They are then bound by that sin and are not free to be who they were meant to be in Christ.
Forgiveness frees you.
It makes you capable of moving on past the sin, past the hurt and pain...it allows the sin to become just a memory that you can then draw upon down the road to help you have compassion for other people that you encounter that are suffering from that same sin... and then you can help that person see that even though they are suffering from pain of whatever sin it is...that they too can forgive and heal and move on with their life. And not be bound by the sin themselves. And without having your own personal memories to draw from how much harder would it be to relate and thus help othes? And you can't help others forgive their sins if you yourself have not forgiven yours. If you are not a Free person, you can't help Free others.
For the Bible says that we are to bear one anothers burdens... so learning to forgive others sins allows us to in turn help others learn to forgive sins and move on with their lives free from the bondage that unforgiveness has. It's has the potential to be an awesome domino effect.
Could you forgive someone for verbal abuse?...physical abuse?... sexual abuse?... being molested or raped?... could you forgive someone for murder of a loved one?... Now those are some deep wounds! Deep sins against you that most people would say... I understand that you could never forgive that (whatever one of those it is). I personally have suffered all but the murder of those sins against me. Yes, I have had them all... (that's for another time to discuss). Yes, I have forgiven all those that did those sins against me. I had to... because it then freed me from the sin. Those sins no longer have a hold on my soul. They can't have a hold when you forgive those people.... it sets you free!
Reading the book 'The Shack' last summer really opened me eyes to just how powerful God's spirit is and just how serious He is in telling us that no matter what the sin is... we are called to forgive those that sin against us. If you haven't read the book, you don't know what I'm referring to and I would urge you to read the book! It is one of the most powerful messages!
In the story there is a scene in a cave where God tells the father that he has to forgive the man that murdered his daughter... (I don't want to give it away), it's a very powerful scene. Read the book.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Mahatma Gandhi
I believe this to be true. You have to be strong in who you are in Christ. You have to know that you are a child of the Abba Father in heaven that made you in his form with all of your strengths and weakness to be just who you are and that no matter what... He loves you. He loved you before you were born simply because you are His child. Similar to how a mother loves her child the moment she finds out she's pregnant. It doesn't matter if that child will be a boy or a girl with what color hair, or who it will look like, that love is there immediately simply because it will be her child. But the Bible says God loves His children more than we can even comprehend... so how cool is that?! I'm a mother. I've got four children...I know what that feeling is like to love a child before they are even born. And to stop in awe at the thought that I am loved by my heavenly Father more than I love my children is hard for my brain to understand. But then... God is tamquam ignotum, utterly unknowable. Our brains are just not smart enough to be able to compare.
Sincere forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time.” Sara Paddison
Sara is a wise woman. I have forgiven people that have sinned against me, some I have verbally expressed this to them, others died before I could tell them. But that's okay. I didn't forgive them in order for them to apologize to me. That's not having the right heart in forgiving. You can't expect an apology from those that sin against you. You can't expect that that person will change who they are or that they will even be sorry or remorseful... you simply have to forgive and move on.
“You will know that forgiveness has begun when you recall those who hurt you and feel the power to wish them well.” Lewis B. Smedes
Lewis is wise as well... when you can have the heart for those that have sinned against you and despite the pain they cause you, truly wish them well on their journey of life...then you know in your heart that you have forgiven them and have God's love for them. And how very freeing that is to have!!
“He who is devoid of the power to forgive, is devoid of the power to love.” Martin Luther King, Jr
People that can't forgive others of the sins...don't love themselves. You have to love yourself before you can love others. Without self love, you are incapable of loving others. Thus you can't forgive others. If that is you... I pray that you will read the book "Abba's Child" and "Ragamuffin Gospel" by Brennan Manning. And I pray that you would release the sins of others against you, so that you can be free to be who God made you to be! Trust me... you have no idea who you truly are until you have learned to let go of the sin!
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” Paul Boese
Forgiveness is a choice. You have to choose to forgive others, no matter how big or small the sin. Because by not forgiving... you aren't fully living in the truth of who you are and were meant to be. You allow that sin to own you. To keep you hostage in your own body.
Choose to be a forgiving soul... so that you can be FREE to be the REAL you!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Being Silent...
“It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others.” St. John of the Cross
I was reading through quotes the other day, as I often do to help me focus on something for that day. I will find a quote and then a corresponding Bible verse and think about it. (helps me somedays with my brain that is frequently like a monkey on red bull:) Anyway, "It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others." WOW! That may not effect you as deeply as it does me... but I pray that if it doesn't... that someday it WILL!.
That can be taken several ways... how to be silent? I hadn't thought about it til now that being wisdom... being silent and NOT judging others for anything they have done or said or how they have lived their lives...
that is NOT an easy task. Human nature wants to compare ourselves with others, wants to judge what others do and say with our own value system as to whether we agree with it or don't.
What comes to mind to me is my mother. You don't know my background, but someday I will share more of it, but my mother suffers from depression... deep dark depression and has my entire life. Didn't make for a great childhood to say the least. My mother attempted suicide when I was 15 yrs old. She had been making life at home unbearable and my Dad worked out of town during the week and we only got to see him on the weekends. Some weekends he didn't come home. I had a lot of hurt, anger and bitterness against my mother for ruining my life... I was so miserable at home that when I had enough credits to graduate highschool... I got out early! I got out of highschool and then proceeded to get married. (you can look at that as a huge mistake for all the right reasons you're totally right! But I look at my 22 yr old daughter and think what a blessing she has been in my life and I can't imagine life without her in it... so I call it an experience, a life choice). It took me several years to heal from the wounds of my childhood and to be able to "get over" the anger and hurt... God heals... as I have been healed, my understanding of my mother has changed. I have watched as it has transformed over the years. I have close friends and even family members that wonder how I can call my mother every week now and not let the past effect me. How I can have compassion, grace and love for her. But it's not hard at all. Ya, I could say it's a 10 commandment to Honor thy Father and thy Mother... but how cliche. The truth is... I asked God to open the eyes of my heart to see others how He sees them. To allow me to have the compassion, grace and love that He has for His people.
My mother, like everyone, is a hurting individual. Everyone has been hurt by someone. How you choose to handle that hurt is totally up to you. Some people are stronger people than others. It's okay. God made us all different. It's okay. No one is better than the other. People just have different strengths in different areas. I can not judge you, nor you judge me. I can't judge my mother for my childhood, because she did the best she knew how to do. She had circumstances that I understand a whole lot better now as a grown up and as a mom. I haven't walked in her shoes. So... I stand in silence...and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others... and I will love her and everyone else as God has called us to do... with compassion, grace and love... loving people purely because they are God's people... no questions asked, no history of their behavior or life choices... just because... wow! How freeing!
The next time someone upsets you with what they say, or do... stop and think to yourself..."am I being silent?"...
I was reading through quotes the other day, as I often do to help me focus on something for that day. I will find a quote and then a corresponding Bible verse and think about it. (helps me somedays with my brain that is frequently like a monkey on red bull:) Anyway, "It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others." WOW! That may not effect you as deeply as it does me... but I pray that if it doesn't... that someday it WILL!.
That can be taken several ways... how to be silent? I hadn't thought about it til now that being wisdom... being silent and NOT judging others for anything they have done or said or how they have lived their lives...
that is NOT an easy task. Human nature wants to compare ourselves with others, wants to judge what others do and say with our own value system as to whether we agree with it or don't.
What comes to mind to me is my mother. You don't know my background, but someday I will share more of it, but my mother suffers from depression... deep dark depression and has my entire life. Didn't make for a great childhood to say the least. My mother attempted suicide when I was 15 yrs old. She had been making life at home unbearable and my Dad worked out of town during the week and we only got to see him on the weekends. Some weekends he didn't come home. I had a lot of hurt, anger and bitterness against my mother for ruining my life... I was so miserable at home that when I had enough credits to graduate highschool... I got out early! I got out of highschool and then proceeded to get married. (you can look at that as a huge mistake for all the right reasons you're totally right! But I look at my 22 yr old daughter and think what a blessing she has been in my life and I can't imagine life without her in it... so I call it an experience, a life choice). It took me several years to heal from the wounds of my childhood and to be able to "get over" the anger and hurt... God heals... as I have been healed, my understanding of my mother has changed. I have watched as it has transformed over the years. I have close friends and even family members that wonder how I can call my mother every week now and not let the past effect me. How I can have compassion, grace and love for her. But it's not hard at all. Ya, I could say it's a 10 commandment to Honor thy Father and thy Mother... but how cliche. The truth is... I asked God to open the eyes of my heart to see others how He sees them. To allow me to have the compassion, grace and love that He has for His people.
My mother, like everyone, is a hurting individual. Everyone has been hurt by someone. How you choose to handle that hurt is totally up to you. Some people are stronger people than others. It's okay. God made us all different. It's okay. No one is better than the other. People just have different strengths in different areas. I can not judge you, nor you judge me. I can't judge my mother for my childhood, because she did the best she knew how to do. She had circumstances that I understand a whole lot better now as a grown up and as a mom. I haven't walked in her shoes. So... I stand in silence...and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others... and I will love her and everyone else as God has called us to do... with compassion, grace and love... loving people purely because they are God's people... no questions asked, no history of their behavior or life choices... just because... wow! How freeing!
The next time someone upsets you with what they say, or do... stop and think to yourself..."am I being silent?"...
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Peace of spirit.... ahhhh....
Have you ever gone through tough times?... lol... I know, that's a joke! Everybody has gone through tough times in their lives and if you haven't... wow! Are you ever sheltered and spoiled! (ha). Tough times seem to have followed me around like the black cloud that follows the cartoon character Ziggy around when everybody else is walking in sunshine. Bad luck? ... karma?... cursed?... I don't believe in those. But I do believe that the devil likes to play with professed Christians in an attempt to shake their trust in God. To wear you down to make you think that God isn't real and that He doesn't care about what you are going through down here on Earth... which of course is NOT true; but the devil would love to make you believe that and shake your faith. And if you, as a Christian and follower of Christ, are not strong enough in your belief of His love for you, and are easily swayed to believe that God isn't real and doesn't care... then... Satan wins. Hands down.
I personally have given Satan a run for his money over the years. He's won a few battles, I'll admit... but he has NOT won the war!
I have made the mistake of not keeping God as my center... and when that happens poor decisions are made. I'm keeping God as my center from now on... satan will have an extremely hard time to shake my faith now because these last months, years... have only made my faith stronger and all the 'bad luck' I've gone through has just proven to me that God IS in control of my life and He DOES love me!
Getting rid of the things in your life that bring you down, or allow satan to mess with your mind help in giving God the ability to show you just how much He loves you and wants to be your number one.
God has brought me into a place of extreme peace of spirit... my soul is at peace...and wow! Does it ever feel amazing!...Putting God TOTALLY first, EVERYDAY, without fail; praying for those people that cause you hurt and stress and not allowing them to effect your faith in God... is amazing.
"Vow" by Kutless
Another year has come and gone but nothings changed
I've wasted another year doing the same old things
I want to break out of this and turn my life around
I'm going to make a vow to repent an turn to you.
[CHORUS:]
I'm crying out to you now as I make my new years vow
I'll tell you I love you and I'll honor you somehow
Hear my promise to you in this new years vow I give
You all of me
You'll be all of my life and I'll never think twice to
do all that you have for me
In my new years vow
Lord I'll do my best to do, all that I say
I'm not perfect but I know, that's OK
If I stumble you won't condemn my shame
I'm going to make a vow to repent an turn to you
[CHORUS]
Its a new year this year is different
From the other ones...
Because I will no longer allow anyone to move my God from his first place in my life... made that mistake before... I've learned... I've also allowed non-believers to effect my life in negative ways... I've allowed people that exude evil to influence me... I will never again allow that to happen to me. I've learned...
By learning... and by getting back to center... I am now at such peace in my spirit which is the most AMAZING feeling, because I've always had peace in my spirit, despite all the horrible events that I have lived through in my life, I've had a peace about me...because God has always been in my life and He's always gotten me through everything, but this new level, new depth of peace is almost indescribable! God loves me! This I KNOW! There is NOTHING and no one worth losing this depth of peace in my soul over!
I've learned...
I personally have given Satan a run for his money over the years. He's won a few battles, I'll admit... but he has NOT won the war!
I have made the mistake of not keeping God as my center... and when that happens poor decisions are made. I'm keeping God as my center from now on... satan will have an extremely hard time to shake my faith now because these last months, years... have only made my faith stronger and all the 'bad luck' I've gone through has just proven to me that God IS in control of my life and He DOES love me!
Getting rid of the things in your life that bring you down, or allow satan to mess with your mind help in giving God the ability to show you just how much He loves you and wants to be your number one.
God has brought me into a place of extreme peace of spirit... my soul is at peace...and wow! Does it ever feel amazing!...Putting God TOTALLY first, EVERYDAY, without fail; praying for those people that cause you hurt and stress and not allowing them to effect your faith in God... is amazing.
"Vow" by Kutless
Another year has come and gone but nothings changed
I've wasted another year doing the same old things
I want to break out of this and turn my life around
I'm going to make a vow to repent an turn to you.
[CHORUS:]
I'm crying out to you now as I make my new years vow
I'll tell you I love you and I'll honor you somehow
Hear my promise to you in this new years vow I give
You all of me
You'll be all of my life and I'll never think twice to
do all that you have for me
In my new years vow
Lord I'll do my best to do, all that I say
I'm not perfect but I know, that's OK
If I stumble you won't condemn my shame
I'm going to make a vow to repent an turn to you
[CHORUS]
Its a new year this year is different
From the other ones...
Because I will no longer allow anyone to move my God from his first place in my life... made that mistake before... I've learned... I've also allowed non-believers to effect my life in negative ways... I've allowed people that exude evil to influence me... I will never again allow that to happen to me. I've learned...
By learning... and by getting back to center... I am now at such peace in my spirit which is the most AMAZING feeling, because I've always had peace in my spirit, despite all the horrible events that I have lived through in my life, I've had a peace about me...because God has always been in my life and He's always gotten me through everything, but this new level, new depth of peace is almost indescribable! God loves me! This I KNOW! There is NOTHING and no one worth losing this depth of peace in my soul over!
I've learned...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)