uncovered

                

                                                 Autumn is here.    

Every fall as the leaves begin to turn and the air temperature drops I am reminded of this scripture.

Hebrew 4:13 (NIV) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

When the trees lose their leaves – the trunk and the branches are exposed. 

It is possible to cover up or gloss over areas in our lives that need attention.  We can become very good at making excuses.    Some are very good at acting – pretending to be something that they aren’t or pretending that all is grand. 

Before God there is no pretense.  Before God there is no such thing as great acting.  Before God there is no cover up.  

V12 of that same chapter reminds us

¹²For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Thoughts and attitudes — that is way deeper than just the actions.  Oh our actions matter, but we can be outwardly doing the right thing and have a huge inward problem.  

Autumn — I love the colors, beauty, and creativity that is all around me.  It is also a reminder to me that my life is laid open before God. 

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

On a side note, we had a God moment while we were out looking at leaves.  We stopped at an apple orchard and to our surprise ran into friends.     You might recognize Julie (on the left) from the moving day.

 

 

til next time

challenges – life is filled with them

I’ve been thinking a bit about challenges.  It seems that life is filled with them.  Challenges can be a good thing.  It can motivate me to be a better  person, to do greater things,  and/or to help others.

Yet challenges can also be trials or (to keep it positive) opportunities to grow.  Sometimes the challenge is so great that it does make me want to quit and give up.    Challenges can shake me to the very core of who I am.  Yet when that happens  God is still there. 

C – Choices  – Do the right thing even if it doesn’t ‘feel’ right.

H – Heart  — Guard your heart  (Prov 4:23)

A – Attitude  — positive or negative it is up to me.  I may have no control over the  situation but I do have control over my attitude.

L – Letting go  –  God is in control.  He will take care of me and the situation.  I can trust Him.

L – Listen  — Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God.

E -  Enjoy — There are still things that we can enjoy even in the midst of the most trying circumstances.  Look beyond the problem.  Focus on something that is good. 

N – Nice — be nice.  Don’t take it out on others.  No matter what the problem – rudeness is not acceptable!

G-  Giggle  — find something to laugh about — it releases stress. 

E – ??  Can’t come up with another E — any suggestions??

S – sorrow — remember joy does come in the morning (Psalm 30:5)  Sometimes the night seems really long but in the words of Helen Steiner Rice “This too shall pass.”

Sometimes it seems that it will never end.  That is when I know that I have taken my eyes of the One who holds my life in His hands.  God is at work in and through each and every situation.  He has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11)

til next time

got my attention

Two things happened back to back yesterday that got my attention.  My calendar thought for the day went like this:  

Happiness is inward and not outward; And so it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are.   (Henry Van Dyke)

Later one of the guys on the radio (don’t remember which guy) made this statement.

“If your life lacks joy – check your attitude.”

Hmmm coincidence?  Or could it be just maybe that my attitude needed an adjustment?

Happiness is not dependant upon our external circumstances but our internal relationship with Christ.  (my wise husband)

I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that after a week of vacation, that ended with me wanting more (not all vacations are like that), I would have to deal with needing an attitude adjustment.

til next time

watching you

No man is an island.  I don’t know how many times I have heard that saying.  Yet it is so very true.  My actions, words, and attitude affect those I come in contact with.  

People do notice what other people do.  

It is my desire to be real  24/7.  When the boys were little, it quickly became my prayer that God would help me to be an example of what it means to follow after Him.  It was and is very important to me that my boys would not have cause to think that mom is one way at home and one way around others. 

I have heard countless stories of hypocrisy.  It does so much damage — senseless damage. 

That said I knew that my kids would be watching me.  Now that they are 21 I see bits and pieces of Curt and I in their mannerisms. 

Rodney Atkins hit it on the head with this song.

I am not a fan of country music.  Yet Andrew talked me into listening to this song.  I now have a country music song I really like. 

No man is an island.  People do notice.

til next time

aggravation

I love the board game Aggravation, but that is where my love for aggravation stops.  I am not a fan of emotional aggravation.  { aggravation — the source of continuing, increasing irritation or source of trouble}

 I prefer my life to be free of drama.  I much prefer to get along with people and I give it my best shot – most of the time.  Over the years I have learned the value of giving a person leeway and extending mercy and grace.  

Overlooking a comment or an action has been a great tool in maintaining my own peace and harmony.  Just because someone is ugly does not mean that I must get ugly back.  Nowhere does it say that one must take things personally.  Maybe the person is just having a really bad day and I am in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

“Like water off a ducks back, Gloria.  Let it slide.”  (wise words from my daddy.)

Where I get tripped up is when people become arrogant or refuse to acknowledge their role in a given situation.  Then aggravation tends to set in.   Even then, usually it doesn’t last long. 

So this recent development that I  found myself in had me wondering what I needed to learn from this?  It also had me wondering what my role should be in this mess.  With each phone call the aggravation grew.

Why is it that my son (Andrew) who went off to a seculiar college  (which I might add was extremely less expensive) had more cooperation from the registrar, financial aide office, academic dean’s office, etc. than my other son who is attending the very christian university that Curt and I graduated from?

I have fond memories of my years at college.  Yet, I also have memories of the ‘games’ that were played.  The politics that went on almost succeeded in my leaving there at the end of my junior year. 

So is it really a surprise, that as my son now faces the beginning of his senior year, that he should be facing issues that have him thinking about quitting?  Surprised?  no   –  Saddened?  yes

I would have thought we would have had more problems with Andrew’s college as he was dealing with two different colleges – one he attended and one that handled the financial aspects so he didn’t have to pay out of state  tuition.  Yet whenever a problem arose (and that just seems to happen with college) the people we dealt with were helpful and truly wanted to resolve the issues.  They accepted responsibility for their mistakes and they helped us fix any that we had made. 

I guess I expect more from a Christian university than a secular college.   

While leading worship Sunday, God clearly showed me the ’sin’ of my aggravation.  I had been justifying my ‘right’ to hold onto my aggravation.  After all, it wasn’t right what was going on.  It was made even worse in my eyes because this was people in leadership that my son was to look to as examples but instead  were causing all this grief.  However, my getting all aggravated didn’t make it better.  It certainly didn’t make it right.

Two wrongs do not make a right.

So I did what I should have done in the first place.  I turned the whole mess over to God.  I gave Him my frustration, aggravation and irritation. 

Then an amazing thing happened.  The idea came to Curt to call our district superintendent and also an old college buddy of Curt’s that currently works at the college.   How much clearer things become when we let go and let God direct. 

Curt’s friend had a long meeting with Chris.  Chris left that meeting encouraged.  He was not just a number anymore.  Now this gentlemen is my idea of a godly leader.  His sincerity came through loud and clear to my son.    This was no easy feat due to all that Chris has been through. 

Oh it’s college and I suspect there will be more headaches but what a difference it makes when someone cares – when someone listens – when someone seeks to get into the solution with you.

For me it was also a reminder that there are many people who are doing a great job.  Don’t waste time focusing on those who aren’t.

til next time

what if…. are you a player?

What if…….?

Ah the game of what if.  Many people play it.  People worry about all kinds of different things.  Health, family, and finances are the big three.   A lot of wasted energy is used in worrying.

Worry will rob me of living today to the fullest.  Worry will hinder my from trying new things.  Worry stunts my growth. 

My mom, for the first 80 years of her life, wouldn’t dare think of getting on an airplane.  What if it crashed?  Then 9/11 happened and I thought that had settled it for good.  We would never get her in an airplane.   My siblings and I had been trying for years to get her to fly to Florida to visit my brother and his family.  Worry of all that could go wrong was the thing that was stopping her.

She has now flown four times.  She loves the window seat.  God has proven so faithful to her.  She has a story of His intervention each trip. 

Faith silences worry.  As I  have grown in God, my worrying  pretty much has diminished.   I truly believe God is in control so then what is there to worry about?  Nothing takes God by surprise.  He may allow situations that are tough, to come my way.  However, He will turn it around.  He will make a way.  Not only is He able, but He is willing to help.  He is Jehovah Jireh – my provider.  My life is in His hands. 

Sometimes, for a moment, I can get caught up in the old habit of what if…..  My focus will have sifted to the storm and not the one who calms the storm.  Ah, but God is so good.  He gets my attention and once again worry disappears.

I have changed the rules of the what if game.  Here is my list of what if questions.

What if today I look at people through the eyes of love (God’s love)?

What if today I let my words be gentle?

What if today I overlook that comment?

What if today my attitude is “I get to go to work today“?

What if today I look for opportunities to be a blessing to someone?

What if today I do what I can to walk in peace with those I encounter?

What if today I choose to trust God completely?

What if today I walk in the freedom Christ has given me?

What if today I walk in the power of the Holy Spirit?

til next time

all you need is love, love, love

Long ago and far away a group that called themselves the Beatles sang a catchy little tune.   “Love, love, love, love …..” (nine loves to be exact) is how the Beatles started it.  They were on to something. 

The way we treat people is a glimpse into our character.  What would the world look like if people walked in love instead of :   selfishness, hatred, bitterness, arrogance, indifference, criticism, greed, and the list could go on.

I’d love to say that the list mentioned isn’t descriptive of christians but the truth is that many christians fall into the trap of walking void of love.   Why?  I don’t think it is because they aren’t a christian, although that is the case sometimes.  Rather I think that  it has to do with a lack of making a conscious effort to walk in love. 

Love on purpose.  Each day finds me faced with many opportunities to love on purpose.  I have found that if I don’t make it a priority, if I don’t think about my actions, if I don’t purpose to walk in love, then it is so easy to be swayed by the attitudes and negativity that is swarming all around me. 

There is a prayer that I pray often and had my children’s church kids memorize it.  It is taken from Psalms and it goes like this.  “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight.  O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.”    (Psalm 19:14)

 How do I walk in love?  Out of the heart the mouth speaks.  If I have bitterness or anger towards someone, even if I am saying the right things it is evident  that something isn’t right.  So I must first deal with my heart issues.  People can spot insincerity quite easily. 

When someone has hurt me, how do I show them love?  

First, by not holding on to or nursing a grudge.  Second, by not allowing a spirit of offense to take root.  (Psalm 119:165)  Along that line,  I make a choice to forgive.  Unforgiveness really only hurts me.  (side note — choosing to forgive doesn’t mean I continue to place myself in a pathway to be hurt over and over.  Boundaries need to be established.  Distancing myself from the person is  not a bad thing.)  Finally, I ask God to give me His eyes so I can see the person as He sees them.  People matter to God.  God loves people period!!  As His representative (anyone who calls themselves a christian is just that) people better matter to me.  And they do!!!

So the way I treat someone reflects on what kind of person I am.  More importantly the way I treat  those who mistreat me really speaks loudly.    I am reminded that Jesus treated Judas just the same as the rest of the disciples.   Yes, He washed Judas’ feet  knowing Judas would soon betray Him. 

 How many problems would disappear if people would just walk in love?  When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment His response was that we  love the Lord thy God will ALL our heart, soul, and mind.  (Matt 22:37)   Jesus followed that with a second commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.  (Matt 22:39)  

All we need is love.  Love is all we need.

 

So the Beetles had it right – sort of.  All we need is love.  For God so LOVED the world that He gave……  The only way I can really love people is by letting the love of God flow through me.  All I need is God’s love!  I have that and so much more!

til next time

menopause – will it ever end?

pre-menopausal –

working two jobs –

menopausal –

dealing with weight issues and the whole exercise nightmare –

back to pre-menopausal  (pre is a just a milder case) –

the day to day household operations, just how bad does one need clean clothes?? –

menopausal –

an RV that needs major attention –

back to pre-menopausal –

weeds in my flower garden and weeds in my vegetable garden — {shh they are sleeping} –

menopausal –

a kitchen wall to be painted –

pre -menopausal –

wood floors that are in desperate need of some attention — maybe I’ll just carpet them  –

menopausal –

working way too much –

pre-menopausal

hmmm, I am beginning to see a pattern.  The other day a dear friend asked me how long I was going to use the excuse of menopause.  I promptly told her I was going to use it til it was over.  Which by the way should have been by now if what I’ve heard about looking at your mom and older sister for your time frame was true.   Let me tell you that is just nonsense!!  Ok so maybe my menopausal self is shining through a bit in this blog. 

Another dear friend said that it took her 10 years.  10 YEARS!!!  What is that all about?  You have got to be kidding me.  I don’t think my family nor I could last that long.  I’m sure that God is using this somehow, someway for some sort of plan.  It does make me want to ask Him if we are ‘there yet?’ 

I find that I have to work at not being envious of those precious dear ladies who inform me that it just wasn’t a problem for them.  Ok, so where was I when God handed out that gift?    

Is there an ending?  Does it just go on and on?   What is it with my emotions?  I don’t even recognize me some moments.  I’ve always had a wide range of emotions.  Now my range is dwindling and I don’t like it!  

I remember having a ‘mild’ case of this when I was pregnant.  At least with the hormonal issues associated with pregnancy came a wonderful bundle of joy.  In my case two bundles of joy.  What will I have when this is over?  Hopefully my sense of humor back!?!   

I had a lady tell me that I should talk with some of the people who know me best and see if they have noticed a change.  So, did that and they have — now what?  It confirms that I am indeed menopausal?  I already knew that!!

It takes ‘crucify the flesh’ to a whole new level for me.  Many times lately my prayer has been “Lord please help me to not do or say something that I will need to apologize for later.”  While this is a really good prayer, it bugs me that I find I have to pray it more and more.  Why can’t my hormones just get back to normal? 

I’ll try to bring this around to a more positive note.  In worship last night we sang an old hymn.  Here are a few of the lines.

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear; We’re tempted to complain, To murmur and despair…….Sometimes the sky looks dark, with not a ray of light; We’re tossed and driven on, No human help in sight; But there is one in heaven, who knows our deepest care, Let Jesus solve your problem, Just go to Him in prayer……….

I wonder was Esther in the middle of menopause when she wrote this?  I think she sure could have been.

Well that’s what has been going on in this fishbowl.  Just trying to stay in the truth and keeping it real. 

til next time

crossroads

Crossroads — When I come to a crossroad a decision must be made — left, right, or straight ahead.

Grace — God’s help to enable me to do with ease what He has called me to do. 

Frustration — comes when I am trying to once again take control of one or more areas of my life.  This is only magnified when I think about how unfair some things are.  I remind myself again of the value of the serenity prayer.  Which takes me right to another crossroad.

Do I speak up when flippant remarks are made?   Do I do what I can to right wrongs?  If I can’t do anything about it, do I let it steal my joy?  How is my silence interpreted?  Then there is the whole wages issue?  What do I do with that?   Sometimes it really is more information than I want.

The life of a Christian is certainly an adventure.   I am grateful that I am not traveling solo.  When God closes a door, He does open a window. 

Crossroads  –  a decision must be made.  I can’t sit here forever.  Or can I?

til next time

who is it that I am becoming?

I was talking with a woman the other day who is struggling with acceptance.  I encouraged her to be herself.  That in trying to be please others, she was making herself miserable.  It can be so easy to fall into that trap.  Who doesn’t want others to like them?

 So today I read a friend’s blog (check it out here).  This got me to thinking about what is really important to me.    Do I see growth and what areas need attention?  

I  know that this pre-menopausal state that I am finding myself in has caused quite a stir in my emotions.  I think that this is the time in my life that, if I were a guy, I would be buying a brand new sports car and going on a long road trip!!   Doing the responsible thing has certainly been more of a challenge now that my body has turned on me.   

There are times that my hormones get the better of me.   Hormones and attitude –they seem to go together like Bonnie and Clyde.  **Heavy sigh**   I have also found that a crazy busy schedule only magnifies this problem.  So how am I doing on slowing down?  Not so good.

It is so easy to fill my schedule with work, work, work.  I know that I have put in way too many hours at the clinic.  I also know that it is just  ‘easier’ for me to do many of the things I do at church.  “Easier” in the sense that I can choose when to do it, instead of doing it at the last minute because whoever said they were going to — didn’t. 

However, I also know that this isn’t helpful to me or them.  Follow through is an important step in maturity.  I have a friend who has told me that she loves to start things.  She can have all kinds of energy to start a new project.  Finishing is a whole different story.   

Sometimes, many times, finishing or follow through comes at a great sacrifice.  It is important that we count the cost ahead of time.  It is also important that we make it a priority to do what we have said we would do. 

This is why some people just won’t commit to doing anything.   Then they don’t have to deal with the ‘follow through’ if something else comes up or they just don’t feel like doing it at the moment.  Yet that creates another problem.  When people do not commit,  they cannot be counted on to help.   This can be discouraging to whoever is trying to organize  an event, fund raiser, outing,  etc.  

There are times when things do come up.  There are also times when we just plain forget.  Acknowledging this with a phone call or an apology goes a long ways.   It is those times that grace becomes evident or at least it should. 

Here is a recent example of what happens when people don’t commit.   We had a hot dog stand last weekend.  There were two time slots.  The first time slot was the best one for my schedule.   However, only one person was signed up for the second shift.  As much as I really wanted to work the first shift there was no way I was going to take the chance that others “might” show up to help her.     

However, I do see growth in my life with this recent example.  In the past I would have worked the first shift and just stayed for the second.   Instead I spoke with the women doing the first shift and explained to them why I was switching. 

Who is it that I am becoming?  What direction has my life taken?  Am I making time for what is utmost important?  Are my priorities in order? 

til next time