I like this quote, I think on day 27 of the challenge we were to pray for humility. I believe it is from The Purpose Driven Life book: "Humility, is not thinking less of yourself...it is thinking of yourself less."
So true. Nothing biggie, just wanted to type it so I'll remember it.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
Big Foot in my Mouth
I like to think of myself as a good listener, I don't speak a lot, and don't interrupt people when they are talking, and I try as best as possible not to offend anyone. I also speak "men" language when needed. Like today when I took my son to the dentist. Instead of giving a bunch of explanations for the problem at hand I simply said: "Jaw popping, not good." The doctor understood perfectly and immediately went to work on the problem without me having to elaborate.
As I was sitting in my chair facing both doctor and child, I looked at child and without even thinking I observed out loud "You need to shave Sir." I sometimes lovingly refer to my boys as "Sir."
The two "Sirs" raised their heads toward me and in unison said some like "Yes I know." OMGsh!!!!! Just then my eyes moved slowly to the unshaven doctor, which of course I hadn't noticed earlier. I prayed that the Earth would swallow me whole, or that my Lord would return that second.
My child was having a hard time holding his face so he wouldn't laugh, and I was utterly embarrassed and ashamed, but also beginning to get the giggles, therefore, grabbing my face as well to force it to remain serious.
It was one of those moments where nothing I could possibly say would erase what I just expressed. Would a "Oh, no, Doctor, I'm talking to my son, not you, your unshaven face looks neat" sound sincere? Truth is, I hadn't noticed him until I said what I said. Too late. So, I kept silent as he continued doing his job in my boy's mouth, and I can only wonder what his face will look like when we return in four weeks. Maybe I'll wait in the car.
As I was sitting in my chair facing both doctor and child, I looked at child and without even thinking I observed out loud "You need to shave Sir." I sometimes lovingly refer to my boys as "Sir."
The two "Sirs" raised their heads toward me and in unison said some like "Yes I know." OMGsh!!!!! Just then my eyes moved slowly to the unshaven doctor, which of course I hadn't noticed earlier. I prayed that the Earth would swallow me whole, or that my Lord would return that second.
My child was having a hard time holding his face so he wouldn't laugh, and I was utterly embarrassed and ashamed, but also beginning to get the giggles, therefore, grabbing my face as well to force it to remain serious.
It was one of those moments where nothing I could possibly say would erase what I just expressed. Would a "Oh, no, Doctor, I'm talking to my son, not you, your unshaven face looks neat" sound sincere? Truth is, I hadn't noticed him until I said what I said. Too late. So, I kept silent as he continued doing his job in my boy's mouth, and I can only wonder what his face will look like when we return in four weeks. Maybe I'll wait in the car.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
My First Love Part 1
Today I decided to revisit my life when I first got saved, the newness of my first love, and reminisce and wonder what happened to my zeal.
The week after I got saved and went back to work, a co-worker who was becoming a good friend of mine, asked me what had happened to me. When I wondered what she meant she said: "This week I haven't seen you running around wild eyed with your cup of coffee and cigarette in your hand, you seem calm, almost peaceful." Wow, that is a testimony that when God is drawing someone to Him we don't even need to speak. I didn't know any Bible verse yet, but I told her that I had gone to a Church on Sunday and got saved, not quite sure of what it all meant. She invited herself over for dinner at my apartment that night to hear more about this Jesus thing. My friend was going through a very hard time in life. She was only 20 years old going through divorce, her dad had just died of cancer, and was feeling pretty low. As we were having dinner I explained to her the little I knew about my new life, which had some to do with praying this prayer to ask Jesus to live in your heart. Immediately my friend said: "I want to pray that right now." And so we did as our dinner was getting cold on our plates. That was 22 years ago.
Sometimes we try so hard to orchestrate all these fancy programs, speeches, and plans to bring the lost to Him. And many times all He wants is to let people see our changed lives, and He'll do the rest, even through someone who doesn't even know a single Bible verse. Today my friend is married to a wonderful Christian husband and has 3 children.
The week after I got saved and went back to work, a co-worker who was becoming a good friend of mine, asked me what had happened to me. When I wondered what she meant she said: "This week I haven't seen you running around wild eyed with your cup of coffee and cigarette in your hand, you seem calm, almost peaceful." Wow, that is a testimony that when God is drawing someone to Him we don't even need to speak. I didn't know any Bible verse yet, but I told her that I had gone to a Church on Sunday and got saved, not quite sure of what it all meant. She invited herself over for dinner at my apartment that night to hear more about this Jesus thing. My friend was going through a very hard time in life. She was only 20 years old going through divorce, her dad had just died of cancer, and was feeling pretty low. As we were having dinner I explained to her the little I knew about my new life, which had some to do with praying this prayer to ask Jesus to live in your heart. Immediately my friend said: "I want to pray that right now." And so we did as our dinner was getting cold on our plates. That was 22 years ago.
Sometimes we try so hard to orchestrate all these fancy programs, speeches, and plans to bring the lost to Him. And many times all He wants is to let people see our changed lives, and He'll do the rest, even through someone who doesn't even know a single Bible verse. Today my friend is married to a wonderful Christian husband and has 3 children.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Back to Basics
I just realized that when I keep a post on draft and publish it days later, it shows up at the original date, below other posts I may have typed at a later date. Oh, well...
Changing gears, last night we went to our weekly couple's ministry at our church and I feel like I am really being fed between that, my women's Bible study on the "5 Aspects of Woman", and this 30 days challenge. My poor husband has been sick these last few days, and I am trying to be really compassionate about it, which to me is not really work because empathy is one of my gifts. Last night he told me he appreciates that, and acknowledged that compassion is not one of his strong suits, which is true, but it came from him, not me.
I think I am getting better at just being aware of his needs. Because husbands are supposed to take care of us and protect us, I think I neglected that, as a human being, my husband needs just as much emotional support as any other human being. Maybe I was putting too much on his shoulders, where it really needed to go to Jesus' shoulder instead. I am learning to keep quiet and just commiserate without giving my "wise" advice.
Through "5 Aspects of Woman" the author clearly explains how, in our fallen state, we women want to take our husband's place instead of being the perfect completer we were created to be. Manipulation gets confused with wisdom, using God's name for something we want to see happening instead of trusting God. Operating on our redeemed state is the only way to get us out of this fleshy fallen state. Isn'it like a full circle? The more I learn, study, talk, practice, it all comes back to basics: Being in His presence keeps me out of the detours of life, brings me back where I was supposed to be all along. I want to stay there for ever. God help me.
Changing gears, last night we went to our weekly couple's ministry at our church and I feel like I am really being fed between that, my women's Bible study on the "5 Aspects of Woman", and this 30 days challenge. My poor husband has been sick these last few days, and I am trying to be really compassionate about it, which to me is not really work because empathy is one of my gifts. Last night he told me he appreciates that, and acknowledged that compassion is not one of his strong suits, which is true, but it came from him, not me.
I think I am getting better at just being aware of his needs. Because husbands are supposed to take care of us and protect us, I think I neglected that, as a human being, my husband needs just as much emotional support as any other human being. Maybe I was putting too much on his shoulders, where it really needed to go to Jesus' shoulder instead. I am learning to keep quiet and just commiserate without giving my "wise" advice.
Through "5 Aspects of Woman" the author clearly explains how, in our fallen state, we women want to take our husband's place instead of being the perfect completer we were created to be. Manipulation gets confused with wisdom, using God's name for something we want to see happening instead of trusting God. Operating on our redeemed state is the only way to get us out of this fleshy fallen state. Isn'it like a full circle? The more I learn, study, talk, practice, it all comes back to basics: Being in His presence keeps me out of the detours of life, brings me back where I was supposed to be all along. I want to stay there for ever. God help me.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
My Roomba
I LOVE my IRobot Roomba! It "wakes up" everyday at 2 am, does the rounds vacuuming everywhere as long as it doesn't get stuck on someone's sock or some, and an hour later goes back to its cradle. It collects lots of dust and lint that otherwise would be lingering on the floors and in the air. It is very easy to clean, and it doesn't complain at all. Good choice!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Creative husband
In my reading for today, I was supposed to praise my husband for his creativity. That was an easy one for me. I don't think I've ever met a more creative man than my husband. He is artistic, musical, designer, cook, builder with beauty in mind. Very creative. I told him today that he was the best husband in the whole wide world and he chuckle and repaid the compliment.
This challenge is definitively helping me to be more aware of him. Of who he is and what he does. Of how hard he works with his hands and body to the point of painful backaches.
In the midst of our season in life of pruning our kids I must continue to remind myself that my marriage needs watering. Daily little reminders of each other's presence facilitates to walk this life joyfully, knowing that we are not alone in this endeavor, that we can vent with each other about stuff, and know that our vows are kept not only because we are dutifully committed to them but because we desire to keep them, enjoying each other's presence, conversation, and fellowship.
This challenge is definitively helping me to be more aware of him. Of who he is and what he does. Of how hard he works with his hands and body to the point of painful backaches.
In the midst of our season in life of pruning our kids I must continue to remind myself that my marriage needs watering. Daily little reminders of each other's presence facilitates to walk this life joyfully, knowing that we are not alone in this endeavor, that we can vent with each other about stuff, and know that our vows are kept not only because we are dutifully committed to them but because we desire to keep them, enjoying each other's presence, conversation, and fellowship.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Revenge
Oh...this is fun...!!! Everett and I had told our kids a while ago that we will be making a list of the things we'll do at their homes when they are on their own. It all started with the usual nagging..."Clean after yourself. Put away the cheese will you?" etc. etc....
So my hubby said that our revenge will be to "Do unto others... in this case us to them. If you have teens you'll relate, if not wait and see. Of course the kids are laughing thinking it's a big joke. This is what we came up with so far. Oh, everything doesn't apply to every child, and it may had happened at different seasons. Some exaggerations apply :)
When we visit their home:
~On our way in to their home we'll spit on the bushes
~We will open a bottle water, drink a sip and leave the rest on the counter
~When we are thirsty again we will open another bottle
~We will belch as loudly as possible
~When we are called on it we'll respond we can't help it
~We will take our shoes off and leave them in the way to trip over and fling our socks across the room
~We will take the cheese out of the fridge in the summer and leave it out for hours, or maybe for ever until someone else puts it away.
~We will brush our teeth and spit all the way up on the mirrors and faucets
~We will wipe the sink and leave the dirty wipe on the counter
~When we wipe our mouth we will ball the towel and jam it in the towel holder
~When we open a paper towel roll we will never put in on the dispenser and leave the wrapper on the floor
~We'll take our dinner dishes to the living room and leave them (we'll make the mess but we are not cleaning it up)
~When it gets dark we'll turn every light on
~When we need a snack we'll open the fridge and freezer doors and loiter
~When we clip our nails we'll leave them for someone else to clean up
When they take us out to dinner:
~We will only look at the prices and choose the most expensive meal
~We have no intention of paying for the meal but that won't stop us from saying we are ready to go
~Every meal we will suggest we eat out and they pay
When they invite us over to meet their future in-laws:
~We will complain about going
~We will be late
~We will stand with our hands in our pockets
~After dinner we'll play video games
On their wedding day:
~We will be late
~We will wear jeans and tennis shoes
If we travel together overnight:
~We will insist on high quality hotels with a pool and then just watch TV
~We will try to take the best bed
I'm sure there are more and in time we will be adding to the list. We had a big chuckle working on this one.
So my hubby said that our revenge will be to "Do unto others... in this case us to them. If you have teens you'll relate, if not wait and see. Of course the kids are laughing thinking it's a big joke. This is what we came up with so far. Oh, everything doesn't apply to every child, and it may had happened at different seasons. Some exaggerations apply :)
When we visit their home:
~On our way in to their home we'll spit on the bushes
~We will open a bottle water, drink a sip and leave the rest on the counter
~When we are thirsty again we will open another bottle
~We will belch as loudly as possible
~When we are called on it we'll respond we can't help it
~We will take our shoes off and leave them in the way to trip over and fling our socks across the room
~We will take the cheese out of the fridge in the summer and leave it out for hours, or maybe for ever until someone else puts it away.
~We will brush our teeth and spit all the way up on the mirrors and faucets
~We will wipe the sink and leave the dirty wipe on the counter
~When we wipe our mouth we will ball the towel and jam it in the towel holder
~When we open a paper towel roll we will never put in on the dispenser and leave the wrapper on the floor
~We'll take our dinner dishes to the living room and leave them (we'll make the mess but we are not cleaning it up)
~When it gets dark we'll turn every light on
~When we need a snack we'll open the fridge and freezer doors and loiter
~When we clip our nails we'll leave them for someone else to clean up
When they take us out to dinner:
~We will only look at the prices and choose the most expensive meal
~We have no intention of paying for the meal but that won't stop us from saying we are ready to go
~Every meal we will suggest we eat out and they pay
When they invite us over to meet their future in-laws:
~We will complain about going
~We will be late
~We will stand with our hands in our pockets
~After dinner we'll play video games
On their wedding day:
~We will be late
~We will wear jeans and tennis shoes
If we travel together overnight:
~We will insist on high quality hotels with a pool and then just watch TV
~We will try to take the best bed
I'm sure there are more and in time we will be adding to the list. We had a big chuckle working on this one.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Encourager
It sounds so spiritual, so in touch with humanity, so... good. Encourager.
Easier said than done for some of us. Piece of cake for others. I have known some people that God had given them the gift of encouragement. For others it's a skill that needs to be learn and re-learned over time making a conscious decision to remember. There are as many different types of encouragers as personalities out there.
The cheerleaders are always cheering you on, duh! Whatever anyone says gets a "You can do it!!" attached to it. It is very uplifting and makes you feel good. They always notice your new hair cut or the 5 lbs. you worked so hard to lose.
On the opposite end we have the stern, pensive group that always has the exact Scripture to quote that ties perfectly with the situation at hand.
Most others realize that we all need encouragement, but hasn't always been modeled to them, or they are still learning the skill. They often quote personal life stories that had a happy ending to relate to the other person's problem. As I am going along with this challenge I received to pray for my husband for 30 days, I realize that my focus has been more on accomplishing and running toward an unclear goal than to stop to take a break and smell the roses. Running at full speed to what? or where? This morning I placed a big galloping horse (in my mind) with me on it pulling the reins to an abrupt stop to remind myself to look around and get engaged with what is going on in my surroundings. So, this morning I grieved with my hubby about Dan Fogelberg. I didn't realize that he was so upset about it. As a musician he connected with some of his music when he was a teenager. It may sound unimportant, but it was a special moment we had together where any other time I would have been too busy doing some secondary task. It was a good connecting time for us as we reminisced about his songs, and way more spiritual than me giving a half felt answer with a pensive look.
All this to say that being an encourager could be done in silence sometimes. Just sitting next to the person and being there for them.
Easier said than done for some of us. Piece of cake for others. I have known some people that God had given them the gift of encouragement. For others it's a skill that needs to be learn and re-learned over time making a conscious decision to remember. There are as many different types of encouragers as personalities out there.
The cheerleaders are always cheering you on, duh! Whatever anyone says gets a "You can do it!!" attached to it. It is very uplifting and makes you feel good. They always notice your new hair cut or the 5 lbs. you worked so hard to lose.
On the opposite end we have the stern, pensive group that always has the exact Scripture to quote that ties perfectly with the situation at hand.
Most others realize that we all need encouragement, but hasn't always been modeled to them, or they are still learning the skill. They often quote personal life stories that had a happy ending to relate to the other person's problem. As I am going along with this challenge I received to pray for my husband for 30 days, I realize that my focus has been more on accomplishing and running toward an unclear goal than to stop to take a break and smell the roses. Running at full speed to what? or where? This morning I placed a big galloping horse (in my mind) with me on it pulling the reins to an abrupt stop to remind myself to look around and get engaged with what is going on in my surroundings. So, this morning I grieved with my hubby about Dan Fogelberg. I didn't realize that he was so upset about it. As a musician he connected with some of his music when he was a teenager. It may sound unimportant, but it was a special moment we had together where any other time I would have been too busy doing some secondary task. It was a good connecting time for us as we reminisced about his songs, and way more spiritual than me giving a half felt answer with a pensive look.
All this to say that being an encourager could be done in silence sometimes. Just sitting next to the person and being there for them.
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