Well, this week I'm thinking about working on how to capture more humility- I'm pretty sure it's a life long process but what the heck, I'll try to zap it in a week or so. So, what is my first step? I think I'll try to get rid of all that trashy pride and arrogance. I don't consciously choose them, they choose me (I wish it worked like that). Pride sometimes seeps into my day without even noticing it. As nasty and embarrassing as it sounds, it's true.
Sometimes, I get so burdened by self-reliance that I put it all on myself to overcome whatever it is that I am struggling with. It's so wrong, I know. I should know better than that. The three main loads I lug around are fear, discontent and worry. I think I need to meditate on -Psalm 23 a little bit more.
The problem is, I get in a rut and think that I don't need direction and don't need advice- I think I can do it all myself. I do not need a shepherd Lord. Thank you anyway. How wrong is that? Pretty sad- I know. I'll tell you what is really sad, living a life of fear, hopelessness, discontent, want, worry and anxiety. Pretty much a life without hope.
So, I'm wondering, is it possible if I become aware of my blessings it could lead to total contentment? I need to come to some conclusion here or I will just conitnue to go off on tangents. This is my conclusion, all I need to do is embrace humility, apologize, listen, be patient. All I need to do is give it over to my Heavenly Father no matter what it is that I am struggling with in life.
God's AMAZING GRACE follows us and forgives us. My heart is not big enough or mature enough to even grasp the number of blessings that God wants to give us. All of us need that hope. I challenge you to give birth to love- Men and women alike. Embrace grace, open your heart, be at peace with grief, forgive, release your burdens to God- He will restore your soul. I promise.
Critical people not critical thinkers- It's critical that I understand
Main Entry: crit·i·cal
Pronunciation: \ˈkri-ti-kəl\
Function: adjective
Date: 1547
...2 a : inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably b : consisting of or involving criticism
Sometimes I feel bad for people. This time I'm thinking about the people who are so critical. It doesn't matter who or what they are being critical about, it's just the fact they are being critical. I think critical people are pretty selfish. They are usually the type of person that thinks they can do it all better. Really, when it comes down to it, critical people are in big time bondage and are lacking some major JOY. Yeah, I know a lot of critical people. Sheesh, do I ever. Meanies. I bet they don't even know how critical the really are. Sad really. I can actually pick a critical person out of a crowd. They are typically not humble and often times have an awful and unpleasant facial expression. Some are sneakier with a fake a cutsie smile here and there to trick on-lookers. I know these things because I've been critical of people before. Actually, I've probably been critical quite a bit in my silly little life. Now that I realize it, I'm going to turn from that evil way and stop killing my fun.
Don't mistake what I am saying here peeps- on the flip side- There is a type of critical thinking that can be purposeful. It can be a wise, reflective judgment about what to believe or what to do in response to observations and experience. Totally different topic.
Pronunciation: \ˈkri-ti-kəl\
Function: adjective
Date: 1547
...2 a : inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably b : consisting of or involving criticism
Sometimes I feel bad for people. This time I'm thinking about the people who are so critical. It doesn't matter who or what they are being critical about, it's just the fact they are being critical. I think critical people are pretty selfish. They are usually the type of person that thinks they can do it all better. Really, when it comes down to it, critical people are in big time bondage and are lacking some major JOY. Yeah, I know a lot of critical people. Sheesh, do I ever. Meanies. I bet they don't even know how critical the really are. Sad really. I can actually pick a critical person out of a crowd. They are typically not humble and often times have an awful and unpleasant facial expression. Some are sneakier with a fake a cutsie smile here and there to trick on-lookers. I know these things because I've been critical of people before. Actually, I've probably been critical quite a bit in my silly little life. Now that I realize it, I'm going to turn from that evil way and stop killing my fun.
Don't mistake what I am saying here peeps- on the flip side- There is a type of critical thinking that can be purposeful. It can be a wise, reflective judgment about what to believe or what to do in response to observations and experience. Totally different topic.
"...I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
John 15:11
To be happy or not to be?
Life really is wonderful! In someways I feel bad for thinking so. I really do feel joy in my heart. My husband told me that Joy is a result of a spirit-filled life. That must mean that I am controlled by the Holy Spirit and by the word of God? Right? What else could it be?
I don't know, I guess I just want to be the kind of person that will give thanks in everything (Ephesians 5:22-24). I know life is not going to always perfect but if I have a few good years of practice having a positive attitude, maybe it will make it easier to deal with less than perfect situations.
So, this is how good it gets. Sometimes the feelings of joy and happiness overtake me so much that I don't know what to do with it all. Like I am happy out of my mind. Like I just don't know what to do with all of this excitement. How can one little person deal with this much happiness? I'm not bragging here friends. I just really feel this and needed to get it out. Sometimes I feel like people think I'm full of crap or something. NOPE! It's just the prompting of the Holy Spirit people. I tried to be unhappy and miserable and it sucked. So every day I wake up and consciously pick the alternative. The truth of the matter is that It has not always been as wonderful as it is now. I think the reason why I appreciate where I'm at right now is because I know it can change within a matter of seconds. I am not going to take any part of it for granted. That is a choice.
I don't know, I guess I just want to be the kind of person that will give thanks in everything (Ephesians 5:22-24). I know life is not going to always perfect but if I have a few good years of practice having a positive attitude, maybe it will make it easier to deal with less than perfect situations.
So, this is how good it gets. Sometimes the feelings of joy and happiness overtake me so much that I don't know what to do with it all. Like I am happy out of my mind. Like I just don't know what to do with all of this excitement. How can one little person deal with this much happiness? I'm not bragging here friends. I just really feel this and needed to get it out. Sometimes I feel like people think I'm full of crap or something. NOPE! It's just the prompting of the Holy Spirit people. I tried to be unhappy and miserable and it sucked. So every day I wake up and consciously pick the alternative. The truth of the matter is that It has not always been as wonderful as it is now. I think the reason why I appreciate where I'm at right now is because I know it can change within a matter of seconds. I am not going to take any part of it for granted. That is a choice.
Is it going to be Sarah, Sarry or Sarita?
Who ya gonna get this time? My husband and I had a little talk the other night. I won't give you the background, I'll just keep that one a mystery. The conversation/discussion/follow-up argument went something like this:
Mr. Perfect (that's my husband): "Honey, it's just, well, I don't know who I am going to get from time to time with you. It's like there are 3 of you all wrapped up into one. Let's see, we have the Sarah that everyone knows and loves, we have the Sarry that not many people know but, the ones that do, still love. Then we have the Sarita that no one knows. That's the one that comes out every now and again and shocks us all."
Me: "Oh, thanks honey. I feel so much better now that you understand me. We are going to have a perfect life together now that you know what's going on here."
I can't tell you what a feeling of relief I felt after that conversation. See how the Lord works things out for those who love Him. He really does.
Mr. Perfect (that's my husband): "Honey, it's just, well, I don't know who I am going to get from time to time with you. It's like there are 3 of you all wrapped up into one. Let's see, we have the Sarah that everyone knows and loves, we have the Sarry that not many people know but, the ones that do, still love. Then we have the Sarita that no one knows. That's the one that comes out every now and again and shocks us all."
Me: "Oh, thanks honey. I feel so much better now that you understand me. We are going to have a perfect life together now that you know what's going on here."
I can't tell you what a feeling of relief I felt after that conversation. See how the Lord works things out for those who love Him. He really does.
Shopping Carts
Sometimes, I purposely walk in the way of other grocery shoppers paths just so they will smile at me and say HI. I think that is a little odd, but it is the truth. I did it just tonight at the market. I am so glad God made me- me!
Information about Kefir for all of you who have asked
You need to get it and try it!
Kefir is a cultured, creamy product with amazing health attributes. Kefir's tart and refreshing flavor is similar to a drinking-style yogurt, but it contains beneficial yeast as well as friendly 'probiotic' bacteria found in yogurt. The naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in kefir combine symbiotically to give superior health benefits when consumed regularly. It is loaded with valuable vitamins and minerals and contains easily digestible complete proteins. For the lactose intolerant, kefir's abundance of beneficial yeast and bacteria provide lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left after the culturing process. I want to get my whole family started on kefir shakes.
Kefir is a cultured, creamy product with amazing health attributes. Kefir's tart and refreshing flavor is similar to a drinking-style yogurt, but it contains beneficial yeast as well as friendly 'probiotic' bacteria found in yogurt. The naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in kefir combine symbiotically to give superior health benefits when consumed regularly. It is loaded with valuable vitamins and minerals and contains easily digestible complete proteins. For the lactose intolerant, kefir's abundance of beneficial yeast and bacteria provide lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left after the culturing process. I want to get my whole family started on kefir shakes.
Labels
I love the label I get as a mom of five children. Sometimes when I walk into a store with all of my little monkeys, people look at me funny. I am not mentally ill. People look at me funny all the time. Sometimes I even get nasty looks before 3:00pm when normal kids get out of "real" school. I can't tell you how many times I have had, "is this your daycare?" No, they're all mine. -Freak. I don't go out in the public with a long dress, hairy legs, and a cream floral bonnet on. The fact of the matter is, I love my job and I truly believe this is what I was put on earth to do. Nurture these little people. Yes, it is a very thankless job and yes, I do feel like jumping off a bridge and giving up once in a while, but other days I want to take the world on. Some days I even feel as though I do not have enough to do. I'm on a two day rotation here. Some might call that split personalities. I call it, mixin' it up a little.
Nothing new under the sun
Funny to think about isn't it?
There is nothing that will ever be new and not already thought or written. We all look a little different but when it comes down to it, we really are all the same.
We all have a heart, we all have a soul. We all have a body, we all have a mind.
I'm realizing the older I get, I can't live beyond what I believe. I know how important it is to have spiritual maturity but will it ever fully blossom? My beliefs about fulfillment, satisfaction, security and peace are anchored in the word of God. I believe that. What is my problem here then?
Thoughts. I have tried so hard to control my thought life- I have been in constant struggle for the control of my mind. The only conclusion I have come to is that I must not fully understand my identity in Christ. The essence of what I'm trying to say is, I truly desire to live like Christ by way of faith. I believe with all my heart, mind and soul that we were designed to live in fellowship with God. I'm getting there. My husband said to me the other day, "honey, the older we get, the more spiritually mature we should become."
I think my problem is that I need to be in the scriptures more and I need to be spending more time in prayer. I don't know where I read this but it made an impact in my life. It is this:
When man listens God speaks
When man obeys, God acts
When man prayes, God empowers.
So I go. I will go find the fruits of the spirit.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24: 15
I spend most of my time as a stranger-
I wish I had a map for my thoughts. Do you ever just think something then feel really bad for thinking it? I do. I do it all the time but by the time I realize that I should not be thinking it, it's to late. Now, I'm realizing it's so hard to forget your own thoughts. They are with you always. I have said it before and I'll say it again- It's hard to be me. It's always been. I stumble, I crack. BUT, I am forgiven, I know that Jesus Christ saves, I feel my Heavenly Fathers Grace and I know I have been set free.
The way a girl thinks of her body
I am trying to crack the fat loss code
What diet will it be this week? How long will it take for my last beautiful 14 pounds of love to see the feelings are not mutual. My husband tells me in very loving tone, "honey, your body will not change if you keep doing the same old things." Rocket science here. I just don't know if I will ever truely "get" it. The whole thought of body self image. I think people who are skinny are 2 very special types of people:
1) Miserable, boring and anal.
2) Sharp, perfect people who have a little self-control.
I am neither!
I read this book, "Do you think I'm Beautiful" by Angela Thomas. I didn't think it was very good. I can't tell you why. I just can't put my finger on it. What I do know is, we have a big problem in this country with the way women look and feel about their bodies. We are all beautiful and breathtaking in our own unique way. Why is it that we can not understand and grasp that. What is the magical answer to this. What is it?
Practical Living- Giving birth to little apples
Sometimes I wonder what might have been if I could just go back in time and change one day, one minute in time, or even one silly little second. Sometimes I wonder about things I have no business wondering about at all. Sometimes I try so hard not to think about something and it only makes me think about it more. Sometimes I don't think of anything other than eternity and that leads straight to an ice pick headache. So today, I will think to myself- It's a beautiful day that the Lord has made. I will learn from my mistakes, grow from my weaknesses and continue to be fanciful and practical. You see, half my thought life is daydreaming fiction and the other half is being a child of God, wife, lover, mommy, teacher of five children, friend, housekeeper, daughter, sister, grand daughter (in that order) the list goes on. I love every day and I feel so blessed to be me. I haven't always liked to be me and that was a big conflict. It is what it is. So it is.
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