Month: June 2017

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

I just bought some new clothes with much urging from those who care. I had a strong impression they were trying to tell me something. Not saying that I’m necessarily very intuitive, but when I’m told to basically toss, burn, and bury a good number of clothes I owned, I got the “hint” a change was in order. I needed to start dressing like I wanted to be! I want to be bright and bold, so why would I go around being dull, dark, and weak?

This got me thinking about crayons…yeah I know…it scares you to attempt to follow my train of thought, but there you have it. Let me show you. Robert Fulghum said, “We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box.” This is so true! You see, who doesn’t like crayons? Now you know what led me to my next thought…

Birthday banners! My hubby makes one for the boys each year their birthdays roll around. He draws a picture of something they were highly interested in during the past year and makes sure their new age and name are somewhere in the drawing. It’s always interesting to see what he comes up with. I’m so glad he can do that because if it were left to me, they’d be standing in front of it with their heads tilted trying to figure out what all the stick figures were supposed to mean.

This is where the crayons come in. My hubby colors using a whole spectrum of colors. Some are dull and some are bright, but they’re all necessary for a great, final picture. The ones that really put a smile to our faces though are the bright colors. They seem so cheerful and happy! Why wouldn’t we color ourselves with joyful, bright colors that’ll help us smile all day? It’ll help those looking at us not feel like they just walked into a funeral either because they see a vibrant life.

This leads me to my next point. I’ve watched those crayons break when my very own artist was working on those banners. That didn’t make them worthless and belonging in the trash because he could still use them. They still were able to color. There’s a quote from an unknown author that says, “Broken crayons still color.”

Guess what…I’m here to tell you broken people still have a purpose and reason for being on this earth. Don’t ever, ever think that you’re worthless and should be tossed away because you’re broken. You might be thinking that I couldn’t possibly understand what you’re going through, and maybe you’re right. It still doesn’t change the fact that God started something in you and isn’t finished yet. Do you really not want to see what the rest of the picture is going to look like?

I’m here to tell you that the banner being made for the birthday boy looks like a hot mess at times. I have no idea what’s going on and can’t possibly see how it’s going to turn into anything that makes sense…of value, but my hubby does. You see, he’s the artist, not me. Even when everyone around you can’t see the possibilities, that’s ok. They don’t need to for you to know that an artist is at work and isn’t finished yet.  Don’t give up when He’s in the middle of a masterpiece.

 

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

It’s a beautiful day today with perfect temperatures and a gorgeous blue sky. The boys had an activity planned for in a state park about an hour away. I had two choices…go with them or stay at home. In my mind I saw a dark, shady area where we’d be digging in the dirt or I’d be standing watching them while dealing with allergies (since pollen is at its highest today) and swatting at bugs.

My other choice was to stay at home with a fire going and get some things accomplished that I’d been looking forward to doing. I could sit at the picnic table working while the sunlight warmed my face. If the allergies got bad, I could head inside and sit in the light coming through the window which would still allow me to get that work done as I refreshed and renewed.

I gave the boys my two options and it was an easy decision on their part. I should go with them! I was thrilled that they wanted me along, but it might be a bit of a long day. Was I leaving my paradise for the jungles of the wild to be eaten alive by bugs with my eyes watering so bad I couldn’t see…all the while digging dirt? Hmm…

As I walked away, I had a decision to make. Get excited to be with my family because I was so privileged that they wanted me with them or set some preconceived notions of how it would turn out. No matter what, there was a fantastic opportunity to bond with them in an area they enjoy. It had the possibility of a memory making day. I could choose to focus on what wasn’t going to be, or I could get excited about what was to be.

I got my mind straight, took some allergy medicine, and off we went. We had a beautiful ride that allowed us to just be together and talk. It was amazing to get back to the area that I have such wonderful memories of. The park was in the general vicinity where I used to go as I was growing up and swore I’d live when I got older. We even have memories of taking the boys there since they were little.

We made it to the activity area and sprayed ourselves down with bug spray. The boys were off! It was terrific to see them go straight to work helping get everything ready. I couldn’t be of much use right then, so I just chatted with one of the nicest park rangers I’ve ever met. After they got their area set up, I asked if they were ready for me.

My youngest answered, “Nope, we got it.”

Instead of being bummed, I started to get even more excited! Let me get this straight…they wanted me to come with them, but I can enjoy the wonders of the park at the same time? No problem, I would head up the road, find me a peaceful and sunny spot. Then, I’d be back at lunchtime to have a picnic lunch with them. Perfect! I left the hubby and the boys to find myself a bathroom (too much juice this morning) and get on with enjoying the weather.

I found wonderful picnic tables in the sun where I now sit as I’m smiling at the butterflies that don’t seem to stop fluttering by. It’s peaceful and quiet with wonderful sunshine wrapping around me like a hug. I’m watching dragonflies and the towering trees whose leaves are gently swaying in the breeze. I have my own music of nature with the birds chirping away. This is so much better than if I stayed home!

I have all that I wished for from today and more. My allergies are just fine and the bugs have decided to leave me alone. I’m ready to dig into some of the work that I so badly wanted to get accomplished. It doesn’t even feel like work, more like opportunity.

The real life experience was so much better than the picture in my head of my day at home. I’m so glad I didn’t let my thoughts get in the way of God’s present to me. He gave me an area that couldn’t be competed with and a renewing of my mind that probably wouldn’t have happened if I stayed at home. Thank God for my boys still wanting their mom with them, yet still having the independence to accomplish things on their own.

The next time you start to feel a grumble bubble up inside, rely on God to make every experience perfect for you…for what you need…right now.

 

But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. Jeremiah 7:24

When I was first married, I started riding horses to get over my no pet policy in our apartment. After a short bit of time, my instructor decided it would be a brilliant idea to teach me to barrel race. She had a horse that had never done it before and a student who never did either…oh my.

I admit that I had the best horse in the world and felt so comfortable on him. It’s funny how each person has a different connection with individual animals. He was very sensitive to leading and couldn’t wait to run. He’d respond to the slightest touch. He was awesome! That horse was also up for anything. How else would I respond other than, “I can’t wait!”

The barrels were all set up and I led him through the pattern several times. He was confident, but was I? There was so much for me to remember between my posture, hands, legs, and brain…all while picking up speed.

We started out beautifully if I do say so myself until we were coming out of the first barrel. I thought my perfect horse was going to go over backwards as he stood straight up, and I landed with a thud on the ground! What happened?

I did the right thing with the reigns as we were going around the barrel, but my brain malfunctioned and I forgot to loosen them once we were ready to run to the next barrel. It was completely my fault and the poor horse couldn’t quite figure out how I ended up on the ground when I was supposed to be on his back.

I learned an important lesson that day; besides the one that told me I don’t bounce. When you hold the reigns too tight, forward progress can’t be made and the chances of going backward are highly likely. There’s a good chance there will be a fall and someone could be seriously hurt.

During that learning experience, besides walking gingerly for a while, there was no lasting damage. We were able to fix the communication method immediately. My sweet gelding was very forgiving and it’s true about just getting back on the horse! When we tried again, it was with much more success. I learned when to give the horse his head and by doing so, he wanted to follow my lead.

Remember that there are always two involved in a relationship. When we’re too stubborn to listen or pay attention, we’ll go backward instead of forward in life. Don’t hold the reigns so tight that communication breaks down and pain takes over. Once that happens, a tumble is sure to come next.

 

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

I feel a strong need to work through something that I can’t stand creeping into my life. That is a critical attitude. I hope that as I’m rambling today, it helps remind you the importance of gentleness, kindness, and wisdom.

Do you ever say something you regret? You saw a problem and saw a solution, so you just felt you needed to share your revelation. You opened your mouth to speak, but your words weren’t coming out the way you wanted them to. Have you ever gotten so frustrated that you became overwhelmed with emotion and kept trying to explain, but it just got worse? What does this mean?

My guess…you care a whole lot for that person. Emotions were guiding you though, not wisdom. When I am passionate about something, I don’t always know how to project encouragement, patience, and positive, careful instruction. This happens to me with my hubby, my sons, and my pup. I want the absolute best for them, but my words can come out critical and harsh. This is not ok.

Let’s look at the old phrase that says you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. We’ll be better received and find more success in our communication if it is done in an encouraging, nice manner rather than a sour, mean manner. What happens when we speak out of frustration? We’re more likely to have the vinegar present than the honey.

I’ve often heard people say that they were just being honest. That still doesn’t make being rude acceptable; it just repels others from a thought that was actually quite sound if it were handled in a totally different way. It leaves the other person and us embarrassed, and more likely to hold onto negative feeling rather than see a solution. It creates feelings of bitterness and resentment.

Most of the time, we need to work on our own faults and focus on the positive aspects of our loved ones. The times when we are truly convicted that God wants us to say something out of love, we need to make sure that it’s done at the right time, quietly, calmly, and with lots of encouragement, patience, and love.

Let’s face it, as parents it’s our job to lead and correct; however, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. One leads to respect and closer relationships, and the other leads to disappointment, regret, and broken relationships. When we correct out of frustration, we tend to do it the wrong way.

We also need to remember that our spouse is not our child. Words of rebuke should be few and far between. Unless God is guiding your words, you’re better to not say anything at all. I know that I want those I trust to guide me on becoming a better person, and to not hold back information that could help me. Having said that, I don’t want my confidence to suffer through thoughtless words either.

I challenge you to be gentle with your words today. Make sure that the sincere compliments far outweigh the corrections.