Eric had his appendix taken out 3 weeks ago. What an experience!! So glad he is healing well!!
It totally took Eric by surprise! And he doesn't like surprises :) so once at the hospital, he requested his book(always is reading) and I requested him have some Ativan :) can you tell which picture is after Ativan? LOL
Many of you know our story from the past years. And I really wish I had this book to read to have helped. It probably would have taken me a lot shorter time to forgive. Forgiveness means making the decision to move forward. And have faith that God will take care of the rest. THAT my dear, is a challenge of a life time!
Of course I want to control what happens to the rotten scum that needed my forgiveness ;0) and I have a horrible time forgetting what people do to me. I haven't had many people hurt me in my life. So when someone does, it hurts me to the core!
The author says, first step is to refuse to store up and harbor a grudge. How hard is it for you to get through that first step??? First thing I want to tell these people is rot in jeLLo ;0) do I ever say it? Ha! Absolutely not! But I'm biting my tongue NOT to say it.
Then she says, you must leave room for God to act on your behalf. Another hard step because of course we want to see what God is going to do to these people. All in Gods timing. Not ours. So hard!! He might hand out a punishment that you don't see for years or you don't notice at all.
Remind yourself!!! "leave room for God's wrath" Romans 12:19
Third step, you must pray! I actually make this my first step because I am lost and need His guidance. Whether, its as little as my husband hurt my feelings or a friend crushed my heart. Prayer is my salvation! It calms me and clears my head. I still will be mad for a bit or even a while. But I know I'm heading in the right direction with prayer!
Remember!
"Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive." Colossians 3:13
Remember! Being a woman resolved to forgive can save your friendships, rescue your marriage, restore your relationship,rebuild your life, refurbish your business, reestablish your work , and help you regain your very self, allowing you to live freely. Lovingly. With joy......Amen? AMEN!
Well, I might as well have highlighted this whole chapter. Between everything I agreed with and everything I needed to learn. There is a lot of bright yellow in this chapter :)
The gift....of listening. Opening our ears and shutting our mouths. My husband and I have talked about this through the years, especially when I was working as a nurse and the first few years of marriage. I was stressed! And Eric was who I talked and complained to. You could tell he was uncomfortable and really didn't have the right words to say, which irritated me even more. So one day he said, but I can't fix it. And I told him, I didn't want it fixed I just wanted him to listen. Because when I was talking I was trying to fix it and figure it out in my own mind. I didn't need him to add to the commotion in my head. So now....he listens :)
I feel like I'm very much a great listener. But the older I get the more experience I have through different situations, I feel like I need to vocalize that. And now I need to tell myself. Shut up! Listen and when the time is right and they ask for my opinion. Then talk.
Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. Proverbs 10:19
So much wisdom in that verse! With wisdom of keeping your mouth shut, comes humility in my eyes. You don't always have to be right, or have the bigger story or have all the answers. Many times people aren't looking for answers. They are looking for guidance and love through your eyes. Eye contact makes anyone know you are showing love and respect to them. You are wise beyond your years when you can give anyone that feeling. This includes your children, husband and friends.... "So the blessing of silence. May we learn it, love it, and live it according to it"....
So, let's end this chapter by thinking and understanding. The greatest gift and the hardest gift for us as women are one in the same. The gift of listening. We know how to talk fast and loud ;) but hold that tongue! Humble yourself and listen. Not listen to always be ready to give an opinion. But listen because people need that love and respect. You will be surprised how you will feel once you have gotten to that point. And you will be surprised at those peoples reactions to you!
Have you realized your "life plate" is so full of responsibilities that you can't put your all into every space? Isn't that just daunting to think about?
Of course it has taken me many years to figure out how full I want my "plate", and how to keep it organized in my life. Then life changes and you have to reprioritize again. It's a constant battle!
When I start a project I want to be 100% in. When I'm in a friendship I'm 100% in. When doing anything I want to be 100% in. But when I'm fighting life. I cant be in 100%, mentally, physically, or spiritually. I'm not focused. That drives me crazy!
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory." (I Corinthians 10:31)
Once in a while a friends talent stands out. And I think, why aren't I doing that? Or... I could teach myself to do that! Then I think how the heck would I be able to add that to my day, or my life. Everyone has a talent that is God given them! Whether it's meal making, being a full time mother, a people person, a sewer, teaching, cake maker, ect....and there are days I want all those talents :) but that is the perfectionist coming out of me...No matter what I would like to do or be, I can't do everything and spread myself to thin. That includes what I want to be involved in with church, family, and friends. I want to give my all and then say "Good Job!" to myself. So saying all that. I want to add. Don't save your best for later. Bring your best. All your gifts, skills, talents, and abilities for his glory. Not for anyone to notice. But for you to notice and enjoy that feeling. How I feel......God blesses those who bless others!!
I've had some people ask what I use for my workouts. Well, this is it. It's the old version. But I love it!!
Do you take responsibility for your actions? Do you march to a higher standard, a different beat? Pushing your way to Gods standards, and less of worldly standards? How will you handle staying committed to what heaven is calling you to do, FAITHFUL?
I have been called to be a stay at home mom. I want my family to be number one. I can handle many things at once. But coming home after a long day with people that complain and aren't grateful. And being of good spirit for my family, would not happen. It didn't happen when I didn't have a family. So why would it change after 5 children and exhaustion from all that! I realize that that isn't the norm these days. But I find happiness and pleasure at the end of the day when my children have smiles on their faces and contentment in their voices.
I have also been called to be a faithful wife. And what do I mean by that? A wife that still, after so many years of a relationship and marriage, has a racing heart to see my husband come home everyday. I love my husbands days off and wish he had more days to spend with us. I'm not the kind of person who kicks my husband to the couch, for a simple disagreement. Or to disrespect my husband with hurtful words, that hurt his ego.
This is definitely not everyone's calling. But do you know your calling for your relationships? Husband/family? Have you just shushed for a moment to have silence and hear what He might be calling of you?
James 1:3 esv
For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Faithfully His. Are you allowing everything you believe about God and His Word to consistently guide your feet, your hands, your mind, your heart? Don't you think He deserves that? Don't you think you deserve that? Don't you like being that "odd" person who stands out of a crowd because you have a path that is outside the box of this world? I love it!! Call me weird, odd, not "in". I love it and soak it in. Way far from perfect. Way far from normal.
His Word is our tool, to give you inspiration and guidance. To live a life that is faithful. A reminder of who you really are, why you're really here, and who you really belong to. No matter your past, and the mistakes you make in the future. You have a guide. His Word! Commit to it today!!
It's In The Valleys I Grow
Sometimes life seems hard to bear, Full of sorrow, trouble and woe It's then I have to remember That it's in the valleys I grow.
If I always stayed on the mountain top And never experienced pain, I would never appreciate God's love And would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn And my growth is very slow, Sometimes I need the mountain tops, But it's in the valleys I grow.
I do not always understand Why things happen as they do, But I am very sure of one thing. My Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothing When I picture Christ on the cross He went through the valley of death; His victory was Satan's loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining When I'm feeling so very low. Just give me a gentle reminder That it's in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord And use my life each day To share your love with others And help them find their way.
Thank you for valleys, Lord For this one thing I know The mountain tops are glorious But it's in the valleys I grow!
by Jane Eggleston
