It's Friday. It is 6 am. It's a chilly morning. I am cold (even though the house heater is on). Do I want to get out of a comfy, warm bed? Um...NO! But it is Friday...smile. I just need to do the motivator chant of Ready, Set, Lighthouse!!
Okay, before you think I have lost it for sure this time I am actually talking about my lighthouse. Yes, I own one. In the Virgin Islands or Hawaii, you ask? NOPE. I have it with me right now. (You are looking bewildered and trying to stifle a nervous giggle aren't you)?
Where did I get my lighthouse? I got it for FREE! Around high school. When it was offered to me, I asked for it confidently and sincerely. I did not have to throw a fit, pout, or whine to get it. That's good because I look terrible, foolish and wrinkly when I don't get what I want.
My lighthouse is so precious to me. Sometimes I say or do things to dim it a bit and if I am not careful, I might put it out at times. Not smart, I tell ya. Many times I have been in the middle of crashing waves where it was VERY dark and the hope of my lighthouse was about all that would keep me afloat!
I can't imagine life without it. I would be a hopeless mess.
The day I asked Jesus into my heart, to come live inside of me was the day I received my lighthouse. My soul is the place that "houses" a part of the light(Jesus).
What a privilege! I get to host the most incredible God! He actually chooses to dwell in me!!!
That just makes me want to run outside my house (in the cold mind you) and joyfully bellow, "God is my lighthouse...he lives in me...He lights my way...I am overwhelmed with gratitude...hey, neighbors (not all of them...some have lighthouses too) don't you want a lighthouse too?" --Someone would probably call the cops.
I know, I am getting carried away here, but anyone who knows me knows that's my nature. Plus, a little "safe" crazy does everyone good.
Shouldn't we WANT to tell this incredible truth? Yell it out until our voice is numb?
Ya know, real lighthouses are places many people like to tour while on vacation. That is because they are intriguing, a unique structure that guides those who need to see the dangers that lie ahead of them. They are a part of our history. They are invaluable to sailors. We can help attract that same interest to our lighthouse if we choose...
Back to getting out of bed on a chilly Friday...I have a choice on how I am going to face this day. I can acknowledge my lighthouse, turn on its' light and allow it to shine or I can ignore it and stay in the dark.
I chose to acknowledge it this morning by dancing in a very silly manner to my husband as he pulled out of the drive way. Hey, he needed a bit of humor before facing middle- schoolers! I chose it by lovingly encouraging my little boys to wake up and play.
You see, my lighthouse made me who I am. It continues to change me, making me better and it helps "light my way." It gently directs me to safety and gives me hope in dark situations. I will never regret accepting the gift of a lighthouse.
I don't want to be a dark house.
Do you have a lighthouse? Do you want a lighthouse?
Friday, November 11, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
One-sided perspective of self
I sat next to a new, woman friend and listened to her shocked comment, "Oh god" as another woman introduced her two-week old son. The woman looked like she didn't even have a kid. No, she was not model thin, but there was little evidence of a recent pregnancy.
My heart saddened a bit as I realized I was thinking what my friend said. Women are just guilty of comparing our looks, weight, or other outer appearance against the ladies we encounter. I wonder if we feel threatened?
Why do we do this ourselves and to others? Well, I am certainly no expert, but I will share my heart and thoughts.
I have been ridiculed from the time I left my mother's womb. I was consistently criticized as a child. Whether it was my posture, or my too sensitive nature something was always off. Or the other side was being ignored or made fun of...How can one have good self-esteem or worth when fighting those behaviors?
Maybe you didn't experience this at all or much as a child. Maybe yours has to do with men? Ya know, I don't think men realize how much we struggle to get them to notice us. Even if that is just for your hubby...we all like to feel attractive don't we? Doesn't that make us feel a bit valued? C'mon, I am being honest here. Feeling unattractive is not on most people's priority list.
So if that is not it...tell me what is? Why do we compare? Why do we all in our own way execute some sort of beauty ritual to look good?
Think diet, exercise, starving self, expensive haircuts, highlights, dyes, lots of tweezing, shaving tender spots (ouch), perfumes, make-up and manicures.
Hopefully at least a small part of ourselves does something for our bodies for hygiene and health.
I know that I exercise for energy not just weight management.
I will freely admit on here that I struggle with my appearance. I don't see myself the way others do. I have a one-sided perspective of self.
Can this part of me be changed? I am not sure that enough compliments would do the trick. Other people can never criticize me again or say I am perfect and that wouldn't stop my twisted belief of myself. I wouldn't believe them anyway. Ya know why? Because what needs to change is my heart and my thoughts in my head.
I need to take responsibility for what I say to myself and what I believe about me. So one thing I am doing is a bible study called, Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild. It is helping. I am learning to replace my thoughts about me with God's thoughts. What He says about me is true. I just have to believe it. I am committed to this because I am too hard on myself.
I need a God-sided perspective of me.
Anyone else struggling with this?
My heart saddened a bit as I realized I was thinking what my friend said. Women are just guilty of comparing our looks, weight, or other outer appearance against the ladies we encounter. I wonder if we feel threatened?
Why do we do this ourselves and to others? Well, I am certainly no expert, but I will share my heart and thoughts.
I have been ridiculed from the time I left my mother's womb. I was consistently criticized as a child. Whether it was my posture, or my too sensitive nature something was always off. Or the other side was being ignored or made fun of...How can one have good self-esteem or worth when fighting those behaviors?
Maybe you didn't experience this at all or much as a child. Maybe yours has to do with men? Ya know, I don't think men realize how much we struggle to get them to notice us. Even if that is just for your hubby...we all like to feel attractive don't we? Doesn't that make us feel a bit valued? C'mon, I am being honest here. Feeling unattractive is not on most people's priority list.
So if that is not it...tell me what is? Why do we compare? Why do we all in our own way execute some sort of beauty ritual to look good?
Think diet, exercise, starving self, expensive haircuts, highlights, dyes, lots of tweezing, shaving tender spots (ouch), perfumes, make-up and manicures.
Hopefully at least a small part of ourselves does something for our bodies for hygiene and health.
I know that I exercise for energy not just weight management.
I will freely admit on here that I struggle with my appearance. I don't see myself the way others do. I have a one-sided perspective of self.
Can this part of me be changed? I am not sure that enough compliments would do the trick. Other people can never criticize me again or say I am perfect and that wouldn't stop my twisted belief of myself. I wouldn't believe them anyway. Ya know why? Because what needs to change is my heart and my thoughts in my head.
I need to take responsibility for what I say to myself and what I believe about me. So one thing I am doing is a bible study called, Me, Myself and Lies by Jennifer Rothschild. It is helping. I am learning to replace my thoughts about me with God's thoughts. What He says about me is true. I just have to believe it. I am committed to this because I am too hard on myself.
I need a God-sided perspective of me.
Anyone else struggling with this?
Friday, November 4, 2011
Immunized?
Yesterday, we all got our annual flu shots. It's that time of year for mean little bugs to inflict their tortuous symptoms; they make us all feel miserable. Well, at least getting a flu vaccine will fight a few. I was proud of how my almost 4 and 2 year old boys handled it. Grant made a slight whimper, but I think our lack of panic, oh no reaction really helped, plus a bit of praise during and afterward seemed to help too.
For now, we are temporarily immunized against some of the more terrible winter sicknesses to get. Too bad we can't permanently avoid them. Yes, our world has come a long way in protecting us from the often fatal diseases of Polio and Small Pox and from the pesky Measles, Mumps, etc.
Ya know, when we ask Jesus to come live in our hearts and be our Savior in a sense we are spiritually vaccinated from the deadly consequence of separation from the Lord for eternity, but it is too bad we can't be immunized permanently from sinning. Sure, we can be delivered from sin such as addictions, but then our minds or hearts are distracted once again to some other temptation and we all too often act on it.
Does that annoy anyone else? Like constant runny noses or dry coughs? The fact that no matter how often or thoroughly we "wash our hands" from the sinful desires that plague us or how we try to avoid "exposure" to the nasty little tyrants (sins that is) we always manage at some point to fall victim to them!!
Like when I choose to lose my temper and yell at my children or Chris, my hubby. When I make a snide remark in my head (yes, thoughts count too!).
Like illnesses, sin is contagious too. Ever notice that when you are around someone who is sinning (whether intentional or not) that it is hard not to catch the bug? Maybe that particular sin doesn't affect you. Maybe your body built up an immunity to it thru being led by the spirit instead of the flesh (See Galatians 5:16-25), but somehow their sin brings on a sneeze. Meaning, you don't act like them instead you sin your way. Ugggh, again!
Yet, there is hope! The Psalmist says in 130:3-4,7-8 "If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared...Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins."
Hallelujah! Hope in words! I can always use a bit of hope, can't you?
We serve an incredible, loving, merciful and graceful God and his word in our hearts, mind and ears should ring of joy, peace, and freedom.
Let's face it, we aren't going to stop sinning, but we can let the Lord do his work. We can pray for deliverance, for healing, to not do a sin, but we can't take it away. We must be led by the spirit. We have to trust God to redeem.
Yes, I am eating my own words at the moment and washing my hands of a behavior I just did before writing this blog.
However, I am free and I choose to be led by the spirit. To trust Christ to work in me and change me. What about you?
For now, we are temporarily immunized against some of the more terrible winter sicknesses to get. Too bad we can't permanently avoid them. Yes, our world has come a long way in protecting us from the often fatal diseases of Polio and Small Pox and from the pesky Measles, Mumps, etc.
Ya know, when we ask Jesus to come live in our hearts and be our Savior in a sense we are spiritually vaccinated from the deadly consequence of separation from the Lord for eternity, but it is too bad we can't be immunized permanently from sinning. Sure, we can be delivered from sin such as addictions, but then our minds or hearts are distracted once again to some other temptation and we all too often act on it.
Does that annoy anyone else? Like constant runny noses or dry coughs? The fact that no matter how often or thoroughly we "wash our hands" from the sinful desires that plague us or how we try to avoid "exposure" to the nasty little tyrants (sins that is) we always manage at some point to fall victim to them!!
Like when I choose to lose my temper and yell at my children or Chris, my hubby. When I make a snide remark in my head (yes, thoughts count too!).
Like illnesses, sin is contagious too. Ever notice that when you are around someone who is sinning (whether intentional or not) that it is hard not to catch the bug? Maybe that particular sin doesn't affect you. Maybe your body built up an immunity to it thru being led by the spirit instead of the flesh (See Galatians 5:16-25), but somehow their sin brings on a sneeze. Meaning, you don't act like them instead you sin your way. Ugggh, again!
Yet, there is hope! The Psalmist says in 130:3-4,7-8 "If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared...Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins."
Hallelujah! Hope in words! I can always use a bit of hope, can't you?
We serve an incredible, loving, merciful and graceful God and his word in our hearts, mind and ears should ring of joy, peace, and freedom.
Let's face it, we aren't going to stop sinning, but we can let the Lord do his work. We can pray for deliverance, for healing, to not do a sin, but we can't take it away. We must be led by the spirit. We have to trust God to redeem.
Yes, I am eating my own words at the moment and washing my hands of a behavior I just did before writing this blog.
However, I am free and I choose to be led by the spirit. To trust Christ to work in me and change me. What about you?
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