Construction vs. Destruction

Construction barrels. It seems they are everywhere. No matter where I go,

the road is being worked on and all the traffic is re-routed and hazards have to be navigated. But where would we be without progress, right? We would still be on the old broken down, pot-hole filled asphalt we were complaining about before.

When we come across these road projects in our vehicle, we have to slow down or mayhem will result. You cannot navigate a highway full of concrete barricades and heavy machinery while traveling at high speed without a tragedy occuring.

The same thing is true in our decisions. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

If we plunge ahead when making decisions, whether large or small, we can run into a lot of trouble. For example, if I am facing a decision about a major purchase and I rush into it because it sounds good, but I don't have peace about it, I just ran into a construction barrel.

Just as those warning signs are on the highway to slow us down because of danger ahead, that check in our spirit is a warning sign to lean on the Lord and not our own understanding. Doing things our own way if we don't have God's peace about it can lead to destruction.

After road repairs are completed, all the barricades are removed and we travel on a smooth surface free of potential hazards. All the warnings and slow travel were worth it now that it is over and we can enjoy the benefits of the new highway. Likewise, once our decisions are made in with the light of God's reflection, all the carefulness and time we put into it will be worth it.  We can enjoy the result of making choices according to our trust in Him.

What are some hazards you have faced when making difficult decisions?

Thanks, Mom

For my Mom this Mother's Day.

Hands

 

Loving hands held me when I was small, cuddled and fed me and tucked me in at night with a good story. They would pick me up when I would fall, kiss away the hurt and wipe away the tears. Hands would feel my head when I had a fever, dispensing bad tasting medicene with a spoon. Those hands would be there all night in case a cough or fever returned.

 

Hands would cook good food each day and a finger would shake in my face if I didn't eat. "What about all those starving children in the world?"

 

Hands would clean and scrub each day making our home sparkle and shine while my brothers and I would invite the dirt back in with each step we took. Those hands would work at the sewing maching making clothes for me and even my dolls.

 

Hands would hold mine when I was afraid, pack my lunch and wave good-bye when I went to school. Those same hands would spank me when I was bad. But it was for my own good. It kept me from being bad again.

 

Hands would work hard planting flowers then I would pick them and bring them in for a vase. Those hands let me think that was ok. Those hands endured a pet turtle in my room and even helped clean out the bowl. Those hands made the puppy stay outside.

 

Hands taught me to peel a potato, sew a stitch and wash a dish.  They held the book while it was read and pointed to words I could learn.

 

Those hands are older now and slower to move, sometimes swollen and filled with pain. The wisdom of those hands has held my babies and caressed their faces.

 

Those hands taught me to love.

 

 

Share some of your Mother's Day memories.

Does Self-Discipline Have to be Painful?

Self-discipline is hard work no matter what task you are applying it to. It takes retraining our minds to go in another direction. It takes us out of our comfort zones and requires giving up certain things to accomplish our goals.

Take this blog, for instance. I made the decision to write about things God was showing me about myself in the hopes it would help someone else. I committed to a weekly post and I have let myself and my blog down a few times by skipping a week. So I am sharing a few parameters I am applying to myself to become more consistent in writing, as well as other areas of my life. 

To become more disciplined we need to:

1. Make a commitment to the task. Whatever it is, decide how much we will do. If it is exercise,
 will it be 3 days a week, or every day?

2. Do it on a regular time basis. Will I work on this task in the morning? What time and how long?

3. Keep a record of  accomplishments. If it is cleaning out closets or the attic, mark it off the list so we can see what has been done.

4.. Unless it is an emergency, don't let anything else interfere with keeping the commitment.

5. If we do have to miss sometimes, it shouldn't encourage slackness in our discipline.

6. And above all, we shouldn't allow self-condemnation to infiltrate our thinking when we aren't perfect in our commitments.

These are a few suggestions to help keep us on track in whatever our goals are.

What works for you? Share your ideas and add to this list.

Fear Not

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress: My God, in Him I will trust'.” Psalm 91:1-2

Terrorism. It's a word we cannot get away from. It has happened to the core of our being again this week. The very mention of the word is meant to strike fear in our hearts.

What can we do as individuals to navigate this presence in our society?

First, we don't let the fear control us.

How do we do that, you say? We trust in God. I don't mean that as a trite cliché, or tongue in cheek phrase. Each of us as individuals need to remain steadfast on His Word and hold on to it everyday. Listen to God's instructions. There were many stories circulated after the 9/11 attacks about people changing their routine that morning for different reasons and they were saved as a result.

Second,  we remain vigilant and alert.

 Be aware of your surroundings. If you see or hear something suspicious, report it to the authorities. The Boston Marathon attacker was found because someone reported something that didn't look right in their back yard.

Third, we stay in touch with our government representatives in Congress.

Encourage them to be diligent in fighting terrorism and investigating those who come into our country.

It's important to remember this is a spiritual battle. Even though we have to go to war to fight against those who attack us, the core of it all will only be won through the Prince of Peace. That's why it is so important for us to disciple the world for Christ. Hatred will only breed more hatred. God's message of salvation is all that can bring true change.

What are some of your ideas for handling threats that cause fear?

This post is dedicated to those who lost their lives or were injured in the Boston bombing. A special salute and tons of gratitude to the police, emergency, and federal agencies involved in the capture of the attackers. Kudos and hats off to you. Thank you for all you do to keep us safe.

Not a Techno Junkie

I got a new cell phone this week. My very old and outdated Blackberry was on its way to the electronic graveyard. I had put it off as long as possible because I just did not want to invest a lot of money in a new phone.

It was past time for an upgrade on both mine and my husband's cell phone account, so we headed out to adopt these new family members. After a friend informed us of his ability to purchase an iphone for $1.00, I became more excited about a visit to the store.

The first thing out of my mouth upon entering the premises was, "I want a $1.00 phone." I was prepared to hear excuses and exceptions, but I was pleasantly surprised. I had two choices. An iphone or an LG Lucid. We chose the latter because of the larger screen (middle aged eyes, you know).

Now the fun starts. How do I make it cooperate with me? Touch screen texting and I do not mix. I have sent some text messages that even I don't understand. Even when I used the voice activated message option, I still got incorrect words typed on the screen. Then trying to set up email accounts on the phone and it wants POP server, imap, port number. Arrrgggh!

Not to mention discovery of the functions for all the APPs. Who knows what they all do?

Are you telling me this is supposed to make my life easier? My phone speaks a language I don't understand. And it sleeps more than I do. I had to learn how to wake it up.

This technology curve is one I will be navigating for the rest of my life because technology never stands still. As soon as I do learn it, it's obsolete.

Any tips will be greatly appreciated and any technology stories you want to share will be sympathized with by a not so techno-junkie.

You Can't Kill A Peep!

Those little marshmallow confections are everywhere. You know what I mean. Peeps! They cover candy counters at Easter in all kinds of colors and shapes. That tough stickiness inside them seems like sugar coated rubber because they are indestructible. You can stretch them, bite them, and stomp on them and they do not lose their shape. I even saw a demonstration on television once where someone ran over one with a bulldozer and it still bounced back up. You really can't kill a Peep.

As believers, we need to know that we are like that on the inside too. When the devil comes against us with something, we have the power to bounce back because of the power of the cross. Jesus died and rose again to give us His power.

Peeps retain their shape even after squashing them. When they bounce back they are still shaped like a chicken or rabbit. The shape is its identity and it retains it. Our identity is in Christ and nothing can take that away. We retain our "shape" just like the peep does. That's what His resurrection gives us.

Happy Resurrection Day! What does it mean to you?

It's Not Goodbye- Just See You Later

Last Sunday, February 17, 2013 my dad went to be with Jesus. Although I know he is in a better place and he is happy and free from all discomfort and suffering of this world, we are still experiencing grief.

The separation from our loved ones, even though temporarily, is still a curve we have to navigate in this life. How do we do that and still function in our everyday routine?

• First, allow yourself to grieve. It's ok to feel sad because it is a loss to the life you know.
• Remember happy times. Reminisce with friends and loved ones and talk about the memories you made together.
• Let others help you. Don't try to do everything that needs to be done alone.
• Finally, whenever sadness seems to overwhelm you, remember Jesus is always with you. He loves you and gives His comfort to you. You are never alone.

So I dedicate this to my dad, Lloyd Watson, and because I know I will see him again, I say "see you later, Dad." Never goodbye.

Are you experiencing grief? Leave a comment and share your story.