Lesson in envy

Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings
instead of your own.
- Harold Coffin

Today, I spoke with a good friend of mine who told me that they just bought a new house. I was so happy for them but couldn't help thinking why they bought a new house when their current one was really nice anyway. They are expecting their first baby, and they are checking off the list of things that they need before the baby comes. I'm so glad that they are having a baby. They are truly wonderful people, and their children will be extremely blessed to have such good parents. But why upgrade when the house you live in is REALLY nice already? Their new neighborhood is just down the street from us, so I decided to drive through. The more I drove through the neighborhood, the more envious I got. I'm not the main financial provider in my family, and my husband has a job where people think he earns about three times as much as he really does. We struggle to pay bills sometimes, and it's really frustrating. I guess I found myself feeling jealous that my good friends get to start out their family in such luxury while we are scraping the bottom on the barrel at times.

Then I realized, why be envious of my friends when I have everything in life that I need right now? I have a wonderful husband, two happy and healthy kids that make me smile everyday, a roof over my head, and food on the table. We can laugh, cry, eat meals, welcome friends and family, and love in a house of any size. Besides, if we had every physical desire that we want NOW, it doesn't make us appreciate what we acquire in the future. So today I wake up, give my girls morning hugs and kisses, make breakfast in my fully-stocked kitchen, shower in hot water, and put on clothes from our almost-too-small closet. And I'm thankful for every last bit.

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.
- Psalm 37: 4-5

Patience and Ferocious Love

It is true. With parenthood comes the ever-present need for patience. I wish I could store it all up and use that extra patience I had from day 1 and use it on day 4. I found myself losing my patience several times today with my almost-2-year-old daughter as she ferociously loved my 6-week-old daughter - namely, she was laying smack dab on top of her, hugging and kissing her. She has her gentle moments, and then she has her violent and ferocious love moments. All come with good intentions, but you think she would reconsider literally smothering her sister with love while she screamed and writhed in pain beneath her. And yes, I called my mother tonight to ask her what to do. Ended up, I was doing the right thing all along, which was yanking the old one off the younger one and explaining the whole concept of inflicting pain on someone smaller than yourself. Not sure if it got through to her 20-month-old brain, but here's hoping.

How many times have you found yourself in the same situation? How many times have you tried so hard to have patience with your little ones, with your husband, with your parents, with your co-workers...and you get to the point where patience just doesn't cut it anymore and you want to blow your top? And how many times have you had the patience to love kindly, gently, patiently...and when there is no physical reception of that love, have you ever lost your patience and loved "ferociously?" They are the extremes, these things called patience and love - so easy to feel, yet so hard to contain.

So tonight, I will go to bed and pray for my patience to restore itself while I sleep. It's nice to know that with each day comes a new slate, and we can approach it as patiently or ferociously as we choose.

Timid

Inside each of us is someone who is timid. Whether you're a little timid, or a lot, we have aprehensions; fears. Fears of spiders, fears of abandonment, fears of death, and of the unknown.

Don't be afraid. Encourage yourself by filling up on God's word, so that you can be ready at a moment's notice to share your hope with those who don't know how to hope.

I Peter 3:14b-16, "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." (NIV)

We are accepted...even when we don't accept ourselves

Feel like your life is full of muck? Are things "messy" and do you sometimes feel out of control? That's good...it means you're still alive and you're human. :) Do you know that even in an imperfect world and in an imperfect life, we can be accepted?

"When God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given back our lives.

Titus 3:4-6 (The Messge translation)

A Father's Love Letter

Don't you know that it's not about our pursuit of God....your life is the story of God's pursuit of you.

Take five minutes and watch this love letter from God video. It's beautiful and amazing. HE is beautiful and amazing. Be blessed...

Click HERE

A lot can be learned in one episode of Sesame Street. Today, everyone on the street suffered from "mine-itis". No one wanted to share. Everywhere Elmo turned, someone was snatching something away from him and saying, "MINE!".

Sometimes I think we suffer from "mine-itis" when we think of our church.....our church...OUR music....OUR ministry...it's really God's church, isn't it?

It's easy to get sidetracked into thinking that we'll only participate in activities that go along with all our ideas exactly. Some people will go so far as to leave a church, because they can't get it to conform to THEIR desires. But, what does God desire from us?

I think he wants a church full of people who deeply care for one another, and truly enjoy "doing life together". I've been hurt by people who go to my church...in every church I've ever been to....AND every school, grocery store, etc. as well. Life would be rather dull if we didn't have ups and downs. It feels good to have a church "home" where there are people who are deeply concerned for you. Even if there are some who aren't.

In summary, "church" is really just a group of people who come together to fellowship and get through life....while offering up their Praise to our Creator.

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:11

Need some Motivation?

Maaaaannnn, I'm really having trouble feeling motivated lately. Do you ever get in a spot where you just want to sit and stare? That's me today. You could light a match on my leg and I don't feel like I'd jump. God is with us even in our "dumpy" "blue" period.

"Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God--soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God." Psalm 42:5-6 (The Message)

"You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern." 1Peter 5:7 (Phillips version)