We've all heard it said as a cliche before...but how much do we really believe and fully embrace the "Power of Prayer". Some people only pray when they WANT something. Some people pray only when they NEED something. Some people only pray when things are going badly, and some people only pray when things are going well. Some people pray to God the creator and some people just pray hoping that there's something or someone out there that's listening that could possibly perform a miracle. Some people pray with the intention to bargain..."God if you do this, or give me this, I promise I will...[fill in the blank]"
I've always been a person who has prayed since I can remember. My parents taught me about God the Creator and Jesus the Savior, and that because of Jesus we can have an intimate relationship with God and speak directly with Him, and Jesus as our Savior can even intercede those prayers and plead on our behalf! When I was young, every night before bed we prayed, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my Soul to take, God bless Mommy, and Daddy, Matthew and Patrick, Grandma and Pappap Obras, Grandma and Pappap Cimino, my Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and friends....Special Pray..." And then we would get to pray about what was going on in our lives, and present our special prayers to the Lord. The routine and the discipline of this prayer, and praying with my parents each evening was the greatest blessing ever. It taught me that God was there, accessible and listening!
As I got older and grew in my relationship with the Lord my prayer life began to mature as well. It became less routine and more intimate, natural, and as if I was talking with a close friend. However, I think I always struggled with praying for miracles. I've blogged before about my issue with setting high expectations and having a hard time when things don't work out as I had planned them in my head. When things would get hard, or I needed a miracle, I never really "petitioned" the Lord...I never pleaded with Him. I always thought, well God's way will be God's way...so I would pray that He would prepare me for whatever His will might be. Now...I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with this; however in the past 4 months God has challenged my prayer life in a different manner.
I love reading Karen Kingsbury...if you like Fiction I would encourage you to pick up any one of her books. When reading one of the books in her series, something really hit home with me. One of the characters was going through a life or death situation, and family members and the community all came together to pray for her. The saying for the gatherings was PUSH Pray Until Something Happens. This has stuck with me ever since...but there was still a part of me that kept saying...it's out of my hands, what could I do to actually change the situation? I just need to prepare for whatever might happen. The more I stayed in the Word and the more time I spent reading, the more God pointed out to me that this was a major trust issue that I had. I wasn't trusting in God the Healer and God the Miracle Worker....God who conquered death on the cross!!!!
Another author I love to read is Beth Moore...Beth Moore writes bible studies. One I'm currently reading right now is about David and it's called "A Heart Like His" David's life feels like a real life soap opera. He was the chosen one by God to lead Israel. He definitely had his struggles, but through it all He never failed to acknowledge who God was and to give Him the glory. Some of David's struggles resulted in some major sin, which resulted in some major consequences. At one point David's son was sick and dying as a result of David's sin and direct disobedience to the Lord. Without making this blog any longer than it already is....basically David knew that His son was going to die...God had already told Him that; however, in 2 Samuel 12 it tells us that while the baby was ill, David wept, and fasted, and prayed...people told him to get up and eat, but He wouldn't...with all that was in him he was petitioning the Lord to save his young son. In the end the child died...like I said, David knew his child was going to die, but he spent 7 days of fasting and praying regardless. Some would say (and by some, I mean me) why did he do that? He KNEW that the child was going to die, why didn't he just pray that God would prepare him for that, and spend his time with his child? Well...Beth spells everything out perfectly so I'm going to quote her:
"As we attempt to determine whether or not David's efforts were wasted, we get to peek at just a little of the intesnse intimacy David shared with God. When he fell on his face before God, the prodigal returned home to the place he belonged. He was bankrupt in soul, demoralized, and terrified, but he was back. Too many months had passed since he had last entered the indescribable place of God's presence, but he still recognized the Father.
"Through Davids crisis, he was reminded of all he knew of God's ways. David did not plead with God out of ignorance or naivete but out of his intimate knowledge of God. God does indeed hear our prayers and reserves the right to relent if the change does not compromise and eternal necessity.
"David knew something about his God that we need to realize as well. God did not create humanity in His own image to be unaffected by Him. More than any other creature, we are products, not of His head, but of His heart. Numerous times in scripture God responds to the needs of His people with the words, "I have heard your cry." I would despair of life if I believed God is unaffected by our cries. The God is Scripture is One who feels."
This encouraged me SO much....so I challenged myself. I thought...where in my life or what in my life am I not taking to the Lord? We should take EVERYTHING to Him. Our praises, our fears, our concerns, our struggles, our joys, our hopes, our dreams...etc. At the time I read this our house had just recently gone on the market, and I was a few weeks away from volleyball pre-season and I still didn't have a freshman coach. Both of these things were stressing me out, but I was fine with saying...God will work everything out. However, after reading this part about David I was convicted. How can I say "God will work everything out" if I'm not even praying about it? So I began praying about it...daily...and any time it crossed my mind! And I started believing, that because I'm petitioning God, something is going to happen...I had so much more confidence that God would work things out...I mean I had ZERO concerns! Then would you believe what happens? A week before pre-season starts I decide to send an email out to my sand volleyball league to see if anyone was interested in coaching. I "accidentally" emailed the second session email list even though I wasn't playing in the second session, but there was a new couple that signed up for second session so they were on the list. Bridget who's only been in Indy for a year responded and she is absolutely the PERFECT fit for Park Tudor...I was SO thankful for God being faithful...but to be honest I wasn't surprised...because he IS ALWAYS faithful.
Then we have the house...I was so confident in the work that Austin and I had put into the house, I thought surely the first person that walks in the door will want to buy it...why wouldn't you? Well...a month in needless to say I was a bit discouraged after 15-20 showings and no offer! So I felt challenged again...I prayed day and night for God to find us a buyer who would give us a fair offer and that He would prepare just for this house. A week and a half ago when I got an email with an offer letter with an offer that was better than I could've ever imagined for a first offer I instantly cried. God is so faithful, and we sold our house!
So you can imagine after all of this, when I get news that Andrea Voss Vellinga had endured a serious brain injury from the State Fair stage collapse I knew what God was challenging me to do. You see Andrea was a BIG part of my life. My freshman year of high school I was the only freshman placed on the Varsity volleyball team. I had looked up to Andrea since I was in middle school...she was beautiful and a GREAT volleyball player. So I couldn't believe I was actually going to be on her team. Well being the only freshman was NOT easy. I had to prove myself, and no one wanted to be friends with or partners with the freshman. Well, Andrea did...she took me under her wing. Because of her I had confidence that I could go out there and play my butt off because I could. She drove me to and from Munciana practices. She was humble, honest, and wanted to be the best role model she could...and she was. Because of her, I walked through my freshman year with my head held high, and I think I'm the volleyball player I am now (or was through my career) because of the confidence she encouraged me to have my freshman year. So hearing about her injury stirred my heart more than you could imagine. She has so many more lives to touch...so I prayed, and I prayed, and I'm still praying...but not only am I praying, but I'm pretty sure the entire town of Pendleton, and MORE are praying...people that don't even know her are praying. And I truly believe God is working a miracle in and around her. People's hearts are changing because of the prayers they are praying. Just like David people are finding themselves back in the presence of the God that created them...and they're realizing that's where they should always stay. Please pray for Andrea!
God has placed another challenge in my path...my Aunt. She was diagnosed with cancer this year...she's gone through about 2 months worth of chemo treatments, and we just found out that her cancer has grown through these treatments. My aunt loves the Lord, and I'm thankful her heart and spirit are in a good and trusting place with God right now. Cancer...what a horrible disease! I often wonder, how has man not found a cure for this? I've come to realize that I believe we haven't found a cure, because there's got to be something that brings us to the foot of the cross pleading to our Savior for help...the only cure for cancer is GOD. Only God can heal it. I'm officially on my knees praying and petitioning at the foot of the cross for a miracle for my aunt, becuase at this point, only by the grace of God and his healing hands can she be healed. Please pray with me! God loves hearing from His children...and He hears us! I'm thankful that God gives me opportunities to see Him work miracles. I know it's in His hands and ultimately HE is and has the final say; however, we can all rest in the promise of Jesus is Matthew 21:21-22 "Then Jesus told them, "I assure you, if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, "may God lift you up and throw you into the seas," and it will happen. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
Lord you have proven time and time again that you hear our cries. God I never again want to doubt that you hear me, and that my prayers matter. I will bring all things to the foot of the cross and be active in my prayer life in all things. You are still the divine creator, planner and author of my story, so I will accept and trust you in all things. But I will never again doubt in gift of the Power of Prayer...LESSON LEARNED!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Practice Makes Perfect...or Does It???
OK...so we've all heard the saying, "Practice makes perfect."...then as you get older you find a few coaches in the athletic world that prefer the Vince Lombardi quote, "Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect..." You may prefer one over the other. But if you ask me (which you did because this is my blog!) I prefer neither!! You see, for someone like me who has struggled with perfectionism her entire life...these statements feel like a death sentence!
If you're not a perfectionist, then please...still hang in there with me, and let me help you understand living life in the eye's of a struggling perfectionist.
Some people can confuse perfectionism with competitiveness. Now, don't get me wrong I'm am 100% competitive; however, being a perfectionist often sucks all of the fun out of competition. I remember my first hint of perfectionism coming in Kindergarten. I was 5 years old (soon to be 6 because it was nearing the end of the school year). Pendleton's South Elementary was holding a Kindergarten Olympics. I suppose this was my generation's version of the track and field day that current elementary schools are doing. Instead of the Kindergarten Olympics being held at a track, it was held out at the park in downtown Pendleton. The last event of the day, and the one that everyone was looking forward to was the running race! Remember when you were in elementary school and we just loved to run??...where did that energy go? LOL
I had been looking forward to this race all day, and I knew there really would only be one girl to beat. Today I don't even remember her name! But I knew that she was considered one of the "fast girls", and that day she was my only focus (yes...I was only 5). So the race started, and at that point I was just bound and determined to get off to a good start and keep up with the "fast girl". I remember coming up to the last turn...still pretty neck in neck but she had a slight lead on me. There was a moment when this feeling of angst came over me which then turned into fear when I realized there was a possibility that I could lose. It was in that moment I remember kicking it up another notch, and giving it everything I had, because there was NO WAY I was letting this girl beat me. Well, the extra umph helped and I was the winner...I had "won the race". A huge sense of relief came over me in that instant...followed by joy and happiness of course, and probably a sting of pride, that I was at the time considered the fastest girl in Kindergarten! I know...not much of a title, but at the time I was thrilled, and looked forward to having my name announced on the announcements the next day as the winner of the race.
After that race, I think the feeling of anxiety and fear I experienced in the midst of it somehow bottled itself up in me and I never forgot that moment, and I was bound and determined to never experience that feeling again. This resulted in some very stressful and sometimes painful moments in my life in regards to sports, education, relationships, and life in general. However, one of the biggest (and worst) consequences (in my opinion) that comes from my perfectionism is the fact that there have been many moments in my life that I have decided NOT to do something because of my fear of failure and desire to be perfect. If I'm not confident in it, and I'm not sure I can "win" or "be perfect in it" then why even try? Because if I don't try then I won't even have a chance of experiencing that horrible feeling of angst and fear I had that day back in Kindergarten.
You see...the saying "Practice makes perfect" sets and expectation...that if I practice I will reach perfection. Sure this motivates some people, but for me it only results in disappointment when perfection is never reached. Because here's the big secret...."NO BODY'S PERFECT"!!! Whew....feels good to say that!
I experienced a different side this week. You see, with my husband being gone the house is my responsibility. This means the yard is also my responsibility. This was never something I even thought of when Austin was home because he is Mr. Yard! With him taking care of things we have one of the best looking yards in the neighborhood...nice striped mowing lines and all! Austin taught me how to mow before he left for Florida. Now...I know how to mow, but I don't know how to mow our yard in "Austin Style". So I had to learn. This week was my first week doing this. I've never ever offered to mow for Austin before, because I knew there was no way it would be perfect enough or live up to his mowing expectations. Going into the mow this week, I had super low expectations...I'm not a mower, I don't do well walking in straight lines (no jokes please), and the last time I mowed a yard I went around in circles on a riding mower! So needless to say I had ZERO expectations going into this mow, and I knew there was no way that I would be perfect at it, but I knew that I needed to start sometime and the more I do it the better I will get...I will never be as good as Austin (which in my book is perfection when it comes to his mowing skills), but I will get better.
I could go on and on about how perfectionism has affected my life, but this blog is already long enough! So to the Lesson Learned part:
I have to "win" in the race of life because Christ has already won the race for me! 1John4:4 "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
Lord, I never want to again miss an opportunity that you have put in my path because of my desire to be perfect and my fear of failure. Help me to always remember the sacrifice Christ made on my behalf in my moments of anxiety, doubt and fear. Write Your words on my heart, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And help me to always remember that we will always have victory in You. Thank you for sending Your Son to die, to fix and forgive all of my imperfections....Lord....Lesson Learned!
If you're not a perfectionist, then please...still hang in there with me, and let me help you understand living life in the eye's of a struggling perfectionist.
Some people can confuse perfectionism with competitiveness. Now, don't get me wrong I'm am 100% competitive; however, being a perfectionist often sucks all of the fun out of competition. I remember my first hint of perfectionism coming in Kindergarten. I was 5 years old (soon to be 6 because it was nearing the end of the school year). Pendleton's South Elementary was holding a Kindergarten Olympics. I suppose this was my generation's version of the track and field day that current elementary schools are doing. Instead of the Kindergarten Olympics being held at a track, it was held out at the park in downtown Pendleton. The last event of the day, and the one that everyone was looking forward to was the running race! Remember when you were in elementary school and we just loved to run??...where did that energy go? LOL
I had been looking forward to this race all day, and I knew there really would only be one girl to beat. Today I don't even remember her name! But I knew that she was considered one of the "fast girls", and that day she was my only focus (yes...I was only 5). So the race started, and at that point I was just bound and determined to get off to a good start and keep up with the "fast girl". I remember coming up to the last turn...still pretty neck in neck but she had a slight lead on me. There was a moment when this feeling of angst came over me which then turned into fear when I realized there was a possibility that I could lose. It was in that moment I remember kicking it up another notch, and giving it everything I had, because there was NO WAY I was letting this girl beat me. Well, the extra umph helped and I was the winner...I had "won the race". A huge sense of relief came over me in that instant...followed by joy and happiness of course, and probably a sting of pride, that I was at the time considered the fastest girl in Kindergarten! I know...not much of a title, but at the time I was thrilled, and looked forward to having my name announced on the announcements the next day as the winner of the race.
After that race, I think the feeling of anxiety and fear I experienced in the midst of it somehow bottled itself up in me and I never forgot that moment, and I was bound and determined to never experience that feeling again. This resulted in some very stressful and sometimes painful moments in my life in regards to sports, education, relationships, and life in general. However, one of the biggest (and worst) consequences (in my opinion) that comes from my perfectionism is the fact that there have been many moments in my life that I have decided NOT to do something because of my fear of failure and desire to be perfect. If I'm not confident in it, and I'm not sure I can "win" or "be perfect in it" then why even try? Because if I don't try then I won't even have a chance of experiencing that horrible feeling of angst and fear I had that day back in Kindergarten.
You see...the saying "Practice makes perfect" sets and expectation...that if I practice I will reach perfection. Sure this motivates some people, but for me it only results in disappointment when perfection is never reached. Because here's the big secret...."NO BODY'S PERFECT"!!! Whew....feels good to say that!
I experienced a different side this week. You see, with my husband being gone the house is my responsibility. This means the yard is also my responsibility. This was never something I even thought of when Austin was home because he is Mr. Yard! With him taking care of things we have one of the best looking yards in the neighborhood...nice striped mowing lines and all! Austin taught me how to mow before he left for Florida. Now...I know how to mow, but I don't know how to mow our yard in "Austin Style". So I had to learn. This week was my first week doing this. I've never ever offered to mow for Austin before, because I knew there was no way it would be perfect enough or live up to his mowing expectations. Going into the mow this week, I had super low expectations...I'm not a mower, I don't do well walking in straight lines (no jokes please), and the last time I mowed a yard I went around in circles on a riding mower! So needless to say I had ZERO expectations going into this mow, and I knew there was no way that I would be perfect at it, but I knew that I needed to start sometime and the more I do it the better I will get...I will never be as good as Austin (which in my book is perfection when it comes to his mowing skills), but I will get better.
I could go on and on about how perfectionism has affected my life, but this blog is already long enough! So to the Lesson Learned part:
I have to "win" in the race of life because Christ has already won the race for me! 1John4:4 "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."
Lord, I never want to again miss an opportunity that you have put in my path because of my desire to be perfect and my fear of failure. Help me to always remember the sacrifice Christ made on my behalf in my moments of anxiety, doubt and fear. Write Your words on my heart, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And help me to always remember that we will always have victory in You. Thank you for sending Your Son to die, to fix and forgive all of my imperfections....Lord....Lesson Learned!
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| A picture of the yard after the mow...ignore the dry spots I've been watering it like crazy, it's just WAY too hot and dry here in Indiana! |
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Put it in Perspective!
Okay...first official blog, and a first BIG lesson learned! I apologize ahead of time, because I'm not much of a writer. So really none of my blogs will be very eloquently written, and I'm sure you can expect spelling errors and improper english/puncuation. I pulled B+'s and A-'s in English...I'm a CPA, so Math was certainly my strong point!!!! So now that I have my disclaimer out of the way....to the blog!
This weekend of July 4th was a big one for my husband and I. My husband (Austin and I will be referring to him) has recently accepted a job in Florida! We live in Indiana, and so does the rest of our family, so this is a big move for us that we had to take before the Lord for about 4 months before we really felt comfortable in making the decision...but God is good and kept opening doors for us, so we took that as a "yes".
So Thursday of last week Austin and I piled his clothes in a car and made the 17-18 hour trek down to the sunshine state. We had a great road trip. We split it up into 2 days and had a great time taking pictures the whole way down on our phones and keeping our friends on facebook updated on the trip and our progress. So Friday afternoon we arrived at our final destination Naples, FL at a home in which Austin's company is graciously putting him up in a wonderful (big) home that the company owns (and pretty much operates like a hotel for the company) for the time being until I'm able to move down there. So before I get into the details...here's a bit of a background on me:
I set expectations....HIGH expectations (this is an entire other blog for Lessons Learned, but it has something to do with this Lesson Learned. Goals are great...but high expectations, not so good for me the perfectionist!
So, we arrive at the house (that I've never seen before)...we pull up and there's a truck in the driveway...instantly Austin says, "Who's here? There's not supposed to be anyone here this weekend?" (Literally they keep a schedule for this house, because there are a lot of people coming a going, but we were supposed to have the house for the weekend). So we walk in and there's someone there. A nephew of the owner was moving, and storing a lot of his stuff there that he planned on moving out sometime over the weekend, and he had been staying there from the looks of it. Apparently he was as shocked as we were to see him, because he didn't realize that we would be moving Austin in that weekend. In the end he only needed to stay there one more night (not a big deal...it's a big house)...so it was fine, but for me (and my expectation setting self) I was frustrated and a bit weirded out!
On top of that, I expected this home that's used like a hotel to be spotless clean (silly high expectations!) It was probably clean enough for most people (Austin wouldn't have touched a thing if I hadn't been there). I'm not a neat freak by any means; however, there's something about living in a bit of your own filth versus the filth of someone you don't even know!!! So...since I felt the need to get out of the house, we made our first trip to the store to get some cleaning supplies!
While we were at the store picking out some bathroom essentials, and cleaning supplies (and plenty of glad plug-ins and air freshners!) my Dad called me. He owed me a call back, so I was expecting to hear from him, but at the point in time when he called my frustration was at a high. He asked how things were going, and well I was pretty honest with him. My father is the KING of perspective! I can remember all of the touch times I've had in my life, and each time I've discussed them with my Dad I've walked away from the conversation feeling convicted and having put things back into perspectives. Little did I know this would be another one of those sweet times!
The main reason my dad called is because one of my best friend's dad just passed away this week (it's been an emotional week...losing her dad and moving my husband away). Well I wasn't able to go to the funeral because of the move, but my dad was able to go, and I wanted to hear how it went. So after my frustration burst he did the right thing by telling me to calm down, but changing the subject to why he had called. As we was telling me about the funeral it was sweet to hear how wonderful everything went and how many beautiful stories were told about my friends Father. I laughed a lot remember some of the great stories, and teared up a bit thinking of how my friend was hurting. So once he updated me on everything he came back to my little frustration burst. He reminded me how much I have to be thankful for. On of my best friend's dad has just passed away, I have an aunt (my dad's sister) who has recently been diagnosed with cancer, and just this week my mom was in Pennsylvania with her as she had her chemo port put in and her first chemo treatment was Friday. If I really think that a dirty house and some busted expectations are a big deal, then I've got some self-reflection that really needs a good evaluation! Wow! Did Jesus ever shine through my Dad in that moment (as He has many other times in my life).
His words reminded me of Paul in the Bible who suffered the worst of circumstances (being imprisoned for his faith) and yet the entire time kept an amazing perspective on life and eternity that could only come through the Power of Christ Himself!!! For a brief example check out 2 Timothy 1:6-12...Paul wrote this letter to Timothy while he was imprisoned...and under some pretty horrible circumstances (at least I know they worse than the messy house and unexpected guest!) How small I felt for overreacting and not putting things into persepctive first. God has opened some great doors for Austin and I...whom am I to throw a pitty party for myself because I had expectations that weren't met!
I'm thankful to my Dad who has never failed in life to speak truth into me just at the right times. He is a man of faith and I am so thankful for his example and wisdom in my life (as I am with both of my parents). And I'm thankful to Paul, who despite his circumstances was able to keep an amazing eternal perspective on life and counted his blessings until the end.
Lord, forgive me...forgive me for allowing a worldly struggle, like setting expectations, get in the way of me understanding an seeing the blessings all around me. I pray that I will never again forget to count the blessings in my life, and I will always remember the example set by Paul. That through You I can have the strength to survive any situation and no situation is out of your control. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I pray you will remind my heart to keep things in perspective the next time I feel defeated. You are my Hope and I'm thankful that I have eternity to look forward too...everything next to that seems irrelevant! Help me to always put my situations into an eternal perspective....Lord....lesson learned!
This weekend of July 4th was a big one for my husband and I. My husband (Austin and I will be referring to him) has recently accepted a job in Florida! We live in Indiana, and so does the rest of our family, so this is a big move for us that we had to take before the Lord for about 4 months before we really felt comfortable in making the decision...but God is good and kept opening doors for us, so we took that as a "yes".
So Thursday of last week Austin and I piled his clothes in a car and made the 17-18 hour trek down to the sunshine state. We had a great road trip. We split it up into 2 days and had a great time taking pictures the whole way down on our phones and keeping our friends on facebook updated on the trip and our progress. So Friday afternoon we arrived at our final destination Naples, FL at a home in which Austin's company is graciously putting him up in a wonderful (big) home that the company owns (and pretty much operates like a hotel for the company) for the time being until I'm able to move down there. So before I get into the details...here's a bit of a background on me:
I set expectations....HIGH expectations (this is an entire other blog for Lessons Learned, but it has something to do with this Lesson Learned. Goals are great...but high expectations, not so good for me the perfectionist!
So, we arrive at the house (that I've never seen before)...we pull up and there's a truck in the driveway...instantly Austin says, "Who's here? There's not supposed to be anyone here this weekend?" (Literally they keep a schedule for this house, because there are a lot of people coming a going, but we were supposed to have the house for the weekend). So we walk in and there's someone there. A nephew of the owner was moving, and storing a lot of his stuff there that he planned on moving out sometime over the weekend, and he had been staying there from the looks of it. Apparently he was as shocked as we were to see him, because he didn't realize that we would be moving Austin in that weekend. In the end he only needed to stay there one more night (not a big deal...it's a big house)...so it was fine, but for me (and my expectation setting self) I was frustrated and a bit weirded out!
On top of that, I expected this home that's used like a hotel to be spotless clean (silly high expectations!) It was probably clean enough for most people (Austin wouldn't have touched a thing if I hadn't been there). I'm not a neat freak by any means; however, there's something about living in a bit of your own filth versus the filth of someone you don't even know!!! So...since I felt the need to get out of the house, we made our first trip to the store to get some cleaning supplies!
While we were at the store picking out some bathroom essentials, and cleaning supplies (and plenty of glad plug-ins and air freshners!) my Dad called me. He owed me a call back, so I was expecting to hear from him, but at the point in time when he called my frustration was at a high. He asked how things were going, and well I was pretty honest with him. My father is the KING of perspective! I can remember all of the touch times I've had in my life, and each time I've discussed them with my Dad I've walked away from the conversation feeling convicted and having put things back into perspectives. Little did I know this would be another one of those sweet times!
The main reason my dad called is because one of my best friend's dad just passed away this week (it's been an emotional week...losing her dad and moving my husband away). Well I wasn't able to go to the funeral because of the move, but my dad was able to go, and I wanted to hear how it went. So after my frustration burst he did the right thing by telling me to calm down, but changing the subject to why he had called. As we was telling me about the funeral it was sweet to hear how wonderful everything went and how many beautiful stories were told about my friends Father. I laughed a lot remember some of the great stories, and teared up a bit thinking of how my friend was hurting. So once he updated me on everything he came back to my little frustration burst. He reminded me how much I have to be thankful for. On of my best friend's dad has just passed away, I have an aunt (my dad's sister) who has recently been diagnosed with cancer, and just this week my mom was in Pennsylvania with her as she had her chemo port put in and her first chemo treatment was Friday. If I really think that a dirty house and some busted expectations are a big deal, then I've got some self-reflection that really needs a good evaluation! Wow! Did Jesus ever shine through my Dad in that moment (as He has many other times in my life).
His words reminded me of Paul in the Bible who suffered the worst of circumstances (being imprisoned for his faith) and yet the entire time kept an amazing perspective on life and eternity that could only come through the Power of Christ Himself!!! For a brief example check out 2 Timothy 1:6-12...Paul wrote this letter to Timothy while he was imprisoned...and under some pretty horrible circumstances (at least I know they worse than the messy house and unexpected guest!) How small I felt for overreacting and not putting things into persepctive first. God has opened some great doors for Austin and I...whom am I to throw a pitty party for myself because I had expectations that weren't met!
I'm thankful to my Dad who has never failed in life to speak truth into me just at the right times. He is a man of faith and I am so thankful for his example and wisdom in my life (as I am with both of my parents). And I'm thankful to Paul, who despite his circumstances was able to keep an amazing eternal perspective on life and counted his blessings until the end.
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| Here is a picture that Austin would not be happy that I'm posting...but it's a dead lizard we found in the house when we got there! |
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| At the beach Friday evening...after the phone call with my dad, seeing and feeling God's creation was reaffirming and gave me so much peace!! |
Lord, forgive me...forgive me for allowing a worldly struggle, like setting expectations, get in the way of me understanding an seeing the blessings all around me. I pray that I will never again forget to count the blessings in my life, and I will always remember the example set by Paul. That through You I can have the strength to survive any situation and no situation is out of your control. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I pray you will remind my heart to keep things in perspective the next time I feel defeated. You are my Hope and I'm thankful that I have eternity to look forward too...everything next to that seems irrelevant! Help me to always put my situations into an eternal perspective....Lord....lesson learned!
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