Monday Motivational

MONDAY MOTIVATIONAL: For the online Bible Study I am a part of I was asked to share how I have overcome the comparison trap. I thought I would share it here as well. While I would love to tell you that I have completely overcome comparison, I do not believe it is something that we will ever COMPLETELY overcome. However, there are some things that I have learned along the way, that helps to keep comparison at bay, or at least manageable. 1) Comparison is a JOY stealer! When we take our eyes off of God and put them on another person and we start seeing that they have all this "good" stuff going on, it starts that bitter root of discontentment. When we allow that to fester and grow, it can cause some major issues in our lives. That discontentment says to God that we are not happy with where He has placed us and the circumstances that He has placed us in. It tells God that we think we know better than Him. The truth is, we do not know the road that someone else is walking, and just because it "looks" good, does not make it good. We need to focus on the truth of our own situation. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has a plan for each of us. Our plan is OUR plan, He has a plan for our friend/neighbor/spouse etc. that is THEIR plan, no need to compare, He has plans for all of us. 2) The world will throw lies at us and knock us down, no need to tear our own selves down. When you start think you are not good enough, not pretty enough, not skinny enough, do not have enough money, kids, your house is not big enough etc, I am going to ask you to STOP! God knit us together exactly how HE wanted us to be!! (Psalm 139:3). I point you back to God has a plan for each of us, and He designed us the way He wanted us. You know that crazy hair you hate? Yeah, God gave that to you. The funny shape of your nose? Yeah, God did that as well. EMBRACE how God made you. Thank Him that He did not make us all the same, He made us all different and the world is a better place because of it. When you fully embrace who you are, quirky looks or personality, you will be SO MUCH HAPPIER!! When you truly know that you are a child of the King and He made you EXACTLY how He wanted you, then you will not feel the need to compare yourself to someone else. If you have not truly embraced these TRUTHS from Scripture, I would advise you to do so, it will make your life so much better. "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32)." 3) When you are allowing yourself to wallow in bitterness, self-pity, etc., the devil has you right where he wants you. When you are wallowing you are not praising God. If you truly cannot find ANYTHING that is praise worthy in your situation, I would tell you to simply say the name, "Jesus." Over and over again until you can say more of a prayer. This will help to reset your mindset and your focus. When you are wallowing you are focused on this world, your feelings and your circumstances, not the the One who can help you through the difficult circumstances you are facing. When you utter the name of Jesus, it helps you to remember that you are not alone, Jesus is always there with us, and He is for you, not against you. In chapter 5 of "Why Her," Nicki tells us that when life gives us difficulties, we always have a choice, bitterness or breakthrough (p78). So, I ask you, what do you choose, bitterness or breakthrough? Joy or discontentment? Satan's lies or God's truth? To compare or accept who you are? The choice is yours. Choose wisely.

In the Trenches

I have a lot of random thoughts floating in my head, so I am going to try to pen some of them here. I feel like I am deep in the trenches of life, with a lot of countdowns going on. The kids have 49 days left of school, only 49 days until they have the freedom of summer! While we are trying to be diligent and focused, we have had a lot of interruptions. Next Thursday we are going to Nashville so the kids can compete across the region at Trevecca. Kayla will be competing in Piano and Guitar, Elijah will be competing in Ping-Pong and Bible Quizzing. While we are looking forward to this, we are also looking forward to it being over as well, it will be a lot of work on very little sleep, and once we are back, Matt is gone for a week for work. I have 37 "school" days until MY classes start back up. So I only have 37 days of freedom left (days with some free time in them). I am planning to take 5 classes this summer (yes, I know that is crazy!), but I want to be able to do more while I have to do less with the kids school. I am not sure how it is all going to work, I am just trusting that it is going to work. There will be a little bit of role reversal while the kids try their hand at making dinner, while I study, haha! Since I know that I will have very little free time over the summer, I am trying to plan the kids school for next year, now. Also crazy. I was all set to put them in Bob Jones Homeschool Online because it would make my life super easy. Less planning, less grading, and it would free me up to try and get my Master's done by the end of the year. However, I was speaking to a friend this weekend and she said she had never done Bob Jones because she doesn't "school at home," she homeschools. That was a reminder to me of WHY I homeschool as well. She was not judging, she was merely stating her reasons why she doesn't use that curriculum for her kids. So, I have been in a frenzy the past few days trying to figure out what exactly I am going to do with them for next year so I can jumpstart my planning and make the summer easier. Kayla said yesterday she wants to continue with Bob Jones Spanish, she will do Spanish 2 next year, she wants to continue with Teaching Textbooks for Math, she wants to continue her sewing and music, and she would like to do Astronomy for her Science. Anyone know a high school level Astronomy class? We are still deciding on the other subjects for her. Elijah is a little harder because he really doesn't want to do any "school." He would rather read and play, but who can blame him? Elijah was looking at Bob Jones curriculum with me yesterday and he thought the Earth and Space Science looked interesting, so he may do that next year. This kid HATES science, so if he picks that, that is what we will go with. I am trying to let them have a say in their education, because, hello it is about them, not me. One other thing I am sure I am going to add back in to their curriculum is Bible Study. I want them to have a strong faith, and KNOW how to study their Bible, not just read it. I dropped actual Bible study when they started doing Bible Quizzing, but I think it's important for them to learn more than one book of the Bible, so they will do both next year. Time is flying by and Kayla will be in 11th grade, it is so important the choices we make. I am trying to prepare her to be an adult and I want her to have all the skills she needs to be ready to go to college, if that is what she chooses, or simply know how to make a living for herself. One huge skill we are working on it diligence and time management. I have a while longer with Elijah, but I know it will be gone before I know it and I want them to be ready, whether I will be or not 😉

Anyway, I am trying to live by the principle, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:17

I am truly thankful for the opportunity to homeschool my kids, I know it isn't for everyone, but we enjoy it. It is a lot of hard work, takes time, but in the end I know it is worth it. We will never get the time back and I am so incredibly thankful for the time I get with them. I am thankful for a husband who fully supports and encourages our homeschool venture. I am also thankful that he fully supports me getting my Master's degree. I am thankful for the "free" time that I have had/and continue to have this semester, and the opportunity it has given me to get things done/caught up, and to make memories with my lovely family. I am doing my best to use my time wisely and trying not to waste it. We only have so much time, we absolutely need to be making the most of it. How are you making the most of your time? Are you in a season with some free time, or the season where you wish you had more time? Regardless, life is short, we must live it well...as the song says! (Live it well by Switchfoot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov_lnXy7tkQ )

Restart

I love to sleep in on Saturday's. Because of all of our commitments it is rare to have a free Saturday and an opportunity to sleep in. Oddly enough, I have noticed a disturbing trend over the last few months when I do sleep in...I get up irritable! I do not know why that is, but this morning I laid in bed until 7:15 and when I got downstairs Matt asked me a question, and by the third time I had to repeat my answer, I was very irritable and using an agitated tone. Obviously that is not how I want my day to go, or how I want to feel. While I don't know what causes the irritability, I am thankful that I had an opportunity for a "restart." I fixed my cup of coffee and sat down with my Bible and current devotional materials. I sat at the table and read, soaked in God's Word, while drinking that yummy cup of coffee, and then I prayed. When I got up from the table I felt refreshed and renewed! God is so good to me! What is your restart button? What do you do when you start out on the wrong foot? What happens when your day starts spiraling out of control in the middle of the afternoon? For me, I go and lay on my bed, in the dark, and start praying. I usually lay there for 20-30 minutes and it is enough to restart my day again, and I am able to get through the rest of the day. 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Your City

"Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Jeremiah 29:7 NIV

It's funny how you can read something several times and not really notice what it says. I recently read through the book of Jeremiah and this verse did not pop out at me. However, this morning I read the verse in a short devotional and I wondered if that was really what the verse actually said, or if someone had paraphrased it in their own words. I flipped my Bible over to that verse and that is actually what it says (feel free to look for yourself 😊). So often we think that the Bible does not apply to us, or that it is no longer relative to the times that we live in. Especially the stuff in the Old Testament. We live in times of extreme chaos and uncertainty, just as they did in Bible times, and I long for peace. 

There are several things that this verse gives us that are relative for today.

First, we are to seek peace (and prosperity) in the city to which we live. To seek means "to go in search of, to look for, to try to discover." It is an action verb, it is not passive, we are to actively go and search for peace. The New Living Translation says "And work for the peace..." I like looking at different versions of the same verse because it typically helps us to understand the meaning a little bit better. How do we actively seek or search for peace? Just like the New Living Translation says, we work for it. The Bible tells us, "If it is possible, as long as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18 NIV "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." 2 Timothy 2:23

How do I promote peace in my community? I do not cause stupid arguments or quarrels. I try to mind my own business and not put my nose where it does not belong. I try to be kind to everyone I encounter so as to not give someone a reason to get upset with me. I try not to gossip (although at times I fail). I do not lie or spread ugly untruths. I try to teach my kids to be respectful of others, it does not matter skin color, we are all the same and Jesus expects us to treat everyone with kindness and compassion. I am not perfect, but I am saved by grace and make it my aim to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to Christ (at times I fail, but I repent and turn back to God when I do).

Second, we are to pray to the Lord for it. Again, prayer is not passive, it is also action, we are to DO something. To pray means to "to ask for; to beseech; implore; to make a request; to address God with adoration, confession, supplication,or thanksgiving."  A lot of people think that saying you will pray about something doesn't mean anything, they want you to DO something. Praying is doing something, it is asking the Creator of this world for something, imploring Him for something, either on your behalf or the behalf of another. God hears our prayers and He answers them. Sometimes it is "wait." Sometimes it is "no." And, other times He will say "yes." But, He  may also give us something to do to go along with that yes. He may give you an answer to the problem and then you go and do what He has asked you to do, if that makes sense.

 I live in Monroe, this is the city that God has called my family to. I need to actively be praying for my city. I also need to be praying for our schools, especially the ones in my city. I pretty much live in a bubble, but even in my bubble I hear about all the school shootings and they crush my spirit. Our kids have enough to deal with in schools today without having to worry about a shooter coming into their schools. Yet, each time I meet with our youth group school shootings always come up. I pray for our kids and pray that God will put a hedge of protection around them and their classmates. I also pray that those in authority do things and make decisions that will make it harder for shooters to get on campus.

 

Why are we to do these things, "because if it prospers, you too will prosper." We should want great things, not just for ourselves, but our cities and those around us as well. God has placed each of us in a community and we are to help that community prosper. I remember when we lived in Singapore, we were visiting churches and in one church we heard the song, "God of this City." I had never heard it before, but it really resonated with me, that God was in that city far away from what we called "home." It doesn't matter where we are in this world, what country or city we live in, God is the God of that city, and there is still work to be done, right where you are at (bloom where you are planted)! How are you attempting to live at peace in your city? Is God growing you where you are at? Do you believe that greater things are still to be done in your city? If not, maybe you need a change of perspective. Figure out what God might be saying to you about the verse above. Take some time to listen to the song below...if nothing else, pray for your city. Pray for the people that you are in community with. Pray that if you are not working at finding peace, that you would find peace.

This verse reminds me of the song "Your the God of this City"

(listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEFGr1S8SkA)

 

Lyrics

You're the god of this city
You're the king of these people
You're the lord of this nation
You are

You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our god
There is no one like our god

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city

You're the god of this city
You're the king of these people
You're the lord of this nation
You are

You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our god
There is no one like our god

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city

Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

There is no one like our god
There is no one like you, god

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done

We believe, we believe in you, god

Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here
Greater things, still to be done here
Ooh

Songwriters: Aaron Boyd / Andrew Mccann / Ian Jordan / Peter Comfort / Peter Kernaghan / Richard Bleakley

God of This City lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

Unsettled

I don't know about you, but I have missed this blog. It has been a great outlet over the years where I can share what is on my mind and things that are going on in our lives. I hate that I let it lapse, but I am still struggling to figure out when I can write and at times just completely overwhelmed with life. So, here are a few updates with us.
I am still in classes at Liberty University Online, but am currently on a break. The plan right now is to start back up in May. I have 8 classes left and then I am done with my Master's. I am anxious to get it done, but when I am in classes I struggle to balance everything. My goal is to either be done by the end of this year, or by May of 2019. People continue to ask me what I am going to do when I finish my Master's. The answer is "I don't know." God has not revealed that part of the plan to me yet. Right now I am still doing the other things that God has called me to do...Matt and I lead our youth at Church and have for over a year (one of the things God called us to do). We love the time we get to spend with them and hope that we are continually pointing them to Christ. I am still homeschooling the kids (something God called us to do years ago), keeping up with the house and trying to pursue a few dreams. In January and February I took some sewing classes as I have always wanted to learn. It was so much fun to be able to do something that I have wanted to learn for over 20 years. We have come to the conclusion that this is not the house we want to grow old in and are planning to move again in the next year...which also has us all a bit unsettled, with that hanging over us. If I am completely honest one reason I have not revived the blog before now is that my confidence has taken quite a hit over the last year or so. Things people have said about me, about things I am posting on Facebook etc., along with personal things have really worn me down. It has made me doubt what I am supposed to be doing and I haven't felt free to just write anything without fear of criticism. I also play the comparison game...everyone has a blog and they all write better than me...but my intent with this blog has always been for it to be an outlet for me, and to keep others updated with what is going on in our world...it shouldn't matter if everyone else writes better than me...it is not a comparison game.
Matt recently got a new position (January, I think) at work, which is a huge blessing as it came with a pay raise. He is enjoying his new position, but it has been overwhelming as he was still doing his old position and several other things. In addition he has had to travel (he is gone now) while still learning all the ropes of his new position. He found out two different things this week that he hasn't been doing or doing completely. He is also helping with the teens at Church and helps me out quite a bit around the house. In his little bit of free time, when he is not hanging with us, he writes. He recently self published a book on Amazon.I am so proud of him for all the hard work he does. He loves to write and has very little time to do it, but he is already editing the second book in the series. He has more ideas then he has time to pursue, but God has surely gifted him in that way! Matt continues to be my best friend and #1 supporter, I am thankful for the ways that God has grown us over the years.
Kayla is 15, not sure when she got this old, LOL. She loves reading, music and sewing. She is still taking piano lessons, and has added voice and guitar lessons. She loves the guitar more than the piano and is actually more comfortable playing it. She is nervous about singing in front of others, but her voice teacher is making her do a solo in May at their end of the year performance. Although he did tell her if she wasn't comfortable with it, he would sing with her, so possibly a duet. She still takes sewing classes and absolutely loves them. She is thinking of being a part-time/full-time seamstress and we are trying to learn more about this and how she can pursue it. She still loves little kids and loves opportunities to play and hang out with them. We have signed her up for driver's ed, which she will be taking in April. In NC you have to go through the class before you can get your permit, it is a law here. She is really excited about that as well. She is still getting taller, she is currently somewhere between 5'6 and 5'7...She has been taller than me for what feels like forever. She doesn't really care for much in school, she does it because she has to, not because she wants to. She has always been difficult to challenge (she is in 10th grade), but I would love to be able to incorporate more of what she wants to do as opposed to what she has to do. Kayla is still a very caring, compassionate young lady and is still trying to figure out who she is going to be. She struggles with her confidence (it took a hit this past year) and does not like being in the spotlight at all.
Elijah is going to be 13 very soon...impossible that my baby is going to be a teenager. He is also growing, but struggles because he is shorter than his friends. He loves reading, playing the drums, playing basketball, playing with his friends and studying Bible Quizzing. He is also taking voice and drum lessons. He thinks he wants to be a video game designer when he gets older. He really dislikes school, especially writing and grammar, however, he does love History. He has a great sense of humor and can make me laugh at just about anything. He is caring and compassionate and hates to see people arguing and fighting, or for someone to simply raise their voice at him. He longs to be settled and all the changes we have dealt with and the stress of knowing we are moving again affects him more than others. Elijah is a deep thinker and is not afraid to ask questions or afraid to attempt to answer them either. If there is something he doesn't understand, but wants to, he will question you until it is all sorted out in his mind.
There are days like today, that I feel unsettled...and uncertain about what I am supposed to be doing...I know it's because I am overtired and didn't get enough sleep last night..or recently, LOL. But, I am thankful that I don't have to know it all, or understand everything. I just need to lean more into the One who holds my future and has a Perfect plan for my life. Thank you, Jesus, for all that you have blessed us with, in the good times and bad, thank you for holding us.