Wednesday, May 21, 2008

They Know Me

This past Sunday I was setting up a post church luncheon for our youth bible study group. I needed to carry a large amount of food from the refrigerator to the eating area and asked a staff member to borrow a cart from her supply area. She looked me in the eyes and said very seriously, "Do you promise you are not going to put any kids on there for a game?" I laughed and promised and went along my way. Well, she must know me.

Then, as I was walking with the cart through the hallways of the children's area I saw looks of concern from some parents and excited expectation from their kids. I guess maybe, they know me. I had to chuckle because maybe once or twice I have been known to have some over-the-top games during my Kids Church lessons. BUT, I guess I wasn't aware that there might be some stigma attached. Ha - kidding. I have to say that I like things on the wild side and I guess they know me.

Funny that the same day during my small group bible study I shared with the young ladies about Psalm 139 - God knows you and all your ways, even before you were born, even the bad stuff. He still loves you - even if you are a little on the wild side like me. He REALLY KNOWS YOU.

Be blessed!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Some People Can't

CAN'T, this is a word that is forbidden in my home and in my cheerleading classes. It simply isn't necessary when describing oneself. It can be used to describe objects, "the nail cannot hold the picture". I was listening to a radio talk show today and heard the host say this sentence, "Some people can't." Shockingly, I agreed.

I agree with this sentence when you are in a position of rationalizing OTHER PEOPLE'S behavior or lack thereof. In other words, have a realistic expectation of other people's behavior based upon their past actions, NOT based upon your personal feelings. For example, my girlfriend will likely be late because she always is, but not my girlfriend will likely be late because nobody thinks I am important. Get it?

There were two analogies the host used that I thought were useful:
  1. Do you take your cat on a walk with a leash? No because cats don't like that.
  2. You can't use a bone dry sponge to soak up water, it has to be slightly wet.

Sometimes we expect people to do something that they historically have chosen not to do and then we are upset because they don't. The cat? Or maybe we expect people to be able to do something that they have no skills to do and then we are upset that they cannot. The sponge?

The talk show host was speaking of adult child-parent relationships in both of these matters. Sad that so many people suffer in their adult lives expecting something from a parent that has never happened and likely will never happen. We cannot expect an absent father to suddenly want to be involved in our lives. We cannot expect emotionally unavailable mothers to suddenly become that. If we have a reasonable expectation of people and get our needs met through other relationships in our lives, we can find peace.

Ask God to bring you a father-person or mother-person (or whoever-person) to fill a need in your life. Don't set yourself up for continual hurt by having unrealistic expectations from loved ones.

FIND PEACE because some people can't.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Who are we?

This past Saturday, our Youth and Junior Belles were having a hoo-hum practice. Spring fever? Actual fever? Fear? Ambivalence? I wasn't sure and my patience level was waning quickly. So we sat the girls down and explained our purpose as coaches - to help them accomplish something difficult through practice and preparation. Simple. I then asked the girls to shout out a list of 5 things that describes The Belles, they came up with the following, much longer list. If I didn't know before, I do know now - they are BRILLIANT young ladies.

Belles Are:
  1. Respectful
  2. Strong physically and in spirit
  3. Kind
  4. Hard workers at home and at practice
  5. Courageous
  6. Obedient
  7. Good examples
  8. Make good choices (smart)
  9. Modest
  10. Leaders
  11. Friends
  12. Fun

Well, out of the mouths of babes our vision is established... I just love this thing called coaching!

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Seed and Bread

This Sunday I listened to my pastor deliver a sermon that was incredibly inspirational and useful. He read a scripture from 2 Cor 9 and I happened to notice a verse just below the one he referenced.
  • Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 cor 9:10-11.

This is a great verse which explains God's plan for providing for us. However, the first part of verse 10 just jumped off the page to me, "He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food". When we are experiencing lack in our lives we need to take a look these two separate areas: what you have to give for a purpose and what you have to sustain you.

Easy to discern and apply in the financial realm of our lives, right? Just check the credit card account balance, are you using more that what you have to sustain you (e.g bread for food)? Check your tax return, are you giving enough for a specific purpose (sowing): church, charity, gifts, etc.

We can also apply these same principles to the other areas of our lives. When I feel overwhelmed and exhausted it might just be because I am spending too much time on either the sowing or sustaining part of my life. Maybe I have over committed myself to volunteering at church or school and not enough time reading my bible, working out or just resting. Or, the converse can be true too, I am using all of my emotional and time resources on myself and not giving enough to others. Is my husband cranky and my kids wild beasts? Maybe I need to spend some time at home just chilling with my peeps. Do I feel tired and my skin looks bad? Maybe I need to get to the gym and devote some time to myself (when was the last time I breathed fresh air, anyway?).

It can be a delicate balancing act, but one in which God is involved as He notes here in verse 10. Don't eat your seed, don't neglect your personal needs either.

As we near Mother's Day, every mother can take something from these wise words from our Lord. Keep the balance - what you say no to will probably lead to more success than what you say yes to. Take care of yourself, but give yourself away too. Find that balance between the two that provides peace for you and your home.