Unglued Bible Study Ch. 2

"YES"!!!!  That is my answer to Melissa's question "Do you feel like Lysa has been following you around" as I am reading this book.  It's so easy to become 'unglued' over things that are so far out of our control, like Lysa's computer/dog vomit situation.

Perspective, perspective, perspective.  I pray, Lord, to look at all circumstances from the 'right' (Your) perspective.  The reason there is always 3 sides to a story is because there are always 2 perspectives (and then the correct, accurate account).  We are human and are naturally wired to look at situations from MY perspective, because, after all, I know best, right?  No.  

Emotions are not truths, we shouldn't respond to them like they are.  I do not want negative patterns of thoughts because my emotions are tied to my thoughts.  I will develop new responses by developing new thoughts!  I will renew my mind with new thoughts.  How?  With new perspectives!

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" 2Corinthians 10:5

I will repeat and commit to memory what Lysa says so many times in this book: "I can't control the things that happen to me each day, but I can control how I think about them.....I have a choice to have destructive thoughts or constructive thoughts right now.  I can wallow in what's wrong and make things worse, or I can ask God for a better perspective to help me see good even when I don't feel good."  I want this to be my pattern too!

I cannot fix everything on my own!  Why do I try and who says it needed to be fixed in the first place.  My emotions usually run thin with people, not things.  People don't need fixing, my perspective of them does, though.  God is in control!  Stop trying because it's not working and honestly I would mess things up if it did!

(I was able to keep my cool today by thinking about my study!  Just a little step but so excited because it would have been easier, albeit not better, to yell and get it over with.)

Unglued Bible Study Ch. 1

I'm so excited to start ready Lysa Terkeirst's book Unglued last night.  I joined an online bible study which is something new for me, but great because I can log on anytime I get a chance!  So much jumped into my heart in this first chapter - its been 7 pages of WOW mixed with conviction, but covered with hope!  As hard as it is for me to admit, I become unglued way too often with the people that I love the most and the people that God chose me to help lead, nurture and 'do life with'.  I'm tired!  Physically tired but most of all tired of letting my emotions control me.  Just as Lysa admits that she has vowed to do better so many times, I too lay in bed and think "I will do better tomorrow.  I will be more patient and not harp on the small stuff."  Then the morning comes and the chaos begins.  But I love this chaos because I love the ones helping create it!  But when I fail, which I will, I hope to remember what Lysa says about not needing to bend under the weight of past mistakes.  That kind of bending breaks us.   She goes on to write, "..we will bow to the One who holds out hope for a better future.  It's a truth-filled future in which God reveals how emotions can work for us instead of against us."  Lord, help me work to glorify you in everything I do!  I WILL NOT destroy the relationships I value most or weave into my life permanent threads of short-temperedness, shame, fear, or frustrations.
Emotions are difficult things!  Lysa writes, "Emotions allow us to feel as we experience life....God gave me emotions so I could experience life, not destroy it.  There is a gentle discipline to it all."  I pray that I am receptive to learning that discipline and living it out.
Our current series at church is Family Matters, which ties in so great with this book.  Pastor Robert reminded us parents that what our children learn at school or a church doesn't compare to what they are learning in their homes.  Do my children see me living out the faith that I proclaim to have?  Do they believe that I really trust what I am telling them?  Please, Heavenly Father, help me live in a way that shows your love!
Thanks Lysa!  So excited to read more!

Awesomeness

`There is so much going on right now! Chris has recently broken away from his business partners to start his own adventure names Artistic Apparel. Same industry he has been in for many years, but it is finally his - everything, including 100% of the work, bills and debt. It's scary but we have no doubt that we are doing the right thing.
God has laid on my heart, although I am completely unequipped in every aspect, to adopt a child from Africa. More on that in another post.
My mom fell several weeks ago, breaking her knee cap and fracturing a rib. I have transported her to numerous doctors appointments, cleaned her home, been grocery shopping, etc. for her and still need to do more (would like to do more).
Everyday life is so jammed packed with things. All good things, just jammed packed with them. Which leads to little time to breathe and let life soak in.
The weather in High Point this winter has been great, up until the past 3 days. We have been able to ride bikes after school, which is one of the many things I love doing with my 2 girls. Everyone gets exercise and it is such a release. Leah has been off training wheels for a while now and we are to the point that I don't feel like I must run behind her when she is riding. She knows that I caution her from riding too fast because stopping is still a struggle for her. One day she starting going down a hill in our neighborhood and gradually picked up lots of speed. I yell for her to slow down (probably 1000 times). She finally yells back at me, "The awesomeness is running through my body. I can't slow down!". Love it. She felt good! She had mastered the 2 wheels and just felt awesome.
It's these moments that I will reflect on when my children have left home and I pray that I will not forgot. I also pray that when life is trying to knock them down, they will remember how it feels when the awesome runs through their body.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful 10 year old, Cecilia! Cecilia's birthday falls on a Monday this year, which happens to be the Monday we celebrate MLK's bday - sooooo no school! What a nice birthday gift (for her and me).

I was talking to a friend yesterday who gave birth to her 4 child 14 days ago. We shared delivery stories with each other - the funny and the PAIN! Childbirth is painfull. The pain is not only physical, but also mentally, emotionally, relationally. As mothers our bodies and our worlds are changed forever. If it is so painful, why have more than 1? Everyone says you forget how bad it hurts and maybe there is truth in that. But.....we know it hurts like nothing else, but we decide to do it again. Because the pain is worth the reward.

Childbirth pain relates to the many pains, or trials, that God leads us through. Without the pain of childbirth we wouldn't have our beautiful children. Without trials we wouldn't have the precious moments when we come out on the other side and see so vividly God's hand guiding us through, God's body planted firmly beside us for us to lean (or completely fall upon) through every step, God's voice so clear on those sleepless nights, angels that God puts in our lives to encourage us in our valley's.

Thank you, God, for the pain. Thank you for the trials. Although I may grumble and complain, I know you are growing me. Grow me, Lord, to be more like you with each passing moment. Grow me to love you and your people more deeply. Thank you for sharing Cecilia, your child, with me for these 10 wonderful years. She has taught me so much about myself: what kind of mother I want to be; what kind of mother I do not want to be; how to love another person with absolutely no conditions; so many other things.