Mamas*Little*Treasures

A time of reflection . . . . .

Autumn always seems like a good time to reflect on life.  Perhaps it is because it is a season that reminds us that the darkness of winter will arrive shortly.  And just like in the seasons of our life, there is a time when we realize that we need to reflect back and to look to the future with hope.  Instead of autumn feeling like a season of anxiety for the winter ahead, I want to see autumn as a time to celebrate the new adventures awaiting our family.  We are looking forward to so many things this year! 

The first thing that we are so thankful for this year is our Daddy's new job.  And then I am especially thankful that I can now be home with our girls, and have time to do all the fun things that this mama loves to do with the kiddlins!  But there is so much more!  We are expectantly waiting to hear of the birth of two new grandbabies.  Both little girls, and it is possible that they will arrive on the same day, or at least within just a few days of one another.  So this Grammie and Papa are very excited about that!  And then there is always the reminder of Gracie's "Gotcha Day," and the year that we celebrated Thanksgiving in a hotel restaurant in Xi'an, China.  

And today, Veteran's Day, offers us the opportunity to reflect on the gift that has been given to every American . . .. . to live in a country where we are free to pursue our dreams, our goals, our beliefs, and our choices.  Today I am truly thankful for the men and women, and their families, who have willingly sacrificed so much to protect us.  We are free because of their courage, and we must never forget.  We remember, and not just on Veteran's Day.

Grandbabies' birthdays, all of the fun and excitement of the holiday season shining in the eyes of our beautiful daughters, building closer relationships with our older children, and the peace that comes from knowing that our family is growing in so many ways, and the gift of freedom and liberty.  Again, I must remember all of the blessings that we have, and not dwell on those things that are not exactly "perfect."  Life happens, and it doesn't always go the way I think it should.  But that's why I'm not in charge of the universe!  This is truly a season of reflection, and a time of thankfulness for all of God's blessings. 

The journey or the destination?

"We Americans are pragmatists to the max.  We want results.  And we want them yesterday.  We want them without too much pondering and too much pain . . . . We have developed all kinds of Christ-coated remedies that are shallow and short-lived.  We are not, by and large, the deeply grounded saints that some of our forefathers were."   

~John Piper

 

Being "pragmatic" isn't always a bad thing . . . . after all, we  need to pay our bills so we can keep a roof over our heads, keep heat and light in our homes, and be wise with our resources so we can feed our families and keep gas in our cars.  However, philosophically and theologically, pure "pragmatism" will always eventually create a self-centered world in which we attempt to then live out our Christian values and commitment by "doing" rather than "being".  That's where the problem comes in.  Christianity is not necessarily "pragmatic," and eveything is not focused on results.  Although, unfortunately, that's what many of us believe about our Christian life.  Ultimately, we need to try to discover and remember that being a Christian is NOT about what I DO but it is about WHO I am in relationship with my Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ.  It is a relationship not a religion, and yet the paradox is that what I DO matters, but it does not define WHO I am.  I think that is kind of like other relationships, including our marriage relationship as well as our relationships with our parents and children.

 

My children will always be my children, no matter what they DO . . . . however, their choices and their actions will affect our relationship, just like my choices will also affect the quality of that relationship.  But it will NEVER change the fact that I am their mother and they are my children.  So, on the surface,"pragmatism" doesn't seem so bad . . . . . but we must always have the courage and integrity to follow our belief systems (whatever they may be) to their ultimate conclusions.  And "pragmatism" is definitely one of those sneaky ideas that seem to be pretty sensible at first glance, but it has devastating consequences if taken as the foundational presupposition of our beliefs.

 

The philosophical implications of pragmatism appear pretty straightforward:  if all of our choices and behavior and beliefs are based on whatever brings the "best" outcome, what is wrong with that?  But if that is all we have to work with, in the end we are left with only the precarious, relative question of just what exactly is the "best" outcome.  And who decides what is "best"?  And "best" for who?  On the face of it, "pragamatism" seems to make sense . . . . after all we should be practical, right?  We want to know that our actions will make a difference, that there will be predictable, measureable results, and we really don't have a lot of time to invest in every little choice and decision we make in life.  So what is the problem with "pragmatism"?

 

I'm not sure that the question really is "what is wrong with pragmatism," but what we really need to determine is what is the REAL goal of the Christian life and how do we best achieve that goal.  Because if all of our emphasis is to "git 'er done," then we miss out on all the really significant aspects our life.  And "pragmatism" encourages us to focus on the destination instead of the journey.  My moment by moment choices, decisions, and actions matter more to God than whether or not I achieve the "perfect" outcome. 

 

I've really had to remind myself that every day, for most of my adult life.  As a wife, mother, woman, friend, Christian in contemporary American Christianity, my perception has been that my value is only in what I do for others.  And, although that is a noble calling and goal in life, it is NOT the totality of who I am.  Unfortunately, for many women, they get lost in the swamp of despair when they finally realize that they CAN'T do everything that everyone expects.  We are just human.  We are strong, protective, loving, and courageous in the face of all kinds of adversity.  We will protect our children and our homes if confronted with danger.  As moms, we can do anything we need to do to care for our families.  But we will also stumble and fall.  Just because that is the human condition.

 

So, "pragmatism" is a sneaky philosophy that steals our joy and sometimes sucks the life right out of us.  When we finally understand that "getting it done" is a good thing . . . . . but taking the time to slow down, seek God's guidance and wisdsom, rejoice in His grace, and be thankful for all of our blessings (even in the midst of our struggles), will keep us focused on reality.  And reality is NOT based on our ability to do it all, yesterday, with our hair combed perfectly, all of our children lined up with bright shining faces and freshly laundered (hand-made) clothing, with all of our home school lessons completed for the day, a piping hot dinner on the table with freshly baked bread and vegetables picked from our garden.  Oh yes, and a perfectly cleaned home, and all of the laundry smelling spring-fresh from the line, folded and put into the dresser drawers.  And if you are anything like me (I hope not!) you have perhaps believed that WAS reality.  Once upon a time, in a land far away, where Prince Charming lived in the neighborhood castle.   But that's NOT my reality, and that's OK. 

 

I no longer focus on the "pragmatic" aspects of life at the expense of living in the moment.  Yep, I still clean my house, do the laundry, and every once in a while bake a loaf of bread.  I pay the bills, and make sure there is gas in the car so I can get to the grocery store.  But all of those practical things do NOT define who I am.  It is really nice to be free from that deception!

 

Please visit Esthermay at "The Heart of a Pastor's Wife" for links to all the other IOW participants so you can share in our weekly time of inspiration and encouragement. 

 

 

 

Just being neighborly

"If you want to have a friend, be a friend."  That's what my mama always told me.  But since we moved into this neighborhood just over a year ago, I have been so busy flying out the door every morning to go to my JOB, that I just didn't have time to be "neighborly."  Of course, I'm always friendly when I run into one of the neighbors at the grocery store or the local diner, but I just didn't have the time or energy to reach out to my new neighbors.  Fortunately, many of the people who live around us here in our little lake community have taken the initiative to get to know us, so that has been really nice.  But for me, one of the best parts of life is meeting new people, making new friends, and connecting with others in my neighborhood.  So, now . . . . . I am having so much fun with my new-found freedom to do things like bake muffins and take them to the neighbors.

The neighbors just across the street from us immediately jumped in and offered us all kinds of encouragement and help shortly after we moved in last fall.  Within days of our arrival in the neighborhood, they popped by one afternoon with a batch of homemade cookies and a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" card.  Then, just a few weeks later, they stopped by for a visit and brought Christmas gifts for our girls.  Just like living across the street from our favorite Aunt and Uncle!  And of course, birthdays are remembered (not sure how they even knew when the girls' birthdays are . . . . . ), Valentine's Day, and most recently they dropped in with some fun Halloween treats.  Oh, I almost forgot . . . . last summer they came over one Saturday with a brand-new swingset for the girls!  Apparently they had purchased the swingset for their grandkids about 10 years ago, and Mom and Dad never got it set up.  So, it was still in the box!  The girls were delighted with their new treasure, and helped Daddy put it together that very day!

Other neighbors have invited us to go out on the lake on their pontoon boat, for the Fourth of July Boat Parade and pancake breakfast.  Another family helps mow the lawn when our Daddy is out of town . . . . . and others have invited us to go swimming off of their dock.  So, when there was a tragic hunting accident last week and the son of one of the neighbors lost his life, it was such a gift to be able to reach out and offer a bit of love and support to the family.  I know that a basket of muffins and a card are so simple and so insignificant in the face of tragedy . . . . but that little basket of muffins represents so much more.  It is the simple things in life that mean the most, especially in difficult times.  It means that we are here for one another, and that, together, we will get through this.  I am so thankful for this opportunity to be a part of something so much bigger and significant than just my own self.  Life is good . . . . but so much better when it is shared with others!

What's on your mind today?

Peace of Christ guards our heart when we pray with thanksgiving. A thankful heart is a guarded heart.

~ Wayne Cordeiro ~

A thankful heart . . . . . it is so easy to focus on the difficulties in life, and become distracted with all of the struggles, that we lose a spirt of thankfulness.  Life certainly has a way of enticing us to believe that what is happening right here, right now is the only reality we have to hold on to.  And that is very frequently frightening!  I have observed throughout my life the devastation of holding on to the negative events in life and the times that people have hurt us.  And when we cling so tightly to our anger, there is simply no room left over for peace.  I know there are reasons for us to be hurt and angry . . . . very legitimate reasons . . . . . but, no matter how real the pain, holding it so tightly in our heart and mind will only poison all the other wonderful aspects of life.

Unfortunately, I witnessed this in the life of my mother.  She truly did have a very difficult life, and of course, as a young child and even as a young adult, I had no idea what that meant.  I didn't take the time or have enough room in my heart (because of my own pain and sadness) to try to understand why she was so angry.  All I knew was that she was quick to lash out verbally at everyone who got within earshot!  Including the mailman, the waitress at the local diner, the dog, the neighbors, and even people on the TV that annoyed her.  But it was particularly painful that she seemed to feel that she needed to "protect" herself from my brother and me. 

One day, as she was recounting to me all of the "wrongs" that she had suffered at hands one of her few remaining friends, she said, "I've learned that I have to hurt the other person before they hurt me."  That broke my heart, especially when I realized that she was applying that same "rule" to me.  I told her, "But mom, I'm your daughter, and I'm NOT going to hurt you."  Well, apparently I HAD hurt her (of course, I was a selfish kid and had done and said many things to hurt her!) and she had held on to every little offense for so many years, that she simply did not know any other way to respond to her pain.  So I heard the mean-spirited words, my children heard the cruel remarks, and eventually it destroyed relationships.  But that is history . . . . .

I am sad that my mother lived so much of her life with such pain and anger.  But I eventually had to acknowledge that there were reasons that it happened.  And I also had to understand that, if I didn't want to go down that same destructive pathway, I would have to learn from her sadness and make a different choice.  Since I'm kind of a boring, no-drama kind of person    ;o)   I absolutely avoid situations that make me frustrated, angry, and negative . . . . . whenever possible!  But when those circumstances cannot be prevented, I have learned that there is only one way to have peace in my heart.  So, even in the midst of uncertainty and difficulties, I'm really trying to focus on the positives in my life, and be thankful for what I HAVE and not dwell on what I DON'T have. 

Life will never be perfect, but when we take a minute to count our blessings we will discover that the beauty of today far outshines all of the sadness we see all around.  Some days that is much more difficult than others, but I think it is good to practice being thankful . . . . then when it is really hard to find that place of peace, at least we will have memories of all of our treasures and blessings.  It's a step in the right direction!

Please visit KariJo at In Love W.I.T.H. Jesus today to find the links to all the other IOW participants this week . . . . . and have a great Tuesday, counting your blessings!

 

Searching for my muse

Since I haven't been blogging regularly, I know that most of my readers have wandered off in different directions, looking for bloggers who are faithful instead of the fickleness of my most recent schedule. But life happens to all of us, and time moves us all along new pathways.  But now that I'm working this little online creative venture as my full-time job (well, besides the kids, hubby, home, and my health), I am looking forward to getting busy with new designs and creations.  So I'm wandering around myself, searching for some direction. 

I'm actually looking for my creative muse to help me get focused on the task ahead.  I have a few baby quilts to make for new grandbabies, so that's a start.  But after that I'm wondering if I should begin a few new children's designs for eBook patterns; or perhaps something for mom to make for herself; and with the holidays coming up, maybe I will create a couple of quick and simple craft projects and write tutorials to post on my blog to get me back in the loop.  But then there are all of the vintage embellishment projects that I've got swirling around in my brain . . . . . I just have to make a list and get started, one project at a time. 

So, I'm going to post this at the top of my blog for a couple of weeks, just to get me motivated, and if anyone has any suggestions for me, I would love to hear from you.  Maybe I should do one of those fun give-aways to give you a reason to stop by . . . . hmmmmmmm . ... . let me know what you think, 'cuz I'm getting busy on this right now!

Seven-Year Journey

Many of you have followed our journey to China and back over the past several years.  There are moments when it is good to look back and remember where we have been and how far we have come on this amazing pathway.  Life is often a mystery; it is frequently a surprise; and even when it is difficult, we can discover joy in the midst of the unknown.  And so as we celebrate Annie's 7th birthday, I am reminded of the beginning of this journey, and I am again overwhelmed with God's grace and guidance all along the way.

Here is our beautiful, strong-willed, stubborn, determined, and sweet-spirited AnnaMei.  When I first "met" Annie through her picture and online introduction, she was just 18 months old.  The little bit of information that was available told me that she had Cerebral Palsy (or as some files translated it, "brain problems"), that she could not walk, roll-over, crawl, or hold her own cup.  We were also told that her file had been sent out to three different adoption agencies, and since no one had expressed interest in adopting her, the file would soon be returned to China where it would be sent back to her orphanage, and would no longer be sent out to other agencies.  She would spend the rest of her life in her orphanage in Shang Rao City, Jiangxi Province, P.R. China.  That was the end of the story. 

But it seemed that every detail just fell into place, as we contacted the agency, expedited her file to take to our pediatrician, and had 48 hours to make a decision and send in our Letter of Intent.  Not a lot of time to think, but we got all of the information, limited as it was, to our pediatrician who told us that her best guess from the records was that whatever was actually the "problem" could be handled.  She was very encouraging, and told us that it didn't sound like there was an insurmountable obstacle in front of us if we decided to bring this baby home.  Well . . . . without any money at that particular minute in time, we also were blessed to work with an agency that was willing to work with us on a "pay as you go" kind of arrangement.  And that was the beginning of this journey for our family.  But Annie had already been waiting for us to show up for a year and a half.  It only took us another 9 months to arrive in China and bring her home to our family.

The very long story includes moments of complete mystery, questions with no human answers, and gifts from total strangers who wanted to help us bring this baby home.  And when we finally actually "met" her for the first time, she was in exactly the condition that had been described to us:  she was very ill with an upper respiratory infection (that was just months before we heard about the outbreak of SARS) that I picked up from her and was very ill throughout most of our two weeks in China.  She could not walk, roll-over, crawl or sit up without propping herself up with her right arm.  Her left side was completely atrophied, and she had no upper body strength.  They told us at the orphanage that they were so glad that we were bringing her home, because they were afraid that she would not have made it through another winter. 

But here we are, today, celebrating her 7th birthday and she is the most loving, delightful, cuddly, and sweet little girl . . . .  until she makes up her mind to do something, and then look out!  She is stubborn, determined, and strong-willed and when she sets out to accomplish something, she will not be deterred!  But that is one lesson that she is learning about life:  sometimes she has to accept the boundaries and limitations that are part of the real world.  I am so grateful for her strong spirit - especially when we are working on learning to read or working on addition.  She just won't give up until she gets it!  There are moments, however, when that headstrong spirit requires a significant amount of patience on my part, sometimes just to keep her safe.  So I know that my work is definitely cut out for me, as I face the future as the mommy to one determined little girl, who will need all of that stubbornness to be successful in a world that doesn't slow down for anyone.  She's gotta learn to keep up, and I just pray that I can be there to cheer her on all the way to the finish line.  Happy Birthday, our little Annie Bug!!!

In times like these . . . .

“Peace I leave with you;
My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be troubled,
nor let it be fearful.”

John 14:27 NASB

 

I try not to listen to the news very much.  But it is kind of hard to escape the constant drum beat of confusion and chaos that seems to be surrounding us everywhere we go. Actually, I do like to know what is going on in the world and not just hide my head and pretend that everything is rosey when it actually isn't.  That's one way to be really surprised when reality finally catches up with you!  But, I try not to focus on the competing voices, trying to convince me that "this is a crisis," or frighten me with talk of disaster.  I will admit, though, that trying to focus on the positive, peaceful aspects of life can be difficult on most days, and especially during a time of economic struggle, political turmoil, and national confusion.

So, it is always good to be reminded that true peace only comes from our Heavenly Father through the grace that He has blessed us with in the Person of His Son, the Lord Jesus.  It is easy to be afraid, and it is natural to be concerned about our family in the face of a world-wide epidemic of the H1N1 flu virus. And it is normal to experience some anxiety over the financial circumstances that many of us are facing.  But I continue to try to stay focused on the positive, and not allow myself to slide into the "slough of despond" as John Bunyan warns us through the journey of Pilgrim.  We are all susceptible of slipping off the edge of that cliff!

Today I am finally able to sit down and actually update my blog.  It has  been over a month since I've had the time, energy, or interest.  That is because I allowed myself to become bogged down and frustrated after a year and a half of trying to be "Wonder Woman."  Again.  You would think that I would have figured this out by now . . . . after all, I'm not exactly a "spring chicken."  ;o)  I've been a mom for a long time - my oldest daughter is now 36 years old, and my youngest daughter just turned 7 years old last Friday.  But I am right where I want to be . . . . now. 

I don't know how you do it, all of you moms who are able to have a career outside of your home, and still handle everything that comes along with taking care of a family.  I just can't do it . . . . I've tried . . . . and failed miserably.  All of my adult life, my home and family have been the focus of my heart and mind.  I love being the traditional, stay-at-home mom.  But for the past year and a half I have had to hold a JOB outside of my home, and to put it mildly . . . .well, I'm a GREAT worker, but not such a great employee.  What I mean by that is to say that I always arrived for work on time (sometimes even early!) and did the work that was expected of me.  I worked diligently to learn the skills necessary to do my job well, and I got along famously with my co-workers.  I liked my boss, I organized drawers and cupboards, cleaned up around the office and was completely honest and trustworthy.  But I hated being there!

Not because it was a bad place to be, but because I just really wanted to BE HOME, doing all of the things that needed my attention.  And as the days, weeks, and months went by, I became so discouraged that I could barely function.  Well, now that I no longer have a JOB (because the bank branch was closed) - I am WORKING every day on the "stuff" that needs to be taken care of, and I am SO MUCH happier!  My kiddos and hubby are happy, too, because mom isn't running out the door every morning, no matter what they need.  I'm home where I belong, where I love to be, and actually working harder than I did in that office! 

So, all of that is to say that I have struggled a great deal over the past year with finding peace.  Even though I know in my head the answer, it was very difficult to get past the discouragement to find that place of peace.  I tried, I really did, but I just don't do well when I am away from home for long periods of time.  I guess I just need to remember that God knows each one of us intimately, and He knows what we need, and what will bring us joy.  I am grateful that I am now able to stay home, and have time for the things in life that are important to me.  Things like participating in our weekly IOW project!  I'm glad to be back, and I truly appreciate the reminder that I will never find peace in the things of the world, but only in the safety and security of my relationship with my Lord. 

Please stop by and visit Patricia at "Typing One-Handed" today to find links to all of the other IOW posts this week. 

Who I am because of Him

“What makes authentic disciples is not visions, ecstasies, biblical mastery of chapter and verse, or spectacular success in the ministry, but a capacity for faithfulness.”

Brennan Manning, Ragamuffin Gospel     Sometimes it is in the smallest ways.  We are not always called to conquer the highest mountain or achieve the greatest success that the world might offer.  Frequently in our lives we are called to be faithful in quiet, hidden ways, in places no one else ever sees.  And it is rarely easy to keep going, to keep moving forward, to keep our eyes and hearts focused on the goal that has been set before us.  Climbing *our* mountain, whatever that might be, requires an endurance that we are sure we just do not have.  Through the weariness and exhaustion, we musr carry on.  I have found that it is in the determination and commitment to the task at hand that we will find the strength that God provides in our most fragile moments.  If we can make that decision, if we can set that goal before us no matter how difficult or painful it appears, there is God's grace that will enable us to continue on our journey of faithfulness.   Will we falter, fail, stumble, and fall?  Of course we will.  But it is not about *me* or *you* but about His strength in the midst of our weakness.  All that is required of us is a commitment to be faithful to what God has called us to do, and to remain faithful to who we are through His grace.  This is particularly personal for me as a mom.  Our commitment to the role and responsibilities of motherhood continue throughout our lives, no matter the ages of our children.  And even when our children do not understand, or they do not recognize all that they mean to us, there is that place in our heart that will never let go.  We remain faithful to our calling as a mother.  Even during the days when we perhaps struggle with *why* our children have turned away and have taken a journey that we do not understand, even in the midst of our pain and heartache, we remain faithful to who we are as mothers.   So, wherever we are in life, let us continue to do what is necessary to fulfill our calling in life.  For me, I will continue to do what a mother would do, no matter the response.  Because it is not in the response that I am found faithful.  It is in doing what I know is the right thing for me to do, and in my determination to be who I am supposed to be.  And what is interesting to me as I've traveled my own journey to faithfulness, is that I have found that the commitment to do what is right for *me* , no matter what anyone else does or says, has opened my heart to God's grace and blessing, and the strength that only He can give, to find joy in spite of the unanswered questions.  What a place of peace, when we offer Him our faithful obedience, and let Him take care of the results.  Such a seemingly simple task, but so difficult when your heart is breaking.    Please visit Tami today where you will find links to the other women who are participating with In Other Words this week.  Have a blessed Tuesday and a joy-filled week!  

Who Wrote the Last Chapter?

"The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases. All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs his heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” 

 

~ Proverbs 21: 1-3

So many voices all around us, calling us to listen to this and pay attention to that . . . . there is just so much to learn and understand about life.  And when I start to wonder what is happening in my world, and get overwhelmed with all of the chaos and confusion, I remind myself of Who is really in charge of our world.  If we had to depend on any human being to provide all that we need, always to make decisions that were "perfect," and to keep us safe, life would, indeed, be a frightening experience. 

 But I know that, whatever one believes about all of the turmoil that is gripping our country today, that our shelter is in our God.  He is the one who is our Protector, our Redeemer, and our Guide through every difficult moment of our lives.  In the midst of all of the voices that are calling to us today, we must remember that the last chapter of history has not been revealed yet.  It has been written, for sure, but we have not read it . . . . but we can be confident that it has been written by One who knows and cares about our every concern, and He alone can protect us in our darkest moments of fear and struggle.  I am confident that He will provide exactly what each of us needs, no matter our circumstances.  He is in control of EVERY heart, including those who hold temporal power over our lives.  I know Who is REALLY making all of the decisions!

Proverbs 21:1-3

Get out your matches and let's go!

“Success isn’t a result of spontaneous combustion.
You must set yourself on fire.”  

~~ by Arnold Glasgow ~~

 

Most of us would like to be successful.  But we probably all have different aspirations and thus, different ideas of what "success" would look like.  We have the notions of "success" hurled in our direction daily through the media:  tabloids, glitzy glamour magazines, billboards, television, radio, and the internet.  "Make more money!", "Lose more weight!", "Buy the latest fashions!", or "Be the star of your own reality show!" all give us ideas about what we need to do to be successful.  Seems to me that all of this just wears us out, because most of us will never fit that definition of "success." 

    So, it's no wonder we need to be pro-active with all of this "success" stuff; we're so exhausted from trying to sort out all of the voices screaming at us, that there will never be "spontaneous combustion" in our lives, for this or any other goal we might want to achieve.  My mama always used to tell me when I was a little girl:  "First you work, and THEN you play!"  And she meant business   ;o)  You know, the kind of mama who believed that if your behind had landed on a chair (or any other horizontal surface) before the task at hand was accomplished . . . . . well, here's your sign!  Get your little behind off the couch and finish the job.

One of her other favorite sayings (really, I WAS a kid once upon a time!) has stuck with me over the years, and I have realized how significant this is in daily life:  "Do what you're told, when you're told, the way you were told!"  Now that might seem a bit authoritarian and oppressive, but think about it.  That is LIFE!  There's a reason we have speed limit signs, and employment requirements, and school rules.  It's because they make life so much more pleasant for everyone.  That way we don't need to wonder every time we drive through a green light if we're going to get smashed by a semi going through the intersection.  Now, of course, that does happen, but when it does it is never a good thing, and it just proves the point. 

That's what parents are for; teaching our children how to "set themselves on fire" when that is necessary for success, as well as teaching them self-control when that is what is called for.  But when we become adults; when we are the parents, we need to be able to "set ourselves on fire" to accomplish whatever it is that God has set before us for this day, for this week, and for this lifetime.  We all know the classic definition of insanity:  doing the same thing over and over and expecting to get different results.  Waiting for "spontaneous combustion" to ignite underneath my behind while sitting on the couch eating chips and drinking cola will be a LONG wait.  Just isn't going to happen.

Got something to do?  Get out your matches and get started!  Today is the first day of your commitment to "setting yourself on fire" in your life and in your walk with the Lord.  Let's go! 

 

Please visit Karen at In L.O.V.E. with Jesus to find links to the other women's blogs who are participating this week with In Other Words. 

~by Arnold H. Glasow