This morning as I was reflecting over some things I had recently read, I was reminded of something. Someone once told me that feelings are just feelings. They're just...feelings! Too often, I let my feelings dictate my actions. And as I was recalling that piece of information this morning, I thought of something else...feelings are also deceptive. Too often I may FEEL overwhelmed. I may FEEL exhausted. I may FEEL lonely or sad or even angry. But those feelings are NOT an indication of who I am...especially of who I am in Jesus Christ. As I prayed this morning, I asked the Lord to remind me of who I am in Him. And that is what I hope you will do today, as well.
Please be encouraged. We are not products of our feelings. Feelings ARE just feelings. And they only have as much power in our lives as we give them. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy and he loves to use our feelings as our biggest weapons. Today, I pray you will defeat the enemy at his own game. Remind him of who you are and Whose you are.
As we celebrate Easter this week, I am overwhelmed by the thought of where I would be and who I would be had it not been for the Cross. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we have full access to the King of Kings. On this day, feelings aside, my heart shouts, "Hallelujah!" Jesus knows our names and He knows our hearts. For we are His and He is ours...bought with the precious blood of Christ.
Today I pray you will turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full into His wonderful face. And know that you are His. Happy Monday!
Linds
Monday, April 14, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
To My Oldest Child...
My Dearest Wade,
You just turned 9-years-old. That is hard for me to believe as it feels like just yesterday I spent the night before you were born in prayer. That's right, I spent the entire night praying for lots of things. At first my prayer consisted of requests that would help me be a good mommy...you are our first-born and you can imagine how scared I was at being responsible for you being so little and precious. But as my prayer continued through the night, I started asking the Lord right then and there to do something special in your life...to choose you, to use you, to love you, and the list went on and on. I wish I could remember my entire prayer conversation with the Lord that night so that you can see how faithful He's been to you throughout your nine years of life, but that moment was for me and the Lord...just the two of us to share. He heard every word I prayed that night. I know He did because I believe God hears our prayers. You've seen recently at just how God does, in fact, hear when we pray to Him.
We've been talking to you a long time about living your life for Jesus. We've been praying about it for a while, too. You've asked us to pray for you, because you told us you wanted to be ready when you made that commitment to follow Jesus with your life. Well, just a few weeks ago, on February 5, you informed your dad and me you had finally told the Lord you wanted to live your life for His Son. Wade, I know we've talked a lot already about this huge decision. You know how proud we are, but I wanted to take the time to let you know in this letter just how significant that decision was/is.
You will make a lot of decisions in your life. And you will need God's instruction on all of them. There will be many important things to decide like making good grades, going on to college, marrying someone who loves Jesus and loves you, choosing where to live and how many kids to have, choosing a career and how to raise your children in a Godly manner. All of those things will be important and will matter in life. But nothing...absolutely nothing will come close to the importance of living your life for Jesus. It is the only decision that has true eternal significance and it will serve as the foundation for all other decisions you make from this point on. It's hard to understand now...it's hard for grown-ups to understand, much less try to explain...but you hearing God's voice tell you to live your life for His Son was/is the most important thing that has ever happened and will ever happen to you. Do you hear me? The most important.
You know Satan hates that you've made this decision. And he has already tried to make you do things that go against the nature of God. I understand how frustrating this is, but try to see these attacks by the enemy as evidence that Christ does, in fact, reside in your heart. A piece of Heaven, a chunk of eternity, the Holy Spirit Himself lives inside of you. There is no greater miracle! The devil will do his best to steal you back as one of his. It will be a constant battle until you are Home in Heaven with Jesus. And you can always count on your mother to storm the gates of Hell on your behalf so that the enemy will know he can't have you and he will have to deal with me as long as he tries. You can count on that, my Wade, until Jesus calls me Home.
But you are a major part of this equation...your responsibility as a child of God is huge. You must know that you represent Jesus now. He is your Savior. He lives in your heart. And you have chosen to use His name as the way you identify who you are. Wade Andrew Crawford, child of the King of Kings, an ambassador for Jesus Christ, a chosen servant of God to bring others to His Son, to be a fisherman of people. There is no higher calling. There will be nothing you do on this planet that will mean more. That is why that right now, at nine-years-old, you seek Christ with everything you have. You talk to Him all of the time. You read His Word all of the time. You tell Him everything...when you mess up, when you're angry, when you're hurting, when you're thankful...and Wade, tell Him you love Him. Tell Him you love Him as often times as you think about it. Because even though I love you so much, it physically hurts...Jesus loves you more. I know!! Crazy, right?!! But He does. He loves you so much that He died for you. And now that you understand the significance of that, go and tell the world, unashamed, of how Jesus has changed your life.
I love you. You are a treasure in my heart. Remember what your daddy and I say...always do the right thing. And remember Who you belong to.
Love,
Mom
You just turned 9-years-old. That is hard for me to believe as it feels like just yesterday I spent the night before you were born in prayer. That's right, I spent the entire night praying for lots of things. At first my prayer consisted of requests that would help me be a good mommy...you are our first-born and you can imagine how scared I was at being responsible for you being so little and precious. But as my prayer continued through the night, I started asking the Lord right then and there to do something special in your life...to choose you, to use you, to love you, and the list went on and on. I wish I could remember my entire prayer conversation with the Lord that night so that you can see how faithful He's been to you throughout your nine years of life, but that moment was for me and the Lord...just the two of us to share. He heard every word I prayed that night. I know He did because I believe God hears our prayers. You've seen recently at just how God does, in fact, hear when we pray to Him.
We've been talking to you a long time about living your life for Jesus. We've been praying about it for a while, too. You've asked us to pray for you, because you told us you wanted to be ready when you made that commitment to follow Jesus with your life. Well, just a few weeks ago, on February 5, you informed your dad and me you had finally told the Lord you wanted to live your life for His Son. Wade, I know we've talked a lot already about this huge decision. You know how proud we are, but I wanted to take the time to let you know in this letter just how significant that decision was/is.
You will make a lot of decisions in your life. And you will need God's instruction on all of them. There will be many important things to decide like making good grades, going on to college, marrying someone who loves Jesus and loves you, choosing where to live and how many kids to have, choosing a career and how to raise your children in a Godly manner. All of those things will be important and will matter in life. But nothing...absolutely nothing will come close to the importance of living your life for Jesus. It is the only decision that has true eternal significance and it will serve as the foundation for all other decisions you make from this point on. It's hard to understand now...it's hard for grown-ups to understand, much less try to explain...but you hearing God's voice tell you to live your life for His Son was/is the most important thing that has ever happened and will ever happen to you. Do you hear me? The most important.
You know Satan hates that you've made this decision. And he has already tried to make you do things that go against the nature of God. I understand how frustrating this is, but try to see these attacks by the enemy as evidence that Christ does, in fact, reside in your heart. A piece of Heaven, a chunk of eternity, the Holy Spirit Himself lives inside of you. There is no greater miracle! The devil will do his best to steal you back as one of his. It will be a constant battle until you are Home in Heaven with Jesus. And you can always count on your mother to storm the gates of Hell on your behalf so that the enemy will know he can't have you and he will have to deal with me as long as he tries. You can count on that, my Wade, until Jesus calls me Home.
But you are a major part of this equation...your responsibility as a child of God is huge. You must know that you represent Jesus now. He is your Savior. He lives in your heart. And you have chosen to use His name as the way you identify who you are. Wade Andrew Crawford, child of the King of Kings, an ambassador for Jesus Christ, a chosen servant of God to bring others to His Son, to be a fisherman of people. There is no higher calling. There will be nothing you do on this planet that will mean more. That is why that right now, at nine-years-old, you seek Christ with everything you have. You talk to Him all of the time. You read His Word all of the time. You tell Him everything...when you mess up, when you're angry, when you're hurting, when you're thankful...and Wade, tell Him you love Him. Tell Him you love Him as often times as you think about it. Because even though I love you so much, it physically hurts...Jesus loves you more. I know!! Crazy, right?!! But He does. He loves you so much that He died for you. And now that you understand the significance of that, go and tell the world, unashamed, of how Jesus has changed your life.
I love you. You are a treasure in my heart. Remember what your daddy and I say...always do the right thing. And remember Who you belong to.
Love,
Mom
Monday, January 6, 2014
Miracles Still Happen
I often find myself falling into quite a cynical state of mind. Depending on life's circumstances, I tend to see the glass half empty instead of half full. It's hard to explain, but negativity and the tendency to vent over something justifiable or not energizes me. I find myself regularly thinking about days gone by and wondering at one point did I lose my softness. The truth is...I used to be much sweeter than this.
A new year brings such a feeling of refreshment for me. There is nothing quite as gratifying as getting to hit the reset button on life with the onset of a new year. Living in a modern world being thrown into a face-paced culture with something technologically new right around every corner brings with it a state of blindness...not necessarily ignorance but a tendency to miss something right before my very eyes. Couple that with a near constant state of cynicism, and I have myself a fine recipe for disaster.
As I reflect over 2013, my heart feels a mixture of emotions. This past year has brought with it an odd mix of stress, joy, anxiety, pride, sadness, exhilaration, fear, peace, and regret. I'm thankful that the God I so strongly believe in sees beyond my human-ness and helps me dig down to a deeper part within myself. He has helped me recognize something that I may have missed before now.
Miracles still happen.
Sure, I could wallow around in negativity and justifiably so. But for this new year, 2014, I have asked the Lord to take me to a deeper place with Him, a new place in our relationship where if He sees fit, will grant me the ability...
to see things the ways He sees them,
to see people the way He sees them,
and to live the way He would have me to live.
With that comes the privilege of seeing miracles happen in a modern day world. Today, I am giving God praise for the miracles that took place in 2013...
1. Our family witnessed many men and women's lives changed for the Kingdom of Christ during the 2013 Fishers of Men season. The 2014 season kicks off in just one month!
2. Our Faith Family became closer to the Lord and one another through 12 incredible mission trips completed locally and in other parts of the state. With that came one of the most memorable moments every experienced in my almost 36 years of life...
3. We saw countless women walk out of a gentleman's club in New Orleans with Bibles in hand and smiles on their faces as they experienced the presence of Christ right there in one of the darkest, most evil places in Louisiana.
4. Our family survived a house fire in October. No one was harmed and no item damaged. While our life became very inconvenient, the miracle that took place was evident but almost missed completely...our God is alive and He still places His hands of protection on our lives everyday.
5. And just yesterday in our small group at church...we each went around the room explaining what we'd like to see God do in our lives over the next year, but the miracle was this...instead of patting ourselves on the back for all the many things God accomplished through us over the past year, we each expressed regret for not doing more. Hearts were filled with conviction that what had been done was not enough, and we each prayed aloud asking God to help us do MORE for the cause of Christ.
6. My children are healthy and alive. My youngest turned 2. My middle son turned 6. And my oldest just became 9-years-old. They all have a sweetness that could only come from Heaven above. (Lord knows, it's not from me.) The miracle is getting to see the Lord reveal Himself to them each and everyday as they fall more in love with Him everyday.
7. And the biggest miracle of all...the creator of Heaven and Earth...the One who defied death...my Savior Jesus lives in my heart. A piece of Heaven resides in my very being. There is no greater miracle. And He lives inside of my husband's heart and my children's. What more could I ask?!
Oh yes! Miracles still happen.
Believe it! Ask God to open your eyes. I've missed so many blessings because of my cynical, most sinful heart. Not again. Not this year.
Father, take me to a deeper place. Take me "out of the ordinary into extraordinary. This is a heart cry from my life to say I love you, Lord. So, take me deeper!" Take me into the glorious where I die to myself and miracles happen. In Jesus' Name! MAY IT BE SO! Amen!
A new year brings such a feeling of refreshment for me. There is nothing quite as gratifying as getting to hit the reset button on life with the onset of a new year. Living in a modern world being thrown into a face-paced culture with something technologically new right around every corner brings with it a state of blindness...not necessarily ignorance but a tendency to miss something right before my very eyes. Couple that with a near constant state of cynicism, and I have myself a fine recipe for disaster.
As I reflect over 2013, my heart feels a mixture of emotions. This past year has brought with it an odd mix of stress, joy, anxiety, pride, sadness, exhilaration, fear, peace, and regret. I'm thankful that the God I so strongly believe in sees beyond my human-ness and helps me dig down to a deeper part within myself. He has helped me recognize something that I may have missed before now.
Miracles still happen.
Sure, I could wallow around in negativity and justifiably so. But for this new year, 2014, I have asked the Lord to take me to a deeper place with Him, a new place in our relationship where if He sees fit, will grant me the ability...
to see things the ways He sees them,
to see people the way He sees them,
and to live the way He would have me to live.
With that comes the privilege of seeing miracles happen in a modern day world. Today, I am giving God praise for the miracles that took place in 2013...
1. Our family witnessed many men and women's lives changed for the Kingdom of Christ during the 2013 Fishers of Men season. The 2014 season kicks off in just one month!
2. Our Faith Family became closer to the Lord and one another through 12 incredible mission trips completed locally and in other parts of the state. With that came one of the most memorable moments every experienced in my almost 36 years of life...
3. We saw countless women walk out of a gentleman's club in New Orleans with Bibles in hand and smiles on their faces as they experienced the presence of Christ right there in one of the darkest, most evil places in Louisiana.
4. Our family survived a house fire in October. No one was harmed and no item damaged. While our life became very inconvenient, the miracle that took place was evident but almost missed completely...our God is alive and He still places His hands of protection on our lives everyday.
5. And just yesterday in our small group at church...we each went around the room explaining what we'd like to see God do in our lives over the next year, but the miracle was this...instead of patting ourselves on the back for all the many things God accomplished through us over the past year, we each expressed regret for not doing more. Hearts were filled with conviction that what had been done was not enough, and we each prayed aloud asking God to help us do MORE for the cause of Christ.
6. My children are healthy and alive. My youngest turned 2. My middle son turned 6. And my oldest just became 9-years-old. They all have a sweetness that could only come from Heaven above. (Lord knows, it's not from me.) The miracle is getting to see the Lord reveal Himself to them each and everyday as they fall more in love with Him everyday.
7. And the biggest miracle of all...the creator of Heaven and Earth...the One who defied death...my Savior Jesus lives in my heart. A piece of Heaven resides in my very being. There is no greater miracle. And He lives inside of my husband's heart and my children's. What more could I ask?!
Oh yes! Miracles still happen.
Believe it! Ask God to open your eyes. I've missed so many blessings because of my cynical, most sinful heart. Not again. Not this year.
Father, take me to a deeper place. Take me "out of the ordinary into extraordinary. This is a heart cry from my life to say I love you, Lord. So, take me deeper!" Take me into the glorious where I die to myself and miracles happen. In Jesus' Name! MAY IT BE SO! Amen!
Monday, December 16, 2013
Too Busy To Listen
Y'all. This has not been my most impressive moment in the sun. Let's just say I have NOT been on my best behavior and my level of patience is at an all time low. The past couple of months have been some of the hardest months we've had to face as a family in a long time, maybe ever. And as much as I'd like to sing the praises of our Heavenly Father, I found myself struggling this morning to feel worthy of such a gesture.
Our house caught on fire on October 15. Thankfully, no one was hurt and all of our possessions were unharmed. Inconveniently, we had to move out of our home while builders and contractors put it back together. We moved back in last Thursday and it feels great to be back home. But the stress of the two moves, as you can imagine, was a bit much at times. (I know! First-world probs!) As a result, though, I found myself this morning feeling undeserving of God's love and unworthy of His presence.
That is, until I read today's post from Jesus Calling. As anyone would be, I have been acting feverishly to get our house unpacked and us settled in. I have given little to zero time with the Lord, and the task of moving in became the first and only priority within my heart. I've struggled with not "feeling" the Lord's presence, and even told my husband just last night outside of being back in our house, I feel so very disconnected from everything and everyone...including God. As I took a minute to sit down this morning, I found myself longing for Abba Father and this is what He said to me...
"I desire to talk with all of my children, but many are too busy to listen. The "work ethic" has them tied up in knots. They submit wholeheartedly to this taskmaster, wondering why they feel so distant from Me." -Jesus Calling
I am so grateful for a God who knows exactly what to speak to my heart. Outside of Scripture, the words He speaks aren't necessarily audible, but consist of moments of peace, love, joy, and hope. That is His love language to us...if we'd just take the time to listen.
Thank you, Father God, for not giving up on me and drawing me back into You. You are my Lifeline.
How about you? What's keeping you from stopping and listening?
Our house caught on fire on October 15. Thankfully, no one was hurt and all of our possessions were unharmed. Inconveniently, we had to move out of our home while builders and contractors put it back together. We moved back in last Thursday and it feels great to be back home. But the stress of the two moves, as you can imagine, was a bit much at times. (I know! First-world probs!) As a result, though, I found myself this morning feeling undeserving of God's love and unworthy of His presence.
That is, until I read today's post from Jesus Calling. As anyone would be, I have been acting feverishly to get our house unpacked and us settled in. I have given little to zero time with the Lord, and the task of moving in became the first and only priority within my heart. I've struggled with not "feeling" the Lord's presence, and even told my husband just last night outside of being back in our house, I feel so very disconnected from everything and everyone...including God. As I took a minute to sit down this morning, I found myself longing for Abba Father and this is what He said to me...
"I desire to talk with all of my children, but many are too busy to listen. The "work ethic" has them tied up in knots. They submit wholeheartedly to this taskmaster, wondering why they feel so distant from Me." -Jesus Calling
I am so grateful for a God who knows exactly what to speak to my heart. Outside of Scripture, the words He speaks aren't necessarily audible, but consist of moments of peace, love, joy, and hope. That is His love language to us...if we'd just take the time to listen.
Thank you, Father God, for not giving up on me and drawing me back into You. You are my Lifeline.
How about you? What's keeping you from stopping and listening?
Friday, October 4, 2013
When Life Looks Different
It's true. Life often doesn't turn out the way you might have thought it would. That thing you once said would never happen happens. The one thing you said you'd never do you did or you do. That thing you thought would never get better does. And the thing you thought would never hurt...well, it does and it did. For me...
I always said I'd never marry a preacher, and I didn't. But wouldn't you know? The Lord called my husband to a ministry that often requires him to preach. And although I never wanted to be a preacher's wife, my husband is an amazing speaker. The Lord has taught me much being under his preaching. I've never been more proud to be his wife (a some-what preacher's wife).
That very thing I loved to do - teaching...and that other thing I said I'd never do - stay at home...well, I did. The very moment I finished my masters in education the Lord called me to quit my job as a teacher and to spend the next seven years as a stay-at-home mom. I met the task with mixed emotions, but after a few months of adjusting I felt certain being home was where I was meant to be. The gift of those seven priceless years...years I'll never get back with my small children...were the most difficult and beautiful years of my life.
That one traumatic event that took place in my life when I was kid happened again. But this time it happened as an adult. When I was a preteen my parents split up temporarily, but by the grace of God and through miraculous spiritual healing, the Lord put our family back together. That very thing I never thought would happen again, happened. When I was 27 my parents split again, but this time it was for good. The pain was all too familiar but the coping mechanisms looked entirely different. I was not prepared for the emotional impact the void left by my dad would have on my heart, my mind, my parenting, and my role as a wife. That thing I never thought would happen that did happen brought on such heartbreak. And that heartbreak that I never thought would heal did. Through many tears and much pain, the Lord taught me how to fill voids in my life with Him - an invaluable skill many of us struggle to learn.
That thing I never thought the Lord would call me to do He did. As a child, a teenager, a college kid, and a young adult, I NEVER sensed a desire to serve God with my life. In fact, my decisions were based on what was in it for me. My life was rooted deep in selfishness and self-gratification. That is until God did something I never thought He would. After asking God to give me a holy passion while also granting me His eyes and the ability for my heart to break for what breaks His, the Lord completely spun me around into a new way of living I never could have imagined for myself. Suddenly I saw people differently. Acts of injustice impacted me. Other people's burdens became my burdens. Groups I might have once looked down my nose upon now suddenly seemed a lot like me. Their issues were my issues. Their pain was my pain. The only difference being that I had something I knew they needed...Jesus. And since that moment the journey included and does include a lot of Him, a lot less of me, and a mission-based lifestyle. When God recently called me back to work, He said no to me returning to teaching and yes to an opportunity that includes loving on people, ministering to their needs, and serving them as Christ would.
It is true. Life really doesn't turn out the way we might have once wished. But all along God knew. He knew what was best. And not just what was best for me, but what was best for His Kingdom, His people, His plan for this world. Despite the heartache and the change in plans, it has all been worth it to me. Overwhelmingly, Romans 8:28 never has resounded more in my life than it does at this very moment...
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I always said I'd never marry a preacher, and I didn't. But wouldn't you know? The Lord called my husband to a ministry that often requires him to preach. And although I never wanted to be a preacher's wife, my husband is an amazing speaker. The Lord has taught me much being under his preaching. I've never been more proud to be his wife (a some-what preacher's wife).
That very thing I loved to do - teaching...and that other thing I said I'd never do - stay at home...well, I did. The very moment I finished my masters in education the Lord called me to quit my job as a teacher and to spend the next seven years as a stay-at-home mom. I met the task with mixed emotions, but after a few months of adjusting I felt certain being home was where I was meant to be. The gift of those seven priceless years...years I'll never get back with my small children...were the most difficult and beautiful years of my life.
That one traumatic event that took place in my life when I was kid happened again. But this time it happened as an adult. When I was a preteen my parents split up temporarily, but by the grace of God and through miraculous spiritual healing, the Lord put our family back together. That very thing I never thought would happen again, happened. When I was 27 my parents split again, but this time it was for good. The pain was all too familiar but the coping mechanisms looked entirely different. I was not prepared for the emotional impact the void left by my dad would have on my heart, my mind, my parenting, and my role as a wife. That thing I never thought would happen that did happen brought on such heartbreak. And that heartbreak that I never thought would heal did. Through many tears and much pain, the Lord taught me how to fill voids in my life with Him - an invaluable skill many of us struggle to learn.
That thing I never thought the Lord would call me to do He did. As a child, a teenager, a college kid, and a young adult, I NEVER sensed a desire to serve God with my life. In fact, my decisions were based on what was in it for me. My life was rooted deep in selfishness and self-gratification. That is until God did something I never thought He would. After asking God to give me a holy passion while also granting me His eyes and the ability for my heart to break for what breaks His, the Lord completely spun me around into a new way of living I never could have imagined for myself. Suddenly I saw people differently. Acts of injustice impacted me. Other people's burdens became my burdens. Groups I might have once looked down my nose upon now suddenly seemed a lot like me. Their issues were my issues. Their pain was my pain. The only difference being that I had something I knew they needed...Jesus. And since that moment the journey included and does include a lot of Him, a lot less of me, and a mission-based lifestyle. When God recently called me back to work, He said no to me returning to teaching and yes to an opportunity that includes loving on people, ministering to their needs, and serving them as Christ would.
It is true. Life really doesn't turn out the way we might have once wished. But all along God knew. He knew what was best. And not just what was best for me, but what was best for His Kingdom, His people, His plan for this world. Despite the heartache and the change in plans, it has all been worth it to me. Overwhelmingly, Romans 8:28 never has resounded more in my life than it does at this very moment...
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Monday, September 23, 2013
The Truth About Women
So, I would like to make some general statements about the female race. I get to do this simply because I am a female. I bring some experience to the table, and because God has called me to raise a female of my own, these issues apply to me, effect me, and probably you, as well. Of course, I realize that if you are, in fact, a female, these general statements may or may not apply to you. I get that. I get that you might be the exception to the rule. With that in mind, I say...good for you. Trust me, if these things I'm about to mention don't apply to you...be relieved. Be ever-so grateful.
If you are a female, you have/you are/you will experience jealousy. No one is exempt from this potential feeling. In fact, jealousy is so prevalent among women today, that it has completely robbed us from becoming who God intended us to be from the moment our lives were spoken into existence. It has robbed us of our security and of our friendships. Because of jealousy and comparing ourselves to others, we have become something the Lord never intended us to be. We are forever in a constant state of comparison. This fact, alone, is rooted deep in jealousy, selfishness and pride. We compare homes, bodies, hair color, jobs, the way we parent, how we dress, and yes, even how involved we are in Sunday School and church. Another woman's shortcomings feel like small victories in our minds. Another woman's victories feel like setbacks in our lives. Say what you will...but you know this, for the most part, is our sick reality.
God forbid we actually be happy for each other. How crazy it is to think that we could celebrate life right alongside one another. Sure, we may do this with certain women in our lives...maybe our mothers, maybe our sisters, maybe even a close childhood friend. But we can not say this is true for all of the women we know in our lives. Technology hasn't helped. Now we have Facebook and Instagram to add to our bag of measuring sticks...
She has more friends than me on Facebook. Everybody just loves her. (eye roll)
Her kids are cuter than mine.
She dresses so cute...look how skinny she is...I bet she has an eating disorder.
Her picture has more "likes" than mine.
She has more followers than me.
Gah, she's such a good writer. I guess I would be, too, if I was a stay-at-home mom and had all day to read blogs and play on the computer.
Do you see the insanity? Go ahead, tell me I'm crazy. Try to convince me that I am the only one who struggles with this. And I will call you a straight up liar. (grin)
We know these are our issues. We're just not willing to own them. We read books on insecurity, a purpose-filled life, and becoming confident women. Women keep writing these books because women keep struggling with these issues. What if we decided to simply call a spade a spade? What if we started taking literal what God's Word says about jealousy...
For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. -James 3:15-16 (NLT)
Truth is, I'm thankful for those brave female authors who have been willing to open their hearts to the entire world, to put it out there for us to see and deal with. Perhaps their hope is the same as mine. They, too, have had enough. And they have never been more eager to see daughters of the King starting to rise up and take their place in the Kingdom of Christ.
What will it take? What can we do? Is it possible to overcome this TOGETHER? To finally decide to lock arms, to build each other up, to encourage one another in our walks with the Lord, to listen and understand our struggles, to quit comparing, and to stop the maddening jealousy? It has become like cancer. It has taken over our hearts, our souls, our lives. We have let it cripple us. And if we are not careful, it will do the same thing to our daughters. That, my friends, is the wicked beauty of sin.
Here's my heart...
I am only human. I make mistakes. I fail everyday at something. I hate the mother and the wife I am some days. I hate what jealousy, comparing, selfishness, and self-loathing is doing to my spirit. I don't want to get to the end of my life and have missed all the blessings that could have come from cherished and beloved friendships with my sisters in Christ. Enough IS enough...
God has had it with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people. So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. -1 Peter 5:5-7 (The Message)
Whew! I'm exhausted!
Linds
If you are a female, you have/you are/you will experience jealousy. No one is exempt from this potential feeling. In fact, jealousy is so prevalent among women today, that it has completely robbed us from becoming who God intended us to be from the moment our lives were spoken into existence. It has robbed us of our security and of our friendships. Because of jealousy and comparing ourselves to others, we have become something the Lord never intended us to be. We are forever in a constant state of comparison. This fact, alone, is rooted deep in jealousy, selfishness and pride. We compare homes, bodies, hair color, jobs, the way we parent, how we dress, and yes, even how involved we are in Sunday School and church. Another woman's shortcomings feel like small victories in our minds. Another woman's victories feel like setbacks in our lives. Say what you will...but you know this, for the most part, is our sick reality.
God forbid we actually be happy for each other. How crazy it is to think that we could celebrate life right alongside one another. Sure, we may do this with certain women in our lives...maybe our mothers, maybe our sisters, maybe even a close childhood friend. But we can not say this is true for all of the women we know in our lives. Technology hasn't helped. Now we have Facebook and Instagram to add to our bag of measuring sticks...
She has more friends than me on Facebook. Everybody just loves her. (eye roll)
Her kids are cuter than mine.
She dresses so cute...look how skinny she is...I bet she has an eating disorder.
Her picture has more "likes" than mine.
She has more followers than me.
Gah, she's such a good writer. I guess I would be, too, if I was a stay-at-home mom and had all day to read blogs and play on the computer.
Do you see the insanity? Go ahead, tell me I'm crazy. Try to convince me that I am the only one who struggles with this. And I will call you a straight up liar. (grin)
We know these are our issues. We're just not willing to own them. We read books on insecurity, a purpose-filled life, and becoming confident women. Women keep writing these books because women keep struggling with these issues. What if we decided to simply call a spade a spade? What if we started taking literal what God's Word says about jealousy...
For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. -James 3:15-16 (NLT)
Truth is, I'm thankful for those brave female authors who have been willing to open their hearts to the entire world, to put it out there for us to see and deal with. Perhaps their hope is the same as mine. They, too, have had enough. And they have never been more eager to see daughters of the King starting to rise up and take their place in the Kingdom of Christ.
What will it take? What can we do? Is it possible to overcome this TOGETHER? To finally decide to lock arms, to build each other up, to encourage one another in our walks with the Lord, to listen and understand our struggles, to quit comparing, and to stop the maddening jealousy? It has become like cancer. It has taken over our hearts, our souls, our lives. We have let it cripple us. And if we are not careful, it will do the same thing to our daughters. That, my friends, is the wicked beauty of sin.
Here's my heart...
I am only human. I make mistakes. I fail everyday at something. I hate the mother and the wife I am some days. I hate what jealousy, comparing, selfishness, and self-loathing is doing to my spirit. I don't want to get to the end of my life and have missed all the blessings that could have come from cherished and beloved friendships with my sisters in Christ. Enough IS enough...
God has had it with the proud, but takes delight in just plain people. So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. -1 Peter 5:5-7 (The Message)
Whew! I'm exhausted!
Linds
Monday, September 9, 2013
Unbelief = Distance
"The farther you roam along paths of unbelief, the harder it is to remember that I am with you. Anxious thoughts branch off in all directions, taking you farther and farther from awareness of My Presence." -Sarah Young in Jesus Calling
I sit here fully aware of my areas of unbelief, those parts of me not fully surrendered. I know what unbelief does to the spirit, to my soul. I've experienced, unfortunately, the consequences that result from a lack of trust. And I know I'm not the only one.
Unbelief can look like so many things. It follows after the unexpected loss of a loved one. Or an unplanned change in everyday life. For some, it seeps in slowly with no explanation and cause. But unbelief almost always accompanies distance - distance from the One who believes in you, made you and loves you.
"The farther you roam along paths of unbelief, the harder it is to remember that I am with you."
And He is always with you. But if you feel as if He's not, perhaps it is you who has wandered. Those many thoughts of unbelief have driven you farther and farther away. Now, it is time to turn around. Simply turn around and lift your eyes up. Find Him there because He is - there. And run to Jesus. Let Him receive you back, console your spirit, and remind you who you are in Him.
"For You, O Lord, are a shield around me. You are my Glory, the One who lifts up my head." -Psalm 3:3
I sit here fully aware of my areas of unbelief, those parts of me not fully surrendered. I know what unbelief does to the spirit, to my soul. I've experienced, unfortunately, the consequences that result from a lack of trust. And I know I'm not the only one.
Unbelief can look like so many things. It follows after the unexpected loss of a loved one. Or an unplanned change in everyday life. For some, it seeps in slowly with no explanation and cause. But unbelief almost always accompanies distance - distance from the One who believes in you, made you and loves you.
"The farther you roam along paths of unbelief, the harder it is to remember that I am with you."
And He is always with you. But if you feel as if He's not, perhaps it is you who has wandered. Those many thoughts of unbelief have driven you farther and farther away. Now, it is time to turn around. Simply turn around and lift your eyes up. Find Him there because He is - there. And run to Jesus. Let Him receive you back, console your spirit, and remind you who you are in Him.
"For You, O Lord, are a shield around me. You are my Glory, the One who lifts up my head." -Psalm 3:3
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