Who Am I
I have these moments in life where I ask myself...who are you? I perceive myself as an introvert who wishes to avoid challenge and new experiences. And yet, I look at my life and realize... these are not the actions of one who avoids challenges. I'm taking on new challenges, pushing myself to limits, and exploring the world that is outside of my comfort zone. I'm doing new things at 34 that I never would have thought of doing in my 20's. So again I ask the question, who are you and what have you do with.....me?
Weighing In
Now that I'm healthy again...almost...it's time to get get back into shape.
Even now I am formulating excuses as to my lack of discipline and many of them are good, but none of them help me to do what I need to do now. I figure if I put it out here, I'll follow through with my plans. I'm very much about how I am seen. I try not to play into this very often, but I think it might help me accomplish what I'm trying to do. So, here we go. Back to the treadmill.
Even now I am formulating excuses as to my lack of discipline and many of them are good, but none of them help me to do what I need to do now. I figure if I put it out here, I'll follow through with my plans. I'm very much about how I am seen. I try not to play into this very often, but I think it might help me accomplish what I'm trying to do. So, here we go. Back to the treadmill.
To Those Mothers
To those mothers who have screaming children today
To those mothers who cried of sheer exhaustion
To those mothers who didn't get a shower today
To those mothers who can't remember her social security number let alone her birthdate
To those mothers who nursed a fussy baby today
To those mothers who ate her childrens lunch leftovers
To those mothers who watched yet another episode of the Wiggles today
To those mothers who know every word of every Dora song
To those mothers who carried a child within her womb today
To those mothers who carried a child in her arms
To those mothers who worried about her child today
To those mothers who worry everyday
To those mothers who celebrated a child's milestone today
To those mothers who celebrated a naptime
To those mothers who I stand shoulder to shoulder with....we are changing the world.
I found this picture today, and I remember thinking "When will the insanity be over?"
It isn't over yet, but time is passing too fast now. I used to call my mother during those stressed moments and she would always answer "This too shall pass." She was right. But secretly, sometimes I wish for those days.
What is the World Should We Do?
As my hubby and I change our perspective from protecting our kids from the world to educating them about what our role as followers of Christ are in this world we find ourselves doing things slightly different. The other day we went to a gym to watch our 9 year old play basketball. Afterward we made a pit stop at the locker rooms to use the porcelain seats (it was my husbands suggestion). Now if anyone knows kids you know that girls, in particular, will use any excuse to check out a new restroom. My daughter is no different. HOWEVER, anyone who has been in a locker room knows not everyone adheres to the same dress code or code of modesty that I do. So my little lady was exposed to some very mature anatomy that I had hoped to postpone. I laugh now as I envision my self trying to keep from covering her eyes, scream with disapproval, and hurry us both out of there as fast as possible. It must have been a sight. However in true form, we tried to walk out with some normalcy and decorum, that is until the sweet girl dropped her toys on the ground. The decorum was lost, I screamed at her to hurry up and pick up her toys, and pushed her out of the bathroom. As we emerged I shot my wonderful hubby a look of sheer anger. Of course he was confused as I scooted us all up the stairs and out of the door. I blamed him for the ordeal (it was his suggestion after all) and tried to get to our vehicle as fast as possible. I was halfway there when I heard a small voice from within say, "Time to educate her about her world and her role."
"GOD! You don't play fair!"
I slowed down and let my little girl catch up with me. Her head was down and she was very quiet.
"Are you okay?" my tone had changed to the more loving and caring voice I prefer to hear from myself.
"Yeah." she muttered quietly.
"Are you embarrassed by what you saw?" I asked her with a giggle.
"Yeah." she giggled back to me. "Why wasn't she wearing any clothes? Didn't she know we all could see her?"
As we continued to the car I explained to her that everyone has a different level of modesty, and some don't feel there is anything wrong with people seeing their bodies. I let her know I was a little embarrassed as well, but that no one had done anything wrong, it was just our reaction to a new experience. She asked a couple more questions and finished with "Can we go eat now?" and I knew we were done.
I so wanted to protect her from that...or at least delay it a little longer. But I realize, she had that experience with me and we were able to talk about it, laugh about it, and grow as mother and daughter. I can tell this is going to be a fun adventure, but it will require me to look at my world with different eyes.
"GOD! You don't play fair!"
I slowed down and let my little girl catch up with me. Her head was down and she was very quiet.
"Are you okay?" my tone had changed to the more loving and caring voice I prefer to hear from myself.
"Yeah." she muttered quietly.
"Are you embarrassed by what you saw?" I asked her with a giggle.
"Yeah." she giggled back to me. "Why wasn't she wearing any clothes? Didn't she know we all could see her?"
As we continued to the car I explained to her that everyone has a different level of modesty, and some don't feel there is anything wrong with people seeing their bodies. I let her know I was a little embarrassed as well, but that no one had done anything wrong, it was just our reaction to a new experience. She asked a couple more questions and finished with "Can we go eat now?" and I knew we were done.
I so wanted to protect her from that...or at least delay it a little longer. But I realize, she had that experience with me and we were able to talk about it, laugh about it, and grow as mother and daughter. I can tell this is going to be a fun adventure, but it will require me to look at my world with different eyes.
**I don't look down on anyone who shares this woman's modesty level or judge in any way. But when you and your kids see a naked body together for the first time you'll understand what I must have gone through that morning.**
Protecting
Did you know that there is only one reference to protection in the Bible. Strong's concordance finds only one scripture on protection. But there are lots of verses on teaching, instructing, and passing faith down to them. Just an interesting fact I'm finding. I've always believed that it's my job to protect them from the world. The older they grow it becomes nearly impossible to do this. But as I seek God's face regarding my mothering, I find that maybe my job is not to protect, but to instruct, teach, and pass faith. This job is still difficult, but I can do it, with God's help, I can do it.
Is It Scriptural To Protect Your Children?
Okay so I've been having discussions with those closest to me about a highly important aspect of my life. Is it biblical or scriptural to protect your children from the world. I'm going to be searching the Word to find my answer but if anyone has any opinions on this topic I would greatly appreciate it.
I'm finding lots of information on how to train the children, how to pass my faith down to them, but where is the Scripture about protecting them?
Just more thoughts from the curious mind of Angie.
I'm finding lots of information on how to train the children, how to pass my faith down to them, but where is the Scripture about protecting them?
Just more thoughts from the curious mind of Angie.
To Light or Not To Light
Matthew 5:14 - 16
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (NLT)
What I would like to know is this: What am I doing right now to put my light under a basket? What am I doing to place my lamp on a stand where it gives light to everyone in the house? How am I letting my good deeds shine for all to see, so that everyone will praise My heavenly Father? The sad truth is: my light is under a basket right now? I prefer to keep it there. It is safe and secure. I know where to find it. I know it won't be blown out if it is under a basket. No one can touch it. No one can criticize it. No one can comment on whether it is an effective light or not. But the reality of that truth is that the longer you keep a light under a basket the more you increase the risk of it suffocating and going out. Your light will extinguish for lack of air. My family is my light. God has asked us to move our family out of a comfortable, Christian environment into a more public venue. God has asked us to put ourselves in places where we will encounter more unchurched people than churched people. I would prefer to stay in the safety of my comfort zone. However, isn't that putting my light under a basket? If God has asked me to move out in faith and I choose to disobey, I am sinning.
It's easy to do good deeds for those who share your faith but what does it prove about how powerful God is if I choose to do those same good deeds for those who will not understand what I do?
It's easy to do good deeds for those who share your faith but what does it prove about how powerful God is if I choose to do those same good deeds for those who will not understand what I do?
Religious No More...Relevance Please
I've been a Christian for most of my life. I gave my heart to Jesus when I was 6 years old. I think it was a serious decision, because my whole life I have pursued the Godly life. It has not bee a popular life I have led, nor has it been the easy life, but I do have to say that I have had a blessed life. It's a life full of mistakes and failures, but it has also been a life full of love and blessings.
I find myself again searching for the Godly path. Being a Christian these days seems to be a bit confusing to me and I have begun asking some questions that I am sure will again put me on the wrong side of the line; but I really think these questions need to be asked of us as followers of God.
Am I relevant in my world today? The word relevant means having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand...what are the matters at hand in my life?
The past year has been full of the people I love making imperfect decisions, being imperfect people, and doing imperfect things. It has been full of news of illness, pain, and parasites (I HAVE to laugh about that). This year I have realized that life will not go how I planned it to go no matter what I try to do to control it. So what is the matter at hand in my life? How will we respond when life doesn't go the way we planned it to go? Following my rules, adhering to my guidelines, shutting out those who are imperfect, and reasoning that those who suffer do so because of their sin, doesn't seem to be relevant. It has no significant or demonstrable bearing on the matters at hand. This isn't the way Jesus lived His life.
I set out to find out how my Christianity would change if I took it outside of the neatly arranged box I had it in with this blog. It has taken me a year and a half to work up the nerve to pull God out of the box. What follows in the next few posts will make no sense to the religious, but I hope it makes the religious think about how they limit God. I, personally, am ready to explore the God of the Bible; the maker of heaven and earth, the God who parted the Red Sea, the God who made the earth stand still while Joshua fought Israelite enemies, the God who consumed Elijah's drenched offering by fire, the God who would send his only son to suffer and die on the cross for my sin, the God who would raise him from the dead, the God who wants to have a personal relationship with me and you, the God who would never impose on my free will to make that choice. I want to be a follower of THAT God.
I find myself again searching for the Godly path. Being a Christian these days seems to be a bit confusing to me and I have begun asking some questions that I am sure will again put me on the wrong side of the line; but I really think these questions need to be asked of us as followers of God.
Am I relevant in my world today? The word relevant means having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand...what are the matters at hand in my life?
The past year has been full of the people I love making imperfect decisions, being imperfect people, and doing imperfect things. It has been full of news of illness, pain, and parasites (I HAVE to laugh about that). This year I have realized that life will not go how I planned it to go no matter what I try to do to control it. So what is the matter at hand in my life? How will we respond when life doesn't go the way we planned it to go? Following my rules, adhering to my guidelines, shutting out those who are imperfect, and reasoning that those who suffer do so because of their sin, doesn't seem to be relevant. It has no significant or demonstrable bearing on the matters at hand. This isn't the way Jesus lived His life.
I set out to find out how my Christianity would change if I took it outside of the neatly arranged box I had it in with this blog. It has taken me a year and a half to work up the nerve to pull God out of the box. What follows in the next few posts will make no sense to the religious, but I hope it makes the religious think about how they limit God. I, personally, am ready to explore the God of the Bible; the maker of heaven and earth, the God who parted the Red Sea, the God who made the earth stand still while Joshua fought Israelite enemies, the God who consumed Elijah's drenched offering by fire, the God who would send his only son to suffer and die on the cross for my sin, the God who would raise him from the dead, the God who wants to have a personal relationship with me and you, the God who would never impose on my free will to make that choice. I want to be a follower of THAT God.