My Thoughts After Processing the Face Off Debate
I believe in God. I believe in angels and dark forces. I believe there is an enemy who wants to take me out because I am a child of God. I believe he wants to do this to get back at God. I know everyone has their ideas about what good and evil is and I have heard lots of those ideas. But for me, what it boils down to is this....God is good and if God is good, satan is evil. Who's side do you think I'm going to choose. Life choosing God has been the most painful, heart-wrenching, sacrificing experience of my life. But I still choose God, because there is a God and there is a devil, and he will use any opportunity to take me out and render my useless. He will use any opportunity to steal, kill, and destroy all the God has prepared for me. I choose God.
Heavy Sigh
Oh the life of a stay at home mom. I don't know a whole lot of people with kids my age so I've often found myself feeling a little like a pioneer as far as the parenting thing. It's not a bad thing, but when you are trying to raise kids to no conform to the society around them it's not easy. Today is just one of those days. You know, when you wake up and feel like you can take on the world only to find out that you no longer live on Earth...you now live on Mars. I suppose it's time to learn all I can about Martians.
Prayer...It Does A Spirit Good
Okay so it's no secret that our business has been slow and money is scarce, but despite all that we are holding on the the knowledge that God is in control and is able to meet all of our needs. So, we've been praying a lot lately as things get a little hectic and asking God to help us trust in Him and His ability to provide for even the smallest details. Here was His answer.
Someone was praying for our family yesterday. Someone, who knows our situation, lifted our family up in prayer. Someone else, responded to that prayer at God's bidding, and helped to meet a great need we have. The particulars of the need isn't important. The fact that God spoke to that person, and that person was obedient is important. In addition, another door was opened and some of the details we've been concerned about were met. I am blown away. Just when you start to wonder how God is going to come through and just when you start to lose hope, things like this happen. I usually prefer to be on the other end of this story, but I understand how important it is for me to be on this end. It's important for me to know that an act of obedience can change a life, and it's important for me to share this with you.
Now to get on my soap box
If God has put it on your heart to do something....DO IT! Look how greatly this person has touched our hearts. They have no idea what they have set into motion. Their obedience has inspired us to keep plowing ahead. Their obedience to God has sparked in us the hope that God's people are alive and well. Their obedience has sparked in us the realization that God is watching our life and is concerned about the details that we spend so much time worrying about. As I write, I am receiving phone calls from my husband telling me that details I have been handing over to God and trying not to stress about are being taken care of by people who are watching and acting. Your act, could be an answer to prayer. Do no underestimate your act of obedience. This act of obedience has set into motion a chain of events that will change our lives and the life of one young man who the world tried to throw away. Don't you want to be a part of something like that? I do.
Someone was praying for our family yesterday. Someone, who knows our situation, lifted our family up in prayer. Someone else, responded to that prayer at God's bidding, and helped to meet a great need we have. The particulars of the need isn't important. The fact that God spoke to that person, and that person was obedient is important. In addition, another door was opened and some of the details we've been concerned about were met. I am blown away. Just when you start to wonder how God is going to come through and just when you start to lose hope, things like this happen. I usually prefer to be on the other end of this story, but I understand how important it is for me to be on this end. It's important for me to know that an act of obedience can change a life, and it's important for me to share this with you.
Now to get on my soap box
If God has put it on your heart to do something....DO IT! Look how greatly this person has touched our hearts. They have no idea what they have set into motion. Their obedience has inspired us to keep plowing ahead. Their obedience to God has sparked in us the hope that God's people are alive and well. Their obedience has sparked in us the realization that God is watching our life and is concerned about the details that we spend so much time worrying about. As I write, I am receiving phone calls from my husband telling me that details I have been handing over to God and trying not to stress about are being taken care of by people who are watching and acting. Your act, could be an answer to prayer. Do no underestimate your act of obedience. This act of obedience has set into motion a chain of events that will change our lives and the life of one young man who the world tried to throw away. Don't you want to be a part of something like that? I do.
A Glimpse of Eternity
It's a funny thing to me, this serving God thing. I've always found that when I get weary in life and find myself on the brink of quitting, I remind God that I'm here and that I could really use a reason to not jump. He has always been faithful. He shows me a glimpse of eternity in those I serve whether it be a kind word, a realization they have come to, or just the sight of God growing in their hearts. It's enough to keep me going. It's enough to give me the courage to hold my sword and shield up a little longer. I also find it funny that the next morning that same person will nearly miss a ride to school and forget to take out the trash because the snooze bar was attacked too many times. No worries, I know God is growing there and isn't that really what it's all about, planting a seed and knowing it is taking root?
Dressed For War With No Where To Go
Today I want to write about something important, something meaningful. I feel as though I am alive and awake and aware of the ongoing assault on our human spirits and find myself desiring to fight back against the unseen enemy. Even as I type I find I hesitate. I hesitate to speak of unseen enemies. I hesitate to speak of unseen things that are at work. As I have these thoughts I remember the words of the Usual Suspects Verbal, The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist. Do we as Christians believe this unseen enemy exists? Is our lack of belief what has us in our current state? The Christians I watch are either too busy fighting amongst themselves, trying to keep their heads above water, or content in the comfort of their pews. When do we begin to put on the armor of God that Paul speaks of in Ephesians? I suppose I am growing weary of religiosity and we good people who stand by and do nothing about it. I am growing weary of seeing so many people in need of God and doing nothing. I am growing weary of those who hurt and weep for a lack of God and doing nothing. I am growing weary of having the desire to take on the unseen enemy and doing nothing. I have spent my whole life preparing for spiritual warfare...now what?
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.
Procedures, Anniversaries, & Sushi
So I'm sure everyone wants to hear about my day, but I thought it was pretty funny. Yesterday was my thirteen anniversary...yeah for us. It has been thirteen great years. They have been some of the hardest years of my life, because I have been required to become less selfish and to become more giving. It's a good process and I am thankful for it. But to mark my thirteen anniversary, I had a procedure done. If you really want to know go ahead and ask. Let's just say I didn't get to eat for more than 24 hours. That's torture enough for me. My reward would be sushi so I endured.
Mistake #4 - Living The Uptight Life
It's easy to get caught up in the craziness of this life. This year I realized that time goes by so fast. I look back over the year and wish I had slowed down a little more, worried less, stopped to enjoy the sunset, soak up life and it's happenings rather than trying to beat the clock to the next event. So much was done in a hurry that I forgot to notice how my kids are growing so quickly.
There's no reason to elaborate on this topic. You know what I'm trying to say. I'll just tell you how I'm trying to remedy this problem.
1. Laugh at least once a day.
2. Dance instead of letting your temper get the best of you, doing it alone will encourage you to get into it.
3. Smell the roses - no literally I smell the roses on trips to costco. This is my routine with my girl. We stop and smell the roses.
4. Play a game with someone. We have kids so they get involved, but it's a fun way to pass the time.
5. Do a puzzle.
6. Let your kid read a book to you. It is a slow process but it's so cool to watch them get into the book.
Those are just a few we're trying here, but slow down and do let yourself get to uptight about things you won't remember next year when the ball drops.
Okay side bar, was anyone else both sad and admiring of Dick Clark's brave effort to do one last New Year's Eve show? Ahhhh....that's courage.
There's no reason to elaborate on this topic. You know what I'm trying to say. I'll just tell you how I'm trying to remedy this problem.
1. Laugh at least once a day.
2. Dance instead of letting your temper get the best of you, doing it alone will encourage you to get into it.
3. Smell the roses - no literally I smell the roses on trips to costco. This is my routine with my girl. We stop and smell the roses.
4. Play a game with someone. We have kids so they get involved, but it's a fun way to pass the time.
5. Do a puzzle.
6. Let your kid read a book to you. It is a slow process but it's so cool to watch them get into the book.
Those are just a few we're trying here, but slow down and do let yourself get to uptight about things you won't remember next year when the ball drops.
Okay side bar, was anyone else both sad and admiring of Dick Clark's brave effort to do one last New Year's Eve show? Ahhhh....that's courage.
MIstake #3 - Hiding my True Self
So I'm always complaining that no one knows me. I realized there are perceptions about me and believe it or not some of those perceptions are wrong. I was complaining this year to my wonderful hubby about how frustrated I was about those errors and he lovingly pointed out that "when you don't allow yourself to be vulnerable in front of people they are left to come up with their own perceptions". I'm sure I gave a hurt look or agitated comment, but later gave thought to his comment. I've mentioned my hesitation with allowing people too close for fear of hurt before, but what I didn't realize is that you need a big wall around your heart to accomplish the task of keeping people out. That wall creates a barrier between you and the outside world. That wall makes it possible for people to misperceive me. They have no other information to work with.
I remember the first time I cried in front of someone this year, they looked floored. I couldn't understand their response until later when I shared the incident with my husband. I commented that I cry all the time and for someone to be surprised by that is ridiculous. My husband responded that while I do share my tears with him, I do not share them with many others. So of course they are surprised when I do cry.
So here is my first step in breaking down my wall...it is a first step so don't laugh too hard, but hey at least I'm putting it out there right?
I'm extremely goofy. I try hard not to let it show in front of other people...I've been called a nerd as a result of this characteristic. When you are in 9th grade and get called a nerd you change. It's not good but it is what happens from time to time. So don't be surprised by my sudden outbursts of strangeness, it will happen.
I'm an extremely passionate person. There is rarely a middle ground of me. I'm either really happy, or really sad. I feel almost every emotion very deeply whether it is love, hate, rage, joy, compassion, concern, or frustration...I don't feel a little happy. I am ECSTATIC! I don't feel a little mad. I am IRATE! I've tried really hard to fix this but have come to the realization that God made me this way and I do a disservice to myself and the world around me if I try to change this aspect of my personality. So there you go.
Again those are first steps that may seem silly to you, but to me they are almost liberating.
I remember the first time I cried in front of someone this year, they looked floored. I couldn't understand their response until later when I shared the incident with my husband. I commented that I cry all the time and for someone to be surprised by that is ridiculous. My husband responded that while I do share my tears with him, I do not share them with many others. So of course they are surprised when I do cry.
So here is my first step in breaking down my wall...it is a first step so don't laugh too hard, but hey at least I'm putting it out there right?
I'm extremely goofy. I try hard not to let it show in front of other people...I've been called a nerd as a result of this characteristic. When you are in 9th grade and get called a nerd you change. It's not good but it is what happens from time to time. So don't be surprised by my sudden outbursts of strangeness, it will happen.
I'm an extremely passionate person. There is rarely a middle ground of me. I'm either really happy, or really sad. I feel almost every emotion very deeply whether it is love, hate, rage, joy, compassion, concern, or frustration...I don't feel a little happy. I am ECSTATIC! I don't feel a little mad. I am IRATE! I've tried really hard to fix this but have come to the realization that God made me this way and I do a disservice to myself and the world around me if I try to change this aspect of my personality. So there you go.
Again those are first steps that may seem silly to you, but to me they are almost liberating.
Mistake #2 - Sweating the Small Stuff
I tend to hold on way too long to stuff that doesn't really matter. What kind of stuff do you ask? Insignificant things really, things like how the laundry is folded; if the laundry gets folded; how clean the house is; whether or not insignificant things are done exactly the way I want them done. These are the things I get worked up about. The biggest one is what people think of me. What do they think of me? Do they think I am a good mother, do they think I am a good wife? What can I do to improve the quality of woman I am portraying? The funny thing I realized this year as I people watched from the comfort of my friendless shell is that people are worried about so much that they hardly notice me. Can you imagine, the gall of some people not to notice me? I know! I am flabbergasted. So my effort was in vain. What a waste!
I had to shift my focus and efforts onto something more productive. Maybe I could focus on actually being a good wife and mother rather than just trying to make myself look like a good wife and mother. And then, I heard it...the sentence that both wounded and healed my heart. This sentence would be my focus and my motivation for the remainder of my life. There can be no true love if there are only thoughts of self. Hold on, let me take the knife out of my HEART! The worrying I do about the house being clean, and the laundry being done, and how I look to outsiders is so insignificant in comparison to those inside my house who suffer from my worrying. If this sentence is true, then I had to admit that the love I claimed to feel for my husband and children was empty as long as I was worried about how I was perceived. Sweating the small stuff keeps me from truly loving those closest to me. Sweating the small stuff costs way too much. Life is so short and before I know it the kids will be grown and doing their own thing. I will have all the time in the world to clean house and fold laundry. The funny thing is when that time comes I'll be wishing for these days...these days I take for granted. So I'm learning to sit back, relax, let the house be imperfect, let the laundry take longer than a day to do, let others think what they want, and I am finding myself happier. I am also finding that I am truly loving and loved truly.
I once heard someone say Being loved and loving is more important than being perfect and I couldn't agree more.
I had to shift my focus and efforts onto something more productive. Maybe I could focus on actually being a good wife and mother rather than just trying to make myself look like a good wife and mother. And then, I heard it...the sentence that both wounded and healed my heart. This sentence would be my focus and my motivation for the remainder of my life. There can be no true love if there are only thoughts of self. Hold on, let me take the knife out of my HEART! The worrying I do about the house being clean, and the laundry being done, and how I look to outsiders is so insignificant in comparison to those inside my house who suffer from my worrying. If this sentence is true, then I had to admit that the love I claimed to feel for my husband and children was empty as long as I was worried about how I was perceived. Sweating the small stuff keeps me from truly loving those closest to me. Sweating the small stuff costs way too much. Life is so short and before I know it the kids will be grown and doing their own thing. I will have all the time in the world to clean house and fold laundry. The funny thing is when that time comes I'll be wishing for these days...these days I take for granted. So I'm learning to sit back, relax, let the house be imperfect, let the laundry take longer than a day to do, let others think what they want, and I am finding myself happier. I am also finding that I am truly loving and loved truly.
I once heard someone say Being loved and loving is more important than being perfect and I couldn't agree more.
Mistakes I Don't Want To Repeat in 2009
As the new year begins, I am prone to mull over the year gone by. I am the kind of gal who likes to make new mistakes, not the same ones over and over again. To avoid the same mistakes I look over the past year and try to pick out what mistakes I'd like to avoid in the new year. I'm going to try and post one every day this week or as long as I have mistakes to examine.
Mistake #1 - Never underestimate the value of friendship.
I've never really been one to have many friends. I learned early in life that people who are close to your heart are just people with more power to hurt you. So, my solution, easy...don't make friends. Have acquaintances but never friends. I understand that this would be a whole lifetime of making this mistake, but let's not get hung up on technicalities, life is too short. (That's mistake #2)
While it is true you don't risk wounds from friends if you don't have friends, what you do risk is incredibly astounding.
Here are the risks:
Lack of advice from a friend who cares and sees your life from a different perspective.
Lack of someone to have dinner with on a whim.
Lack of someone to call as a diversion when you're obsessing over life issues and really just need to stop.
Lack of someone to ask how that last test you just had done went.
Lack of someone who'll smile at you for no reason at all.
Lack of someone to give you a random hug.
Lack of someone to ask to pray for your current situation.
Lack of someone to witness your faith journey and testify how good God has been in your life.
Sure friends hurts you sometimes, but in all fairness the hurt often goes both ways. In a society where technology is a great excuse to keep depth of relationship 2 feet deep and yet give the illusion of 8 foot depth, we must fight ever fiercely to keep our friends close. And for those of us just starting out, we'll wade into the 2 foot deep pool and brave into the open waters of friendship. We'll face the waves of hurt, misunderstanding, fear, insecurity, and laziness (for me at least) and all the while remember that we can never underestimate the value of true friendship.
Mistake #1 - Never underestimate the value of friendship.
I've never really been one to have many friends. I learned early in life that people who are close to your heart are just people with more power to hurt you. So, my solution, easy...don't make friends. Have acquaintances but never friends. I understand that this would be a whole lifetime of making this mistake, but let's not get hung up on technicalities, life is too short. (That's mistake #2)
While it is true you don't risk wounds from friends if you don't have friends, what you do risk is incredibly astounding.
Here are the risks:
Lack of advice from a friend who cares and sees your life from a different perspective.
Lack of someone to have dinner with on a whim.
Lack of someone to call as a diversion when you're obsessing over life issues and really just need to stop.
Lack of someone to ask how that last test you just had done went.
Lack of someone who'll smile at you for no reason at all.
Lack of someone to give you a random hug.
Lack of someone to ask to pray for your current situation.
Lack of someone to witness your faith journey and testify how good God has been in your life.
Sure friends hurts you sometimes, but in all fairness the hurt often goes both ways. In a society where technology is a great excuse to keep depth of relationship 2 feet deep and yet give the illusion of 8 foot depth, we must fight ever fiercely to keep our friends close. And for those of us just starting out, we'll wade into the 2 foot deep pool and brave into the open waters of friendship. We'll face the waves of hurt, misunderstanding, fear, insecurity, and laziness (for me at least) and all the while remember that we can never underestimate the value of true friendship.
Nature
I love nature. I love looking at flowers, trees, animals, anything that God made I find fascinating. While we were in California we saw so many colors that I couldn't help myself with the camera. I am posting them here. I hope you enjoy them.
It is believed that roses are planted in vineyards for several reasons. The one I found interesting is that roses and grapevines are susceptible to the same plant diseases. The roses develop them faster so if the roses get sick the farmers check the grapevines.
This is the entrance to one of the wineries we visited. I wanted to pull to sit down and read a book, have a glass of wine, or just listen to the quiet.
These are flowers that lined the walkway of one of the wineries we visited.
It is believed that roses are planted in vineyards for several reasons. The one I found interesting is that roses and grapevines are susceptible to the same plant diseases. The roses develop them faster so if the roses get sick the farmers check the grapevines.
This is the entrance to one of the wineries we visited. I wanted to pull to sit down and read a book, have a glass of wine, or just listen to the quiet.
These are flowers that lined the walkway of one of the wineries we visited.
California Missions
While we were in California, we visited the mission in Soledad of Mission Neustra Senora Dolorosisima de Soledad. I've included a link for those who are interested. I won't bore the rest of you with then details.
It was a very interesting location full of the history and scenery I totally dig.
It is quite ironic that the location was known for being a lonely location.
I learned from my father in law that the missions were distanced to be a days walking distance so that the priests could walk by day to their destination and have a place to stay when night fell.
The beams in this chapel are painted three different colors. I'm not sure why, maybe it's just to make it look pretty, but I did find it very interesting that every aspect of this chapel was paid attention in the reconstruction. If I find an answer I'll let you know.