Drama, Distress, Disappointment, Delight!

Happy Valentine’s Day?

Galatians 6:10

Happy Day to You ~

One of my favorite holidays is Valentine’s Day. It didn’t used to be. In elementary school I used to labor over and analyze every Valentine I prepared for our homemade mailboxes! I felt so much pressure. I always worried that the boys would think I liked them. That was a horrible thought, but I didn’t want to leave them out. Or I worried that I should have given friend “A” the valentine I gave to friend “B”, because if friend “A” reads friend “B’s” what will friend “C” think! Oh, the drama.

Then in high school it was even more awkward. All day during school classmates would be receiving singing telegrams and special deliveries. I’d wait with bated breath for a Valentine something from someone! I was usually disappointed that I didn’t get a valentine from the person I really wanted one from; or if I did, it didn’t really say what I was hoping it would say! Oh, the distress.

As I became a young woman in love the anticipation of the great holiday was much more exciting than the actual day. I guess subconsciously I was hoping for a Cinderella experience of being wooed and romanced by my prince charming. Somehow even when I did have someone I really cared about, the day managed to be somewhat of a let down. Oh, the disappointment.

Then came the Valentine’s Day after divorce - yeah, well….

Strangely enough, that’s when my perspective of the day revolutionized, thanks to some really godly, amazing friends. They loved Valentine’s Day! I thought that was odd since many of them were single and had no sweetheart. But this was their favorite holiday…I didn’t get it.

I soon discovered their reason. They loved the day because of the many wonderful people God had placed in their lives. Valentine’s Day was the perfect opportunity to let these people know how much they loved them. Suddenly it dawned on me. All these years my feelings and my hopes had been the center of the day. What is going to happen for me today? Who is going to do something special for me? Me…Me…Me… Do you see a pattern here? I finally learned that Valentine’s Day isn’t about me. When I take the focus off of me and turn into a day to celebrate those God has placed AROUND me…Wow. What a difference it made in my life. Oh the delectable delight of doting on the darlings God’s deposited into my days!

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca

Aaaarrrrggggg!!

Aaaarrrrrgggggg!!

Galatians 5:15

Hey Ladies ~

I heard something recently I did not know. I read that when a dog bites once and realizes how rapidly it causes people to back down, they quickly form a habit of biting. It gives the dog a sense of control and power. Hmmmm... interesting. It made perfect sense to me, every one likes the feeling of control and power, apparently even our four footed friends!

Knowing that new little piece of trivia, I couldn’t help but ask myself a few questions. First of all, what mechanism do I use to cause people to retreat when I am in conflict? Losing my temper, the silent treatment, hurtful words- either subtle or bold? If I rant and rave, people submit. Or if I refuse to acknowledge their presence, they quickly come around to do what I want. Why do I do it? ~ Because it works! Unfortunately in this case, success breads success and a habit is very quickly formed. The only problem is – that’s my way of getting my needs met apart from God. Not to mention it makes for unhealthy and even co-dependent relationships. Galatians 5:15 says, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”

Secondly, can I be wise enough to recognize when some one else is using their words and actions to bully me or cause me to retreat? Have you ever been intimidated or felt inferior by someone’s coping mechanisms? God does not intend for you to be manipulated by others. Most control tactics are not based on complete truth and most certainly not based in love. That is not of God. So watch out for those aarrrrgggg (snarling dog sound -not a pirate! ) moments. May God give us wisdom to recognize them and the courage to address them.

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca

Remember we are “In HIS grip”

They Love Me...They Love Me Not...They Love

Happy Birthday? Who says?

Isaiah 49:16

Whether it's your birthday this month or not - we'll all have one this year...hopefully

Shalom ~ What exactly constitutes a Happy Birthday? Is it lots of extravagant gifts or maybe just a gift would be nice, eh? Is it many people around you, lavishing you with wonderful compliments and well wishes; expressing how much the world has gained since you have become part of its inhabitants? Maybe it’s a day all to yourself. Or it’s the not so surprise, surprise party you were just sure your friends would throw in your honor. Perhaps you don’t care what anyone else says or does as long as your one true love acts halfway interested, paying a little extra attention to you on, this, your birthday.

What ever your definition is, it is highly possible that you will have a few go-a-rounds, maybe several, that don’t quite measure up to your meaning. Then what? Does that ruin the day, hence making it an “un-happy” birthday?

Over the years I’ve witnessed how a day that is supposed to be celebratory can become one of the most difficult days of the year for people. Sometimes it’s because the one you have committed your life to, namely husband or children, act like birthdays are no big deal (unless it’s theirs of course). After all, you have been privileged to have them in your life! What more could a woman want, right? Yeah… well. Perhaps worse yet, they forget. Ouch. That’s tough on the ole psyche. Then there is always the possibility that your birthday reminds you of all the dreams you’ve had, all the hands you thought you’d be holding that probably aren’t going be reality.

So what does one do on that “special day” when nothing about the day seems special? I think it’s natural to grieve when your heart is disappointed. It’s ok and it’s normal. God says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” But once you have expressed your disappointment to God, maybe take time to reflect about all of God’s working in your life over the last year. There is something about being grateful that puts circumstances in a whole new light. Perhaps try to imagine what God would say to you if He were sitting next to you. He would say how He crafted you just like He meant to. While others may blow this day off, He certainly does not! In fact, He has you inscribed on the palm of His hand. He would remind you that your birth was a wonderful, deliberate and creative act on His part. He loves remembering you in your mother’s womb! He would remind you that He knows the plans He has for you and that He still rejoices over you with singing.

Reflecting on these thoughts can make every birthday good… Besides regardless of what may or may not happen on this day, I think if we were all honest about it, any birthday is better than the alternative!

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca

Slick…Oil That Is

Psalm 62:8

Hi Girls ~

When a submarine is hit, it begins sinking to the bottom of the ocean…duh, uh really? Even though the sub is not visible, the oil slick on top of the water is a pretty good indication that everything underneath is not doing so well. Once again… duh, uh really? It would be pretty ridiculous for us to think we had fixed the submarine’s problem if we just worked on cleaning up the oil spill…duh, uh you think? But if it’s so obvious in other things, why don’t we see it in ourselves?

The same is often true of us. We have oil slicks in our lives. They are not the real problem, but often just a symptom of the underlying issue. We spend so much energy treating the symptom, we often ignore the root problem. I don’t know about you, but I get sick of addressing the symptoms. I want to tackle the root, but that takes time… time with God. Get alone with God. Be quiet before Him. Turn off the TV or the phone. Ask Him the tough questions. Tell Him your concerns. Listen to His Spirit speak to you. Don’t be afraid of Him. He wants the very best for you. He encourages you to lay it all out there before. “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah” Psalm 62:8

Go ahead. Take the plunge down to recover that submarine. There may be life down there!

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca

Think. Think. Think.

Think. Think. Think.

Psalm 103:5

Hi Everybody ~

What are some of your simple pleasures? Go ahead take a minute to think of them before you read on. I’ll wait…

Some of you may know a few of my favorite simple pleasures – pink, Tab, chocolate and I love “words”.

The other day I was enjoying all 4 of those things at the same time! I had a nice cold Tab (which is in a pink can); I found a caramel chocolate Dove candy that I keep forgetting that I have; and, you know what’s on the inside of a Dove chocolate, don’t you? WORDS! When I unwrapped the candy this is what it said, “Don’t think about it so much”. Don’t think about what so much? That was my initial question. But somehow I knew exactly what it was. You probably do too.

What is the “it” you ask? It will be different for all of us. But if we’re not careful we’ll focus so much about “it” that we miss the simple pleasure of the moment and the season. I love that verse in Psalm 103:5 “Who satisfies thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.”

Let yourself be satisfied with the good things God gives and maybe just for today….”Don’t think about it so much”!

I enjoy being with you on this quest to truly know God!

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca

Ephesians 1:17-23 ~ My prayer for us.

Tattling On Myself

Tattling On Myself

I John 1:9

Good Morning...or Afternoon...or Middle of the Night ~

I had planned on sharing this great inspirational thought with you, but on my walk today God impressed me to tattle on myself. Great. Oh well, here it goes… Last night I was observing a situation that appeared a bit puzzling. After watching it for a few minutes my genius and womanly intuition began putting the pieces together. In no time I felt sure I understood what was happening. After all, I have been around for a while and I’ve seen this type of thing before. (It’s embarrassing admitting this) Anyway I proceeded to tell my husband what I had deducted from my observation. Not 15 minutes later the real issue came to light. I was terribly off base and nowhere near the truth.

I honestly didn’t think much of it at the time. It didn’t seem like that big of a deal. It wasn’t until my walk this morning that God brought the incident back to my mind. He gently reminded me of the scene ~ which reminded me – news flash - I don’t know it all! ~ I have no business making assumptions about things when I don’t have the facts. I have plenty to do to take care of myself. And in case I didn’t realize it, God doesn’t need my advice! I’m acting like the smarty-pants little kid who tries to tell a grown up how to drive or cook…only worse. What a joke, huh! Yet I still do it. The only thing left for me to do is to repent of my pride and arrogance.

I bend my knee and say, “Thank you God for the cross and for Your grace that forgives and accepts me!” He knows me the best and yet loves me the most. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 Amen!

I’ll share my discovery and confession with Ronnie tonight when he comes home and then because of God’s mercy, I’ll be done with it. Hopefully in the future, I won’t be riding that high horse again!

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca

Just a flittering and a fluttering...

Rewind

Psalm 91:1

Hi Everyone ~

We all have days when we “feel” God’s presence. Sometimes it’s because we have seen Him do amazing things or maybe it’s just because we had a really good night’s sleep! But then there are some days…well…some days we don’t.

Today was one of those days for me. As I was praying about some specific things this morning I felt panicky and burdened - out of control and sort of orphaned from God. Then my mind did a rewind to one of the illustrations I read when studying God’s name; El Shaddai – God Almighty.

It was a story about a little fly thousands of feet above the earth inside a huge jetliner. There is no way that fly should even be able to exist that far away from earth. But because he is “in the jet” he was perfectly fine. In fact, he can fly across the ocean in record time and land on a totally different continent.

How silly would it be if that fly thought that he had to flap his wings the whole trip! First of all, everyone knows it wouldn’t make one ounce of difference. The fly would still get there whether he flaps or relaxes on the garbage lid; he’d just be worn out and exhausted. The only thing that fly has to do is get “in the jet”. The rest is taken care of. Often we act like that silly fly trying to flap our little wings to make it. When all we really need to do is rest in the Almighty…El Shaddai. He is quite capable of making the trip without our help!

I needed to remember that this morning. I was just a flapping my little wings trying to stay airborne. I caught myself (that’s an interesting form of words- caught myself?) fluttering. I acknowledged that regardless of how I feel, El Shaddai still exists with just as much power and goodness as He has on days I feel it! I can stop flitting around and rest in the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 Whew…what a load off!

I have an Enemy who desires to steal, rob and destroy. At this point, he can’t stop me from making the trip, but he can trick me into wearing myself out. Unless of course, I recognize his game plan! He has no permission over me. “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4 What would we do without God?! Go crazy I guess

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love Ya Bunches

Rebecca