"I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions." -Stephen Covey
Many weeks ago in my personal life, I was blamed for something I did not do. If you have had this happen, you know it can be heart-wrenching. My first emotions were anger and hurt. I wanted to talk to those involved and make it clear that I was not the one that had done this. But, instead, I have been involved with an ongoing conversation with God about how to handle this. If I were to state my case to the persons who accused me, I will then put another dear person in the line of fire. I have sat down and written four separate letters trying to express myself, but each letter has been shredded before mailing. I continue to ask myself, "What is the true purpose of the letter?" Each time I shred the letter, I feel and hear God asking me, "Will confronting the situation help anyone? What is your goal?"
Confrontation is tough for most of us. For years, confrontation ended in one of two ways for me. I would either cry and walk away because I couldn't handle it, or I would allow myself to get into an angry conversation where I felt terrible about myself afterwards sending me into a depressed state. Walking away was always easiest for me. I could hibernate and try to forget what happened, but let's be honest, that is difficult to do and really doesn't work. Anger never seems to solve anything. It is like a fire starter, and fire has one purpose to take something that was and change it to something different or destroy everything that once existed. Healthy confrontation is led by the goal to find peace. So, I have started asking myself these questions about confrontation before going into it, "What is the true purpose or goal of this? Am I seeking peace?"
Paul writes in 2 Timothy: 7, "For God did not give us the spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love, and self-control." NRSV Maybe God's message here is that we can't always be passive, but instead we need to go to Him for the power, love, and self-control to handle our lives in a way that brings Him honor and praise. For now, I am praying for God to give me the wisdom to trudge forward. I want to address the situation in a way that honors God in my thoughts, words, and actions. I will seek the power, love, and self-control He is expecting of me. As I move forward, let me be a product of the decision I make with His help rather than a victim of my circumstances.
Let us pray,
Gracious Father,
Help us seek Your purpose in all that we do. Guide us with wisdom to handle confrontation with dignity and strength. May the only power we seek is the power to be Your witnesses of peace.
Amen
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Saturday, September 22, 2018
Gentleness and Strength?
"Gentleness is strength under control. It is the ability to stay calm, no matter what happens."~Elizabeth George
Few people would equate gentleness with strength. The two seem to be opposites. Yet, I have to stop and reflect on those that have mastered the gift of gentleness. They exhibit strength coupled with vulnerability. I admire those who have this gift and strive to learn from their actions.
In the preschool classroom, we practice "calm" each day. As teachers, we seek calm when the children get too loud, unruly, or seem to have different ideas of how the day should progress. Together, we find strength in seeking and taking our entire bodies back to a calm reset. Deep breaths and uniting in hope to move forward together in a positive direction is really amazing to see in action. Harsh words and yelling are not needed. We need only to unite in calm through gentleness to accomplish the goal.
In Philippians 4:5, Paul writes, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Yes, there it is: the hidden treasure. In our gentleness, the Lord is near! Our strength comes from the Lord, and when we practice gentleness we find His strength within us and guiding us.
A pastor years ago reminded me that the Bible is the "Living Word" of God. We have all heard this, but do we stop and think what that really means? As we read and study the Living Word, it weaves its strength into our being. It can guide and shape us into more caring individuals. We are alive in Christ, and Christ is alive within us.
As we start each day, what a treasure to remember that we can find strength in gentleness. Christ will help us find the "calm reset" whenever we stray from the path of gentleness. Christ blesses us to guide others as He guides us. Gentleness and strength are a winning combination to be a light for Christ. He is always near.
Let us pray,
Heavenly Father, we thank you for guiding us to handle situations with gentleness. We trust that You will provide the strength we need, to be Your lights, in a world where your Living Word needs to be shared.
Amen
Few people would equate gentleness with strength. The two seem to be opposites. Yet, I have to stop and reflect on those that have mastered the gift of gentleness. They exhibit strength coupled with vulnerability. I admire those who have this gift and strive to learn from their actions.
In the preschool classroom, we practice "calm" each day. As teachers, we seek calm when the children get too loud, unruly, or seem to have different ideas of how the day should progress. Together, we find strength in seeking and taking our entire bodies back to a calm reset. Deep breaths and uniting in hope to move forward together in a positive direction is really amazing to see in action. Harsh words and yelling are not needed. We need only to unite in calm through gentleness to accomplish the goal.
In Philippians 4:5, Paul writes, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." Yes, there it is: the hidden treasure. In our gentleness, the Lord is near! Our strength comes from the Lord, and when we practice gentleness we find His strength within us and guiding us.
A pastor years ago reminded me that the Bible is the "Living Word" of God. We have all heard this, but do we stop and think what that really means? As we read and study the Living Word, it weaves its strength into our being. It can guide and shape us into more caring individuals. We are alive in Christ, and Christ is alive within us.
As we start each day, what a treasure to remember that we can find strength in gentleness. Christ will help us find the "calm reset" whenever we stray from the path of gentleness. Christ blesses us to guide others as He guides us. Gentleness and strength are a winning combination to be a light for Christ. He is always near.
Let us pray,
Heavenly Father, we thank you for guiding us to handle situations with gentleness. We trust that You will provide the strength we need, to be Your lights, in a world where your Living Word needs to be shared.
Amen
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Life is a Beautiful Place!
"The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes." ~ Frank Lloyd Wright
When I was in my twenties and thirties, I rarely thought about the end of life. I didn't ever think about what my life would be like if my spouse passed from this world before me. Now, nearing retirement age, these thoughts do surface more than I would like to admit. As time continues to fly by, I sometimes find myself realizing that the decades of great health and carefree thinking may have passed and no longer exist. It's a new reality.
These new decades of living bring about a new love for life. I have come to appreciate the beauty in most everything from waking up to the smell and taste of the creamer flavor in my coffee to the amazing blessing of all the people my life intersects with each day. Learning to appreciate the many grace-filled moments that each day brings, has brought a new beauty to living life. Letting go of the worry about the little things that don't go right and celebrating the beauty of life changes the heart and mind. It seems the more gratitude and understanding the heart holds, the more beautiful life becomes.
Yes, there are days I feel annoyed with my own response or other's reactions, but at the end of the day, I have learned to hand it over to God and start fresh the next day. By turning it over, I let go of anger, resentment, and regrets. God changes these feelings overnight and somehow I can see differently from a new perspective about what evolved. I believe He is always at work molding me into a more caring person. Yesterday, I may have only seen the situation from my humanness, but God is helping me learn to see through His eyes.
Sometimes, we do have to let go of toxic people and situations in our lives. I believe that if you prayerfully ask God for guidance, he will guide you away from those people or things that aim to destroy His influence on your heart and mind. Leading a life filled with contentment and joy is about trusting God in all circumstances, even the tough ones.
So, now when I think about the end of life, I find inner peace. I don't know exactly what awaits in Heaven, but I do know that God has prepared a place for us to dwell with Him. In a recent conversation with my husband, we talked about our thoughts on Heaven. He told me that one thing he has no doubt about is that we will find complete peace. This brings trust and calm to my soul knowing that peace awaits. We both are assured that God will carry us through.
When Paul wrote the letter to the people of Philippi about their future lives with Christ, he included these messages written from Philippians: 3:13-15 "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you."
So keep looking forward and appreciating the beauty in each day. Let's allow God to help us work through the disagreements and obstacles in our lives. He can help us see life from a new perspective. This new outlook that He will provide, is a life of gratitude and understanding that a beautiful life is all about depending on Him for the peace and joy we all strive to find in this earthly and promised eternal life through Christ.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
Open our hearts and minds to see the blessings of life. Guide us through this life so we, too, can be your instruments that promote gratitude and understanding among all people. May we be blessed with the peace of knowing you are with us.
Amen
When I was in my twenties and thirties, I rarely thought about the end of life. I didn't ever think about what my life would be like if my spouse passed from this world before me. Now, nearing retirement age, these thoughts do surface more than I would like to admit. As time continues to fly by, I sometimes find myself realizing that the decades of great health and carefree thinking may have passed and no longer exist. It's a new reality.
These new decades of living bring about a new love for life. I have come to appreciate the beauty in most everything from waking up to the smell and taste of the creamer flavor in my coffee to the amazing blessing of all the people my life intersects with each day. Learning to appreciate the many grace-filled moments that each day brings, has brought a new beauty to living life. Letting go of the worry about the little things that don't go right and celebrating the beauty of life changes the heart and mind. It seems the more gratitude and understanding the heart holds, the more beautiful life becomes.
Yes, there are days I feel annoyed with my own response or other's reactions, but at the end of the day, I have learned to hand it over to God and start fresh the next day. By turning it over, I let go of anger, resentment, and regrets. God changes these feelings overnight and somehow I can see differently from a new perspective about what evolved. I believe He is always at work molding me into a more caring person. Yesterday, I may have only seen the situation from my humanness, but God is helping me learn to see through His eyes.
Sometimes, we do have to let go of toxic people and situations in our lives. I believe that if you prayerfully ask God for guidance, he will guide you away from those people or things that aim to destroy His influence on your heart and mind. Leading a life filled with contentment and joy is about trusting God in all circumstances, even the tough ones.
So, now when I think about the end of life, I find inner peace. I don't know exactly what awaits in Heaven, but I do know that God has prepared a place for us to dwell with Him. In a recent conversation with my husband, we talked about our thoughts on Heaven. He told me that one thing he has no doubt about is that we will find complete peace. This brings trust and calm to my soul knowing that peace awaits. We both are assured that God will carry us through.
When Paul wrote the letter to the people of Philippi about their future lives with Christ, he included these messages written from Philippians: 3:13-15 "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you."
So keep looking forward and appreciating the beauty in each day. Let's allow God to help us work through the disagreements and obstacles in our lives. He can help us see life from a new perspective. This new outlook that He will provide, is a life of gratitude and understanding that a beautiful life is all about depending on Him for the peace and joy we all strive to find in this earthly and promised eternal life through Christ.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father,
Open our hearts and minds to see the blessings of life. Guide us through this life so we, too, can be your instruments that promote gratitude and understanding among all people. May we be blessed with the peace of knowing you are with us.
Amen
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