Dying to Self. . .

It seems everyone has that one thing they don't like about their bodies....yes, I have more than one thing...but, do we also have that one (or two) things that we don't like about our personalities? Sure...we're human. I think my only saving grace is that I'm made in the image of God...but passed that, I sometimes wonder if we're kin at all!

That one thing I've been struggling with all my life, but especially as of late, is "selfishness." Predominately, selfishness with my time. Some may ask, "how is that possible? You're a "housewife for goodness sakes!" Ahh, that's where selfishness can really rear it's ugly head, I'm discovering. Time is such a precious commodity in anyone's life, no matter what your profession or calling is. Time is precious because once passed, we can never regain those moments again. That very thought has been such a two-edged sword for me the past few weeks as my two Aunts have come into my life in such a way, that it's causing me to be face-to-face with my selfishness with time. The good thing about all of this, is that I believe God is trying to get at something in me that's not working for my life: selfishness.



I've had to spend some daunting hours in waiting rooms this past week as my Aunts visited different doctors they need to see for check-ups. Thankfully, nothing is seriously wrong with either of them, but four hours for doctor visits in one week seemed ridiculous! However, I can look back on the week and smile because I was there with them while they entertained the people in the waiting room. :)

My aunt, Brenda, age 68, going on 89, is truly a habitual complainer....literally, about every 7 seconds, another complaint comes flying off her lips. Sometimes, I wish I could grab them the minute they leave the launch pad of her tongue, but she's too quick. She's been at this for a while. The funny, (crazy) thing is, while I'm sitting there somewhat red-tinted from embarrassment, she literally has several people engaged in her half-hour comedy act! Her social ineptness allows her to speak so honestly, loudly and socially unacceptably-that, people are just laughing out loud at her and with her. All the while, she admits to them she is "certifiably crazy!"

It's nice to be able to laugh about this now, but at the time...I was sweating bullets at the fear of what M-16 Bomber might launch off her tongue! Her sister, Margie, who is 86, just sits by her, shaking her head back and forth and every now and then, will throw a right arm punch at Brenda for saying something she shouldn't have...Margie has a tendency to hit people as an act of love. When Dr. Soya came into her room to see her, he went over and held out his hand to shake hers, all the while, joking with her and she punches him right in the arm and laughs hysterically at herself. I was the one shaking my head back and forth. [One of these days, I'm going to video some of these hilarious moments and upload them right onto this blog!]

Okay, so back to the selfish part of me that I'm trying to get rid of...there are so many things I try to get done in a day and inevitably, I get sidetracked. So, time is so precious to me and I'm selfish with it. I fear I'm going to run out of time and not achieve all that I need to achieve. Ahhhh....another form of selfishness erupts! All that I need to achieve? Hmm? I find myself struggling with time and hoarding time so I can do what I want to do....not what God wants me to do. There's the key. When I am doing what God has called me to do, I have all the time I need. I don't run out of the precious commodity. It's when I'm trying to accomplish something of my own that I feel the burden of not enough time.

I will not have any regrets of spending this time with my aunts, especially after their time is up and all I'll have is a memory of some of the most challenging and hilarious moments I've lived lately.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

I don't need more time; I need less of me and more of Him! That is usually the case whenever I struggle with anything.

What Do I REALLY Believe?

This is one of those posts that is really just me thinking out loud....well, aren't all posts? lol :) Gary and I are watching the Truth Project, a DVD series produced by Focus on the Family and it is amazing! If you aren't familiar with it, I highly recommend you look it up at www.truthproject.org or www.thetruthproject.org

Having watched one of the videos this afternoon, a lingering question keeps running through my mind: "What do I really believe?" About God, about life, about faith...but mostly about God. My first response is that I believe the Bible is true and is God's Word to us, His children. So, if I believe the Bible is true, do I really believe that all the time? And if so, why do I act contradictory to what it says? Seriously, there are some wonderful promises and the New Testament holds THE GOOD NEWS, so why do I have days where I worry and fret? Why am I fearful of failure, disappointing others, or not living up to my purpose?

So, all day, I've been asking myself this question, "what do I really believe?" I think in asking myself that question over and over, I've come to the conclusion that the way I respond and act to life is truly how I exhibit what I believe. I want to be the "real deal"...not just when I'm standing up in front of a group giving my testimony; and not when I'm having a conversation with another "on-fire" believer. I want to be the "real deal" the minute I open my eyes in the morning. I want to be the real deal, when the first thought races through my mind upon awaking. I want to be the real deal when I'm dressing to go see the world. I want to be the real deal while I blog this post.

Being the real deal to me is truly following my beliefs with no fear. Believing what the Bible says, without any question. Knowing in my heart that when I die, I will go to Heaven...no ifs, ands or buts... and everything in between...such as, God will meet my needs no matter what. He is my rock and my refuge and I have no reason to fear-ANYTHING! He knows the plans He has for me and they are good and prosperous...nothing will happen in my future from God that will harm me. God wants me to have the desires of my Heart as I delight myself in Him. Now, I realize this may sound "elementary", but the truth is....how we act truly depicts what we believe! So, when I'm worried about some trivial or even non-trivial thing, or when I'm judging something or someone, or when I don't trust God with the big events or small events of my life...what am I REALLY believing at that moment? Those are the times I need to get in "check" with myself.

So, being the analytical person that I am...I can "think" something to death. In an effort not to do that with the question I've posed above...I'll leave it at this:

I believe God's Word is true and living and is my guide for the life He has for me. I believe His Word is THE absolute Truth and I believe it with all my heart. I will not allow distraction or deception to come between the Truth and my heart. Amen to that!

Housewife Discrimination

Well, I'm still on my "Housewife" soap box, but tonight, I come from a different angle. My dear friend, "Jane", (name has been changed to protect the innocent :)) has been discriminated against in her work place....at least, in my opinion, she has.

Jane is a mother of two, a wife and an extremely hard-working paralegal up in the eastern parts of America. For as long as I've known Jane, she has worked very hard at succeeding as a mother, friend, and employee. She's been married for the past five years and has worked full-time+ for many years, but decided to add to her family by having a precious boy. Now a toddler, all this time, Jane has worked part-time since her return to work. Her female employer was all in favor of this new schedule and seemingly understood Jane's desire to work part-time now as she had a little one at home.

Her employer's firm is merging with another firm and the new firm will not allow any employees to work part-time! Okay, I guess it's any employers prerogative, but come on! This is 2010, for goodness sakes! It seems America has become flexible in every area of its entire "being", ...so surely, having a part-time employee wouldn't be such a stretch.....one would think...

Here's where I think "discrimination" comes in....in my opinion, God first, family second, self third, world...next. Now, I know not everyone would agree with God first....that's just another thing America has become too flexible about....but couldn't everyone agree family should be at the very top of the list? Look at the breakdown of the family since women have entered the work force...hmm? Look at the divorce rate over the past 50 years in connection with the "women's rights movements" etc. Sounds crazy that I, a woman, would mention that in a negative light...My own mom was a member of the NOW group back in the '80's. I completely agree with equality in the work place, but I have to say, if a woman wants to divide her time between raising her children and taking care of her husband AND working part-time...well LET HER! An employer doesn't even have to pay benefits on a part-time employee...but to declare NO part-time employment when an employee has been successfully completing her work is flat-out discrimination to me.

You think there's any Special Interest groups lobbying for her in Washington? Or even to her State Representative? Nope...not a chance. Any person who did that might be deemed a fool....but God has something to say about that...

1 Corinthians 1:27 (New Living Translation)

Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.

So, we silent, powerless housewives tarry on in our "unglamourous" positions as we care for our husbands, our children and our homes. Ha! I am anything BUT silent and I find my life quite glamorous...in its own special way. I've been in Corporate America and it was definitely not what I was called to do. I've been in sales and loved it, but knew, deep down, that I longed to be a housewife. Now, not many woman would ever admit that...but I have loved taking care of my husband, my home, my family and myself. There are days, as with any job, that it gets stressful and feels like its never all done from morning to bedtime. However, I wouldn't trade this time for anything. So, to my friend Jane who is looking at the crossroad ahead, I want to encourage her that God will give her the grace to complete the work she's doing. Since she's made the decision to NOT go back to work full time as the new employer demands...her life will take a different turn for sure....God will be there every step of the way. I am so excited to see what God has planned for her next chapter....no doubt, it will be more exciting, adventurous and fulfilling than anything she can dream....just let Him drive! :)
Tootles....
Your Happy Housewife :)

Hi. . .What do you do?

I wonder how many times I've been asked that question. How about you? How many times in your lifetime have you been asked that question? Too many to count (or remember, for sure!) I love the different looks and reactions I've gotten over the past year when someone has asked, "Hi, and what do you do?" I reply, in an almost sheepish way, "I'm a housewife." Oh really? Then as conversations progress, the ultimate question always comes...."...so what do you do to keep busy?" AS IF I don't have enough to keep busy!

In an attempt to better understand why I seem out of time every day...I asked God to help me become a better time manager so I can get done what I feel is most important. What I feel the Lord showed me today, is that I have not taken my job seriously (probably because most people in today's society don't either.) Therefore, I would put my "job duties" on the back burner as I ran around trying to do all that others asked of me. (Yes, I've been around this mountain in a similar way before.)

What I realized today is that God assigned me to this position of Housewife. In my quiet time, He has made it very clear that my first priority (after Him, of course) is Gary, our home and all that entails. For me, that is every bit a full-time job. For instance, today, I awoke early and made Gary his protein shake, rested another hour. Got up and did P90X work-out for an hour. Vacuumed the house, showered, listened to phone messages, returned calls, read texts, and replied. Finished getting ready, straightening up the house then off to the Bank, Wal-mart, the mail box. Back home to unload groceries. Gathered Shorty up to take her to the vet for her yearly shots. Stopped by United for Allernon, (Walmart doesn't carry it.) Took clothes to the cleaners, went by the nursing home to see Margie and Brenda. Got Brenda's list for my next visit of things she needs. Came home, returned more phone calls. Ate a bowl of Special K cereal (for an early dinner)....

Now, that seems like a normal day, but what I've found is this: I can get so side-tracked so easily it isn't funny. It seems the slightest distraction and I'm off in a whole new direction. I've decided after my visit with God today that I am going to consider my position of "Housewife" much more important and serious....just like those who "clock in and receive a paycheck." Maybe if I consider this position more important...it will naturally become a priority and all other things can wait or get scheduled in where I can fit them.

I needed to figure all this out because I had reached a point where I had lost my joy in being a housewife and that is what I've dreamed of being to the man of my dreams! The enemy had figured out a way to steal that joy and I'm here to claim it all back! I realize the sole position of "housewife" is a dying occupation, but I feel strongly that God has called me to this position and so far, all God has assigned me to do has had utter importance to Him. I need to respect this position as much as any other job I've ever held.

"Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 :) Be blessed in whatever God has called you to do...

A Victorious Day. . .

I had the privilege of speaking today at a Women's luncheon by sharing my testimony. The organization, CWC, Christian Women's Connection, is a ministry that reaches out to share the Gospel of Jesus with women by having a luncheon. I'd attended their speaker/writer's workshop sometime last year and vowed to get my "talk" written by September 1st. I didn't make it. However, they contacted me in November and asked if I would give my talk at their February, 2010 luncheon. At first, I wasn't sure. To say, "Yes" would require a commitment on my part to complete my 25 minute talk in written form to be approved. God has such a great memory. In February, 2006, I had a dream that I was standing before women telling them about "surrendering my life" and how I "got off the fence". . .Four years later, to the month~ I stood before several women and shared those very thoughts.

If we've surrendered our life to Jesus~completely, we all have a story to tell. To me, there's nothing better than a good "before and after transformation." That's why I love TLC's "What Not To Wear" show so much. :) My story is much like that, a definite BEFORE and a definite AFTER. I much prefer the AFTER.

I felt so much peace today and even leading up to today about giving this talk. I'm honored that God could use the terrible mistakes, ridiculous beliefs, and dysfunctionality of my life to possibly help or bless another person in their own life.

I do pray of a morning, "God, let me be in the right place at the right time so You can use me today." God always delivers. Always. This morning, I specifically prayed that my testimony would plant at least 5 seeds today. From the feedback I received, I believe 5 seeds were planted, indeed. That truly makes my heart glad.

Today was a triumphant day. What the enemy intended to use to harm me, was put to Good use today for the Kingdom. I bet he's sorry he ever messed with me...:)

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." Revelation 12:11 :)

Can "One" make a difference?

After a brainstorming meeting today at the Downtown Women's Center regarding our upcoming Spring Luncheon, I left asking myself the question, "Can one person really make a difference?" Our guest speaker is going to be Ron Hall, co-author of "Same Kind of Different As Me". His newest release, "What Difference Do It Make?" with Denver Moore, just hit the book shelves. If you haven't read these books, I urge you, for your own sake, to read them. They are life-changing books to read.

In discussing the homeless situation of our community, it just seems so overwhelming at times. To think of overcoming it is daunting to me. Plus, it's a way of life I don't fully understand because I've never been "homeless"...exactly, i.e. without a place to stay/live.

The government wants communities to come up with a 10-year plan to end homelessness....ha! I don't think they'd have the first clue.

So, in Ron and Denver's book, Ron addresses this issue...boldly. Count how many homeless families you have in your community and how many churches you have. The number of churches could easily out number the homeless families. So, what if each church "adopted" one homeless family...not to just hand them money, or give them food, but REALLY adopted them....like God adopted us? Could one family's life be changed? Love is powerful. Who better to adopt a homeless family than a church family? A body of Christ? I don't think just one person could do it...the task is too daunting, but a whole church body could definitely achieve this task....think about it? Whether it's a church with membership around 200 people or 2000 people.....it could most certainly be done! And why not? What do we have to lose? Nothing! But, what might we gain? Everything!

I don't know how this looks in an organized way, but I'm definitely pondering it. I know if this is something God wants us to go forward with, He will provide all the details...maybe, the charge will come at the luncheon...maybe before...all I know is. . . it CAN be done...with God, all things are possible. He tells us to take care of the poor. Are we? Really? Oh boy, I've been convicted! :)