Author: Michelle

His Word

Words

Michelle

Have you ever thought about how much words mean? About how words can define us. 

Each year, I choose a word for the year. Something that exemplifies one area in which I want to grow. This year, my word is ‘content.’

Content

Merriam-Webster defines content as: ‘pleased and satisfied; not needing more.’

Imagine living that way…pleased, satisfied, not needing more. Can you picture it?

Living without the new comfy chair you think you need. Living without the new vehicle you want. Even as small as living without that new book, or going out to eat, because you are satisfied with the food you have in your refrigerator.

Who among us lives content in all circumstances?

Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians that, “…I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”

He had learned how to be content…to be pleased or satisfied and not needing more. If he can do this by drawing closer to Jesus, then I should be able to learn from him by drawing closer to the well of satisfaction that is Jesus.

Now…to put it into practice.

His Word, Kids/Parenting

On the Fringe

Michelle

So, it’s been f…o…r…e…v…e…r…since I’ve written here. And I’ll be honest, it’s been weighing heavy on me. See, writing is my outlet…my free therapy.

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about one’s ‘calling’ in life. You know, your purpose, why you were put on this earth…no, it wasn’t just to turn oxygen into carbon dioxide, or to annoy your kids – although, I have to admit, that’s kinda fun!

You know, using the talents that God gave you into your gift back to him – your reason. I truly feel like I have a story to tell. I have wisdom I can share. I have lots going on up there – it’s not just a hat rack, you know? But will anyone want to listen to the ramblings of me? Some days I really doubt it…those days are the worst. Because for those of you who know what your purpose is…imagine NOT doing it…yeah, kind of an ugly picture, huh?

See, here’s the thing I finally realized…I’m not writing for all of you fine people,in fact, to some extent, I’m not even writing for me…I’m writing for Him. I’m writing because I feel this is the gift He has given me. And what I do with it is my gift back to Him. He wants my time. He wants my words. He wants to know what I share with you, my dear readers…though you may be few in number, in my heart, you are HUGE!

My mind is a jumbled mess. My writing helps me to process things.

Like, how am I still doing this ALONE? This parenting thing – it’s rough out there! And yet I’m still doing it virtually alone. I’ve even had people tell me that I make single-parenting look like a breeze…whew, that’s one heckuva strong breeze…maybe a ‘gentle’ gale with the force of a tornado…yeah, that sounds a bit more appropriate.

But the question remains…WHY? What am I to learn in this season of life God has me in? Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that there is a lesson to be learned.

So, in my fringe hours, you’ll find me here a lot more. Learning, processing, working things out, ya’ll.

His Word, Series

Day 13 – Work

Michelle

Well, if there’s going to be a prompt on a Sunday for rest, I suppose it’s only fitting that there would be a prompt on a Monday for work.

The prompt for day 13 is: Work.

It’s ironic to me that the post for rest would be followed up by a post about work.

On the one hand, we are to rest in Jesus, and on the other side, I feel like I have to work for my salvation. Even though that notion is completely contrary to God’s word.

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us,

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Lately, I’ve been working so hard to prove my value and worth to a certain person, that I’ve not left any room for even the remotest thought that I’m liked, valued, and cherished just for being me. The funny, neurotic, caring version of me that I thought I needed to cover up. The ‘me’ that is secure and confident. This version of me comes from one place and one place alone…the love I find and rest in that God offers me.

See, I was working so hard to prove my worth, that I had forgotten the One whose opinion matters. The One who reminds me that all of my brokenness is made complete in Him. The One who loves me just as I am, but loves me too much to leave me there.

So, I’m re-centering my life now, and I’m feeling better and stronger. And I’m remembering the words that are emblazoned on my wall…

For we walk by faith, and not by sight.

These words from 2nd Corinthians that have graced my vision every day since March 12, 2012…these words that were present and lived out in this home before it was even a thought in my mind or a dream in my heart…these words, that, from the first moment I saw them in the pictures of what would become my future dwelling, made me know that THIS place would become my home…THIS place would be my blessing, with my name on it. Selected especially for me by the One who places great value and worth on me.

And if He can do that, then the opportunities of what else He can do are limitless.

I have to remember that ‘impossible’ is one of His favorite words because NOTHING is impossible with God.

His Word, Kids/Parenting, Series

Day 12 – Rest

Michelle

In my quest to get ‘caught up’ on this blogging adventure, I decided it was time to write another post.

The day 12 prompt is: Rest.

Matthew 11:28-30 tells us, “Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

You know the book I featured in my post yesterday? The one about being a raging perfectionist? Yeah, that one…ok, let me tell you this…IT’S GOOD! I mean, it’s SERIOUSLY good. Amanda challenges my way of thinking and my views…and she does it in such a way that makes her totally able to relate to.

Well, I read this passage from her book this morning, that goes with this theme of ‘rest. She says,

“Because while we can choose to rest our bodies, soul rest only happens at the feet of Jesus. When we lay down our agendas, our focus shifts to His agenda. And in my experience, His agenda usually includes the reminder that I’m loved already. That he accepts me as I am, without title or accomplishment. That I don’t need to seek approval from other people, because I’m worthy in the eyes of the only one who matters.”**

Ok, I can’t speak for you all, but I need, and I mean, DESPERATELY NEED that kind of rest. Where I don’t have to perform or be ‘on’ for anyone…where I can just be. ME. The me that is broken. The me that seeks love and acceptance – and can find it in the most reliable of places. The me that doesn’t have to hold the world up on her shoulders.

I can tell you all this much, God is taking me on a true journey during this month. Between this writing/blogging challenge, and the online 6-week Bible study I’m participating in {we are reading the book of Matthew, by the way. And if you need some serious meat to chew on, start here!}, He is taking me to some uncharted territory and it’s kind of uncomfortable. But I know that I’ll be better and stronger and more dependent on Him when I come out on the other side. But until I get there, I need His grace and His embrace to get me through this. Cause I’m surely not strong enough to do this on my own.

**{taken from ‘Chapter 3 – Recognition’ in “Confessions of a Raging Perfectionist” by Amanda Jenkins}

 

His Word, Series

Day 11 – Teach

Michelle

Well, I feel like I’m slowly getting ‘caught up’ here. I probably wouldn’t worry about that if I didn’t have that ‘perfectionist’ disorder going on…

The prompt for day 11 is: Teach.

For whatever reason, there is a song that comes to mind…perhaps you’ve heard it…

“I’d like to teach the world to sing; in perfect harmony…”

I think you have to have been raised in the 80’s to recognize that song as a commercial for Coke products.

I’m thinking of all of the things I want to teach my kids…

I want to teach my daughter to be compassionate when it’s not abundantly present.

I want to teach my son to be respectful of women…especially their emotions. Because they’re not always a bad thing.

I want to teach my daughter to submit to her husband as authority over the household. I want her to submit to him as he submits to Christ as Lord over his life.

I want to teach my son that women are not to be treated as subservient or as less than him.

I want to teach both of my children to stand up for what is wrong, even if it’s not the popular thing to do.

I want to teach my children to be kind to those who they feel can’t do anything for them. For that’s when kindness is truly a character trait.

I want to teach my children to address people by their names. Nothing is sweeter to someone than the sound of their own name.

I want to teach my children that family is not always about blood, but rather those who would stand beside you and fight to the end…of whatever battle you’re facing.

I want to teach my children that chivalry is not dead.

I want to teach my children to give without expectations.

I want to teach my children what it means to live a life of abandon to Jesus.

These are all things that I want to teach my children by living them. To do this, I know I must lean into Jesus and His strength. I need to rely on His sovereign nature and His goodness.