Tag: #fiveminutefriday

His Word, Kids/Parenting, Series, Soul Relationships

Choose

Michelle

Originally published on March 1, 2014

This week’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge is on the word ‘Choose’ so I got to thinking about all of the things I get to choose.

The things I get to choose can be minor, like, I get to choose when I will get out of bed in the morning. I get to choose what I will wear. I get to choose what I will eat for breakfast.

The things I get to choose can also be major, like, I get to choose where we will live. I get to choose what school my children will attend. I get to choose what church we will go to, or even IF we will go to church. I get to choose how to raise my children.

See, all of the things I get to choose will somehow affect another. So, that leads me to question, what are the things I am choosing? Will they benefit another? Or will they tear another down? What are the words I’m choosing?

We, as women, and especially as mothers, have upwards of a hundred thousand choices per day. Where are the things I’m choosing leading me? Are they leading me for greatness? Are they leading me and my loved ones down a path of destruction?

The bible tells us in Matthew chapter 7 to “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (v. 13-14).

So, are the things I get to choose leading me down the wide and broad road that leads to destruction? Or do the things I get to choose, those seemingly minor and those major, leading me and my loved ones through the small gate and down the narrow road?

Kids/Parenting, Series, Soul Relationships

Small

Michelle

In continuing with moving content, here is a post originally published February 21, 2014.

They are small. In size. But yet they are so big in my heart. My two beautiful children.

They are smart, they are sassy, they are my reason for living, for thriving, for surviving.

They are small. But the moments are BIG in meaning.

The small, everyday, ordinary moments which translate into one big lifetime of occasions and memories.

These small moments of breakfast at the island in our kitchen. Our kitchen that I LOVE preparing meals for them in.

These small moments of devotions at dinner time, which turn into small stories of our days. Small stories, small days, in the BIG story of our BIG God.

Oh how I hope that my small moments make for BIG meaning in the lives of my children. Who are small. In size. But yet they are so big in my heart. My two beautiful children.

His Word, Series

Five Minute Friday – Plan

Michelle

I’m a planner. I like to have a schedule. It’s my nature to know what the heck is going on and what is coming up. I’m not a ‘fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants’ kinda gal.

This works to my advantage when the control of everything relies on me. But let’s be real here. That is not reality. I don’t control anything. Except maybe myself, and that’s only if there aren’t Double Stuf Oreos around. Then I don’t even control myself.

Sunset

I have to remember the words we find in Proverbs16:9, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” 

Or those found in Proverbs 19:21, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”

Or my favorite found in Psalm 138:8, “The Lord will work out his plans for my life—for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.”

All of these verses remind me that I can have the greatest plans in the world, but if it doesn’t align with God’s purpose or his plans for my life, then all of my planning is in vain.

All of my hard work. All of my investment. All of the blood, sweat, and tears in trying to do what I felt was ‘just perfect’ for me and mine.

Saint Augustine said, “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.”

I think this is a pretty good view to have.

And when all else fails, I can remember the words of Paul in his letter to the Philippians, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Be blessed today dear readers…until next time…

His Word, Random, Series

Day 10 – Care

Michelle

image

Today’s post is the first Five Minute Friday prompt in the 31 Day writing challenge. Yes, I realize it’s not Friday…that it’s actually Tuesday, but hey, folks, I’m a work in progress.

Which is actually a good segue into the actual post. Today’s prompt is: Care.

There are days when I ask why I care. Why do I care how I’m viewed? Why do I care what other people think? The only One who really matters doesn’t even judge the same way as people.

See, I have a problem. There’s even a word to describe it…

per·fec·tion·ism noun \-shə-ˌni-zəm\

Definition of PERFECTIONISM

: a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable
— per·fec·tion·ist noun or adjective
— per·fec·tion·is·tic adjective

And this is why I am embarking upon this book, “confessions of a raging perfectionist” by Amanda Jenkins. Perhaps this book, in conjunction with His Word will cure me of this deadly disease.

I was having a conversation with a fellow perfectionist just yesterday. We both remarked that we wanted things to be, {ahem} perfect in our relationships. Then we chuckled and began to feel badly for these men who have a tremendous amount of pressure placed upon them to join us in our quest for perfection. And they may not even realize it themselves.

I will tell you this much: I’m exhausted from caring so much about how others perceive me. And the thing is that it’s just that…their perception. And perceptions can be twisted by our life experiences, so it’s not factual and it’s different for everyone.

Does anyone else want to join me in this journey? Is anyone else thinking it might be time to focus on The One whose opinion matters the most? Is anyone else tired of trying to be ‘just so’?

If you’re thinking that maybe it’s time, let me leave you with this snippet from the Introduction to Amanda’s book:

“My problem, I’ve recently realized, is the significance I attach to the list–that if I lose five pounds and spend twenty minutes reading my Bible, I’ll be a better, more spiritual, more loving, more lovable person. When I fail to live up to my own expectations, I feel inadequate. Or more specifically (and as my stats frequently read), overweight, lazy, disorganized, and unworthy of the approval I seek.”

Random, Series

Day 3 – New

Michelle

If you’re here for the third day this month, I applaud you! I thank you! And I graciously ask that you return daily during the month of October…I ask that you return to see how this month carries out and how I can grow as a writer during this 31 day challenge.

Today’s topic is: New.

I’m struggling with this new blog post. I am not typically one to schedule my posts ahead of time. I generally write a blog post when I’m feeling inspired or when I feel I have something particularly witty or important to share with you fine people.

I can say this…I can say that I’m going through a season in my life right now. And it’s a season that’s completely new and foreign to me.

On a daily basis, I’m questioning what I’m here for. Is what I’m doing making a difference? Am I making a difference in the lives of those around me?

Am I saying the right things and doing the right things to leave a lasting impression on those I love?

Am I demonstrating ways to be brave to my children? Am I showing Christ’s love toward others?

In this season, my thoughts keep coming back to…when will waiting for the one finally be…done?

That one job, that one financial shift, that partner or spouse you’re waiting for…