Saturday, June 16, 2012
Observations of Life: Pity or Praise Party?
Observations of Life: Pity or Praise Party?: Do you ever have a pity party? Yeah, me too. I have some really elaborate ones complete with ice cream, chocolate, tears... Some are just...
Pity or Praise Party?
Do you ever have a pity party? Yeah, me too. I have some really elaborate ones complete with ice cream, chocolate, tears... Some are just stolen moments in the car, sitting at work or going to bed at night.
My pity parties are usually associated with people pleasing, care-giver status. They happen when I feel especially unappreciated, overly criticized or in my opinion things are going horribly wrong. The parties include a lot of whining that goes a little like this:
"Why me? I don't deserve this. I'm giving up everything. I at least deserve some kindness and respect.'
During this last pity party I heard my Lord say: 'Why not you? You don't think you deserve your treatment? Do you think I deserved the treatment I've had through the ages? The treatment the Israelites gave me? The treatment given to me while I was in human form? The treatment you give me when you ignore my Word? Sure you have 14 copies of my Word, but if you don't pick it up, read it, study it - it does no good. What about the times you only talk to me when you need or want something? What about the things you blame for or question me about when things aren't going the way you think they should?"
"You are giving up everything? Hmmm... I gave up my throne in Heaven, I gave up my majesty, my glory to come into your world. Then I gave up my life. I gave up fellowship with my Father to take on your sins, to break the powers of hell. Do you think I might deserve some gratitude and respect?"
Let me tell you that puts quite a damper on a party. I was ashamed of myself. I was humbled. I don't deserve anything good. I deserve death and hell, but have been given mercy, forgiveness, unending love and eternal life.
Forgive me Father for my mistreatment of you. Please always remind me of all you have done and continue to do in my life. I praise you and thank you. Let others see you through me. Help me fewer pity parties and more PRAISE parties.
My pity parties are usually associated with people pleasing, care-giver status. They happen when I feel especially unappreciated, overly criticized or in my opinion things are going horribly wrong. The parties include a lot of whining that goes a little like this:
"Why me? I don't deserve this. I'm giving up everything. I at least deserve some kindness and respect.'
During this last pity party I heard my Lord say: 'Why not you? You don't think you deserve your treatment? Do you think I deserved the treatment I've had through the ages? The treatment the Israelites gave me? The treatment given to me while I was in human form? The treatment you give me when you ignore my Word? Sure you have 14 copies of my Word, but if you don't pick it up, read it, study it - it does no good. What about the times you only talk to me when you need or want something? What about the things you blame for or question me about when things aren't going the way you think they should?"
"You are giving up everything? Hmmm... I gave up my throne in Heaven, I gave up my majesty, my glory to come into your world. Then I gave up my life. I gave up fellowship with my Father to take on your sins, to break the powers of hell. Do you think I might deserve some gratitude and respect?"
Let me tell you that puts quite a damper on a party. I was ashamed of myself. I was humbled. I don't deserve anything good. I deserve death and hell, but have been given mercy, forgiveness, unending love and eternal life.
Forgive me Father for my mistreatment of you. Please always remind me of all you have done and continue to do in my life. I praise you and thank you. Let others see you through me. Help me fewer pity parties and more PRAISE parties.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Life and ...
It has been a day of mixed emotions. A 7-8 month old baby girl died from injuries sustained in a car wreck with her 45 y/o grandparents. The grandfather also died. The baby girl was named Kennedi and she was beautiful. She is the niece of a dance teacher we know. It was heartbreaking to hear of Kennedi's death. I can only begin to imagine the feelings I would have if something happened to Addison. We will never be able to fathom God's ways.
As I was dealing with these emotions, Tammy texted that she and Addison had been on one of our elevated roadways, when they had to stop suddenly due to the traffic shut down caused by a stalled car. She looked in her rearview mirror to see a large pick-up barrelling at them. There was no place to go - nothing to do....just watch and scream. Somehow the pick-up screeched to a sideways stop. Understandably, Tammy was an emotional mess. I told her that knowledge of Kennedi's passing had broken my heart - the knowledge of them being hurt or killed had stopped my heart.
My first thoughts started correctly - expressing gratitude that the Father had protected my loved ones. I then felt selfish and strange...thankfulness that a wreck hadn't happened to us along with the knowledge that a wreck had happened to someone else and two lives were lost. Who were we to be spared? Were we blessed and they weren't? Are we doing anything to impact His kingdom?
I haven't answered any of my questions. The emotions are completely jumbled...sorrow, gratitude, sympathy, challenged. Life will go on and all this will fade, before it does, please God let me learn the lesson(s) I need from these situations and use me so that others see You in my thoughts and actions.
As I was dealing with these emotions, Tammy texted that she and Addison had been on one of our elevated roadways, when they had to stop suddenly due to the traffic shut down caused by a stalled car. She looked in her rearview mirror to see a large pick-up barrelling at them. There was no place to go - nothing to do....just watch and scream. Somehow the pick-up screeched to a sideways stop. Understandably, Tammy was an emotional mess. I told her that knowledge of Kennedi's passing had broken my heart - the knowledge of them being hurt or killed had stopped my heart.
My first thoughts started correctly - expressing gratitude that the Father had protected my loved ones. I then felt selfish and strange...thankfulness that a wreck hadn't happened to us along with the knowledge that a wreck had happened to someone else and two lives were lost. Who were we to be spared? Were we blessed and they weren't? Are we doing anything to impact His kingdom?
I haven't answered any of my questions. The emotions are completely jumbled...sorrow, gratitude, sympathy, challenged. Life will go on and all this will fade, before it does, please God let me learn the lesson(s) I need from these situations and use me so that others see You in my thoughts and actions.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Wow, life rarely fails to be overwhelming in some sense...overwhelmingly busy or stressed or tired or wonderful! Like most humans, I tend to concentrate on the current circumstances to determine my defined "overwhelming" status.
Today is overwhelming from the standpoint of home life. I am so stressed - I would love to cry myself silly while eating a bag of Hershey Kisses. I know most of us wear many hats. My hats encompass daughter, friend, employee, co-worker, insurance underwriter, sister, aunt, surrogate mom for parts of my sister, surrogate mom for my niece when my sister can't be the mom and caregiver for both of them including 2 dogs, a cat and a rabbit. In the midst of these hats it is my desire to take care of everyone. I want everyone to be happy with life, happy with each other, happy with me. If I sense this isn't happening - I try to peacemake. Ask me how successful that is....
My most stressful hats are wrapped together in being sister/mom/caregiver. I have been in these roles, full-time, for 4 1/2 years now. I have an empathy for caregivers that I've never had before. Bless you if you are a caregiver. I wish I had a 3 step program, (heck I would be happy to give you a 20 step program - if it worked), to help us learn to relax...do what we can do and leave the rest to God.
Oops - may be that is the secret...it is a 1 step program - leave the rest to God. I do what I can do, then try to do more, be more, give more, worry about what I did, wonder what I should have done different or will do different next time or.... Except for when sleeping - I'm rarely still. If my body is still - my mind and heart are going 100 miles an hour.
Rest, be still, be quiet, let His peace flow over and through your Spirit.
Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Psalm 37:7
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God
Exodus 33:14
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 91:1
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Today is overwhelming from the standpoint of home life. I am so stressed - I would love to cry myself silly while eating a bag of Hershey Kisses. I know most of us wear many hats. My hats encompass daughter, friend, employee, co-worker, insurance underwriter, sister, aunt, surrogate mom for parts of my sister, surrogate mom for my niece when my sister can't be the mom and caregiver for both of them including 2 dogs, a cat and a rabbit. In the midst of these hats it is my desire to take care of everyone. I want everyone to be happy with life, happy with each other, happy with me. If I sense this isn't happening - I try to peacemake. Ask me how successful that is....
My most stressful hats are wrapped together in being sister/mom/caregiver. I have been in these roles, full-time, for 4 1/2 years now. I have an empathy for caregivers that I've never had before. Bless you if you are a caregiver. I wish I had a 3 step program, (heck I would be happy to give you a 20 step program - if it worked), to help us learn to relax...do what we can do and leave the rest to God.
Oops - may be that is the secret...it is a 1 step program - leave the rest to God. I do what I can do, then try to do more, be more, give more, worry about what I did, wonder what I should have done different or will do different next time or.... Except for when sleeping - I'm rarely still. If my body is still - my mind and heart are going 100 miles an hour.
Rest, be still, be quiet, let His peace flow over and through your Spirit.
Exodus 14:14
The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Psalm 37:7
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God
Exodus 33:14
The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 91:1
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)