Hi Friends,
In recent weeks, two events have created a desire for me to make changes in my life. One was seeing my old house (check out last post). Seeing what happens when a house is neglected and not kept up-to-date caused me to look anew at my own home.
The other event was a conversation Zoie and I had that has left me stunned and disturbed. It started with a simple question that I asked her...really off-handedly. "What are some things you see in my life that point you to God?" Her answer sort of took the life out of me. "You teach me right from wrong." I sat there a minute processing her words. So I asked her, "That's funny, you didn't mention things like prayer and Bible study...Why?" She continued, "Mom, I know you do those things. I just don't see them...you asked me what I saw. I see you have devotions with the family. I see you pray with us every night. I don't see you do those things by-yourself."
OUCH!!!!!!!
If my own daughter does not see me reflecting God...then what kind of dull image am I reflecting of HIM to the World? I do pray and read HIS word...But I've been too private about it.
So.....
I have been busy updating my two dwellings. I am rearranging furniture in my home. I've looked at the space and taken the advice of some people who are good at this sort of thing...the one's who have designer's hearts...like my mom. Every room in my house is getting some sort of update. It may be as little as moving a picture or clearing a shelf to doing a major over-haul like in Zoie's room...every stick of furniture was moved.
This week, while looking through a dictionary for my class I teach, I came across a new word. The word is "Transmogrification."
It means changing something to the fantastic or bizarre.
To do this I am turning to another designer's heart...actually HE IS THE ONLY TRUE DESIGNER! The earth and everything in it is the only complete designer-original. Every other designer has to use HIS scraps! (giggle, giggle...)
That's what God is doing in the place where HE and I dwell...My heart. I am being Transmogrified into the fantastic and bizarre creation HE wants me to be. We are rearranging attitudes, cleaning out some self-centered issues...which like dust seems to collect everyday on the surface of my heart. We are de-cluttering my thoughts so that what is being stored there is more like HIS thoughts.
I want to be changed to the fantastic and bizarre because HE IS!
I want my house to look better and reflect the values and beliefs of my family....I want God to transmogrify my heart to reflect HIS values and beliefs.
My house will once again clutter up because people live there. So will my heart because my self lives there too. But here's the thing...as I lay out the plans, direct the ideas, and my family works together....we can continue to update, refurbish and rearrange so that our house will reflect us well. With my heart, I must work with God to do the same thing. HE will layout the plans. HE will direct the ideas. HE will complete the job. I must spend time with HIM, listen to HIM and obey HIM. The more it is all about HIM the more it will be all about HIM!
2 Corinthians 3:18 says "And all of us have had that veiled removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like HIM and reflect HIS glory even more." NLT
Why don't you grab a dust pan, a mirror, your Bible and let's get TRANSMOGRIFIED!
Love ya,
Pamela
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
That's Where I used to Live!
Hi Friends!
I grew up in only two houses. I lived in one till I was four and I honestly don't remember much about that one. The other house, I lived in from the age of four until I was 24! It is as Miranda Lambert sings about, "the house that built me." My parents moved from that house when I was in my early 30's. I love where they live now and it instantly became home. I'll tell you about my parent's home another time.
Mike, Zoie and I moved back to my home town almost seven years ago. As we drive by the old home place, I find myself saying, "I used to live there." Driving to my parents on Christmas eve this year, I looked at my old house and noticed a "For Sale" sign. I asked Mike to pull over and I jotted down the number of the agent on the sign. A couple days later, I called and asked to see the house. I was so excited! I knew there had been some add-ons made and I could not wait to see the changes on the inside. Even as we pulled into the drive, things felt familiar. I drew in a deep breath and for a brief second, felt like I had come home from a long trip. We walked to the front door and stepped into what had always been my favorite room...the formal living room.
CRASH!!!!!!!
I had expected the house to be a little run down, after all... it was over 50 years old! But this was heart breaking! There had been changes to the outside of the house...updates...some good...some not so good. But the inside of the house had not changed...It was stuck in the 70's and 80's era. I vaguely heard the agent talking about the hard wood floors, as I walked around what had once been an elegant, peaceful, GOD-filled room, that now stood half empty and discarded. The agent went on to explain about a very bad, brown and green carpet in the great room. I kind of snorted out a half laugh as I said, "It wasn't green when I lived here." Soon we were walking into the kitchen and my heart sunk further. Although it had been painted, it too had been neglected. Then into the dinning room... it was the only room that looked like with just a coat of wax on the floor....it would be as good as new. I looked toward the great room and a tear ran down my face. The green and brown carpet that the agent had talked about... WAS the same carpet that my parents had put in there...only then it had been brown, orange and beige. The rest of the house was no better. Where seeing the same carpets and layouts of the rooms should have brought back fond memories, it only broke my heart more to see that nothing much had changed. I was flooded with childhood memories...all good by the way...and I shared them with Mike, Zoie and the patient agent. After we left, I cried because of the neglect. Why had they not taken care of the house?
My parents would have never let that house grow old like that. They constantly changed it while I was growing up, to fit the times. They had added on, updated, redesigned the cabinets... every couple of years our house was freshly painted and something was changed. It was always a showcase and beautiful.
It made me think about my own house...not the building I live in...but my spiritual house. The one where CHRIST dwells within me. Have I just kept up the outside with neglect to the inside? Have I tried too hard to keep it as it was 20 years ago? I often think back to my days as a young excited seminary student, who wanted to witness to the world! How many times have I tried to "decorate" my spiritual house by using the same kind of old stories and disciplines? Our relationship with GOD should be ever changing...always being updated to what is happening now...not what worked in the past.
I don't want to ever go back and live in the house where I used to live...physically or spiritually!
UPDATE ME LORD!!!! I need a relationship with YOU that is HERE, NOW, TODAY and exactly right with the times!
I think it is time to UPDATE And REDECORATE! I've got some ideas...wanna join me and let the ultimate designer give us an EXTREME MAKE-OVER!
Love Ya!
Pamela
I grew up in only two houses. I lived in one till I was four and I honestly don't remember much about that one. The other house, I lived in from the age of four until I was 24! It is as Miranda Lambert sings about, "the house that built me." My parents moved from that house when I was in my early 30's. I love where they live now and it instantly became home. I'll tell you about my parent's home another time.
Mike, Zoie and I moved back to my home town almost seven years ago. As we drive by the old home place, I find myself saying, "I used to live there." Driving to my parents on Christmas eve this year, I looked at my old house and noticed a "For Sale" sign. I asked Mike to pull over and I jotted down the number of the agent on the sign. A couple days later, I called and asked to see the house. I was so excited! I knew there had been some add-ons made and I could not wait to see the changes on the inside. Even as we pulled into the drive, things felt familiar. I drew in a deep breath and for a brief second, felt like I had come home from a long trip. We walked to the front door and stepped into what had always been my favorite room...the formal living room.
CRASH!!!!!!!
I had expected the house to be a little run down, after all... it was over 50 years old! But this was heart breaking! There had been changes to the outside of the house...updates...some good...some not so good. But the inside of the house had not changed...It was stuck in the 70's and 80's era. I vaguely heard the agent talking about the hard wood floors, as I walked around what had once been an elegant, peaceful, GOD-filled room, that now stood half empty and discarded. The agent went on to explain about a very bad, brown and green carpet in the great room. I kind of snorted out a half laugh as I said, "It wasn't green when I lived here." Soon we were walking into the kitchen and my heart sunk further. Although it had been painted, it too had been neglected. Then into the dinning room... it was the only room that looked like with just a coat of wax on the floor....it would be as good as new. I looked toward the great room and a tear ran down my face. The green and brown carpet that the agent had talked about... WAS the same carpet that my parents had put in there...only then it had been brown, orange and beige. The rest of the house was no better. Where seeing the same carpets and layouts of the rooms should have brought back fond memories, it only broke my heart more to see that nothing much had changed. I was flooded with childhood memories...all good by the way...and I shared them with Mike, Zoie and the patient agent. After we left, I cried because of the neglect. Why had they not taken care of the house?
My parents would have never let that house grow old like that. They constantly changed it while I was growing up, to fit the times. They had added on, updated, redesigned the cabinets... every couple of years our house was freshly painted and something was changed. It was always a showcase and beautiful.
It made me think about my own house...not the building I live in...but my spiritual house. The one where CHRIST dwells within me. Have I just kept up the outside with neglect to the inside? Have I tried too hard to keep it as it was 20 years ago? I often think back to my days as a young excited seminary student, who wanted to witness to the world! How many times have I tried to "decorate" my spiritual house by using the same kind of old stories and disciplines? Our relationship with GOD should be ever changing...always being updated to what is happening now...not what worked in the past.
I don't want to ever go back and live in the house where I used to live...physically or spiritually!
UPDATE ME LORD!!!! I need a relationship with YOU that is HERE, NOW, TODAY and exactly right with the times!
I think it is time to UPDATE And REDECORATE! I've got some ideas...wanna join me and let the ultimate designer give us an EXTREME MAKE-OVER!
Love Ya!
Pamela
Thursday, December 2, 2010
She Loved Her Enemy
Hey Y'all!
It was her reaction that alarmed me...not what had happened to her...but what she did that sent BIG RED LIGHTS flashing off in my head screeching...
"Warning Pamela Robinson! Warning! Warning!"
As I questioned her further, she started crying and the whole story poured out like a flood.
My Zoie was being bullied!
Pause...while I once again retract my mother bear claws and calm my temper back down from just thinking about this!
There much better...had to settle my flesh down by reminding it that God has already handled this HIS way.
The next morning I went straight to the principle. Zoie and I also talked with each of her teacher's....everyone was on notice. Everyone was watching. She did it again and then "The Bully" was put on notice.
Two weeks passed with no bullying...nothing between the two girls.
The Christmas Choral Concert was just a few weeks away, and they were holding auditions for solos and duets. Zoie was one of the first to sign up. The auditions would take place over several days...but slots were limited. The second day of the auditions, the bully decided she too would like to audition. No open slots. Mrs. O'Neal asked the class if anyone would be willing to give up their audition slot for this girl to have a chance.
Ok, pause to wipe tears...
Without hesitation, Zoie raised her hand and gave up her slot for her bully. What you need to know is that she knew that could possibly mean...she would not get to sing. The very thing she loves doing as much as breathing, SHE GAVE UP FOR HER ENEMY!
I am both proud and in awe of that kind of willingness to sacrifice.
The bully auditioned...stunned at Zoie giving up her spot for her. Then she backed out again the next day. Zoie asked her, "Why?"
"Because I'm too scared. I don't think I sing good enough."
"You have a very pretty voice, don't give up...give it a try." Zoie offered.
Her enemy looked at her then said "You are only saying that Zoie because you are my friend. Thank you Zoie."
From enemy to friend by one action---one sacrifice. Isn't that what Christ did for us? "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us."
Jesus tells us to love our enemies. I've heard testimonies of this from people who have loved those who experienced enemies on a big level..such as loving someone who has murdered a loved one. Elizabeth Elliot going back and serving the tribesmen who killed her husband for example.
This was my first time to see it in the everyday. Which as most of you know is the hardest place to practice and live God's truth.
The concert was Tuesday night and Zoie sang beautifully! She is truly a beauty don't ya think?
Inside and out! I think she favors her FATHER.
Love ya
Pamela
Monday, November 29, 2010
I Have A Confession
Hey Y'all,
I have a Confession. I am afraid. Extremely afraid...like Nightmare Marathon Time afraid.
I am afraid of you.
Isn't that silly? (Please say it is or I will shrink up right now!)
My mind tells me it's silly...my fears tell me to be terrified.
How can I be so scared of you? I mean you are--wherever you are and I am here. You are reading this, not looking at me...you can't see or hear me over this page unless I video...which I've never done. YET you scare me!
It's not that I am worried you will not like me. Truth is no matter what you read here...you will never really know me. I could be in the crowd at your church some Sunday and some of you would not know me. I am smart enough to know that. So to tell the truth, it doesn't truly matter if you like me or not.
It's not that I have cyber fears of you stalking me or anything like that. My nightmares are not about you hunting me down in my sleep. I've taken good precautions there and honestly I trust GOD with that one...so that's not it.
I'm honestly sitting here processing this as I write it. I am searching for the answers myself...I don't know why you scare me. ALL I DO KNOW IS THAT MY FEAR OF YOU HAS KEPT ME FROM WRITING TO YOU.
God has blessed us so much these last few months. So why am I afraid to share it? HE has continued to heal my broken places. HE has taught me some deep and wonderful truths through HIS WORD...Yet I have not shared...not only have I not shared with you but with others who DO know me...Why?
If any of you have experienced similar fears, please let me know about your experiences and maybe we can help each other.
As I sit here pondering, reflecting, praying, seeking, and tapping these letters together on the keyboard and watching these words that have been hidden in my darkest place come out, I am beginning to feel peace and see some light.
Maybe, it is because I am exposing it to the truth.
Part of this started as I first confessed to you that I felt called to write more....to share more intimately...to share more consistently and with purpose and mission. After that, it seems any excuse would do to keep me from talking with you here...then to stop talking with close, nearby friends too.
OOOOH how conviction tears at hurt places in our soul. It is good. It draws out the venom of the lies the enemy has sank deep there.
Lies like...I can't! No one cares anyway! You have too many stories..people will think you made it up...too much like a "Movie of The Week" than real life. You are glorifying yourself in here not God.
Truth reveals these lies and exposed they can not stand. This may be some of the reasons or there may be some more hidden even deeper. I still do not know completely why....I don't need to anymore.
I now realize what I need to do.
So here...exposed to you...I lay my fears down and make no promises that I can't or will chose not to keep. I lay it all here my fears, my typing fingers, my blessings, my troubles, my pain and my joys...my ALL
Jesus take control of it all..it all belongs to you anyway...every friend, every word, every thought, every bit. Consume me with YOUR presence.
May I do a Nest-tea plunge into your GRACE. Then let me swim in your love and then serve others from the overflow. Your Over-flow!
Thank you for listening to me as I processed this out. Please share with me your experiences and pray for me.
I do truly love you. I don't feel afraid anymore...I'd give you a big ole SOUTHERN bear hug if I could...the kind where I squeeze ya so hard we shake. OOOPS I may have just made you scared of me! Hope not! If I did let's talk it out.
Love,
Pamela
I have a Confession. I am afraid. Extremely afraid...like Nightmare Marathon Time afraid.
I am afraid of you.
Isn't that silly? (Please say it is or I will shrink up right now!)
My mind tells me it's silly...my fears tell me to be terrified.
How can I be so scared of you? I mean you are--wherever you are and I am here. You are reading this, not looking at me...you can't see or hear me over this page unless I video...which I've never done. YET you scare me!
It's not that I am worried you will not like me. Truth is no matter what you read here...you will never really know me. I could be in the crowd at your church some Sunday and some of you would not know me. I am smart enough to know that. So to tell the truth, it doesn't truly matter if you like me or not.
It's not that I have cyber fears of you stalking me or anything like that. My nightmares are not about you hunting me down in my sleep. I've taken good precautions there and honestly I trust GOD with that one...so that's not it.
I'm honestly sitting here processing this as I write it. I am searching for the answers myself...I don't know why you scare me. ALL I DO KNOW IS THAT MY FEAR OF YOU HAS KEPT ME FROM WRITING TO YOU.
God has blessed us so much these last few months. So why am I afraid to share it? HE has continued to heal my broken places. HE has taught me some deep and wonderful truths through HIS WORD...Yet I have not shared...not only have I not shared with you but with others who DO know me...Why?
If any of you have experienced similar fears, please let me know about your experiences and maybe we can help each other.
As I sit here pondering, reflecting, praying, seeking, and tapping these letters together on the keyboard and watching these words that have been hidden in my darkest place come out, I am beginning to feel peace and see some light.
Maybe, it is because I am exposing it to the truth.
Part of this started as I first confessed to you that I felt called to write more....to share more intimately...to share more consistently and with purpose and mission. After that, it seems any excuse would do to keep me from talking with you here...then to stop talking with close, nearby friends too.
OOOOH how conviction tears at hurt places in our soul. It is good. It draws out the venom of the lies the enemy has sank deep there.
Lies like...I can't! No one cares anyway! You have too many stories..people will think you made it up...too much like a "Movie of The Week" than real life. You are glorifying yourself in here not God.
Truth reveals these lies and exposed they can not stand. This may be some of the reasons or there may be some more hidden even deeper. I still do not know completely why....I don't need to anymore.
I now realize what I need to do.
So here...exposed to you...I lay my fears down and make no promises that I can't or will chose not to keep. I lay it all here my fears, my typing fingers, my blessings, my troubles, my pain and my joys...my ALL
Jesus take control of it all..it all belongs to you anyway...every friend, every word, every thought, every bit. Consume me with YOUR presence.
May I do a Nest-tea plunge into your GRACE. Then let me swim in your love and then serve others from the overflow. Your Over-flow!
Thank you for listening to me as I processed this out. Please share with me your experiences and pray for me.
I do truly love you. I don't feel afraid anymore...I'd give you a big ole SOUTHERN bear hug if I could...the kind where I squeeze ya so hard we shake. OOOPS I may have just made you scared of me! Hope not! If I did let's talk it out.
Love,
Pamela
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Do I Look Fat In This?
Hey Y'all,
This past month has been a doozie!
I spent it traveling, then going shopping for new clothes! Sounds like fun? It wasn't!
The traveling took me back to the past where the enemy threw insult bombs and fear grenades at my heart. I tried not to go there, but circumstances and memories were too much temptation. I later discovered that it was all in God's hands. He allowed the trip to heal and free me of my tendency to walk around in a victim's shroud or sack cloth.
I often whine and lament because life has dealt me some hard blows. Then I cover myself with sack cloth and ashes, all the while, feeling like poor pitiful me!
What started this trip into the ashes was the arrest of the cousin-in-law, who molested me as a 10 year old. He was arrested in 2005 (I did not know this) for messing with his own grandchildren. He was put on probation and became a registered sex offender. The creep got caught at the end of May, picking up his grandchildren from school. So since he broke probation by being around children, he was sent to prison for two years. As the news of this traveled through my extended family, several other, now young women, came forward and admitted that he had molested them too. I had not known this before. At first I sank deep into my pile of ashes, condemning myself for not telling anyone about what had happened to me at 10. "If I had only told" became my self-centered lament. Oh...it was masked in "Maybe I could have prevented it from happening to the others" facade. But truth be told, it was pure self pity. I am so good at that! God does not want us sitting on our Ash heaps over the past! After several days of weeping and crying out to God...at last I turned to Him.
The message was clear...the past is gone! It doesn't matter today what I did or did not do then...that time is gone and done. All that matters is what I do now! So I found myself at the Sheriff's Office reporting a 37 year old crime! Turns out, because I did that...within a week some of the others did too. He is now under investigation as not only a sex offender...but a predator!
It is amazing the release I feel! At 10, this man had threatened my family's life...if I ever told...now, his life is in danger. I feel clean! That part is a post for another time...still working through that one.
The day after I reported him to the police, God lead me to Psalm 30 and took me shopping for new clothes.
Read verses 11 & 12 with me.
"You turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sack cloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever!"
A scripture song I remember from long ago, based on Isaiah 55 says, "Wherefore do you spend your money on that which is not good...Listen carefully to me and eat that which is good and let your soul delight itself in fatness, fatness! Ho everyone that thirsts come ye to the waters he that hath no money come ye by and eat!"
I have traveled, became thirsty and weary, then cried to God who feed me from His abundance and clothed me in gladness.
By the way,
Do these new clothes make me look fat? I hope so.
Love ya
Pamela
This past month has been a doozie!
I spent it traveling, then going shopping for new clothes! Sounds like fun? It wasn't!
The traveling took me back to the past where the enemy threw insult bombs and fear grenades at my heart. I tried not to go there, but circumstances and memories were too much temptation. I later discovered that it was all in God's hands. He allowed the trip to heal and free me of my tendency to walk around in a victim's shroud or sack cloth.
I often whine and lament because life has dealt me some hard blows. Then I cover myself with sack cloth and ashes, all the while, feeling like poor pitiful me!
What started this trip into the ashes was the arrest of the cousin-in-law, who molested me as a 10 year old. He was arrested in 2005 (I did not know this) for messing with his own grandchildren. He was put on probation and became a registered sex offender. The creep got caught at the end of May, picking up his grandchildren from school. So since he broke probation by being around children, he was sent to prison for two years. As the news of this traveled through my extended family, several other, now young women, came forward and admitted that he had molested them too. I had not known this before. At first I sank deep into my pile of ashes, condemning myself for not telling anyone about what had happened to me at 10. "If I had only told" became my self-centered lament. Oh...it was masked in "Maybe I could have prevented it from happening to the others" facade. But truth be told, it was pure self pity. I am so good at that! God does not want us sitting on our Ash heaps over the past! After several days of weeping and crying out to God...at last I turned to Him.
The message was clear...the past is gone! It doesn't matter today what I did or did not do then...that time is gone and done. All that matters is what I do now! So I found myself at the Sheriff's Office reporting a 37 year old crime! Turns out, because I did that...within a week some of the others did too. He is now under investigation as not only a sex offender...but a predator!
It is amazing the release I feel! At 10, this man had threatened my family's life...if I ever told...now, his life is in danger. I feel clean! That part is a post for another time...still working through that one.
The day after I reported him to the police, God lead me to Psalm 30 and took me shopping for new clothes.
Read verses 11 & 12 with me.
"You turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sack cloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever!"
A scripture song I remember from long ago, based on Isaiah 55 says, "Wherefore do you spend your money on that which is not good...Listen carefully to me and eat that which is good and let your soul delight itself in fatness, fatness! Ho everyone that thirsts come ye to the waters he that hath no money come ye by and eat!"
I have traveled, became thirsty and weary, then cried to God who feed me from His abundance and clothed me in gladness.
By the way,
Do these new clothes make me look fat? I hope so.
Love ya
Pamela
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
No Favoritism!
Hey Y'all!
We all know that God does not show favoritism...after all HIS word states it clearly in Acts 10:34-35. His love for each one of us is unique and special...and yet....He loves us all without partiality. My mind can not fathom that kind of love. The closest I come to understanding is how a mother can love each one of her children...yet uniquely!
Guess what?
Our Enemy does not show favoritism either. He hates us believers all the same! Now some of us, He is more scared of because of their great faith or purpose...but his hatred for us is all the same.
One proof of this became clear to me the other day as I watched some middle school girls interacting and playing a game together. To the best of my knowledge, all of these girls have a relationship with Jesus. However, just like us adults...come on ladies you know what I'm talking about...the meanness is still the same as with non-believers. One girl in particular who is blessed with both beauty, and a gentle and kind heart, was getting the brunt of the meanness. I watched as she struggled. I watched as her confidence became shaken and she made mistakes that she might not have otherwise made. My heart broke for her. Her mother was there and her heart too was broken for her daughter. We discussed our own hurts from being a woman in this world. We shared our own horror stories from past comments made from other women. Some came from those we knew were "Sisters in Christ." Our stories were different, yet similar. She is tall and gorgeous, like her daughter her spirit is sweet and honestly she is becoming one of my favorite people to be around. I am short and...hmmmm....let's say....oh I know....plump! My friend has always known she was blessed in the physical realm. I on the other hand, have often struggled with my looks, and felt ugly. Yet we both suffered at the words that other women have thrown our way.
We both have tried to help our daughters realize that it is what God thinks about us that matters...but we all know that middle school-ers can not comprehend that yet...too many changes and hormones out of whack for that...besides not many of us grown-up women understand it either, when those word-jabs come our way even now.
So...all of this is to say...Our enemy does not pick on the less fortunate of us, or on the most fortunate of us, or even one those of us who are in between. He shows no favoritism...his hate is spread around equally.
But that's where we can know that God too does not show favoritism. He blesses and loves us equally....just not all the same way...except one...He chose us as HIS BRIDE and we get to live with HIM FOREVER!!!!!
One more thing...for those of you who have had daughters go through those middle school years...what verses did you share with your daughters? I would like some verses to give Zoie and my young friend to use as both swords and shields against our enemy's attacks. Please share your thoughts and help some hurting mothers out!
Love ya
Pamela
We all know that God does not show favoritism...after all HIS word states it clearly in Acts 10:34-35. His love for each one of us is unique and special...and yet....He loves us all without partiality. My mind can not fathom that kind of love. The closest I come to understanding is how a mother can love each one of her children...yet uniquely!
Guess what?
Our Enemy does not show favoritism either. He hates us believers all the same! Now some of us, He is more scared of because of their great faith or purpose...but his hatred for us is all the same.
One proof of this became clear to me the other day as I watched some middle school girls interacting and playing a game together. To the best of my knowledge, all of these girls have a relationship with Jesus. However, just like us adults...come on ladies you know what I'm talking about...the meanness is still the same as with non-believers. One girl in particular who is blessed with both beauty, and a gentle and kind heart, was getting the brunt of the meanness. I watched as she struggled. I watched as her confidence became shaken and she made mistakes that she might not have otherwise made. My heart broke for her. Her mother was there and her heart too was broken for her daughter. We discussed our own hurts from being a woman in this world. We shared our own horror stories from past comments made from other women. Some came from those we knew were "Sisters in Christ." Our stories were different, yet similar. She is tall and gorgeous, like her daughter her spirit is sweet and honestly she is becoming one of my favorite people to be around. I am short and...hmmmm....let's say....oh I know....plump! My friend has always known she was blessed in the physical realm. I on the other hand, have often struggled with my looks, and felt ugly. Yet we both suffered at the words that other women have thrown our way.
We both have tried to help our daughters realize that it is what God thinks about us that matters...but we all know that middle school-ers can not comprehend that yet...too many changes and hormones out of whack for that...besides not many of us grown-up women understand it either, when those word-jabs come our way even now.
So...all of this is to say...Our enemy does not pick on the less fortunate of us, or on the most fortunate of us, or even one those of us who are in between. He shows no favoritism...his hate is spread around equally.
But that's where we can know that God too does not show favoritism. He blesses and loves us equally....just not all the same way...except one...He chose us as HIS BRIDE and we get to live with HIM FOREVER!!!!!
One more thing...for those of you who have had daughters go through those middle school years...what verses did you share with your daughters? I would like some verses to give Zoie and my young friend to use as both swords and shields against our enemy's attacks. Please share your thoughts and help some hurting mothers out!
Love ya
Pamela
Friday, May 28, 2010
No Parking!
Hey Y'all,
Back around Easter my family took a one day trip to Myrtle Beach. We got up at the crack of daylight, packed our car and drove the 3 hours to the beach. We were so excited to get there. We started looking for public access areas, where we could park and enjoy our day. We found one and begin looking for a parking place. All of the spaces had parking meters and Mike checked and they where $6 for the day. As we were just about to place money in the meter a man pulls up beside us and says, "The parking is free. The meters are for the summer season." Mike looks around at other cars in the little lot and notices that several are parked at meters that read "Expired." So we cheerfully parked and hurried down on the beach. After several hours of playing along the shore and a picnic lunch, we headed back to the car to drive around and look in the gift shops. I was the last to make it to the car and Mike is slamming the trunk shut. I could tell things were not so good. Turns out....It wasn't free parking and we had a parking ticket. So instead of paying $6 for the day to park there...we actually needed to pay $25!
I read a quote the other day and it reminded me of this incident.
"The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces." Will Rodgers
That day at the beach we were so wanting the trip to not cost us much. We listened to a total stranger and ended up paying 3 times as much. What looked like success...a free parking space...was costly.
When we let things or others steer us to parking spaces instead of keeping our eyes on the path God has for us, we will also meet higher cost.
I can attest to this. I have parked in so many parking places of excuses that have delayed and cost me dearly.
I love writing. I love telling stories. I love motivating and seeing God work in the lives of people as they hear the truths of God and shackles of rejection fall away. I love watching them fall into the arms of the God they never knew loved them so much! I've seen it and experienced it!
So why don't I do it more often? I park. I will drive a little ways taking in the journey in amazement. Then I'll see an excuse and pullover and park! Parking places that read, "Stop here. It's too hard." Another may read, "Stop here! Your too old." "Stop Here! Your grammar is too bad." While another may read, "Stop here! There are more pressing or fun things to do here!"
Parking places keep you from your destination. Yes, as we got to the beach that day, we needed to park our car...but that wasn't our destination. Our destination that day was a fun filled, worry free day at the beach. If we had parked correctly, and not made the excuses about it not being the summer season and should be free...we would have reached that destination and not had to side-track with a parking ticket.
Looking back, it still was a great day. We paid the ticket on-line and still had a wonderful time. We also learned from that mistake...which is one of the good things about parking spaces. You learn which ones to avoid!
No parking
No excuses!
I'm going to keep my eyes on the road and listen to the NAVIGATOR as HE directs the journey. Next time I park it will be under HIS direction and in HIS space!
Wanna go for a ride?
Love ya
Pamela
Back around Easter my family took a one day trip to Myrtle Beach. We got up at the crack of daylight, packed our car and drove the 3 hours to the beach. We were so excited to get there. We started looking for public access areas, where we could park and enjoy our day. We found one and begin looking for a parking place. All of the spaces had parking meters and Mike checked and they where $6 for the day. As we were just about to place money in the meter a man pulls up beside us and says, "The parking is free. The meters are for the summer season." Mike looks around at other cars in the little lot and notices that several are parked at meters that read "Expired." So we cheerfully parked and hurried down on the beach. After several hours of playing along the shore and a picnic lunch, we headed back to the car to drive around and look in the gift shops. I was the last to make it to the car and Mike is slamming the trunk shut. I could tell things were not so good. Turns out....It wasn't free parking and we had a parking ticket. So instead of paying $6 for the day to park there...we actually needed to pay $25!
I read a quote the other day and it reminded me of this incident.
"The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces." Will Rodgers
That day at the beach we were so wanting the trip to not cost us much. We listened to a total stranger and ended up paying 3 times as much. What looked like success...a free parking space...was costly.
When we let things or others steer us to parking spaces instead of keeping our eyes on the path God has for us, we will also meet higher cost.
I can attest to this. I have parked in so many parking places of excuses that have delayed and cost me dearly.
I love writing. I love telling stories. I love motivating and seeing God work in the lives of people as they hear the truths of God and shackles of rejection fall away. I love watching them fall into the arms of the God they never knew loved them so much! I've seen it and experienced it!
So why don't I do it more often? I park. I will drive a little ways taking in the journey in amazement. Then I'll see an excuse and pullover and park! Parking places that read, "Stop here. It's too hard." Another may read, "Stop here! Your too old." "Stop Here! Your grammar is too bad." While another may read, "Stop here! There are more pressing or fun things to do here!"
Parking places keep you from your destination. Yes, as we got to the beach that day, we needed to park our car...but that wasn't our destination. Our destination that day was a fun filled, worry free day at the beach. If we had parked correctly, and not made the excuses about it not being the summer season and should be free...we would have reached that destination and not had to side-track with a parking ticket.
Looking back, it still was a great day. We paid the ticket on-line and still had a wonderful time. We also learned from that mistake...which is one of the good things about parking spaces. You learn which ones to avoid!
No parking
No excuses!
I'm going to keep my eyes on the road and listen to the NAVIGATOR as HE directs the journey. Next time I park it will be under HIS direction and in HIS space!
Wanna go for a ride?
Love ya
Pamela
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