Showing posts with label wife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wife. Show all posts

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Time to Change the World

Are you using your time to change the world or is it changing you?  We all want to make a difference; to know that what we do is important.  Sometimes we spend so much time trying to be significant that we lose track of what really matters.  We become defined by our schedules and plans. Craziness and business become habit and routine. And suddenly, we find our lives out of control.  Even though our days may be filled to overflowing, we find ourselves feeling empty and disappointed.  

So let me ask: Are you caught in the cycle of chaos and the sin of business because you haven’t stopped to think maybe this isn’t Gods plan for you and your time?

God did not make us to live the way the world lives.  We are each created as individuals with unique gifts and talents.   
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
~Ephesians 2:10 says
God expects us to use our time on the talents HE has chosen specifically for us


Here are some things to think about:
Do your heart and soul, the essence of who you really are, show through in what you do?

Are your days full of things you really don’t want to be doing? 

Is your schedule is controlling you or are you controlling your schedule?

Are you so busy trying to “get it all done” that you don’t get any of it done. (Here’s a little secret…you will NEVER get it all done! There will always be something more to do.)

Our kids, homes, families, churches and communities will benefit from us slowing down and doing specifically what God has called us and us alone to do.  When your heart and calendar become available to God, you will begin to focus on the things that will have the greatest impact. Mother Teresa said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” 
 Do you even have time to cast your stone?


Do you know what your calling is? If you have a hard time saying “no” chances are you don’t know what God wants you to be doing. You have to learn that it’s okay to say no.  And you have to learn to say no to the things that are not yours to carry right now.  These may very well be things you want to do. And these are probably good things. But are they the things God wants you to do?  Remember, just because God isn’t calling you to it now, doesn’t mean HE never will. Learn to focus on the season you are living in now and the plan God has for you at this time.   
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
~Ecclesiastes 3:1 

Are you worn out from the business? Do you ever feel inadequate at what you do, no matter how hard you try to make it a success? I know I’ve certainly been there!  

Friends, we can’t do anything well when we try to do everything. 

Think about 1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
If your running around trying to do everything, are you doing it to glorify God? Probably not. When you honor God with what you do, when you glorify God with your time, your purpose becomes clear.  And when God has called you to something, He will equip you with all you need to succeed. The exhaustion and feelings of incompetence will disappear.


So, how do you discover what God is calling you to do:
First, analyze your gifts. What talents has God given you? Don’t consider anything to be insignificant.  God can and will do things far beyond anything you can imagine. Don't limit His ability to do something amazing through you.

Also, you must take control of your schedule. This will mean some adjustment. This will mean saying no. And remember if you are doing a task God did not call you to, you may be preventing someone else from doing what God has called them to do.

And most of all, listen to God for directions. There is only one way to hear His voice. You must get into HIS word and wait for HIM to speak. He will answer, but you have to slow down and listen.

Find your passion. Find your calling.  Follow God’s leading and see what great and mighty things He will do. 


If you’re serious about changing the world, you’re going to have to start by making time for yourself.  Sometimes ladies, you just need to take a break.  As Pricilla Shirer says in her book, The Resolution, “it’s not a break from your life; it’s a break for your life”. 
Let that sink in…a break for your life.   

It’s not selfish.
It’s not unimportant.
It’s not something you should feel guilty about. 
If you’re not taking care of you, how can you take care of the world around you? How are you going to be available to God? How are you going to be able to change the world? 

Take time to breathe. 

Girlfriends, even Jesus took time to rest! 


What simple pleasure would rejuvenate you? A walk on the beach, a bubble bath, a cup of coffee and a good book, a pedicure, a jog, a nap…


Get creative.  It’s doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. But it does have to be about you and you alone. And it does have to be done on a regular basis.  When you do that, it will begin to change your world, then the world of your family, your co-workers, your church, your community.  It's a ripple effect.


When you honor God with your time,
when you become intentional with your time, 
when you use your time on your calling, 
when you create “me” time...
YOU WILL BEGIN TO CHANGE THE WORLD!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

L-O-V-E


  


However, each one of you must love his wife as he loves himself,
 and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:33 





Love...
There are countless songs, poems, books, movies and even scriptures on the subject. And this week is the holiday to celebrate it all... 
Valentines Day   

And truth be told, I love Valentines Day. I like having a nice dinner with my hubby. I like him paying special attention to me for the day. I like getting a sappy card. I'm a girlie girl...what can I say???

However, not too long ago, I dreaded the "love" holiday.  There was a point when Chip and I became so consumed with other things, that we lost touch with each other. We lost some of the magic that was "us". Then, Matthew died. And then, Will took a downward spiral. And our marriage became a big hot mess.  

Statistics on marriages that fail after the death of a child are pretty staggering. We were painfully aware of that and did not want to become one of those numbers.  Yet as we grieved for Matthew in very different ways, we grew further and further apart.  We were not able to communicate in a healthy way.  We pulled further and further away from each other until we reached a very dangerous point. We both agreed that we did not want our marriage to end, yet we were clueless what to do to save it. So we decided to give it to God. We both committed to HIM that we wanted to save our marriage, but were powerless to do it. We agreed to "go through motions" and give God a chance to work. 

I was extremely impatient during this time. 
I wanted God to work quickly. 
HE had other plans. 
I wanted my family restored "now". 
HE had other plans.  
So I reached a point where I simply surrendered and said "I love you Lord and I trust you". It was one more area I had to intentionally choose to praise HIM in the storm. Look carefully at what I just said. I to choose to praise God. 
It was not what I wanted.

I wanted God to swoop in and save the day. 
After all, I had already buried a child and had another one going down a dangerous emotional and physical trail. Why wouldn't God hurry up and restore my marriage?!?

I don't know the answer to that "why" (like so many others). What I do know is that God did restore my marriage in HIS time. It has been a long journey. But now I have a beautiful, Godly marriage, that is stronger than ever before. Chip and I have found a love and respect for each other that did not exist before.  It is an amazing gift from God. And without a doubt, another part of HIM rewriting our story for HIS glory.

Some of you may be struggling in your marriage right now.  Marriage is hard. Really hard sometimes!  It takes two people who are willing to work and each give 100%. I am giving God the glory for what HE did in our marriage and asking you to do the same. Without out HIM, we would be another statistic by now.

Everyday stresses take a toll on a marriage. Tragedies happen in every family. So, whatever your story, whatever is straining your relationship with your spouse, I encourage you to give it to God. It is not easy, but HE will do something amazing when you give it all to HIM.

Stay strong.
Stay committed.
Stay resolved to stay together.
Stay patient. God works in HIS time, not ours. But HIS timing is always perfect. 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
~1 Corinthians 13:13