Thoughtful Thursday - Hurting

Hey, we've all been hurt. Many times. Sometimes brutally. Sometimes subtly. Maybe by a stranger. Maybe by our closest friend. It never feels good.

But here's the truth. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for our sins--yours, mine, and that person's who hurt you--is enough. It's bigger, stronger, more powerful than the hurt we experienced. It's enough to help you heal and move forward into a positive future.

And if I'm being honest, sometimes I've been the one who hurt someone. I was that person. What Jesus did by dying for me is so undeserved, but I accept the gift of His forgiveness. It reminds me how frail I am, how utterly hopeless some days. But Jesus covers it all. He gives me worth.

If Jesus can extend a hand of grace, forgiveness, and love to the very ones who hung him naked on that cross, surely I can do the same in my own small way to those who hurt me.

I refuse to let the sin I've done, or the sin that's been done to me, dictate who I am or how I behave. Instead, I choose to release it into the hands of the One who can mold my sin and hurt into something beautiful, and in turn, make my life beautiful through it.

Don't allow what has been done to you to become bigger than what Jesus did for you. Choose to live in grace, not wallow in grudges.

Linda

Thoughtful Thursday - True Beauty

There have been times when I see someone in a store and think they're beautiful. Then I hear the horrible way they speak to their spouse or children and my opinion instantly changes.

Words matter.

The words we speak, the words we write, even the words we think. They impact us and everyone who hears them, even if those words aren't aimed at them. We don't often stop to realize how much we affect the people around us. But we do, intentionally or not.

Just today a Facebook friend who I have never met messaged me. She said, "I love your energy and the value you add to my Facebook feed." Really? They're just words. Sometimes pictures. They aren't aimed directly at her. But they mattered.

We sometimes think our words don't carry that much weight. But when we see them written on skin, like in the picture above, we might begin to see the message we send to the world. Or those closest to us.

Is your message one of love, peace, joy, encouragement? Or is it a negative message? We have choices about the vibe we share with the world around us. Every time we open our mouths, it's an opportunity to uplift and make the world a better place.

Take inventory of your speech today. Make any changes necessary to ensure your words positively impact the world and those around you. It's a responsibility and privilege we can share with each other. Be beautiful with your words.

Linda

Thoughtful Thursday - Prayer Productivity

Oh, if only we could remember this. If only prayer was our automatic, go-to response to problems, stress, and worry. We think we have to do something, even though we can't see the solution.

Case in point:

I was taking some online college classes and had too many deadlines all at once. One of my classes was a math class, which is my hardest subject. I worked as hard as I could, did everything possible to meet those deadlines. It looked bleak, nearly impossible. I went to bed thinking it would never happen, but committed it to God before going to sleep.

The next morning I got up and put the CD in my computer to start working on my math deadline again. As soon as I pushed the CD tray in, the CD broke. Hallelujah! There was no way to do the work with a broken CD. I immediately contacted my teacher and she told me the work I'd already done was sufficient. I was finished!

God orchestrated a solution I never would have thought of. He relieved my stress and I was able to meet my other deadlines. Would that CD have broken had I not prayed? Maybe. Who knows? But I know that I was able to sleep in peace because I trusted God to work things out for me. It only took a few seconds to ask for His help, but alleviated a semester's worth of stress.

Another example: Years ago, my daughter's hamster escaped from its cage. We searched everywhere for it. No luck. On our search, I spotted it running into my teenage son's messy room, where I knew it would be impossible to find it. We looked through all the junk without success.

Then I stopped. "You know what we forgot to do?" I asked my daughter.
"What?"
"Pray. Let's do it now."

So we did. Within two minutes we found the little guy and put him safely back in his cage. Had we prayed first it may have saved us lots of looking.

So make prayer your first response, not your last resort. You may be amazed at how your productivity increases.

Linda

Thoughtful Thursday - Choose Well

Ann Voskamp is one of my favorite authors. Her One Thousand Gifts book has impacted my life in countless ways. This quote of hers, well, it's truth.

We choose what to put on our schedules every day, and also what we put on our kids' schedules, as well. We decide what will fill our days. We get to say what we'll do and what we won't do. When we add too many things to the calendar we start to feel it in our souls. Our shoulders tense, we glance at the every-moving clock, we hurry, hurry, hurry, and in doing so, miss out on life's beauty.

I use a self-imposed rule for my life. If I add something in, I must let something go. Last week someone asked me if I would consider leading a Bible study for young women. She said she needed something more in her life. I didn't hesitate. Of course I would. But my next question to myself was, What will I give up to do this? I'm still considering the answer. Maybe it will be one large, time-consuming thing or a few smaller things. But the point is, I'm choosing.

I choose not to be stressed out. I choose not to overschedule so I'm not too busy for the really important stuff. I choose not to live life in a constant, massive, stressed-out hurry. I choose joy. I choose to slow down and see the beauty around me in nature, in the faces of those I love, in exchanges between complete strangers, in the depth of sorrow, and in the joy of celebration.

How will you choose today? I pray you choose well.

Linda

Thoughtful Thursday - Friendly Reminder

Thoughtful Thursday - Practice the Pause

Pause. It sounds counterproductive to our always doing way of life. Productivity is paramount, right? Well, no. When we fail to pause, we run headlong into things. We don't take time to think things through, or figure the consequences.

Pausing may be one of the most productive things we can do. It can eliminate bad results. It avoids missteps in relationships. It gives us rest, even if for a few minutes. And when we use those paused moments for prayer? Get ready for a miracle to happen. A change in your situation may be waiting for your prayerful pause. The Miracle Worker is ready and willing to act when we pause and pray.

"Be still and know I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Practice the pause.

Linda

Thoughtful Thursday - Strong Women

I felt like cheering when I read this. For some reason, some women have gotten the idea they must be tough, loud, rude, crude, or downright mean, to be free. They used to call it women's liberation back in the bra burning 1960s. I understand, to a degree, why it came to this extreme. People didn't used to listen to women unless they made some sort of commotion. It was a man's world.

It makes me think of when, on occasion I'd lose it with my kids.
"Why are you yelling at me?" they'd ask.
"Because you didn't listen the first three times I tried to talk nicely to you about this. Now I have to yell to get your attention."

But ladies, the sixties were over 46 years ago. I think we can stop yelling now. We've yelled until our throats are raw and our message is distorted. It's time to let the pendulum swing back toward the side of being strong, yet gentle, humble, compassionate, rational, and disciplined. The world knows women have a lot to contribute beyond making babies and keeping a clean house. We don't have to scream it anymore. We don't have to burn our bras or be more masculine.

Let's be the beautiful, gentle creatures God created us to be. It doesn't cancel out our strength, our intellect, our fierceness, our passion, or our discipline. And it certainly doesn't steal our freedom.

Relax. Lean into the sweet femininity within. Quit fighting it. It's a gift. Embrace it, then live strong and free.

Linda

Thoughtful Thursday - You're No Accident

Your presence on this earth at this very point in time is no accident. You are here for a reason. You were born for a purpose.

You don't have to do anything, or be anything but your unique self, which, in itself, is extraordinary. You were placed in your family, in your relationships, your school or work place, to interact with those very people who are there. You make a difference in their lives that only you can accomplish. You're the only one who can love them like you do and push them to be their best selves.

You can be sure that God is working within you. He will accomplish through you exactly what He planned from the creation of the world.

"...for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Philippians 2:13. 

Linda

Thoughtful Thursday - Being Carried

I remember as a child the security I felt when I was carried by my parents, especially my dad. We might be walking through a crush of people and he'd swing me up where I was protected in his care. I felt invincible in his arms. He was strong, tall (compared to me), and confident in where we were going. I was safe up there, not lost in a crowd of legs or walking through mud or trudging up giant hills on my own. I relied on him, his strength, his direction. I knew he'd get us to our destination, so I didn't have to worry. He wouldn't stop until we arrived. I could rest in his arms.

I can trust my heavenly Father the same way. When I don't have enough strength, when my compass is off, when I'm flat-out weary, He carries me. In hindsight, I sometimes have no idea how I managed to make it through difficult times, except that God carried me. There is no other logical explanation. He's a loving Father who delights in me and when he swings me into his arms, I can lay my head on His shoulder and rest while He gets me where we're going.

Do you trust God enough to let Him carry you through rough times? What's stopping you?

Linda

Thoughtful Thursday - Becoming Beautiful

It's hard to see beauty in the dark. A lot of it has to do with how badly you want to see it. I think of Helen Keller, who somehow managed to "see" beauty in her darkness by touching, feeling the world around her. Her desire was greater than her disability, and the world blossomed around her.

When we are in a dark place in our lives, it can be difficult to find the motivation to seek beauty. If that's where you are today, remember that darkness is always temporary. Eventually, the sun rises in our hearts and things begin to look differently than they did in the dark. Hold on. Reach out your hand and feel for the beauty that is all around, but is so hard to see in blackness. Open your eyes and look for one thing of beauty, however simple. Is the sun streaming through a window? Are birds singing outside? Do you have sight to see the roof over your head? Does a child laugh nearby? A flower grow in the crack of a sidewalk? Do you smell the aroma of food cooking? All are gifts from the One who loves you.

Let that one thing of beauty penetrate your heart. Look at it or listen to it or touch it with the wonder of a child. Thank God for it. Close your eyes and remember its beauty. Before you know it, you'll be a beautiful butterfly stretching it's wings and flying out of the darkness.

What's one beautiful thing you can see from where you sit?

Linda

Battling Negative Thought Patterns

It's Thoughtful Thursday here at PWAS, so I thought this meme was appropriate. Isn't it the truth? Most battles are waged in our minds. Much of what goes on in there never sees the light of day, thankfully. It's so important to live, and think, with an outward focus.

If I'm thinking of others and how I might help them, serve them, listen to them, make their day, then I can't spend nearly so much time scaring myself with my own thoughts. All those "what ifs" evaporate into thin air. The worries? Poof! They're gone. It's literally impossible to focus on myself and my worries when I'm focused on someone else.

So today I'm going to try to live that out . Less me, more you.

Do you struggle with negative thoughts? One of my friends calls it, "Stinkin' thinkin.'" It may be critical thoughts about others or negative self-talk. Either way, it's troubling. What will you do to change your thought pattern?

Linda

Sermon in Shoes

When I was a kid we sang a song in Sunday school that asked, "Do you know, oh Christian, you're a sermon in shoes?" Christian or not, your life should speak louder than your mouth about who you are, what you believe, and on what you place the most value. There's no getting around it. The way you live says something about you.

It brings to mind certain celebrities who have said they didn't want to be role models. Too bad. That's what you are, even if you're not a celebrity, because someone is always watching. What we do, the way we live does affect others. So might as well make it a positive influence. Why not bring joy, set a higher standard, model grace in a graceless world?

What kind of sermon is your life preaching? Does it draw or repel others? It's not too late to adjust your message for the benefit of those around you.

Linda

Live Without Pretending

I saw these words of pithy advice on Facebook, from which all wisdom flows, right? LOL. But they hit me as relevant to today's ever-offended society.

These four guidelines could solve a lot of problems. Of course all four are way harder to implement than they sound. But let's break them down.

Live without pretending. When I hear that I think of my grandpa. He was one of the most genuine people I've ever known. He was the same person with everyone, never putting on pretenses. What you saw was what you got, take it or leave it. He was always himself, never pretending to be anyone else. And he was respected for it.

Love without depending. This gives me mixed emotions. Isn't part of loving each other depending on one another to some extent? But I see what they're saying. Don't depend on others to meet your needs too much. That's downright irritating. Also, don't depend on others to make you happy, fulfilled, or completed. All that deep stuff has to come from within, not from someone else.

Listen without defending. It's commonplace to listen to someone while thinking of what you're going to say back. You build your defense while they're stating their case. Relax. Breathe. Listen. Try to see things from their point of view. Maybe they have a valid point. Try to empathize and see if you can agree more than disagree. I'm talking to myself here.

Speak without offending. Most people aren't idiots. We know what's offensive and what isn't. Why cross that line? Sometimes we do it to be funny. Mark my words. It's not. We may think we're smarter or more savvy than someone else. Doubtful. All we are when we speak offensively is offensive, which only makes us look bad, not the other guy. So let's try our hardest not to go there.

I bet you didn't learn anything new here. That's OK. I never said I'd provide you an education. But maybe it's good to remind ourselves of these principles from time to time. We really can change the world by the way we live.

Linda

Making Sense

I love this picture, don't you? Often, our actions, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes resonate with people. Most of us share similarities in the human experience.

But there are other times when you're misunderstood. People question you and think you're nuts for one reason or another. If they're people who genuinely love you, their words may merit consideration. But after self-evaluating, if your course of action still makes sense to you and doesn't fly in the face of your deepest values, maybe that's OK.

Nothing great was ever achieved without stepping out of your comfortable box. That's how dreams come true. It's always a bit of a risk, but don't deny yourself the joy of stretching up high and snatching that star. Some may think you crazy for trying, but they've never held stars in their hands and seen their sparkle. It won't make sense to them because that thing deep inside you that makes your heart beat isn't inside them. God put it in you. Nor would their God-given heartbeat make sense to you.

Let's give each other the freedom to not always make sense. Let's support one another in our dreams, whether we have the same ones or not. Even if they don't come true, valuable lessons can still be learned in the process. And that's something we all benefit from.

Dream on!

Linda

Thoughtful Thursday

What are you waiting for today? Will you wait quietly, hopefully? You can when you trust God for the outcome.

Linda

Gentle Treatment

It's easy to judge without thinking about people's back-story. In our instant gratification society, we want things to be taken care of now, problems to be solved yesterday, people to change their ways pronto. We sigh in frustration at the child screaming in the store instead of thinking about the issues behind the cries. Is the child tired, the mother frazzled, the finances tight, the husband abusive? We don't know. But if we did, we might offer a hand of help, a smile of encouragement, a heart of love, patience, tolerance, and care. Treat each other gently, friends. Isn't that what we all want and deserve?

Have a good, thoughtful Thursday.

Linda

One-of-a-Kind You

Yeah. That's totally cool. Remember your uniqueness. Celebrate how you're different from others. Don't judge others because they're different from you, unless it's to judge that they're totally awesome just the way they are. Because we're all masterpieces, made in the image of God Himself. He made us the way we are for a reason. Live fully like yourself.

Happy Thoughtful Thursday.

Linda

Honoring People You Don't Respect

You may wonder, Why would I want to honor someone I don't respect? If I don't respect them, do they really deserve my honor? 

Chances are, you don't want to honor that difficult person in your life. And no, they probably don't deserve your honor. There. Glad we've settled that, So now what?

As a Christian, I can't leave it there. Because God challenges me to honor people I may not respect. It may be a boss, a fellow church member, or even a family member. Check out these verses: 

Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17

Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 2 Peter 2:17

Not one verse says to honor people if they deserve it. It really has nothing to do with the difficult person's behavior. It has everything to do with the person being asked to do the honoring. It makes them better people. It makes a better life for them. In Deuteronomy the Israelites were told if they honored their parents, they would live long and things would go well. Who doesn't want that?

Isn’t that still true today? When you dishonor people it stirs up strife in your relationships. It becomes hard to be civil. Stress builds, blood pressure rises. Life doesn't feel so good.

But what if you tried to see that person through God’s eyes? What are their fears, problems, struggles? What do they love? What are their interests? What makes them unique?

Try focusing on compassion instead of frustration when you see that person who's a thorn in your side. Kindness trumps impatience. Smiling wins over rolling your eyes. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1 niv).

And here's the good news. God will help you honor others. He'll even help you change your attitude toward that impossible person if you only ask Him and believe He'll do it. 

So give it a try. Keep honoring and see your own quality of life improve.

Have you tried to honor someone you don't respect? How did you do it? What was the outcome?

Linda

Distance Yourself from Negativity.

The opposite is also true. Ugly things happen when you live near negativity. Choose wisely who you spend time with. Control your negative thoughts. Create a positive environment for yourself and others.

Happy Thoughtful Thursday!

Linda

My Favorite Christmas Songs

Part of what makes Christmas, well, Christmas, is the music. I know not everyone is into Christmas carols. I'm not into a lot of them myself. But some songs are just so beautiful and capture so perfectly the wonder of that night so long ago, I just have to mention them. I'll even include links for my favorite renditions of them for your listening pleasure.

Breath of Heaven - Seriously, this song nails it as to what Mary must have felt as she carried the Son of God inside her. Who wouldn't have felt inadequate? Who wouldn't have been afraid? Who wouldn't have cried out "Help me?" I love the raw honesty in these lyrics https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8_475FKJWQ 

Welcome to Our World - This song makes it so easy to picture the squirming baby Savior of the world. I love its simplicity and the contrast between our broken world and Christ's perfect holiness come to heal it. Chris Rice is one of my favorites, mainly because he's so James Taylor-ish. What's not to love about that?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrgwL5r7IcU

Mary Did You Know? - The perspective here is awesome. Seeing the baby Jesus, yet knowing His future begs the title's question. I wonder how much God actually revealed to Mary ahead of time. Or did He let the days gently unfold as he does with all earthly parents?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifCWN5pJGIE

Silent Night - This is such a classic song and brings me to tears every year. It's the Amazing Grace of the Christmas season. Everyone knows it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pEndgvJe2s

Mary's Boy Child - I love this because of its Jamaican flair. It's so different from most Christmas songs. In our church, we were encouraged to get out our car keys and jingle them as we sang it. So fun!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8amHW-xdbzE

Nutcracker Suite - For several years, the girls in my family went to see The Nutcracker ballet together at Christmastime. Ever since, I've loved the music and can see the scenes unfold as it plays. To me, this is classic Christmas music even though it doesn't have anything to do with Jesus' birth. I've given you a link to listen to the entire soundtrack if you'd like, song by song. You're welcome.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL55F0FC900094FCFA

I'm sure there are others that I left out. But these are the songs that immediately came to mind as I sat down to write.

What are your favorite Christmas songs? Least favorite? Share them in the comments below.

Linda