Yesterday while I was fixing supper, I realized that I was missing a key ingredient that I had forgotten to pick up at the store. At first I was extremely upset with myself for forgetting this item and it was putting me in a bad mood.
I was tempted to run to the store and grab the item I was out of. However, I remembered that a website I had been on earlier in the week had a recipe to make this item I was out of. I went on that site, found the recipe, made it, and guess what? My meal survived and tasted delicious.
Later that evening God spoke to my heart. It was weird because I really felt Him speaking to me about my life. He whispered to me--
You make your life like that item you were missing.
I wasn't for sure what He meant by that, but He explained it very quickly before I could question Him.
"You tend to think that your life always has to look pretty for Me to use. If you think there is something that I want from you that don't have--you try to get that, do that, be that. The truth is, why not just let Me use what is already in your life and let Me make it into what I want it to be."
I was stunned at that moment when God spoke that into my heart. It's true. Many times I try to "fix" my life up so God will be amazed at how together I am. In reality though, He knows what a mess I am. I am learning that all I can do is hand God my crazy messed up life, with all the ingredients. He is the one that can make something beautiful come out of all these weird and crazy parts of me.
He wants me like I am. He wants you like you are.
Let's stop trying to be somebody we are not. Let's allow Him to use what's available and make us someone special. If He could do it for Abraham, David, Peter, and Paul--He can most definitely do it for us.
Showing posts with label Being Myself. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Being Myself. Show all posts
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Who I Really Am
I got a big slap in the face this week as a reminder of who I used to be. It was very hurtful and I never expected it to be.
Stephen had some family to come and visit. This lady had not seen either one of us for about 13 years. When his mom drove up with her, I could feel her giving me the "once-over". I felt very uncomfortable, but tried to do my best to remain positive.
She started talking to me, and the first thing she said to me which felt kind of hurtful was , "Oh--you used to be such a little bitty thing. Looks like you have grown, and I ain't talking about height." SLAP #1!
Yeah, I felt exactly like you are feeling while reading this. I was hurt, but I tried not to let it show. The next thing she said to me while we were sitting on the couch was, "Oh I remember you and Stephen used to fight all the time. More than that I remember how mean you were to him always telling him what he was or was not going to do. You were so loud and bound and determined everything was going to your way. Oh yes--I remember." SLAP #2!
My mother-in-law is the sweetest woman. She immediately came to my rescue and told her that I was NOTHING like that anymore and hadn't been for many years since I asked Jesus into my heart. But her words still stung. I felt the sting as if I had been slapped for real. I hurt.
Those comments bothered me really bad for days. I mean, I knew I wasn't the best wife in the world, but to have someone else point it out to me, I don't know. It just kind of hit home at how really messed up I was. I know that is who Iam was. Thanks to Jesus, I am no longer like that anymore.
But you always wonder about that sort of thing. It scares me to think that I could turn back into that loud, obnoxious woman--and I want NO part of her. I have a new identity and it is found in Christ. That is the me that I am today. That is the me I want to be forever.
Stephen had some family to come and visit. This lady had not seen either one of us for about 13 years. When his mom drove up with her, I could feel her giving me the "once-over". I felt very uncomfortable, but tried to do my best to remain positive.
She started talking to me, and the first thing she said to me which felt kind of hurtful was , "Oh--you used to be such a little bitty thing. Looks like you have grown, and I ain't talking about height." SLAP #1!
Yeah, I felt exactly like you are feeling while reading this. I was hurt, but I tried not to let it show. The next thing she said to me while we were sitting on the couch was, "Oh I remember you and Stephen used to fight all the time. More than that I remember how mean you were to him always telling him what he was or was not going to do. You were so loud and bound and determined everything was going to your way. Oh yes--I remember." SLAP #2!
My mother-in-law is the sweetest woman. She immediately came to my rescue and told her that I was NOTHING like that anymore and hadn't been for many years since I asked Jesus into my heart. But her words still stung. I felt the sting as if I had been slapped for real. I hurt.
Those comments bothered me really bad for days. I mean, I knew I wasn't the best wife in the world, but to have someone else point it out to me, I don't know. It just kind of hit home at how really messed up I was. I know that is who I
But you always wonder about that sort of thing. It scares me to think that I could turn back into that loud, obnoxious woman--and I want NO part of her. I have a new identity and it is found in Christ. That is the me that I am today. That is the me I want to be forever.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Promises Mean Everything
When someone makes a promise to you, you bank everything in your life on those words. God's Word is filled with promises such as these.
Last week, Stephen was running late from jail ministry, so we were not able to go to church. Instead of just sitting around, he felt led by God to share with us what he had shared at the jail. With his permission, I am reprinting it here. I love when he teaches me and the kids. I know when he speaks, that the words are sincere and that his message comes straight from the Lord. I can trust in the fact that it will be based upon the Word and not be taken out of context in any way whatsoever.
Here is what he shared with us:
2nd Corinthians 5:20-21
Ephesians 1:4
Ephesians 3:19
Colossians 1:22
Colossians 2:10, 13-14
Luke 8:22-25
Each of these verses contain a promise from the Lord to us about who we are in Christ. I was totally blown away, as some of these I have never even seen before, and I have read my Bible cover to cover many times.
Stephen shared the following promises that God showed him throughout the above Scriptures:
After hearing this from my husband, and allowing the Scriptures to speak to my heart, I am more determined now that I intend on living my life more in tune with the Spirit and being who God created me to be.
What about you? Has God been speaking to you lately? Don't try to ignore that still small voice. Listen to what He has to say and then be obedient to it.
Last week, Stephen was running late from jail ministry, so we were not able to go to church. Instead of just sitting around, he felt led by God to share with us what he had shared at the jail. With his permission, I am reprinting it here. I love when he teaches me and the kids. I know when he speaks, that the words are sincere and that his message comes straight from the Lord. I can trust in the fact that it will be based upon the Word and not be taken out of context in any way whatsoever.
Here is what he shared with us:
2nd Corinthians 5:20-21
Ephesians 1:4
Ephesians 3:19
Colossians 1:22
Colossians 2:10, 13-14
Luke 8:22-25
Each of these verses contain a promise from the Lord to us about who we are in Christ. I was totally blown away, as some of these I have never even seen before, and I have read my Bible cover to cover many times.
Stephen shared the following promises that God showed him throughout the above Scriptures:
- God has made me an ambassador for Him.
- He took my sin and died for me.
- He chose me before the foundation of the world.
- He has made me holy.
- He has made me blameless.
- He has given me fullness.
- He has made me complete.
- He has forgiven all my transgressions.
- He has erased my debt completely.
Ambassador: A minister of a higher rank sent on a mission~an official messenger.After reading that definition, it puts it more in perspective to me what a Christian really is. We are special messengers for the Lord to carry His message to those who are hurting and need a Word from God.
After hearing this from my husband, and allowing the Scriptures to speak to my heart, I am more determined now that I intend on living my life more in tune with the Spirit and being who God created me to be.
What about you? Has God been speaking to you lately? Don't try to ignore that still small voice. Listen to what He has to say and then be obedient to it.
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