About Me

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Not my will...


Picture this: You have been planning a party for weeks. Everything has been planned out perfectly and you know exactly how you want it to be. Lists and graphs have been made indicating where the tables should go, how much punch you need, how the decorations will be arranged, and the order of events (entertainment, speeches, games, etc.). You have a notebook completely filled with little scribblings and you are serenely confident that this party will be absolutely "perfect".
The day of the party arrives. You have enlisted several people to help you get everything ready before the guests arrive. As you begin to go down your lists and graphs that indicate how things are to be placed, one of your helpers (who has planned a lot of parties) interrupts you.
"You know, I think it would be better if we put this here."
You're a little annoyed at this because, after all, you've been planning this out for weeks. But, after a little thought you realize that her idea is better than your initial plan and so you agree.
A few minutes later you leave the room to get something. When you return you find that the tables have been set up and the decorations are being put in places that do not correspond with the graph that you so carefully plotted out.
A small sense of panic begins to rise in your stomach.
"Did I not give you the graph?" you anxiously ask.
The same helper turns and says, "Oh yes, but it just seems to work better this way. See how much more room we have?"
As you look about the room you see that it does look better than the way you graphed it, but this doesn't make you feel better. That sense of panic becomes frustration. What right does she have to change things? After all, this is your party! You planned it, you arranged it, and things should be done the way you want them done! What difference does it make whether or not her ideas are better? It's your party!
In an effort to be polite, you swallow your frustration and carry on with the preparations. However, before you know it, this person has completely taken over your party. She begins to give the instructions and she also begins to change the order of events that you so carefully planned out.
Before you know it the party is over and all the guests are gone. You just sit there and reflect on the whole incident. This was your party, but really it wasn't. This other person had completely taken over and it became her party. She didn't really ruin your party, she just changed your plans to meet with her ideal. In reality, her ideas were very good, even better than yours, but that is beside the point. Did she not know how hard you worked? How dare she?
You keep mulling these things over and over reminding yourself of how hard you worked how perfect it was all going to be and how wrong she was to take it away from you. The more you think about it, the angrier you become. The angrier you become the more you resolve to distance yourself from this person and a friendship is lost.
Does this sound familiar? We've all experienced something like this whether it be a party or something else. We all know what it's like to be excited about plans that you've made and then to have something happen that completely changes them. We've all felt that knot that finds it's way into our stomachs every time something doesn't go the way we want it to.
We've all felt that anger and indignation rise within us whenever we don't get what we want. Maybe you were right in the middle of something that you felt was important and your mother called for you to do the dishes or to take care of the baby. Maybe you had your heart set on going somewhere with a group of friends and your dad said you couldn't go. Maybe we know what we want God to do for us and He says, "No, I have a better way."
We don't like it. We want things done the way we want them, how we want them, and when we want them. But what if someone says no? What if God says no? What do we do? Our willful nature's first instinct is to get angry, throw a fit, and then distance ourselves from every figure of authority that says "No".
There is a book that was written in 1850 by Harvey Newcomb entitled How To Be a Lady. In it he addresses the will and the education of it to be that which befits a young lady of godly character. Here is a excerpt:
"The way to educate the will is to accustom it to submit to the dictates of conscience. The will, in our fallen and depraved state, is turbulent and unsubmissive. It is not disposed to submit to the law of God, nor to those whom God has set over us. Yet there is nothing of more importance to our happiness and usefulness than the early subjection of the the will. If you determine that you will always have your own will, you will certainly be unhappy; for it is impossible that you should always have your own way. But if you early accustom yourself to give up your own will; to submit to the will of God, as made known to you in his word and Providence, -to submit to your parents, as those whom God has set over you, and to your own conscience, as the faithful monitor which God has placed in your own bosom, -them you will be as happy as you can be in this imperfect state. This you cannot accomplish all at once. It must be the result of experience, trial, and discipline, with the grace of God in your heart. But if you begin to cultivate the habit of submission, in early life, it will save you many a severe struggle and much unhappiness. You have doubtless learned, before this time, that you always get into difficulty at home, when you set out to have your own will. And perhaps you have sometimes, in your impatience at contradiction secretly wished that you were of age. beyond the control of your parents, that you might do as you pleased. But I assure you, both from my own experience and from what I have seen of the world, that you will not find it any easier to have your own will, after you come to act for yourself. You will not succeed in any thing you undertake to do for others, unless you give up your own will; neither will you succeed in making society agreeable to yourself. Suppose you go to a shoemaker, to get a pair of shoes made, and as soon as you begin to tell him how you wish them done, he answers, "I understand my business; if you want a pair of shoes, I'll make them for you, but nobody can teach me how to do my work?" You would say, "He is a surly creature; I'll have nothing to do with him." Or, suppose you go into company, and you find a young lady who will consent to nothing except what she herself proposes; you say, "She is a selfish creature; let her enjoy herself alone." But all this comes from mere willfulness. You will never be comfortable, mush less happy, till you are willing to yield to others, when no principle is concerned, but only the mere gratification of your own will. And when one is employed by another, it is perfectly reasonable that he should be directed by his employer, even if what he is directed to do may appear to him unwise. The only way that you can succeed, and be happy, in anything you may undertake to do for others, is, to submit your will to theirs, and do cheerfully, and without objection, what they require - provided, only, that they do not require you to do wrong. If you will look back, you will find that this willfulness has been the cause of all the trouble you have got into with your parents, and of nearly all the altercations you have had with you brothers, sisters, and companions. And, if you retain this disposition, it will make you miserable, whatever station in society you may occupy."
In essence, if we want to truly be happy, we must learn to put what we want on the back burner and learn to serve others. Now this doesn't mean that we have to turn ourselves into virtual doormats, but it does mean that we must put others before ourselves. This includes parents, siblings, friends, acquaintances, fellow church members, yes, even God.
God tells us His will for our lives in His word. He even says that we are not to plan our future because He already knows what's going to happen and His way is better than anything we could plan for (Proverbs 27.1 and Jeremiah 29.11).
If we can learn to be submissive toward God and His plan, it will be so much easier for us to live submissively toward our families and friends.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Who's in Control?



This week has really gotten away from me. It seems like no matter how carefully I plan my day, something always happens and my "To Do" list sprouts little wings and flies out the window. Life happens (as we all know) and some things just have to be pushed aside.

My "To Do" list seems to get longer every day. I have a mountain of sewing to do (with deadlines!), a cleaning schedule to keep track of, meals to get on the table, three books I'm in the process of reading, a baby blanket to finish, a journal to fill, personal Bible study, a painting to work on, a little sister who wants to learn how to sew, and blog posts to write. Have I worked on all of these things? Unfortunately, no.

Why can't I seem to get everything done? Well, one day we'll have unexpected company and the next there will be last minute trips to the doctor. Maybe errands take longer than planned or my lesson plans that I worked so hard on don't go as planned. Dinner doesn't turn out and it takes forever to clean up the mess - whatever the case may be, NOTHING has been working the way I want it too!!!

After about a week of complete frustration I finally just broke down. I had been running around like crazy but I didn't seem to be accomplishing anything. My whole body was worn out and I just couldn't function anymore.

Yesterday morning I woke up in a bad mood. I was just so irritated I couldn't see straight. Here I have all of this stuff to do and it's halfway through the week and I haven't done any of it! I slung myself out of bed and stomped my way downstairs to breakfast. With out even a "Good morning" I started setting the table not really caring if the dishes rattled as I carelessly put them on the table. I won't go into details, but I will say that I was very unkind to my family during breakfast.

After everything was cleared away I went back to my room to vent my frustration. I pulled out my laptop and started browsing through the blogs that I follow. I came across an article in one of them that you can read at http://thevalueofone.com/?p=1809. I read it several times and each time I was more amazed at how it spelled out everything that I have been going through.

This article made me realize that I have been trying to handle all of these situations on my own. I never thought to ask God to help me through them. At times I have been labeled a "control freak" and in many ways that is true. I like things to go the way I have them planned out in my head and I like them to happen now, not tomorrow or next week or next month. NOW.

When things don't work the way I want them to I get headaches, I pace up and down, wave my arms in the air and in some cases my tongue moves a mile a minute (my poor mother's ears!). You can imagine how I felt after about a week of this. I was wound up so tight I was about to bust!

But, yesterday morning as I lay on my bed reading I realized how helpless I really am. I can do nothing without God. If I really were in control...heaven help us! I wouldn't last two seconds! But, for some reason I think that I am in control and I tend to go through life as if I really am. Thankfully, God is showing me that no matter how much I plan and schedule, He has the final say. Unfortunately, we often differ in opinion.

So from now on, when something happens to mess up my plans I just need to remember to say a prayer asking for patience and thanking God that He is in control. And then there's the hard part - picking myself up and carrying on with a cheerful attitude.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sabbath Reflections

1 Corinthians 12.1-11

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says, "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Becoming A Woman Of Excellence


A woman of excellence
Is what I long to be
Filled with Your godly wisdom
So it is a part of me
A woman of integrity
No matter what I face
Standing up for righteousness
And for Your saving grace
A woman of destiny
Living out Your plan
Knowing where You'd have me walk
Being guided by Your hand
A woman of promise
Standing on Your word
Holding on to all the truths
While carrying out Your work
A woman of compassion
For the ones in the dark
Those that do not know Your love
And have darkness in their hearts
A woman that will never
Compromise the faith
With what the world may offer
But will keep the narrow way
A woman who loves Jesus
And will only follow Him
Gladly to give up the world
So His light can shine within
Lord this is my earnest prayer
As a daughter by Your grace
Grow in me these qualities
As I walk with You in faith
~M.S. Lowndes~

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Home Again

He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
Psalm 23
And so, the camping trip comes to an end. We had a great time together. It was a great to spend time with family without cell phones or Internet to distract us. I feel very rested and ready to tackle another busy week.
As usual, I was ready with my camera to capture the weekend. I think everyone got a little tired of turning around to find a camera in their face, but they'll thank me one day!
Here's just a few of the pictures I took.
We decided to take our Maltipoo, Elly, with us this time. I think this was her favorite part!

Sarah taking a break from setting up camp.

After we were all set up we went for a walk. I found these flowers beside the trail. Aren't they pretty?

These butterflies were so nice and stood still for a picture!

Our walk took us to the little country store on the camp ground. They had a lot of neat stuff, but of course, we were a little distracted by the ice cream!

Cooking Country Fried Steak over a HOT fire.

It started to rain so we turned the trailer into the "kitchen".

My coffee. Okay, I know it's strange to take a picture of your coffee, but you have no idea how much I love coffee! A friend once asked me if I were stranded on a deserted island what three things would I want to have with me? I answered: my Bible, a hairbrush, and a lifetime supply of coffee!

Sarah and Dad after breakfast.

Mom and me.

Elly
We had a really bad thunderstorm one night, so we threw everything into the trailer and camped out in the truck. Thankfully, it wasn't as bad as predicted and no damage was done.

The "Hillbilly Hotel" as Dad called it.
Really, I only have one regret about the whole trip. Apparently, no one thought to tell me that I am a walking blood bank. I think every mosquito in the state came for a free sample. Despite my many efforts, the first night I acquired around 40 bug bites from my knees down. There are more on my arms, hands, and neck, but it's to depressing to count them. Sarah says my legs look like I have leprosy. Needless to say, I'm not to thrilled about looking like I have a dreaded disease, but she's right, it's looks pretty bad. It's kind of frustrating that no one else had a problem with them though. I guess I must taste better...
















Thursday, September 9, 2010

"How beautiful upon the mountains..." Isaiah 52.7


Tomorrow we head for the mountains. I can't wait. One of the advantages of growing up in the Tennessee Valley is that no matter where you are the mountains aren't very far away. In fact, most places, you can almost always see them. There's the Appalachians on the east and the Cumberland on the west. Since we live in the east corner of the Valley, we always go up to the Appalachians.

It's funny. Ever since I was little I've had the strange notion that these were my mountains. Like, God put them there just for me. Silly, I know. I guess that's what comes with growing up so close to them. Every time we go up I get this giddy little girl feeling. I suppose you could call it sensory overload. All of that majestic beauty and God put it all there for me!

My family goes to the mountains quite a bit since they are so close. However, most times we just drive around, stop and have a picnic, and then come home. We are expert drive arounders!

Camping, on the other hand, is a different story. We've only ever really gone camping (aside from us kids sleeping out in the back yard) 3 or 4 times that I can remember. We always enjoy it when we go, but for what ever reason, it doesn't happen very often.

Since going camping is such a rare event, preparing for it is quite interesting. Over the years my family has aquired the reputation of going overboard with regard to packing. Or perhaps you could say that we take our travels very seriously and take everything that we could possibly need for every possible situation that could possibly ever happen. I've been making out lists of the things we need to take and it keeps getting longer and longer. We always do our own cooking when we're away from home and the kitchen/food list that I've made so far covers an entire sheet of copy paper.

My Dad is the expert packer in our family. He pieces everything all together just like a puzzle and somehow it always fits together perfectly. He's also one of those people who is very fond of order. Everything is always in its place and organized so that everything is easily reached. It is for this reason (and because we have so much stuff) that we are packing everything, not in our truck, but in the trailer. When I found this out, I had to laugh. Our big trailer that we use to cart our concession business around has now been emptied into the garage and awaiting our enormous supply of camping gear. At least no one can accuse us of not being prepared!

And so, the packing frenzy continues as we make more lists and try to find everything on them and make sure they make it on the trailer. So far, we've spent the entire day on the kitchen. Whenever we finish that it's on to bath things, clothes, etc. I can't wait to get on that mountain and just sit and relax!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Daughters of Destiny

Long before the present battle
There was prophesied a day
Tinkling words, impov'rished prattle
Itching ears to hearts would sway.
In that day of broken marriage.
Femininity's demise,
Ladies lost their life and carriage.
All were "smart," but none were wise.
Rose up Mistress Amazonia
Warring women lead with mirth.
Most forgot the Pauline proverb,
"She'll be saved through childbirth."
Off to war went the daughters.
Left behind the men and babes.
Noble womanhood was slaughtered.
Craving freedom, became slaves.
Rise up Hannah - listen, here it!
Maidenhood's the royal throne,
Of those women, true of spirit,
Loving heaven, hearth, and home.
Rise up Hannah - others follow.
You will not proceed alone
And the victory's not hollow
When the truth is set in stone.
From the ashes of a culture
That knew God, but now knows none
Generations rose to prosper,
Forged by light from His true Son.
Taught at home, but raised for warfare,
Not the steel and fleshy kind,
But the battle that is more fair,
When the Spirit girds the mind.
Now there stands a breed of woman
Strong of mind and content of heart.
Cherishing the ancient virtues,
And from them will not depart:
Love of truth, and love of mother;
Purity; the Word of God;
Holiness to one another,
Homes to build, and keep, and laud.
Rise up Hannah - here's God's token,
That your youth has passed the test.
Three-fold strands will not be broken.
In thy sisters' friendship rest.
Rise up Hannah - happy sister.
Sarah's friend, Rebecca's love,
Sisters three, your God has given
Tender hearts knit from above.
Stand they now this generation
Birthed by hearts which turned to home;
Fathers who have changed direction
Mothers who no longer roam.
And the future is a bright one,
If to vision you will cleave
And will not trade God's truth for some
Mess of pottage known as ease.
Prepare to hear the heathen grumble,
Steel yourself to their complaint
Cynics moan and basely mumble
Gnash their teeth, but they will faint.
They will faint, and will not follow
For you tread the narrow road.
And in it's tread will chew and swallow
Selfish seeds unjustly sewn.
In the end, the Lord will vanquish
Vanquish them, but vindicate
All who love Christ's ancient order
And enter in the narrow gate.
Rise up Hannah - faithful daughter.
Onward Maiden to the quest.
You who called your mother blessed,
Someday shall in kind be blessed.
Rise up Hannah - to your station!
Daughter fair of destiny.
Light the path for generations.
Raise the torch of liberty.
Douglas W. Phillips
Verses of Virtue