I have been wondering how people are dealing with the chaos in the financial world and the bleak forecast of where our nation is headed. The stock market goes up and down based on the emotions of the investors and many people choose what do to with their money based on their level or fear or worry. I choose to make the best educated decisions with my finances but that isn't always possible because after all unless you can predict the future, education can only get you so far. Many people this Christmas are full of fear, worry, and uncertainty. Where exactly is the joy and peace that always comes with this season. Well, I have come to one conclusion and the answer is hope.
I hear so many people say well I hope things are going to get better. But to be honest I hear no real assurance in that statement. It sounds like they dream or wish but do not have real hope. I have already said in a previous blog that faith is believing in things not yet seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Then I asked myself how is faith and hope different. I asked my pastor and he told me they are not, and the two cannot really even be separated according to definition. That didn't really help me so I thought of what it says in 1st Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three things remain: Faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." What the chapter is eluding to is that if you do not have these three things in life you have nothing. What better Word for today than this scripture.
For years people placed their faith and assurance in their bank statement and their stock portfolio and as long as it is going up so is their level of happiness and peace. Today, that is wrecking havoc in peoples minds and lives. The uncertainty and anxiousness I believe can only be attributed to not have faith, hope, and love. In marriage there are times when you do not feel like you are in love but you choose love. Today, many Americans need to be choosing the greatest of all- love. But to really have a fulfilled life you must also have faith and hope to accompany it.
What a tangled web I weave, does this really even make sense? It didn't to me until today when I received a letter from the Topeka Rescue Mission. It answered my question in a clear and concise message from the Executive Director, Barry Feaker.
It was titled 'Hope in Uncertain Times' and here is a tid-bit of what really spoke to me:
"There are basically two kinds of Hope for uncertain times. One type of hope is when someone wishes that things will get better. Little or no foundation supports why this individual has any real Hope at all.
Then, there is the Biblical version of Hope. It is a solid assurance that a loving Creator God has a purpose and a plan for you. Even without knowing how it will turn out, He will make a way according to His complete and eternal purpose. Two thousand years ago God gave us a child to show us a way through our uncertain times. We celebrate this day with the true meaning of Christmas. His glorious gift still is at work today. Psalm 71:5 says "for thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth."
Today you may feel uncertain about what tomorrow will bring. Through Jesus Christ you can rest assured; God is already at your tomorrow. Regardless of the circumstances God has a wonderful plan for you."
Okay, that almost made me cry. My conclusion after reading this: Real Hope is trusting in love. Real Faith is believing in love. What is love? The gift of Christmas. God sent His son to earth to go before you and take care of you. What better gift to have this Christmas than faith, hope, and love. Now how do you like that I covered two topics I wanted to write about, the true meaning of Christmas and hope. I pray that this speaks to you heart!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow? They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even King Solomon in all his splendor dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith. So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'" Matthew 6:25-31
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Thankful for being you
Everyone can agree that friendship is an important part of being a woman. I have so many wonderful friends and I like each one of them for various reasons. Sometimes I even find myself trying to emulate them. There is one of my friends Ana* (names have been changed to protect the innocent and unsuspecting) who I really admire. She is well spoken and has a very gentle spirit. Then I have another friend who is so helpful and seems to always be on top of things. Emma* keeps everyone updated on what is going on, throwing parties, helping her family, working, etc. Then there is another beautiful woman, Kiki* who is amazing at handling children and stress. I find myself constantly wondering how she has so much patience.
Okay, so when does admiration cross over to jealousy? I used to find myself comparing myself to these amazing women and think if I could only be a bit more like them. However, some of my friends are so opposite of me that no matter how hard I ever tried I could never be more like them. I am thankful that I am at a place in my journey that I can finally look in the mirror and find those attributes that are admirable and lovely. Often we are so busy trying to be someone we are not that we loose sight of the person God created us to be. I can even remember growing up and wanting to be so much like my sister and nothing like my mom. Now, I have realized that, though I hate to admit it, I have received a few genes from my mother that a really amazing. I guess it is the keeping up with the Jones syndrome. I have grow more thankful to God because I realized that he placed these people in my life not to make me feel inferior but grateful for who they are and what kind of blessing they can be in this world.
We can easily become deceived into thinking that we are not good enough when we constantly compare ourselves to each other. But it is also important not to do this with other people. For instance, take my children for example. Each one of them is not just me, or Russell, or any of our family members. The are each very unique persons. I used to always compare Megan and Elizabeth but now I consider it futile. I thought that Megan should have learned her colors and letters, how to walk and talk, and grow all at the same time Elizabeth did. After all they are from the same parents right? But it isn't so. Megan did not meet milestones at the same times Elizabeth did but that doesn't mean I didn't do things right or work hard enough. It just means she is her own person and she will do things at her timing the way God wants to work in her. There are actually many things that Megan does that Elizabeth has yet to do. Like make crude jokes or eat at the table without making a mess.
When we look at the differences part of our joy is being stolen. Be joyful in the moment and not continually looking at where you/they could be or what they/you could be doing. This is a concept that all women especially mothers should think about more often. I remember always being compared to my sister and when I didn't do things as well as her there was deep feeling of inferiority ingrained in me. Much damage can be done when we are always looking toward someone else and not to Jesus. He is the only one should try to be like. But when we do, you can be you, because we were ultimately created in His image. Part of being who we were meant to be is being like our Creator. He made you and I unique and special for a reason and that should be our focus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. -Philippians 4:8
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. -Genesis 1:27
Okay, so when does admiration cross over to jealousy? I used to find myself comparing myself to these amazing women and think if I could only be a bit more like them. However, some of my friends are so opposite of me that no matter how hard I ever tried I could never be more like them. I am thankful that I am at a place in my journey that I can finally look in the mirror and find those attributes that are admirable and lovely. Often we are so busy trying to be someone we are not that we loose sight of the person God created us to be. I can even remember growing up and wanting to be so much like my sister and nothing like my mom. Now, I have realized that, though I hate to admit it, I have received a few genes from my mother that a really amazing. I guess it is the keeping up with the Jones syndrome. I have grow more thankful to God because I realized that he placed these people in my life not to make me feel inferior but grateful for who they are and what kind of blessing they can be in this world.
We can easily become deceived into thinking that we are not good enough when we constantly compare ourselves to each other. But it is also important not to do this with other people. For instance, take my children for example. Each one of them is not just me, or Russell, or any of our family members. The are each very unique persons. I used to always compare Megan and Elizabeth but now I consider it futile. I thought that Megan should have learned her colors and letters, how to walk and talk, and grow all at the same time Elizabeth did. After all they are from the same parents right? But it isn't so. Megan did not meet milestones at the same times Elizabeth did but that doesn't mean I didn't do things right or work hard enough. It just means she is her own person and she will do things at her timing the way God wants to work in her. There are actually many things that Megan does that Elizabeth has yet to do. Like make crude jokes or eat at the table without making a mess.
When we look at the differences part of our joy is being stolen. Be joyful in the moment and not continually looking at where you/they could be or what they/you could be doing. This is a concept that all women especially mothers should think about more often. I remember always being compared to my sister and when I didn't do things as well as her there was deep feeling of inferiority ingrained in me. Much damage can be done when we are always looking toward someone else and not to Jesus. He is the only one should try to be like. But when we do, you can be you, because we were ultimately created in His image. Part of being who we were meant to be is being like our Creator. He made you and I unique and special for a reason and that should be our focus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. -Philippians 4:8
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. -Genesis 1:27
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