It seems lately, in my life, the buzz word is "real." Everyone wants people to be real. No faking, no "I'm great, how are you"...just real. So, in an effort to "keep it real", here are some things I have been reminded of/learned, in no particular order, over the past 6-8 months.
People want the end result, but don't want to do the work to get there.
(When I say "people", that includes me too)
It's a lot easier to say something than do it.
It's also a lot easier to point out the faults in others than to admit we have some and then fix our own.
Everyone is anxious about something, and nobody is above being reminded of that at any.given.moment.
Focus on the positive and be thankful for what you have. You never know if the person you are complaining to just might have it worse off than you do!
Focus on the positive and be thankful for what you have. You never know if the person you are complaining to just might have it worse off than you do!
Marriage is hard. It's not a game. God didn't promise it would be easy. Marriages fail every.single.day. People who go to church also cheat on their spouses, they disrespect them, they don't love them, they are selfish, they lie, they cover up, and the try to act like it's ok. Based on the above statement, apparently "church" isn't the answer for marriages gone bad (or good for that matter)...God is the answer. The fixer. The glue. He is there for the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Chris and I refuse to lie to our kids to make things "easier" for them. In the real world you don't get a "participation" trophy. You don't get to "move your clothespin back to green" if you behave and say you are sorry. You don't get to have something simply because you like it, want it, because someone else has it, or because of your race or sex. You, my sweet sons, are not entitled. There will always be someone better, smarter, faster, etc...so...just be the best "you" you can be. Nobody can be a better you than you can be! There will be consequences for your actions, and your dad and I will beat your bottom if you continue to disobey the rules. It's called love and it's called parenting. Until you grow up and have your own family, we will not be friends, we will be your parents. You don't have to like it or agree with it...we are doing what is commanded by God. Something else that we will do is join with the church in raising you. We will not expect you to learn everything you need to there and at school. We will do our best to do our part at home...that is where it begins, right? Our prayer is that the Bible stories you learn there will be a review of what we have taught you at home, not the other way around. We are the church. It's not a building, it's a people. We take church everywhere we go...even to the neighborhood. Dear boys, you are no better than anyone, and you will be friends with everyone. You will do this not because we make you, but because, it is our prayer that we will lead by example, just as your grandparents did for us!
Faith does not bring healing, God does. When something you pray for doesn't come to fruition, it's not because you lack faith, nor is it because God "picks and chooses" who He will answer, it's because He is God and we are not. We don't have to agree with it, or like it, but once you choose to believe it, it's very freeing. Once you believe that He will strengthen you, come whatever, that is when your faith becomes "real."
Heaven is real, and so is Hell. There is but ONE way to Heaven, and the choice is yours. When God calls you and draws you to Himself and gives you the opportunity to pray and ask Him to forgive your sins and to live in your heart for all eternity, that and only that will secure your place in Heaven.
Once "saved" , "a daughter or son of God" (whatever Sunday School term you want to place there) it does not mean you will not face hardships. In fact, it's quite the opposite. God promises hard times. If everything were easy, we would not need Him and His word would be a lie. So...let's be real for a minute. Life is hard. People are mean. Bad things happen to good people. Life is not fair. "I go to church, I serve, I work, I raise my family right, I tithe..." but... My parents used to always say "but what" there are no buts! You are for God and you believe it, or you are against God and you don't. That said, let's try to make a choice, because living "lukewarm" is really confusing our non-Christian friends. If we act just like the world, why would they ever see a need to "cross over" to the other side? I am not saying you have to put your business on the street, just don't lie to people. Chris says he wishes that once, just once, when he asks someone how they were doing they would say "terrible (edited), how are you?" Keep that in mind if he ever asks how you are doing :)
When was it decided that it's more important to be politically correct that to tell the truth. God has shown me that it's much more important to be honest (yet still respectful) than to lie and keep people happy. He did not create us to be happy. He created us to love and serve. We were placed here for 2 reasons...to love God and to love people. Somewhere we have lost sight of that and instead this is our thought process...love self and be served. No wonder our world is upside down!
I have tried to begin at school, church, home, and anywhere else I go to concern myself with only things that directly effect me, and to be sure it is something that I can do something about. Gone are the days (for the most part) when I just sit and complain or become uptight over things I have absolutely no control over. We are given today. That's it. Today. We can use it, or we will lose it. If you wasted your yesterday, do better with your today!
People can agree to disagree on things that are not non-negotiable. Let's stop majoring on the minors. Let's stop worrying what other people ARE doing (and checking them off on our list of sins committed by people who go to church) and start worrying about what we are NOT doing. Chris' philosophy is if you have time to worry about his sin, you probably are not tending to your own. This isn't to say that we aren't called to, in love, hold each other accountable...this is just saying...don't judge me because I sin differently that you.
So...why the novel?
Just be real. Love God and love people. Take care of your marriage. Take care of your own "stuff." Don't paint a picture for others to see that is really a lie and is killing you to paint because it is not really your reality. Live out your reality. Tell the truth...in love. Love God, love people. Be happy! We should be a grateful people, for have been very blessed (not just with material goods) but with a hope and peace that passes all understanding. Don't join in the conversations of "the world is going to Hell in a handbasket" take a stand and make a difference!
You (and I) have but today...use it wisely!
***Disclaimer: Several sayings were taken from Jeff Simmons, e cards, or Tina Gillian (via ecard). Thanks!
