Have you ever waited expectantly for something? Better yet, have you ever wanted something so bad and then had to wait for an answer?
That is my current season of life. Like it stinks. I finally got a place where I decided that Nursing School is what I wanted. And then I got to a place, while taking the test, I was okay if I didn't get into Nursing School, and even though I thought I wanted it, Jesus was still good if He said no. Now both of these things till ring true today. I still want to get into nursing school. I will also be okay if Jesus says no. It's just a difficult place now, because all I'm doing is waiting. I literally can do nothing right now to help my cause for nursing school. It's an interesting thing to experience, to be at a loss of control.
It's interesting, because what is Jesus trying to teach me? I think it has little to do with patience (even though that is a thing he is teaching me, because waiting is all about patience), but it has to do with this being out of my control. I have to constantly give my desires, thoughts, dreams, insecurities, everything to Jesus, because only HE controls the outcome of anything in my life. And that is soooooo comforting to me. It takes the stress out of this waiting game knowing that the Creator of the Universe holds my world in the palms of His hands!
So now, I just sit back and relax, expectant that Jesus still has so much more to teach me during this process and knowing no matter the outcome, he has planned and ordained it for me. While I may not understand whatever the outcome is or whatever process He decides to take me through, I know "His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts."
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Jesus and the Five Love Languages
Have you ever read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman? If not, you should, because it is phenomenal. It can transform your marriage, friendships, and even recognize things you never knew about yourself. I read it a few years ago, after already knowing about the 5 love languages. I love talking about this stuff because, it is living tangible proof of how different everyone is and how one thing can seem insignificant to one person and the exact same thing can make a person feel as much love as their "love tank" can fill. When I ask people, "What is your love language?" I am really asking, "How do you feel the most loved?" There are 5 main ones: words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch.
For me, words of affirmation can take me the distance. For example, Zane rolled over in the bed the other night and looked at my face for a moment and said, "You are so beautiful." Then he proceeded to turn on the television and we watched another episode of Boy Meets World before falling asleep. But after he said those 4 words, my heart felt like it grew and there was so much I was feeling for that man. He didn't expect anything in return, he just wanted to show me how much he cared about me. And that is just one example.
Anyway, I started thinking about Jesus and the 5 love languages. They are probably two of my favorite topics. As I was thinking about this a little light dinged on in my head, that Jesus is the absolute fulfillment of each of the love languages. He expresses each at 100%. I just love that about him. And this is not just some, ah Jesus is the one true King so he is able to do everything, and I'm just going to blindly believe that. No. Scripture is filled with how the Lord gives his people 100% of the love they need, no matter what it looks like. I can give some examples.
1. Words of Affirmation: Basically the whole Bible is one big love letter from our Prince to us. He calls us worthy, he calls us children, he calls us loved (Psalm 139, Ephesians 2, Matthew 6, Galatians 3, John 3, All of Song of Solomon). There is so much written in that book that tells us what he truly thinks about each and every single one of us
2. Quality Time: This one is cool. Quality time means you feel loved when someone takes time out of their day to spend time with you. All of their attention is on you, and you could sit and talk about nothing, or go to the park, or watch a movie, or other things. The Bible says "Come to me" (Matthew 6), or "Draw near to me and I will draw near to you" (James 4). Jesus went up on the mountain to spend time with God. That is what He wants, to spend time with you.
3. Gifts: This one is hard for me to comprehend because its not one of mine. I've gotten used to it, because Zane loves to receive gifts but he also loves to give gifts. I think this one is really clear. You feel loved with someone gives you something tangible. I think Abba loves this one, or rather, I think this one has a special place in his heart. The Bible talks about how the Lord is the "giver of all good things" (James 1). 1st Corinthians talks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, meaning the Jesus will give US those gifts. They are for us and they want us to be used by him. But I think the greatest gift of all, is the blood shed on the cross for our sins. Christ went there for us, gave his life, so that I could hang out with God the Father forever. (Romans 6)
4. Acts of Service: Acts of Service is interesting to me. I grew up in a church that encouraged serving. Serve and serve well and Jesus knows that you love him. It has opened my eyes and slowly moved this one up the chain (as well as learning to be a wife) in my own personal love languages. While that's fine and dandy, Jesus was the ultimate servant. He says, "I came to serve, not be served" (Matthew 20). He washes the disciples feet (John 13). And most importantly, he took the cross on our behalf.
5. Physical Touch: I left this one for last because it intrigues me most. This is last on my list, mostly because I am perfectly content with going a whole day or more without touching anybody (except my husband). But Jesus, he is different (obviously). He welcomed little children into his arms (Matthew 19). When he healed people, he almost always touched them. And perhaps one of my favorite passages in scripture, truly showed how personal and loving Jesus is. John and Jesus are the final supper and they are just hanging out on the couches talking about Jesus' upcoming betrayal and this tiny scene takes place. If you are looking for it, you possibly have missed it. "The was reclining on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom he loved. He leaned back unto Jesus' bosom and said..." (John 13:23,25) Hold up for one minute, John (who called himself the one who Jesus loved... but that's for a different day) was so comfortable and so loved by Jesus that he just SNUGGLED UP TO HIM. And Jesus let him, like this was so causal of him.
All of these can be experienced today. I for one have experienced all of them. Often times, it is in unconventional methods, but that is who Jesus is. He is unconventional, but he also loves us. There undoubtedly more in scripture that will illuminate more of this love he has for us. I barely scraped the surface, but if we ask, we will receive. And that is a promise.
For me, words of affirmation can take me the distance. For example, Zane rolled over in the bed the other night and looked at my face for a moment and said, "You are so beautiful." Then he proceeded to turn on the television and we watched another episode of Boy Meets World before falling asleep. But after he said those 4 words, my heart felt like it grew and there was so much I was feeling for that man. He didn't expect anything in return, he just wanted to show me how much he cared about me. And that is just one example.
Anyway, I started thinking about Jesus and the 5 love languages. They are probably two of my favorite topics. As I was thinking about this a little light dinged on in my head, that Jesus is the absolute fulfillment of each of the love languages. He expresses each at 100%. I just love that about him. And this is not just some, ah Jesus is the one true King so he is able to do everything, and I'm just going to blindly believe that. No. Scripture is filled with how the Lord gives his people 100% of the love they need, no matter what it looks like. I can give some examples.
1. Words of Affirmation: Basically the whole Bible is one big love letter from our Prince to us. He calls us worthy, he calls us children, he calls us loved (Psalm 139, Ephesians 2, Matthew 6, Galatians 3, John 3, All of Song of Solomon). There is so much written in that book that tells us what he truly thinks about each and every single one of us
2. Quality Time: This one is cool. Quality time means you feel loved when someone takes time out of their day to spend time with you. All of their attention is on you, and you could sit and talk about nothing, or go to the park, or watch a movie, or other things. The Bible says "Come to me" (Matthew 6), or "Draw near to me and I will draw near to you" (James 4). Jesus went up on the mountain to spend time with God. That is what He wants, to spend time with you.
3. Gifts: This one is hard for me to comprehend because its not one of mine. I've gotten used to it, because Zane loves to receive gifts but he also loves to give gifts. I think this one is really clear. You feel loved with someone gives you something tangible. I think Abba loves this one, or rather, I think this one has a special place in his heart. The Bible talks about how the Lord is the "giver of all good things" (James 1). 1st Corinthians talks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, meaning the Jesus will give US those gifts. They are for us and they want us to be used by him. But I think the greatest gift of all, is the blood shed on the cross for our sins. Christ went there for us, gave his life, so that I could hang out with God the Father forever. (Romans 6)
4. Acts of Service: Acts of Service is interesting to me. I grew up in a church that encouraged serving. Serve and serve well and Jesus knows that you love him. It has opened my eyes and slowly moved this one up the chain (as well as learning to be a wife) in my own personal love languages. While that's fine and dandy, Jesus was the ultimate servant. He says, "I came to serve, not be served" (Matthew 20). He washes the disciples feet (John 13). And most importantly, he took the cross on our behalf.
5. Physical Touch: I left this one for last because it intrigues me most. This is last on my list, mostly because I am perfectly content with going a whole day or more without touching anybody (except my husband). But Jesus, he is different (obviously). He welcomed little children into his arms (Matthew 19). When he healed people, he almost always touched them. And perhaps one of my favorite passages in scripture, truly showed how personal and loving Jesus is. John and Jesus are the final supper and they are just hanging out on the couches talking about Jesus' upcoming betrayal and this tiny scene takes place. If you are looking for it, you possibly have missed it. "The was reclining on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom he loved. He leaned back unto Jesus' bosom and said..." (John 13:23,25) Hold up for one minute, John (who called himself the one who Jesus loved... but that's for a different day) was so comfortable and so loved by Jesus that he just SNUGGLED UP TO HIM. And Jesus let him, like this was so causal of him.
All of these can be experienced today. I for one have experienced all of them. Often times, it is in unconventional methods, but that is who Jesus is. He is unconventional, but he also loves us. There undoubtedly more in scripture that will illuminate more of this love he has for us. I barely scraped the surface, but if we ask, we will receive. And that is a promise.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Saturdays Down South
We are almost done with the college football season. Whew. I mean I love college football, but I'm hitting that time of the season where I want my Saturday's back. It's getting interesting and some of the best games have yet to be played, yes, but I always seem to hit this slump around this time.
STILL, I love football. And most people in the SEC LOVE football. I would go to say as they love it too much. The reason I say this is because I listen to the Paul Finebaum show, mostly on my drives to and from Birmingham every week. And today's really really hurt my heart.
I'm sitting here listening to the show, actually watching it, and some guy calls in and basically goes off on the Georgia team. There was so much negativity coming from this guy, yelling, saying negative things about the players, and I wanted to cry. I don't even like Georgia that much, but I found my heart breaking for the team and I wanted to call that guy and tell him to cool down. And there are people like this for every team and it breaks my heart.
Sometimes I get a little crazy. I'd like to believe that I'm not distraught when my team loses. I have had to teach myself and often remember a few things, just to keep my sanity, and to keep football in it's place.
1. It is just a game. Saturday's come, Saturday's go. Some games are awesome, some games are just meh. But the key here is that it is just a game. I love cheering on my alma mater, but when the clock hits 00:00, game is over.
2. The players are kids. I often forget about this one. Like some of them were in HIGH SCHOOL last year. Some of them are probably TEENAGERS. Some of them CAN'T BUY ALCOHOL. I often find myself thinking of them as pawns in the game. I forget they are students. I forget they are people. I forget they have feelings. I forget that they are probably where I was in my sophomore, junior, senior year of college, wondering what the heck I was going to do with my life. Hugh Freeze said it perfectly after the Alabama victory: "I am just so proud of these kids and how hard they work."
3. Coaches are people too. This one is difficult because a college football coach's job is to win football games. But at the end of the game, one of the two coaches is walking away with a L. Still, they have emotions, they have feelings, and now they have to look forward to next week.
4. It is often more than a game. Some of these kids find their families in the football teams. There is a limited amount of time, but the head coaches, coordinators, trainers, whatever, they invest in these young men's lives. Their character (should) be shaped in this time. Their lives off the field should be a priority, more than the game itself.
But I am not a football coach. I'm not an analyst. I'm not even a superfan. I'm just a girl, who likes football, and who wants the best for the guys who walk onto the field every Saturday.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Five Loaves and Two Fish
Hello all,
I do not know where I last updated everyone on us, but I'll hit some bullet points.
- We are finally settled into our new place. The old has gone and the new has come. Praise Jesus. Hallelujah
- School started back for me. I am only taking two classes: Microbiology and Human Anatomy and Physiology II. I'm enjoying them because of content, not enjoying driving to Birmingham twice a week. So. Much. Gas.
- Football is back which makes me extremely happy.
- My birthday and our NYC trip is less than 3 weeks away!!!!!!!
Okay, that should be it. What I really want to talk about is my heart and the amazing night I had last night.
Let me start off by saying, if there is something Jesus wants you to be at, to hear from him, to learn, and to grow, the devil will do anything and everything in his power to make it so that you don't get there. I mean why would he want you to grow? He just wants to steal, kill, and destroy you. Growing in the Lord is not in his gameplan.
Well for about a month now, I've had a sweet friend who has kept asking and encouraging and asking and asking and asking if I wanted to go this all girls night at Passion City Church. I was hesitant at first for some unknown reason but I said yes. For the past week and a half, I have been DREADING going to this Monday night event. I blamed it on feeling sick (because well I have), but in my heart I was just kind of blah to the whole thing, and wanted to stay home and watch American Ninja Warrior. I mean I know Jesus shows up at PCC but I didn't want to. Nothing against my Buddy, I just didn't want to be there. Can you guys see where the Enemy pulled strings to try to make me miss out on what was going to happen. But, I am a firm believer that if you say you will do something, do it. Suck it up and go. So I left, kinda cranky, showed up kinda cranky, my friends didn't show up at the time we all said and I waited around for 20 min( maybe more, maybe less but I was cranky, nonetheless). There are thousands of women. Yes. Thousands. There was so much estrogen, it was unreal. So I was unhappy, but my friends showed up, I was truly glad to see them and spend time with them, and I knew I was going to encounter Jesus (I mean I showed up barely willingly, shouldn't he show up too?), so that made me perk up a little. We started out sitting on the floor, but then this woman said, "Hey, I have an extra three seats, a friend backed out."
Let me just say, if you are even a little bit willing (that was me, only a little bit willing at this point), Jesus will start to show up and show off. We had ridiculously awesome seats (Thanks J-man). It started, worship was good, I met with Jesus and I was glad even for the 10 minutes I was there that I came. Just to meet with Jesus and thank Him in song was enough for me. But like I said, when you let Him, He shows up and shows off. Well then they introduce the speaker. They were a little smug about it, because NOONE knew who was coming. Just thousands of chicks show up to meet with Jesus and not know the speaker. Well, they introduce Christine Caine. So, yeah, suck it devil. Christine is a person I admire. I had to answer a question at an old job like who is your role model/who do you look up to sort of question and Christine Caine was my answer. Her passion and zeal for Jesus is unreal and contagious.
So she starts talking, and I hang onto every word, because I know she is genuine, full of faith, and hears from God, and maybe, just maybe, He was going to speak to me through her.
Let me also stop right here and telling you about what's been going on inside my heart and head lately. I've felt a lack of purpose. I am in school, but now I have to wait almost a whole year before I can start nursing school, due to start dates in each school. I sit at home. I'm discouraged at doing nursing because I am already tired of driving to Birmingham twice a week. And I've said before, I don't really have anything that I'm spectacular at. Mostly, how am I going to benefit society, the Kingdom, how am I going to be fulfilled, what's my calling, many questions, doubts, and fears of not living to the fullest.
WELL guess what Chris talked about? ALL OF THAT. So as you can imagine, I'm bawling my eyes out. But my favorite part( well maybe not but I woke up thinking about it this morning) was when she was talking about how foolish do we have to be/look to follow Christ. She brought up the greats like Noah, David, Esther, etc, BUT then she threw in the story of a boy who brought is lunch up to Jesus and Jesus fed 15,000 people (the Bible says 5,000 but in those times, it was only the men who were counted. So factoring in women and children, 15,000 might even be a bit conservative). All these people came to hear Jesus, and they were hungry. And ONE little boy said, "Hey Jesus, I know it's not much, but here is my lunch. It's only five loaves, and two fish." And you know what Jesus did, He blessed it. He used it. A little boy's lunch. Come on now. Talk about encouragement. I've got a lunch I can give.
So I am encouraged now. I am an ordinary woman, with nothing particularly special about me, and Jesus wants to use me. I have no idea in which fashion, but I am willing to say yes. Yes, Jesus, here are my five loaves and two fish. It's seemingly insignificant, but with You, oh but with You, it can feed 15,000. So that's my prayer. Hopefully some encouragement.
From the extra ordinary,
Belle
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
An Embodiment of Grace
Hello all,
Life has been pretty great recently. Finished school, and we got an apartment that we love. love. love. I visited a dear friend in Indiana and had a magnificent time. Sometimes you just need a little girl time, goat shows, raspberry pickings, and a lot of laughs and a couple of tears.
BUT this blog post has nothing (good) to do with me and everything good to do with my husband. You see, Zane, has looked like Jesus a lot to me this past month. I have screwed up in a ton of ways, and the way he has reacted has taught me a whole lot about our Savior than I think he intended. Let's take a look into our messy lives.
School has overwhelmed me some this summer. I get a little frazzled when some weeks are ridiculous. So sometimes I look at the clock and its 5:30pm, we have NO groceries, and Zane will be home within an hour and he is expecting some sort of dinner/food. So dinner either turns out to be spaghetti, or some terrible concoction of balsamic vinegar (love that stuff) and some spices we have lying around. And you know how Zane responds in my lack of wifehood at that moment. Grace. He eats it. He doesn't complain. He kisses the top of my head and thanks me for making dinner (even though it's probably the second time that week I've made balsamic vinegar chicken and it's only Tuesday).
Another time, I've got a babysitting gig. As I was leaving, the garage malfunctioned and Tobias ended up being outside for 6 hours. When I got home, I was a wreck because I couldn't find the cat. I called Zane, bawling my eyes out. You know how Zane responded, Grace. Talked me through finding Tobias. Never once getting frustrated that I let his little buddy out. (We found him, Ha-le-lu-jahhhh).
Last Friday, I was coming home from class, I grazed a curb and blew a tire. It's $150 to replace a tire. I was crying and so upset(this was the second time in a month that it happened). 150 bucks is a lot of cash(twice). You know what Zane did? Showed me extreme Grace. He consoled me and we still got to go to the movie that night, even though we just dropped $150 on a new tire.
Over and over again, I fail, and over and over again, Zane responds with grace. Every time it looks like Jesus. Every time he reacts this way, I see Jesus. It points me more to Jesus. I see the way Jesus responds to me when I mess up with him. A husband is supposed to be a reflection of Christ. Zane is that. He makes me more thankful for the grace of Christ. He embodies that grace.
Vivian
Life has been pretty great recently. Finished school, and we got an apartment that we love. love. love. I visited a dear friend in Indiana and had a magnificent time. Sometimes you just need a little girl time, goat shows, raspberry pickings, and a lot of laughs and a couple of tears.
BUT this blog post has nothing (good) to do with me and everything good to do with my husband. You see, Zane, has looked like Jesus a lot to me this past month. I have screwed up in a ton of ways, and the way he has reacted has taught me a whole lot about our Savior than I think he intended. Let's take a look into our messy lives.
School has overwhelmed me some this summer. I get a little frazzled when some weeks are ridiculous. So sometimes I look at the clock and its 5:30pm, we have NO groceries, and Zane will be home within an hour and he is expecting some sort of dinner/food. So dinner either turns out to be spaghetti, or some terrible concoction of balsamic vinegar (love that stuff) and some spices we have lying around. And you know how Zane responds in my lack of wifehood at that moment. Grace. He eats it. He doesn't complain. He kisses the top of my head and thanks me for making dinner (even though it's probably the second time that week I've made balsamic vinegar chicken and it's only Tuesday).
Another time, I've got a babysitting gig. As I was leaving, the garage malfunctioned and Tobias ended up being outside for 6 hours. When I got home, I was a wreck because I couldn't find the cat. I called Zane, bawling my eyes out. You know how Zane responded, Grace. Talked me through finding Tobias. Never once getting frustrated that I let his little buddy out. (We found him, Ha-le-lu-jahhhh).
Last Friday, I was coming home from class, I grazed a curb and blew a tire. It's $150 to replace a tire. I was crying and so upset(this was the second time in a month that it happened). 150 bucks is a lot of cash(twice). You know what Zane did? Showed me extreme Grace. He consoled me and we still got to go to the movie that night, even though we just dropped $150 on a new tire.
Over and over again, I fail, and over and over again, Zane responds with grace. Every time it looks like Jesus. Every time he reacts this way, I see Jesus. It points me more to Jesus. I see the way Jesus responds to me when I mess up with him. A husband is supposed to be a reflection of Christ. Zane is that. He makes me more thankful for the grace of Christ. He embodies that grace.
Vivian
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
I am not a Duck
I'm pretty frustrated at society.
You see, I am the type of person who wears her heart on her sleeve. My feelings get hurt when people say mean or horrible things about me to my face(or even behind my back and then someone tells me what they say), or if they do something mean to me, directly or indirectly. Now, my heart on my sleeve can also be a good thing. It allows me to have compassion and joy and every other emotion in every circumstances and I love it! So when someone says or does something negatively to me, it hurts. I mean HURTS. It doesn't have to be anything even serious, by I still am almost always succumbed to tears.
And what makes me frustrated at society is that I am told to "let it roll off my back like a duck", "take it with a grain of salt", or "brush it off". Like it's that easy. I hate the phrases. I know they mean to not give credit to the things that are happening, but hear me out.
-"Be like a duck, let it roll off your back" This could be great advice, except it's not. A duck doesn't get into water and stay dry the whole time. The water starts to roll of it's back when it's already wet. Therefore, this saying states that after you've been "wet" for a bit (be it negative words or actions towards you), you have already been immersed in it. The next drop of water just rolls off your back because you are already wet. I think it's stupid advice. "Don't let what that person say bother you, because you've already been immersed and told these things." This is just saying that of course it's going to roll off your back because you already believe it about yourself.
-"Take it with a grain of salt". I don't understand this phrasing either. I also think it's stupid. When something wounds me and I "take it with a grain of salt" it's just saying here is a piece of salt to rub in your wound. Well that's ridiculous. Have you ever had salt put into a fresh wound. That HURTS.
-"brush it off" Have you ever seen a little kid fall down and the adult there says "brush it off? You're okay!" Well that's great, but what do you get when the dirt is brush away, a scrape mostly. You can brush off the dirt, but underneath there is still a wound.
I hate these phrases, basically it's your job to not let words get you down. It's almost impossible to let that happen. The seed is already there. Why can't it be the job of people to not be mean or say hurtful things? It's ridiculous. The Bible says that "the tongue has the power of life and death." (proverbs 18:21). So, of course, when someone says something completely negative to or about you, it feels like death.
People are going to say/do hurtful things, that's inevitable. But instead of doing something passive like just taking it or letting it go, I say we fight back. The tongue has the power of LIFE! We should counteract these negative things with words of life and words of truth. There are many things in the Bible that lift you up. There are wounds with the negativity but spoken truth, and life words are like ointment that heals. Sometimes it's difficult to apply it to myself. Sometimes I need someone else who believes in me to say something encouraging or uplifting. I think that's okay, too.
So, next time I (or maybe anyone) say, "This/that hurt me" or something along those lines, please don't tell me to "brush it off" or "be like a duck". Those phrases do not help. They make me feel useless and weak and even more down because I can't just turn off my emotions to a negative attack. Instead say something along the lines of "I'm sorry that happened, but do you know what the Lord says about you? (Insert one or all the beautiful and true things the Lord says about his beloved here)." Those words soothe and calm and heal.
You see, I am the type of person who wears her heart on her sleeve. My feelings get hurt when people say mean or horrible things about me to my face(or even behind my back and then someone tells me what they say), or if they do something mean to me, directly or indirectly. Now, my heart on my sleeve can also be a good thing. It allows me to have compassion and joy and every other emotion in every circumstances and I love it! So when someone says or does something negatively to me, it hurts. I mean HURTS. It doesn't have to be anything even serious, by I still am almost always succumbed to tears.
And what makes me frustrated at society is that I am told to "let it roll off my back like a duck", "take it with a grain of salt", or "brush it off". Like it's that easy. I hate the phrases. I know they mean to not give credit to the things that are happening, but hear me out.
-"Be like a duck, let it roll off your back" This could be great advice, except it's not. A duck doesn't get into water and stay dry the whole time. The water starts to roll of it's back when it's already wet. Therefore, this saying states that after you've been "wet" for a bit (be it negative words or actions towards you), you have already been immersed in it. The next drop of water just rolls off your back because you are already wet. I think it's stupid advice. "Don't let what that person say bother you, because you've already been immersed and told these things." This is just saying that of course it's going to roll off your back because you already believe it about yourself.
-"Take it with a grain of salt". I don't understand this phrasing either. I also think it's stupid. When something wounds me and I "take it with a grain of salt" it's just saying here is a piece of salt to rub in your wound. Well that's ridiculous. Have you ever had salt put into a fresh wound. That HURTS.
-"brush it off" Have you ever seen a little kid fall down and the adult there says "brush it off? You're okay!" Well that's great, but what do you get when the dirt is brush away, a scrape mostly. You can brush off the dirt, but underneath there is still a wound.
I hate these phrases, basically it's your job to not let words get you down. It's almost impossible to let that happen. The seed is already there. Why can't it be the job of people to not be mean or say hurtful things? It's ridiculous. The Bible says that "the tongue has the power of life and death." (proverbs 18:21). So, of course, when someone says something completely negative to or about you, it feels like death.
People are going to say/do hurtful things, that's inevitable. But instead of doing something passive like just taking it or letting it go, I say we fight back. The tongue has the power of LIFE! We should counteract these negative things with words of life and words of truth. There are many things in the Bible that lift you up. There are wounds with the negativity but spoken truth, and life words are like ointment that heals. Sometimes it's difficult to apply it to myself. Sometimes I need someone else who believes in me to say something encouraging or uplifting. I think that's okay, too.
So, next time I (or maybe anyone) say, "This/that hurt me" or something along those lines, please don't tell me to "brush it off" or "be like a duck". Those phrases do not help. They make me feel useless and weak and even more down because I can't just turn off my emotions to a negative attack. Instead say something along the lines of "I'm sorry that happened, but do you know what the Lord says about you? (Insert one or all the beautiful and true things the Lord says about his beloved here)." Those words soothe and calm and heal.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
The Storm is Coming
Hello everybody.
Life is starting to slow down for the Franklins. By slow down, I mean not as crazy as it was a week ago :) Still crazy, and still full of ultimate reliance on Papa (the way I like it!) I had a thought that was burning deep down in my soul Sunday night. We were on our way back from Dothan, from Z's sister's wedding. We had a ton of fun and it was beautiful. Tears were absolutely shed, and I love my new brother-in-law. He's absolutely perfect for Jessica.
Right back to my thought. (mini background Zane and I drove separately down to Dothan, because of our own special circumstances - school and wedding stuff for me, work for Zane and didn't need to be there on Thursday).
As I am in my car, I'm driving behind Zane and I realized a huge metaphor that was taking place that I chewed on for the rest of the 3.5 hour car drive. The whole trip I let Zane lead the caravan home. He set the pace. As we are about to leave Dothan, the heavens fall out. This is not some simple fun rain, it's scary rain. Lots of lightening and thunder. Winds whipping the rain around so there is no shelter anywhere if you get out of the car. Inches and inches of rain. But we couldn't stop, because we had an end destination. So Zane and I were going to weather this together, in separate vehicles. This is when I began to notice and put two and two together. Zane was leading which means he was looking out for his vehicle and it's direction and my vehicle and my direction. Making sure I was ok. All I needed to do was make sure my car was good and follow after Zane. Another thing I noticed is that we were together in the storm, weathering it together but both our circumstances were different. He was in his car with the cats, his clothes, and anything else he may have had. I was in my car, with the food, flowers, decorations, wedding dress, and my clothes. Same storm, different perspectives. I was also following, watching and learning from him, while he was leading, coming across the obstacles first. BUT it was the same storm.
I realized that was life. Storms are coming. And as husband and wife we will weather them together. Naturally because we are two individuals, what we are carrying inside of us is different. But I also realized I had a choice, do I let Zane lead and set the pace, watch out for me, and guide me, or do I blow by, thinking he's going way to slow, or thinking I got this on my own? The clouds are looming and I have to make a decision. And Zane, he leads with strength and grace and humility. As a wife, it is safer for me to go second, it will always be safer for me to go second.
The storms are inevitable, they are even beneficial. It's how I choose to react to them. And just like rainstorms, they are out of my hands. This especially paves the way for Zane to step up and take care of our tiny family, the best way he knows how. Jesus is good to give me someone as great at Zane.
Vivian
Life is starting to slow down for the Franklins. By slow down, I mean not as crazy as it was a week ago :) Still crazy, and still full of ultimate reliance on Papa (the way I like it!) I had a thought that was burning deep down in my soul Sunday night. We were on our way back from Dothan, from Z's sister's wedding. We had a ton of fun and it was beautiful. Tears were absolutely shed, and I love my new brother-in-law. He's absolutely perfect for Jessica.
Right back to my thought. (mini background Zane and I drove separately down to Dothan, because of our own special circumstances - school and wedding stuff for me, work for Zane and didn't need to be there on Thursday).
As I am in my car, I'm driving behind Zane and I realized a huge metaphor that was taking place that I chewed on for the rest of the 3.5 hour car drive. The whole trip I let Zane lead the caravan home. He set the pace. As we are about to leave Dothan, the heavens fall out. This is not some simple fun rain, it's scary rain. Lots of lightening and thunder. Winds whipping the rain around so there is no shelter anywhere if you get out of the car. Inches and inches of rain. But we couldn't stop, because we had an end destination. So Zane and I were going to weather this together, in separate vehicles. This is when I began to notice and put two and two together. Zane was leading which means he was looking out for his vehicle and it's direction and my vehicle and my direction. Making sure I was ok. All I needed to do was make sure my car was good and follow after Zane. Another thing I noticed is that we were together in the storm, weathering it together but both our circumstances were different. He was in his car with the cats, his clothes, and anything else he may have had. I was in my car, with the food, flowers, decorations, wedding dress, and my clothes. Same storm, different perspectives. I was also following, watching and learning from him, while he was leading, coming across the obstacles first. BUT it was the same storm.
I realized that was life. Storms are coming. And as husband and wife we will weather them together. Naturally because we are two individuals, what we are carrying inside of us is different. But I also realized I had a choice, do I let Zane lead and set the pace, watch out for me, and guide me, or do I blow by, thinking he's going way to slow, or thinking I got this on my own? The clouds are looming and I have to make a decision. And Zane, he leads with strength and grace and humility. As a wife, it is safer for me to go second, it will always be safer for me to go second.
The storms are inevitable, they are even beneficial. It's how I choose to react to them. And just like rainstorms, they are out of my hands. This especially paves the way for Zane to step up and take care of our tiny family, the best way he knows how. Jesus is good to give me someone as great at Zane.
Vivian
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