Perspective

photo © 2010 Francesco Pappalardo | more info (via: Wylio)

I found myself losing mine yesterday.  For a moment, most of the day really, I took my eyes off of the reason for the season.  I allowed my circumstances to rise to the forefront and I was once again faced with fear, anxiety and depression.  How does this happen?  How do I walk in joy and victory one day, and fear and anxiety the next?  I just wrote a guest post over at 5 Minutes for Faith about not fearing what appears to be immovable mountains in our lives, and found myself camping at the base of the mountain, forgetting for a moment that I did not have to fear because the Lord was with me, and that with Him ALL things are possible.  

So last night, after regaining my focus, I began to think about perspective. It's the way I see things. Do I want to continue to look at my life as half empty, or have full?  It's about my attitude.  Will I allow myself to become bitter and angry over something that I, in my own strength, cannot change?  It's about choosing joy in the midst of hardship and struggle.  Every new circumstance that my family is faced with that could be a cause for worry, doubt and fear is an opportunity to look up into the face of God, reflect on His promises and faithfulness to us, and realize how truly blessed we are.

I have a loving husband who works hard to provide for our family
and who loves me unconditionally.

My children are healthy and following the Lord.

We have shelter and food on our table.

My family lives nearby and we get to enjoy Christmas together.

Unemployment has brought opportunity for sacrifice and growth.

One car broke down, but we have two that are working.

Not enough money for all that I want to give at Christmas....

but JESUS is FREE!

I have been pondering these scriptures this morning as I allow God to once again breathe hope over my circumstances.

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!  I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! (Psalm 42:5)

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.  (Psalm 121:1-2)

"LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:5-8)

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.  (Psalm 118:1)

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.  (Psalm 27:13)

How about you?  Have you lost your perspective?  He is with you Beloved One.  May Jesus come afresh and a new and breathe hope over your circumstances.  May you be filled to overflowing with peace and joy!  

Merry CHRISTmas!

 

Staying Calm In The Chaos

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my parents, brothers and sisters and their families. I cooked my first turkey and it was delish!  We sat around, talked and laughed and planned our courses for BLACK FRIDAY the next day.  As I began to puruse the ads, I felt sheer panic setting in.  There were so many amazing deals. Where would I begin?  I had a limited cash flow.  What would I spend it on?  So I made a list, charted my course, decided what I was going to have for breakfast at IHOP at 6:30a in the morning and went to bed.  I awoke on Black Friday at 9:30a.  I thought to myself, "You'd better hurry up. The mega sales end at 11:00a."  Who cares, I promptly told myself and rolled over and slept for another hour!

My daughter and I did venture out about 11:00a.  First stop, Peets Coffee!  After all, who shops without first having coffee?  Next, we went to the clothing store where my sister works. I was after $5 shirts and slippers.  I was in the store for about 10 mins when I heard a commotion on the other side of the store.  My sister was on the phone to 911.  As I walked over, a woman was laying flat on her back, arms rigid in the air, convulsing of a seizure.  No one was at her side, yet there were several who were looking at her.  Not medically trained, I wasn't sure what I could do.  But I could PRAY!  I rushed to her side, laid hands on her and began to ask for the presence of Jesus to come.  By that point, she was foaming at the mouth and bleeding a lot from her nose (possibly due to hitting her head when she fell).  A nurse who was in the store came over. We rolled the woman on her side.  There was blood everywhere. On the floor, on me. We grabbed shirts off of clearance racks to try and minimize the damage to the carpet.  We waited for about 15 minutes before the EMT arrived.  Some had panic on their faces, and I could have given in to it.  Yet I prayed, silently and calmly for this woman to be invaded with the love and healing of Jesus.  I will never know what impact I may have made, but I felt good as I walked away knowing I did something.

Next stop, the mall. By this time it was already 12:30.  I could tell getting off the freeway that the parking lot was filled to capacity.  So I asked Jesus to provide "Princess Parking" and found a pretty good spot right outside JC Penny, where my beloved bar stools were on sale from $99 to $39.  But I had missed the sale. They had been marked up to $89. Bummer.  Oh well, I said to myself.  The sale will come around again.  I did manage to pick up a "Buy One Toy Story Talking Buzz Light Year" get "A Talking Woody for Half Off"!  That was a deal for me and I was done.  And home we went.

As the Christmas shopping season has officially begun, it can be quite chaotic out there.  Stores looked like they had been hit by a tornado.  There were screaming children everywhere.  Poor things, they see things they want and can't have.  People tend to be more rude, cutting you off as you go to park and elbowing you as you walk.  I watched so many people carrying so many packages and wondered what they had bought.  Was it all worth it?  Was it all necessary?

In this season, I have to be very purposeful in keeping JESUS in front of me at all times, so as to not lose sight of the true meaning.  Although it makes my heart happy to be able to give to others, Christmas is not about Black Friday, Santa, Sales, More Sales, commercialism or fancy decorations (of which I have none).  Christmas is ALL about JESUS.  The baby born in a manger.  The God head come in human form so that I could live. And Christmas IS about giving -- of my time, my love and my giftings to others.  Yet it's hard not to get caught up in all of the hype.  

Here are some things I do to keep me calm during this season:

1. Focus on JESUS! I listen to worship music and Christmas music to keep me in perspective. I read His Word. I want to know this man, this greatest gift. I know that if I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, He will work everything else out.
   
2. Make a plan and stick to it.  There were so many amazing deals yesterday.  I could have come home with a lot more than I did.  However, yesterday was all about my little boy and his two greatest desires.  And I got them.  And they were on sale.  My children know that things are tighter this year than normal.  They have all been asked for their lists, and really aren't asking for much.  They know that a few presents under the tree and a lot of love is more than some kids have. 
3. Shop On Line.  After yesterday, I think on line shopping is the way to go.  I was able to log in at midnight to Best Buy on Thanksgiving morning and purchase an item for one of my kids at an $80 savings!  Woo Hoo, God is good!
   
4. Look for ways to help others.  Yesterday someone had a need and I met it the only way I knew how.  Sure, I lost time, could have bought those bar stools, but this was Kingdom Reality in motion and God used me to bring the Kingdom at that moment.  Are you willing to sacrifice of your time to help another in need?
   
5. Find JOY in the simple things.  I was happy when I found the deal on the Toy Story toys for my son. But the day was even better sitting around the table with family last night, eating Chinese Food, listening to my son play his guitar and sing worship songs, and hearing my children laugh.  These are the moments that flee all too soon. These are the moments I want to capture this season.

Praying that as you enter this season, you will rest in knowing that JESUS is all that matters.  May He fill your spirit with peace and calmness and my you and your family be blessed beyond measure.

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (Isaiah 26:3)

Feeling Overwhelmed

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed over the last few days.  I tend to juggle life pretty good on most days, so when I do feel like the weight of the world is crashing down on me, I stop and take a personal inventory. Here are just a few of the things that I am asking the Lord to intervene and come to my rescue in:

• My 16 year old son started on line school last semester. We are nearing the end of the year and so far I do not see a real change. I know that traditional school will not work for him.  So I am praying through what we will do next year.  He really is not a self-motivated person, but I am not sure I can thrust him back into a full-time school atmosphere either.  I Need God's Wisdom.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5)

• My house is a complete disaster.  I have only been able to manage to do what absolutely has to be done over the last couple of months (yes, I said months). That includes things like meal planning, grocery shopping, laundry, homework, baths, playing with my kids, time in the Word and in prayer, work and ministry. I just don't seem to have the energy to keep up with the day-to-day tasks to keep my home in order.

• I received some less than desirable tests results from the doctor yesterday.  In a nut shell, I must begin immediately to make healthier choices concerning my diet and exercise habits. Otherwise, I may be walking down a road God never intended for me to walk down. This is overwhelming to me. I am not a good dieter.  And yes, I know it is a lifestyle change, but I simply do not have the motivation to begin again.  I am afraid I won't be able to get myself to the place where I need to me. I Need God's Strength.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor.12:9-10)

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:13)

• We are still waiting word from our mortgage company as to whether they will modify our loan so that we can keep our home.  We have been working on this for months.  They let our file expire so we had to start again. It's been extremely frustrating.  I Need God's Peace.  

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3)

• My husband is still sort of unemployed.  He has a temporary position which he works off and on, but it is still not a regular trusty source of income.  We really need that in order to be able to make our mortgage payments.

• Our main freezer is broken.  Thankfully we have a smaller one in the garage, but it does not allow me to shop ahead and freeze things. I am not sure we can afford to fix it.  I need God's provision.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:19)

• I feel like I am not spending "quality" time with my children.  Yes I work full time and only have so many hours left in the day, but I feel so rushed where they are concerned.  I am praying for creative ways to spend more quality time with them, and am asking the Lord to slow me down so that I am not so rushed. I Need God's Rest.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30)

• I have a bone spur at the bottom of my foot that causes intense pain on most days.  I am told there is nothing they could do for it, other than stretching and good supportive shoes.  What?  I am a Flip-Flip type of gal!  I Need God's Healing.

But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Despite everything, I am trusting.  I know that He can lift this feeling from me. I do not want to rely on my emotions.  I trust in my loving Heavenly Father who knows I am not perfect and is the One who has everything I need.  He cares for me.