Now that Lane 1 is on its way to being cleaned up and focused on (there is still work to do), lets take a look at Lane 2.
Lane 2 is the biggest lane of all and the most congested and hectic.
This is where I dump all the other lanes that were introduced to me years ago. There were 8 of them. I was so overwhelmed and found that each lane over lapped the others, some took more time and energy and some became broken down and deserted all together.
Once i decided to combine all the lanes into 3 of the most traveled, I realized that Lane 2 held many of the 5 lanes that I didn't know what to do with. But we will get into that later. For now, lets take a look at what all falls into Lane 2, Family.
There's the obvious things like Marriage, Children, Grandchildren, and pets. But what about the not so obvious things that go along with the above 4 items like; sports, kids activities, vacations, money, crafts, home repairs, home maintenance, weddings, funerals, budgets, money, friends, exercise and so much more? Don't all of these things help to make this lane run? Maybe this lane should be called HOME and not just FAMILY.
On the wall in my kitchen, there's a very large dry erase calendar and all important events MUST be written on the calendar or they will be forgotten. There's therapy, football, basketball, acting, piano lessons, weddings, first day of school, Baraccuda camp, and practice for this or that. But what about the other things, like date night or exercise time or things that take up my time but are not on the calendar? Should those things be on there? Should each hour of my day be documented so I dont miss anything?
How on earth do I schedule every hour of my day? How do I make sure one area isnt lacking, while other areas are over worked? One thing Mom used to tell me was to take care of myself first and everything else would fall into place but I have yet to figure out how this works! Surely, we are not meant to live in a world where every hour of the day is scheduled. But then again, if each hour is scheduled, I get so much more done! I won't stop until the list is complete, or pretty close!
So, I think in order for this lane to move more efficiently, I need to prioritize what all goes into this lane and start from there.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
WORTHINESS
There are approximately 100 verses in the Bible that talk about self-worth.
Why do you think this is? Why do you think God felt is so necessary to remind us that we are worthy?
This is an area that is very touchy with me. For many years, I was very self confident and knew what I believed.
"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything."
I was convicted by the Holy Spirit and KNEW where God was leading me.
Then, a few years later, I realize I had let someone take that confidence from me. My self worth had plummeted to zero and I didn't have a reason to live.
Until I looked into the face of my beautiful daughter, then I KNEW God had sent her as a gift to me. His way of saying, "I trust you. I love you" and I knew I would not let Him down. I would be the best Mom I could be.
But, I still did not feel worthy of God's love or attention. How could I pray to Him when I didn't think he would even take time to listen?
But, here's the truth about that, not only DID God listen, He heard me. He rescued me. He gave me strength and courage. He made me realize that my lack of self worth came form Satan. The person I let take it was just a vehicle to get Satan's job finished. The reason God felt it necessary to remind us over 100 times that we are fearfully and wonderfully made is because Satan loves to take jabs at our self-esteem. Satan knows it is an easy target and that we let him tear down that wall easily.
I will never let someone make me feel unworthy again and will tell anyone who will listen that they are worthy. God doesn't make trash, he makes great works of art. He gave you a big heart for a reason, he gave you life, for a reason.
Today, focus on the blessings that have been given to you but more than that, I pray you focus on how worthy you are. How special you are. How amazing you are!
Why do you think this is? Why do you think God felt is so necessary to remind us that we are worthy?
This is an area that is very touchy with me. For many years, I was very self confident and knew what I believed.
"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything."
I was convicted by the Holy Spirit and KNEW where God was leading me.
Then, a few years later, I realize I had let someone take that confidence from me. My self worth had plummeted to zero and I didn't have a reason to live.
Until I looked into the face of my beautiful daughter, then I KNEW God had sent her as a gift to me. His way of saying, "I trust you. I love you" and I knew I would not let Him down. I would be the best Mom I could be.
But, I still did not feel worthy of God's love or attention. How could I pray to Him when I didn't think he would even take time to listen?
But, here's the truth about that, not only DID God listen, He heard me. He rescued me. He gave me strength and courage. He made me realize that my lack of self worth came form Satan. The person I let take it was just a vehicle to get Satan's job finished. The reason God felt it necessary to remind us over 100 times that we are fearfully and wonderfully made is because Satan loves to take jabs at our self-esteem. Satan knows it is an easy target and that we let him tear down that wall easily.
I will never let someone make me feel unworthy again and will tell anyone who will listen that they are worthy. God doesn't make trash, he makes great works of art. He gave you a big heart for a reason, he gave you life, for a reason.
Today, focus on the blessings that have been given to you but more than that, I pray you focus on how worthy you are. How special you are. How amazing you are!
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Test of FAITH
This is not the post I had intended to post this morning but something happened that made me stop and think. I felt compelled to tell you about it.
The part of town I work in is home to many homeless people, drug addicts and sadly, many with mental illness. Any time of day you see something going on. My heart goes out to these people that battle disease such as addiction or mental illness. I could easily be one of these people. Then I thought, "these people" as if they were a different species. What makes them seem so far away when in reality, they are in my every day vision.
This morning, I saw a man and woman walking down the street towards downtown. The man was walking much faster than the woman and you could tell from her body language that she was begging him to wait up. He would stop and turn to her and yell and motion for her to hurry up. She finally fell to the sidewalk, reaching her hands out to him begging for his help. He turned back to her and picked her up and pulled her close to him. Then he dropped her and took off walking. I was very confused by this situation and the woman was very clearly upset.
By the time I got inside my building and around to the front door, the couple had moved across the street but the scene was still unfolding. I opened the front door just long enough to hear him scream at her and tell her negative things that were clearly chipping at her self worth. That made me very sad.
My heart wanted to reach out to this woman and tell her not to listen to what he was saying to her. But I knew the situation was not safe for me to approach. What if God could not get to me in an unsafe situation? What if I could not be saved? Thankfully, my amazing God allowed His son to die for my sins so that no matter the situation, I WOULD be saved. Not could be but WOULD be.
How reassuring is that? To know that no MATTER what happens, I WOULD be saved. I wonder, did this woman know this? We live in a country where information is abundant and resources are available but I still wonder, does she know? Does she know there is a God that loves her more than anything? Does she know she was created for purpose? Does she know I saw her tears this morning and wanted to reach out to her?
What would you have done in this situation?
I pray today that God whispers in this womans ear that she is loved, that she is special, that she is worthy. I pray God picks her up and hugs her and reassures her that he loves her.
The part of town I work in is home to many homeless people, drug addicts and sadly, many with mental illness. Any time of day you see something going on. My heart goes out to these people that battle disease such as addiction or mental illness. I could easily be one of these people. Then I thought, "these people" as if they were a different species. What makes them seem so far away when in reality, they are in my every day vision.
This morning, I saw a man and woman walking down the street towards downtown. The man was walking much faster than the woman and you could tell from her body language that she was begging him to wait up. He would stop and turn to her and yell and motion for her to hurry up. She finally fell to the sidewalk, reaching her hands out to him begging for his help. He turned back to her and picked her up and pulled her close to him. Then he dropped her and took off walking. I was very confused by this situation and the woman was very clearly upset.
By the time I got inside my building and around to the front door, the couple had moved across the street but the scene was still unfolding. I opened the front door just long enough to hear him scream at her and tell her negative things that were clearly chipping at her self worth. That made me very sad.
My heart wanted to reach out to this woman and tell her not to listen to what he was saying to her. But I knew the situation was not safe for me to approach. What if God could not get to me in an unsafe situation? What if I could not be saved? Thankfully, my amazing God allowed His son to die for my sins so that no matter the situation, I WOULD be saved. Not could be but WOULD be.
How reassuring is that? To know that no MATTER what happens, I WOULD be saved. I wonder, did this woman know this? We live in a country where information is abundant and resources are available but I still wonder, does she know? Does she know there is a God that loves her more than anything? Does she know she was created for purpose? Does she know I saw her tears this morning and wanted to reach out to her?
What would you have done in this situation?
I pray today that God whispers in this womans ear that she is loved, that she is special, that she is worthy. I pray God picks her up and hugs her and reassures her that he loves her.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Let's Keep Driving!
Lane 1 in the 3 lanes of life that I drive in the most!. FAITH
Last night, I had a great conversation with one of my neighbors, who also happens to be a minister at one of the local non-denominational churches in our city. He is super nice and has a wonderful family. He has taken Brayden to church with him a couple times for special events and Brayden loves it.
As I said before, I am still searching for a church home for our family and maybe the reason I haven't found one was because I have been so stuck in the idea of needing a Baptist church that I couldn't see the other possibilities. Now, Jake is Catholic and I am Baptist. We were married in a Baptist Church by a Baptist minister and have always attended Baptist Church. Jake has never been terribly happy about going but would for the good of the foundation we want to build for our family.
So, maybe I can't see the forest for the trees or the trees for the forest, however that saying goes. Have I put too much focus on being in a Baptist Church that I have missed out on a great church that has everything we are needing? I believe its time to change my perspective!
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)
This text stays with me after I read it. It lingers in the back of my mind and makes me think. I have had bad experiences with some churches, mainly because their members had forgotten to be kind. I have tried to talk myself into thinking that church wasnt that important, but clearly, I am wrong.
With all of this said, we will go to church this Sunday, and visit and try to find a church home for our family. A church that will grow our relationship with Christ and relationships with other Christians.
A church that will help to clear the debris from this lane of our lives.
Last night, I had a great conversation with one of my neighbors, who also happens to be a minister at one of the local non-denominational churches in our city. He is super nice and has a wonderful family. He has taken Brayden to church with him a couple times for special events and Brayden loves it.
As I said before, I am still searching for a church home for our family and maybe the reason I haven't found one was because I have been so stuck in the idea of needing a Baptist church that I couldn't see the other possibilities. Now, Jake is Catholic and I am Baptist. We were married in a Baptist Church by a Baptist minister and have always attended Baptist Church. Jake has never been terribly happy about going but would for the good of the foundation we want to build for our family.
So, maybe I can't see the forest for the trees or the trees for the forest, however that saying goes. Have I put too much focus on being in a Baptist Church that I have missed out on a great church that has everything we are needing? I believe its time to change my perspective!
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)
This text stays with me after I read it. It lingers in the back of my mind and makes me think. I have had bad experiences with some churches, mainly because their members had forgotten to be kind. I have tried to talk myself into thinking that church wasnt that important, but clearly, I am wrong.
With all of this said, we will go to church this Sunday, and visit and try to find a church home for our family. A church that will grow our relationship with Christ and relationships with other Christians.
A church that will help to clear the debris from this lane of our lives.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Cruise Control
Previously, I talked about the 3 lanes of life I drive in the most and breaking them down.
Lane 1 is FAITH.
I don't question it, I don't wonder about it, I don't even think about it most of the time. I am so confident in that lane that sometimes I think its on cruise control, which is not good!
Being on cruise control in any lane means that it isn't being driven on safely. Getting from point A to Point B is not always all you need from this lane. What about the things in the middle that are being missed? Are you avoiding the pot holes and just driving through them hoping they don't damage things too much. Cruise control allows your mind to wonder onto other less important things instead of staying focused on the job at hand.
I am not sure when I allowed my faith to go on auto pilot but I don't intend for it to stay there! So, what can i do today to get this lane of life back where it needs to be? Where does it need to be?
1. It needs to be the driving force behind my life.
2. I need to be the co-pilot while Christ is my pilot. -Often I forget that I do not need to be in control, that Christ does.
3. My relationship with Christ needs to be the number one priority in my life, before kids, marriage, football, anything. Therefore, I need to find this family a church home asap! I need to implement a bible study for me, for my spouse and i and for our family, asap!
No more cruise control, no more trying to drive this lane without my pilot!
Lane 1 is FAITH.
I don't question it, I don't wonder about it, I don't even think about it most of the time. I am so confident in that lane that sometimes I think its on cruise control, which is not good!
Being on cruise control in any lane means that it isn't being driven on safely. Getting from point A to Point B is not always all you need from this lane. What about the things in the middle that are being missed? Are you avoiding the pot holes and just driving through them hoping they don't damage things too much. Cruise control allows your mind to wonder onto other less important things instead of staying focused on the job at hand.
I am not sure when I allowed my faith to go on auto pilot but I don't intend for it to stay there! So, what can i do today to get this lane of life back where it needs to be? Where does it need to be?
1. It needs to be the driving force behind my life.
2. I need to be the co-pilot while Christ is my pilot. -Often I forget that I do not need to be in control, that Christ does.
3. My relationship with Christ needs to be the number one priority in my life, before kids, marriage, football, anything. Therefore, I need to find this family a church home asap! I need to implement a bible study for me, for my spouse and i and for our family, asap!
No more cruise control, no more trying to drive this lane without my pilot!
Dream Life
Many years ago, I was introduced to the 8 lanes of living from a very dear friend of mine. Many times I tried and tried to implement this into my day to day life and found that it was very over whelming for me.
So, I have taken the 8 lanes of living and reduced it down to the 3 lanes I run the most! Now, even juggling these 3 lanes can be tough and I realize they will change over time.
But for now, they are : Faith, Family and Career.
So, over the course of the next few posts, I will break each lane down into smaller chunks so they make more sense and are easier to handle.
Faith is pretty cut and dry so lets start there.
First, let me say, I am southern Baptist. Now, I don't know how Southern Baptist differ from other Baptist except maybe the way we talk!
I am currently looking for a new church home for my family but have no fear, I still pray, read God's word, talk to God (many times a day!), and do my best to build a foundation for my family. A foundation that is built on Gods Love.
And there's the key for me, God's love. Or just love in general. There has been so much talk lately in the media about racism and gay marriage and so forth. There are posts that Christians are against gays, blacks, whites, etc. As a Christian, I believe it is my job to love and to teach love. Its not my job to tell you whether you are living right or wrong but to love you no matter what, just the way Christ loves us. No matter the life style, the mistake, the amount of money you make, whatever, God always loves you and me! Woohoo!
My faith is easy. Its simple. There's no deadlines, no one waiting on me to get something done. It's always there. I never wonder about it, I believe it -I understand it - I believe it.
God Bless!
So, I have taken the 8 lanes of living and reduced it down to the 3 lanes I run the most! Now, even juggling these 3 lanes can be tough and I realize they will change over time.
But for now, they are : Faith, Family and Career.
So, over the course of the next few posts, I will break each lane down into smaller chunks so they make more sense and are easier to handle.
Faith is pretty cut and dry so lets start there.
First, let me say, I am southern Baptist. Now, I don't know how Southern Baptist differ from other Baptist except maybe the way we talk!
I am currently looking for a new church home for my family but have no fear, I still pray, read God's word, talk to God (many times a day!), and do my best to build a foundation for my family. A foundation that is built on Gods Love.
And there's the key for me, God's love. Or just love in general. There has been so much talk lately in the media about racism and gay marriage and so forth. There are posts that Christians are against gays, blacks, whites, etc. As a Christian, I believe it is my job to love and to teach love. Its not my job to tell you whether you are living right or wrong but to love you no matter what, just the way Christ loves us. No matter the life style, the mistake, the amount of money you make, whatever, God always loves you and me! Woohoo!
My faith is easy. Its simple. There's no deadlines, no one waiting on me to get something done. It's always there. I never wonder about it, I believe it -I understand it - I believe it.
God Bless!
What would it look like to you?
Good morning!
I have been reading, watching, and listening to anything I can get my hands on about building your dream life.
One question that keeps coming up is "What would it look like to you? If you were to design your dream life, what would it look like? I have spent hours thinking about this and the truth is, it wouldn't look much different than what I have now. I have the home I have always wanted, I have a wonderful family, I have my health and most importantly, I live in a world where I can believe what I want and worship the way I want.
Now, would I make changes? Of course, there is always room for change and improvement.
So, what would your dream life look like for YOU?
I have been reading, watching, and listening to anything I can get my hands on about building your dream life.
One question that keeps coming up is "What would it look like to you? If you were to design your dream life, what would it look like? I have spent hours thinking about this and the truth is, it wouldn't look much different than what I have now. I have the home I have always wanted, I have a wonderful family, I have my health and most importantly, I live in a world where I can believe what I want and worship the way I want.
Now, would I make changes? Of course, there is always room for change and improvement.
So, what would your dream life look like for YOU?
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