A Different Kind of Post - Opinions Are Like Onions...

I haven't given up on writing on this Blog. I've just given up on the few people who have negative things to say about it. I let their uneducated opinions get to me in the last week, and I stepped away for a couple of days to evaluate whether or not their opinions held any significant meaning. They don't.

This morning I was ruminating on an important conversation I need to have with someone and it occurred to me that there are different levels of immaturity and of faith.

Immaturity:

Some of us just put up with bad behavior longer because we know God's going to work it out. So go ahead and act like an immature idiot. We are not holding it against you. You're in a stage of life where the darkness is coming to light and God's going to do something big with that.

VS.

The get right with God crowd and never make a mistake or we WILL hold it against you, we will judge you, and we will share your personal details with others in the name of "prayer requests".

Faith:

Some have the faith to trust that if they sin big, God's going to forgive it and love them anyway.

VS.

Knowing that, but still striving to obey God, trusting that He's going to utilize our struggle as a growth process, bringing us closer to Him.

And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

+Mark 7:20-23 (ESV)

Furthermore, it disgusts me how many people look at a married couple and discuss divorce for various reasons. I did a deep dive into the Biblical subject of divorce and here's where I ended up -

1) I studied it because my initial understanding was that Jesus hates it and does not permit it. If that's true, then any Pastor who says there's a Biblical reason for it is lying and Pastors aren't the type (generally) to lie, so that ate at me. I realized I must be wrong, and I wanted to find the root of it.

2) Divorce is permissible for precious few. It's okay - awesome in fact, that I don't directly understand it. I just have to trust that when God calls a couple to divorce, it's for a good reason.

3) Divorce is not the answer for Anthony and me - which I already knew. God is using us to show others how to stick with each other through thick and thin, even when the commitment has been to the marriage itself and we struggled to like each other. (Hello 2010s).

4)Sometimes Pastors are wrong. They're people, after all.

Is this technically a nacho?

Finally, Anthony and I are in marriage counseling, and it's been really great for our relationship. I didn't realize that I still have a lot of work to do on my communication style. I've gotten really lazy! I'll often practice something in my head that I want to say, and when it comes out of my mouth, sometimes it's taken completely differently than I intended it to. I'm still not sure how an intended compliment can offend others - but it happens! I need to work on my wording, my tone of voice, and be a lot more patient with Anthony. That's my big project to work on with Jesus.

Real quick, before I publish this and log off to go do some housework, I want to encourage those of you, like me,  who are long-suffering to keep leaning into Jesus. You're going to be tempted to take the easy way out on a lot of different situations in your life. I'm here to tell you that often the easy way is not the right way. 

The simplest solution is usually the hardest to do, and that's also usually the right one. We won't always know unless we seek Jesus in His Word, in Prayer, and in Fellowship. Just be careful who you're fellowshipping with. As Anthony and I have moved over the years, we've made some big mistakes in who we've trusted to fellowship with. Go slow, get to know people really well, and then share your story if you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you to. We are so blessed to be a part of a healthy, loving, Bible-based church now. 

Picture of a lovely rose because it's just so pretty!

Stay tuned for another episode. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/

In Christ alone our hope is found

Run, don't walk for help! You're worth it.

 

 

 

Day 22 - Out In Nature

Letters to my teenage self 

A Devotional for Trauma Survivors 

Day 22 - Out In Nature

Dear teenage self, 

I have farm animals. Ducks, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats. My property isn't big enough to host more, so that's it for now. Well, and the four kids that reside here. Nearly every day, I spend a large portion of the day outside with the animals. They're good therapy for the soul. I feel closer to God when I'm outside amongst His vast creation. 

Animals are funny creatures. There is comedy to be found in their routine if you look for it. Today, one of the pigs ran straight for the duck pond and rolled around in it, splashing the area around her. Meanwhile, the ducks ganged up and approached her, quacking angrily. They wanted their duck pond back. The pig did not care. She finished her bath and then got out. 

On the other side of the yard, the cats were chasing the chickens as part of a game. I was shouting at the cats, trying to get them to stop their game. It wasn't working. Cats are designed to chase birds, catch them, and eat them. They were just doing what God designed them to do. 

And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

+Genesis 1:24-25 (ESV)

I love God's creativity. If we just sit and watch nature, soaking it all in, we will feel at peace. We will find the natural rhythm of our heartbeats, slow down our thoughts, and make more time for prayer, reading of God's Word, and quiet reflection. We will come to realize that if we just have some more patience with one another, we will end up right where we always needed to be. 

Let's Pray

Heavenly Father, often we try to fight against our nature and do things that seem unnatural. Sometimes this is a good thing, as in the form of developing a new discipline or spiritual habit. Please give us discernment and wisdom about the best course of action for our lives. As we take the time to sit in nature, appreciating all that You have made, bless our hearts and minds with a spirit of peace. I love You, Lord Jesus. It is in Your name I pray. Amen. 

Stay tuned for another episode. See you next time! And remember, if you or a loved one is in danger, get help immediately, and don't stop talking until someone acts on your words.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish, and 200+ through interpretation service. SMS: Text START to 88788

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 Hours: Available 24 hours. https://www.rainn.org/

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. https://988lifeline.org/

In Christ alone our hope is found

Run, don't walk for help! You're worth it.