The kitchen epiphanies, part two
Sophie - January 1, 2009
So in addition to giving vs. getting, here are the other two things God has been teaching me over the holidays:
2) Demanding vs. Asking - We've been discussing this concept a lot lately with our little boy, who seems to be increasingly prone to statements like, "Get me some more milk, Mama," as opposed to "Mama? May I please have some more milk?"
So we've been talking almost every single day about asking for something as opposed to demanding it.
And God has been all over me about how I do this in my own life. Especially with Him. Because my prayer life, if I'm not careful, can become a laundry list of demands: God, I need you to fix this. I want so-and-so to change. I want such-and-such to just go away. And so I'm going to make a concerted effort to ASK God to keep me in the center of His will, to ASK Him to give me the grace to walk humbly through whatever circumstances surround us.
Sometimes I need to remember that God is God and I'm not. He doesn't need me to tell Him what to do.
3) Quick Fix vs. Digging Deep - I am a fan of peace. I don't like conflict and I don't like confrontation - because oftentimes I don't like the consequences of those two things. So I tend to go for the quick fix in certain situations. I look for ways to just patch things up and keep the peace and move along.
I don't think my peace-loving nature is inherently bad, but more and more I'm seeing how it enables me to gloss over issues and problems that require a whole lot more than a band-aid, a smile and a funny remark.
So I want to dig deeper - in the Word, in my relationships, even in my failures. I recognize that in the past I've put band-aids on some things that maybe needed some stitches - and I can't change that. I have the scars to prove it. But I also recognize that I don't have to be the band-aid girl anymore. I pray that I will have the courage and the strength to dig deep - even when it's painful.
Happy New Year, y'all!
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Pam
Pam
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris
Comments (3)
To #2 I say - “amen!”
To #3 I say - “hmmm…” and “oh my!” and “yeah, me too!”
I’m a peace-lover, as well - more with family, than with friends, oddly enough.
My hubby has reached the “rip the band-aid off quickly” stage much sooner than I have, and he is confronting others more so now, than at any other time in our marriage.
Since we live right next door to, and worship at the same church with, my family, guess where most of the conflict arises!
Yep! Lots of band-aids gettin’ ripped off here, and wounds being poked and prodded. Painful, but necessary… and ultimately, good.
I still don’t know if I like it or not, but am trying to face it as it comes.
I will look forward to hearing how the “digging deep” goes for you as the year progresses. :-) When I’m in the midst of a “digging” session, I’m sure I’ll think of you and this post, and say a prayer for you.
Maybe you’ll do the same for me. :-) Alesha
Posted on January 1, 2009 12:56 PM
Thank you on all three of those lessons and I wholeheartedly agree on each of them. God is working in my own life and heart calling me to trust more and allow Him to do the work He alone can do in my life. I so appreciate your continued thoughts as we begin this new year-it confirms the very things God is asking of me.
Posted on January 1, 2009 8:30 PM
Demanding that’s an amen. We are working on this with our young man 12 years of age, and I have found that as we magnify this issue the Lord clearly speaks to my heart in this area.
My man is a thinker and although he does not enjoy conflict has become quite adept at dealing with it. I have a lot to learn from him in this area. As for digger deeper that is the cry of my heart and I know that He will lead they way and tenderly walk me through. Have a blessed New Year, Much love Celeste
Posted on January 2, 2009 1:37 PM