Closed For Renovations

 
(image courtesy of therealshilachblogspot.com)

                      
When was the last time you went to your favorite restaurant or store to see it all boarded up with a sign that said Closed For Renovations. Sometime ago that place for me was the salon where I get my eyebrows waxed. The bad part was there was no reopen date. That was some serious inconvenience because I don’t just let anybody get in my face or hair.

As I continue to walk with the Lord I find that there are periods along my journey when I have to re-prioritize and refocus on what is really important. I think this is something that everyone should do regularly. It is so easy to get side tracked in life. For me God is not a one time experience and then I have Him. I have to constantly seek Him. While doing so I stumble off the path. However, I know my Father’s voice now so I am able to hear when He tells me to shut down shop and get it together before I crash and burn. I have also learned to listen to him sooner than I used to as well.

What types of changes should be going on while one is being renovated? Here are some of the areas in my life that I pay special attention to.
1) Motives/Actions- Why do I do what I do? Is it for the glory of me or the glory of God? I am competitive by nature. What can I say, I love a good challenge. Because of this it is easy for my motives to become skewed in some situations. Before I know it I am more focused with winning rather than letting God get the credit. Philippians 2:3 that tells us we should not do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Sounds like it is right on time for me.
2) Control- Am I really allowing God’s will in ALL areas of my life? One of my former pastors said that we often tell God when, where, and how much He should meddle in our lives. I never realized that is what I am doing with my refusal to give up control. I need to learn to say “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matt 26:39).
3) Desires- Psalm 34:7 tells us to delight ourselves in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our heart. Notice that we are to delight ourselves in the Lord. Sometimes I can get so caught up in what I desire for my life until it works it’s way at the top of my list, right next to God. That’s bad for business.

The other day I was passing by my favorite salon and saw that it had reopened. I couldn’t wait to check it out. It looked like a totally new place. The ambiance was fabulous and so relaxing. The renovations truly paid off. In fact the inconvenience I experienced was minor in the grand scheme of things.
Is it time for you to reevaluate your life? Are you in need of a little spring cleaning? Don’t wait for the next self induced storm to crop up before you realize where you are going wrong.

Some Children Should Be Seen And Not Heard

The saddest thing happened to me today. While walking in a park with my BFF we came upon the local middle school. As we walked by my friend said, "Did you hear that?" I didn't know what she was talking about until I heard a group of middle school girls calling us the "b word" just beyond the fence while at PE. My friend honestly couldn't believe her ears. Unfortunately I wasn't the least bit shocked. I've been hearing from my daughter about the foul mouth kids have these days. Not only did they cuss us but one of the girls was yelling about the size of her boyfriend's penis while referring to him as her "man" and using the slang term for penis.

 Seriously, language like that was coming from the mouths of little girls. As we strolled on ignoring them the whole while, they got louder and louder. It was as if they were trying to get a reaction out of us. Eventually their taunts turned into all out screams. It was utter chaos and disgusting. My friend and I looked at each other and shook our heads and talked about how we wish we could give them a good ole fashion attitude adjustment. I'm sure the teachers at the school would've appreciated it.

Growing up I was taught to respect my elders. I had to listen to them. If they told me to stand on my head in a mud hole I better had done it without question. I would have never thought in my wildest years to hurl obscenities at two strange adults; not only out of fear of my parents but out of concern for my safety. Those girls had no idea as to who we were or what we were capable of. Thank God we are rational adults and chose to pray for them instead.

I know we can't control everything our children say/do but I just couldn't help but think what type of guidance or lack there of is in the homes of these girls. Parents have to realize that we are raising the future. What we plant in them today will bloom tomorrow (Titus 2:1-15) Don't let your kids grow up to become a boil on the rear of society. Monitor their friends, music, and what they watch on tv (Luke 11:34; Isaiah 33:15-16). As an adult I have noted an increase in inner peace since I stopped watching garbage tv. I can only imagine the inner conflict and dialogue that goes on in the minds of kids who consume it. Being a parent is not an easy job. I get it. For the first 8 years of Sienna's life I did it solo without help from anyone but The Lord. However, doing it alone is not an excuse to slack on the job. You have to be intentional to be effective when parenting.

God's Got This

The other day I was talking with someone and when I asked her how she was doing the first thing she said was "You know God is big." I don't know about you but it's rare that I refer to God as big. I usually just say He's awesome, good, or great.

Sometimes when I am faced with a challenge, be it with work or my personal life, I have a momentary memory lapse and forget just how big The Most High God is. I get in my flesh by complaining and thinking of ways to find a solution on my own. The crazy part is I absolutely know better. While I'm complaining and ruminating over the issue I know good and well God already has it worked out. So why do I even stress in the first place?

When we have struggles we can rest assured God's got it. He not only knows the solution but He is the solution (Ephesians 3:20) All we have to do is pray in faith. James 5:13 explains it all pure and simple. If The Father is big enough to part the Red Sea for the Israelites then I know He will come through for me. I must admit I don't lose my head in absolute worry and despair like I used to.
Trials are going to come. It's a part of life and not everything is to be blamed on the devil either. Some things God allows so that we can simply grow up (Philippians 1:6; James 1:2). A long time ago I asked God into my life to make me a better person. If this is His will, so be it.

We all have problems. The key is how do you respond to them. Do you throw tantrums? Maybe you complain and pout like me. It's easy to throw a pity party for yourself but trust when I tell you no one wants to attend. You only make yourself more miserable anyway. We should all save ourselves some heartache and do what we know to do.