Gary and I are friends with a very nice couple from our church...We never have done much outside of church activities (choir, women's groups, family camp) but we consider them church family nonetheless and they are great people. He is always kind to the kids and seeks us out, she makes beautiful bead jewelry and has a knack for decorating...Well, yesterday they were dealt a terrible blow. Their 18 year old son was involved in a horrific car accident that left him and his 17 year old passenger dead instantly.
There are not even words adequate enough to express our grief for them at this time. There is nothing that makes me feel quite as inadequate as mortality...My instinct is to soothe and calm, to fix it, to make things right - yet situations like this make that impossible.
Wright Family, our adamant and constant prayers are with you at this time...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
A ha moment!
Mayhaps the reason I haven't had any comments is because I hadn't enabled any comments to be left?? Hmmmm, interesting! I think I got that figured out and now I'm hoping to hear from folks - sorry for the confusion :)
Now...can anybody help me with my picture posting issues? I still can't seem to get my pictures to upload!
Now...can anybody help me with my picture posting issues? I still can't seem to get my pictures to upload!
Smoke and mirrors...
I knew it was too good to be true. The whole "you can have it all" mentality of our culture. There has always been a part of me that knew I was not meant to be a wife, mother, committee chairperson, business person, community leader and great artist...I'm just glad that I've finally admitted it and given in. I don't have to be all those things. All I have to be is the Sara that God intends me to be and keep my eyes on my own paper.
Isn't that the hardest part sometimes? Not comparing ourselves to our neighbors, coworkers, the people on TV who are supposed to represent the "common man"? I think I'm doing well until I look to see what culture says I should be doing...If I stop there I get caught in the myth that if I just work hard enough and long enough I can do everything and still have time to take a bubble bath - HA! Lies, I tell you...If I look beyond the shiny veneer of success so many women are wearing I can see their tattered marriages, their neglected relationships and the ferocity with which they hold together all the things that really matter (children, parents, friendships, husbands) while they relentlessly pursue an illusion of success. It's exhausting and I can't do it any more! Thankfully, I don't have to...God gave me permission to stop playing that game - Amen!
I'm reading a great book called "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. Here are some of my favorite snippets:
We need to let go of the strange notion that the only way to be a good Christian is to project an image of sinless perfection and hide our struggles and shortcomings. And so we come to the incredible paradox of the Gospel that we'll touch on many times in this book : "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor 12:9).
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Instead of worrying what others think about us, we need to care about what God thinks of us, measuring ourselves by the unchanging standard of God's word rather than comparing ourselves to others. Instead of looking to modern-day "experts" for answers, we need to return to the "old paths" of Scripture, where there is "rest for our souls" (Jer 6:16). Instead of seeking to make a name for ourselves or be "important", we need to thankfully embrace the fact that God works through humble people, small steps, and what the world considers insignificant and often thankless work.
==================================================================
Isn't that the hardest part sometimes? Not comparing ourselves to our neighbors, coworkers, the people on TV who are supposed to represent the "common man"? I think I'm doing well until I look to see what culture says I should be doing...If I stop there I get caught in the myth that if I just work hard enough and long enough I can do everything and still have time to take a bubble bath - HA! Lies, I tell you...If I look beyond the shiny veneer of success so many women are wearing I can see their tattered marriages, their neglected relationships and the ferocity with which they hold together all the things that really matter (children, parents, friendships, husbands) while they relentlessly pursue an illusion of success. It's exhausting and I can't do it any more! Thankfully, I don't have to...God gave me permission to stop playing that game - Amen!
I'm reading a great book called "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald. Here are some of my favorite snippets:
We need to let go of the strange notion that the only way to be a good Christian is to project an image of sinless perfection and hide our struggles and shortcomings. And so we come to the incredible paradox of the Gospel that we'll touch on many times in this book : "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor 12:9).
================================================================
Instead of worrying what others think about us, we need to care about what God thinks of us, measuring ourselves by the unchanging standard of God's word rather than comparing ourselves to others. Instead of looking to modern-day "experts" for answers, we need to return to the "old paths" of Scripture, where there is "rest for our souls" (Jer 6:16). Instead of seeking to make a name for ourselves or be "important", we need to thankfully embrace the fact that God works through humble people, small steps, and what the world considers insignificant and often thankless work.
==================================================================
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