God is so cool. I sat down here to write a blog about something that's been on my mind for a few days and just as I started to type, God gave me something completely different to say. This is hot off the press.
Alright, so if you've read my past posts or if you know me at all you know I love my little birds. I have several feeders and thoroughly enjoy watching my little chirpities and they come and go holding on tight to their little seed snacks. It's incredibly peaceful for me.
For the past week or so we have been getting an unwanted visitor or visitors in the night. Destructive evidence has shown that we indeed have a bear helping himself to the birdseed. In addition, he is happy to help us sort through our recycling and our trash in the event a certain unnamed teenager should forget to take it to the garage. At first he knocked over a feeder and got to the seeds. The next time he climbed up into the tree and knocked out the feeder and emptied it. This morning I found that he completely destroyed my favorite feeder and took another one as a souvenir!!!
I know what I have to do. I have to take the feeders down at night and put them back up in the morning. If I want to feed them at all, this is what needs to be done. As I sat down to write, I gazed out the window watching my precious little chickadees (my very favorite bird) and wondered if they will understand that in order to GIVE to them I have to TAKE AWAY.
Stop.
Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Oh how my mind is racing looking back on all the times that I've been so frustrated that I didn't get what I wanted when I wanted it. How many times has God had to take something from me in order to give something to me?
I love my birds. I want to feed them. It gives me joy. God loves me. He wants to give to me. It gives HIM joy. Looking out at my birds, I get it. Watching my little chirping friends has given me a priceless message from my heavenly Father.
I wonder if I'll ever understand that in order for God to GIVE to me, sometimes he has to TAKE AWAY. Today I believe I'm one step closer to embracing this truth.
Psalm 84:11 - "no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Isaiah 55:9 - "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
About Me
- Who I am: Janiece
- I'm a wife and mom of a 19 year old stepson and 2 little girls ages 5 and almost 7. I was a self-employed real estate appraiser for 12 years and am ready to turn the page and Lord willing go back to school and see what God has next for me. Certainly my highest priority is to attempt to keep the house in order for my dear husband and to savor all the moments I can with my little ones that are growing entirely too fast.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Happiness is......
I remember when I was young there were little figurines all over the gift stores that said "happiness is...." you fill in the blank. There were posters, shirts, pictures, etc. and they declared that happiness was anything from a person, to coffee (which is feasible if you ask me), sleep, hugs, kisses, smiles, you name it. In the movie "you're a good man, Charlie Brown" there was even a song that had quite a few suggestions on what could bring some momentary or even some long term happiness.
I was talking to a friend a while back and this friend asked how I was doing. I don't know what I said exactly, but I must have answered with a lack of enthusiasm that gave the impression that I was unhappy. The friend said "you know, you deserve to be happy and if you're not you need to go find what makes you happy." This friend knows both my husband and I and knows that we have been working through some rough spots in our marriage. I'm fairly certain this friend was referring to my marriage in the comment. I thought about the comment quite a bit and was saddened in knowing that there are countless marriages that are no more because someone went out to pursue "happiness" that wasn't seen in the marriage. Notice that I did not say wasn't IN the marriage, I said it wasn't SEEN in the marriage.
I am a guilty as anyone of falling for the notion that my husband should make me happy. If I'm not happy it's because my husband isn't meeting my needs, right? Don't think I haven't slumped over on occasion with that idea in my head. "If only my husband would to this, or wouldn't do that, I'd be happy." "If only he'd be a good spouse to me like I am to him!" (insert hysterical laughter here!!) What a crock of crap! What a bold faced lie straight from the father of lies himself. It is most certainly NOT my husbands responsibility to make me happy. Does he have responsibilities in our marriage relationship? Of course he does, but making sure that my feelings are warm and fuzzy is not one of them. My happiness, contentment and my joy is my responsibility alone. I could almost bring myself to tears thinking back on the resentments I have held tightly to in the past against my husband that I'm certain affected the happiness of us both in our marriage.
Wouldn't it be great though if we could blame our lack of happiness and joy on someone else? It sure would be easier that way. It would make walking out of a marriage a whole lot easier believing that your marriage will never be happy because of someone else. Oh the other hand, if my happiness was determined by what someone else did or didn't do what I sitting duck I'd feel like. I'd feel like little more than a puppet. Embracing the fact that joy and happiness are mine for the taking at any time and in any circumstance is empowering! Do people's actions affect us? Of course they do. There is no denying that we are uplifted by others and we are at times hurt by others and we do react, we are human after all. The difference is that we do not have to be bound by the feelings that our responses generate. We can, and I have....and unfortunately I have held on to those feelings for long periods of time. I can't change how I have reacted in the past, but I can change how I react now and in the future. No matter what the circumstances are there is always and forever a reason to get on knees and thank God for something.
I don't believe my friend meant any harm in the comment. My friend sensed pain and offered what was believed to be life giving advice. The comment brought me to my senses though. I probably WAS wallowing. I probably WAS unhappy in that moment and probably WAS thinking that it was the fault of someone other than myself. Thank GOD my happiness is not dependent on the action or inaction of another whether it be my husband, my children, my friends, or my family. There is power and freedom in knowing that I determine whether or not I suck the marrow out of the day. I choose what reactions I take to the events that take place throughout the day. As previously stated, I'll be the first to admit that my reactions are NOT always what they should be, but I can change that. I know that happiness is always being served should I choose to grasp it.
You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy.
Psalm 16:11
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
John 10:10
I was talking to a friend a while back and this friend asked how I was doing. I don't know what I said exactly, but I must have answered with a lack of enthusiasm that gave the impression that I was unhappy. The friend said "you know, you deserve to be happy and if you're not you need to go find what makes you happy." This friend knows both my husband and I and knows that we have been working through some rough spots in our marriage. I'm fairly certain this friend was referring to my marriage in the comment. I thought about the comment quite a bit and was saddened in knowing that there are countless marriages that are no more because someone went out to pursue "happiness" that wasn't seen in the marriage. Notice that I did not say wasn't IN the marriage, I said it wasn't SEEN in the marriage.
I am a guilty as anyone of falling for the notion that my husband should make me happy. If I'm not happy it's because my husband isn't meeting my needs, right? Don't think I haven't slumped over on occasion with that idea in my head. "If only my husband would to this, or wouldn't do that, I'd be happy." "If only he'd be a good spouse to me like I am to him!" (insert hysterical laughter here!!) What a crock of crap! What a bold faced lie straight from the father of lies himself. It is most certainly NOT my husbands responsibility to make me happy. Does he have responsibilities in our marriage relationship? Of course he does, but making sure that my feelings are warm and fuzzy is not one of them. My happiness, contentment and my joy is my responsibility alone. I could almost bring myself to tears thinking back on the resentments I have held tightly to in the past against my husband that I'm certain affected the happiness of us both in our marriage.
Wouldn't it be great though if we could blame our lack of happiness and joy on someone else? It sure would be easier that way. It would make walking out of a marriage a whole lot easier believing that your marriage will never be happy because of someone else. Oh the other hand, if my happiness was determined by what someone else did or didn't do what I sitting duck I'd feel like. I'd feel like little more than a puppet. Embracing the fact that joy and happiness are mine for the taking at any time and in any circumstance is empowering! Do people's actions affect us? Of course they do. There is no denying that we are uplifted by others and we are at times hurt by others and we do react, we are human after all. The difference is that we do not have to be bound by the feelings that our responses generate. We can, and I have....and unfortunately I have held on to those feelings for long periods of time. I can't change how I have reacted in the past, but I can change how I react now and in the future. No matter what the circumstances are there is always and forever a reason to get on knees and thank God for something.
I don't believe my friend meant any harm in the comment. My friend sensed pain and offered what was believed to be life giving advice. The comment brought me to my senses though. I probably WAS wallowing. I probably WAS unhappy in that moment and probably WAS thinking that it was the fault of someone other than myself. Thank GOD my happiness is not dependent on the action or inaction of another whether it be my husband, my children, my friends, or my family. There is power and freedom in knowing that I determine whether or not I suck the marrow out of the day. I choose what reactions I take to the events that take place throughout the day. As previously stated, I'll be the first to admit that my reactions are NOT always what they should be, but I can change that. I know that happiness is always being served should I choose to grasp it.
You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy.
Psalm 16:11
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
John 10:10
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Be still....AND...
Alright. It has been a while since I've posted a blog. Life just seemed to get in the way for a spell, then a little more time went by, and then I got to thinking that since I haven't blogged in a while I'd better come up with a REALLY good topic for my next blog. Hmmm. What should it be about? Uh oh, it's been another week, better make it even better. It is just plain crazy the amount of pressure I conjured up in my head over a blog. I had a couple of ideas here and there and honestly had every intention of sharing, but I didn't. So, here were are pretty far removed from my last blog and I have to tell you that as I sit here I feel no pressure. I began this blog to share my struggles and victories, my joys and my pain as the LORD would have me with the sole purpose of encouraging others that are on the very same journey as I am. I share as I am lead and this is what I feel the Lord would have me say.
For the past number of months I have felt the Lord telling me over and over (and over and over) to be still. He is working on me and unfortunately I seem to wiggle like a 3 year old that's getting a splinter removed from his toe. (I'm probably as loud too). I'm able to be still for a while and then before you know it I'm back to being my helpful self because, well, God can always use helpers, right? I'd hear the whisper again...."Janiece, be still." Yesterday I was recalling the verses that quickly come to mind when I think of His instruction to "be still". Have you ever noticed that God doesn't JUST tell us to be still? He knows us so intimately that he knows that asking us to simply "be still" would be a challenge. He tells us to "Be still AND KNOW he is God. He tells us to "Be still before the LORD and WAIT PATIENTLY for him". When he is instructing the sea he says simply "Be still", but not his children. God doesn't shush us off into the corner and then come back when he's done with his work. He tells us to be still and KNOW that he is God, which means that even though the waiting is hard, we have the comfort in knowing who it is that asks us to wait. God loves us so much that he wants us to be comforted in our waiting and in the stillness. I have lately learned that there is much more going on than we realize when we are still. Exodus 14:14 says "The LORD will fight for you, you have only to be silent." Psalm 23 talks about our souls being restored as we are lead by STILL waters. How many times have we read or quoted that Psalm? I can't count...but when I rest on the words "He restores my soul" I am encouraged. He is working, he is refining, he is sanding rough edges, he is perfecting and lets not forget the best part, he is fighting. He is doing all these things in me in the stillness. That isn't even the best part. The best part is that these promises are not just for me, they are for you. All we have to do is be still....and know.
For the past number of months I have felt the Lord telling me over and over (and over and over) to be still. He is working on me and unfortunately I seem to wiggle like a 3 year old that's getting a splinter removed from his toe. (I'm probably as loud too). I'm able to be still for a while and then before you know it I'm back to being my helpful self because, well, God can always use helpers, right? I'd hear the whisper again...."Janiece, be still." Yesterday I was recalling the verses that quickly come to mind when I think of His instruction to "be still". Have you ever noticed that God doesn't JUST tell us to be still? He knows us so intimately that he knows that asking us to simply "be still" would be a challenge. He tells us to "Be still AND KNOW he is God. He tells us to "Be still before the LORD and WAIT PATIENTLY for him". When he is instructing the sea he says simply "Be still", but not his children. God doesn't shush us off into the corner and then come back when he's done with his work. He tells us to be still and KNOW that he is God, which means that even though the waiting is hard, we have the comfort in knowing who it is that asks us to wait. God loves us so much that he wants us to be comforted in our waiting and in the stillness. I have lately learned that there is much more going on than we realize when we are still. Exodus 14:14 says "The LORD will fight for you, you have only to be silent." Psalm 23 talks about our souls being restored as we are lead by STILL waters. How many times have we read or quoted that Psalm? I can't count...but when I rest on the words "He restores my soul" I am encouraged. He is working, he is refining, he is sanding rough edges, he is perfecting and lets not forget the best part, he is fighting. He is doing all these things in me in the stillness. That isn't even the best part. The best part is that these promises are not just for me, they are for you. All we have to do is be still....and know.
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