My Choice in Attitude

This was my input in a newsletter recently to my Mom Connection group:

I was able to connect with my pastor this past weekend as he discussed that ever popular glass of water. He mentioned that he doesn’t view the glass as half-full or half-empty. He just sees a glass with some water in it. I agree. This is life. Both the good and the bad come with the package.

I think half-full or half-empty refers a lot to our attitude in the midst of it all. It is in this area that I often find myself failing. In the moment, I often choose to focus on stress, exhaustion, depression, or even defeat. Rarely, do I choose love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as I should (Galatians 5:22-23).

It made me think again of 2 Peter 1:3. “Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received!”

If I truly believed this was the best invitation I ever received, wouldn’t I live in light of the awesomeness of this invitation? I would want to set aside time for my relationship with God. I would covet my time with Him. I would want my relationship with him to grow deeper and I would want to introduce Him to everyone I met. My attitude should reflect this invitation. I need to make the conscious effort to recall the great sacrifice that was made for me and live in response to that.

Every day will bring with it positive and negative. How we respond to each of these moments is our choice. Excitement should overwhelm me as I consider the invitation that was extended to me.

Today as you face what comes your way, will you favor pessimism or optimism? Remember that you have the option to choose joy. Consider everything in light of the fact that you have been invited to know God personally and intimately! Choosing joy is evidence of God in our lives.

So much of our attitude is based on our perspective, isn’t it? What kind of expectations we have on ourselves and others with create part of the atmosphere in our lives. Whether or not we play the comparison game or attempt to keep up with the Joneses cultivates discontentment in our souls.

Recently, I’ve come upon a blog by Gitzen Girl. She has a disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis (she gives the details about it in her blog). Her disease does not allow her to leave her home and it is unfathomable to me when I read about the details of what she goes through. And yet she chooses joy. She knows her attitude is her choice alone and she has chosen joy. Her life is an inspiration to me and a daily reminder that my attitude is my choice. If you are in need of a little dose of perspective, let her help you remember to choose joy!

Striving to be Me

Insecurities set in easily in my heart. Inferiority clouds quickly over my head. Yesterday, I informed my husband that a good friend told me Mozart died when he was 35. My husband had informed me previously that Jesus died when He was 33. (He was correcting me when I attempted to inform him that I could still have an impact on the lives of others because Jesus started His ministry at 33 and I’m not quite that old yet.) I asked him how old Princess Diana was when she died. “Aren’t we a little arrogant?” was his response to me. “Huh?” I asked. “…lumping yourself in with Jesus and Mozart... don’t you think that makes you a bit arrogant?” (He was just kidding.)

While I was not attempting to place myself on the same rung of the ladder as Jesus or even Mozart for that matter, I was using them as a standard of measurement for myself. A standard of measurement that will only leave me feeling inferior and insecure mind you.

Rachel Olsen of Proverbs 31 Ministries asks the question “Lord, how can I become content with just who I am, nothing more and nothing less?” You can read her article here. She quotes Matthew 23:11-12, ""Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty." (MSG)

I need to remember that while it helps to work toward my dreams, I can be content where I am right now. While I wonder why God ever thought it permissible to allow me to be a mother, He wouldn’t have given me these children if He wasn’t going to equip me to be the mom that they need. When I look at my husband and the view of when we fell in love appears foggy, I can thank God for our past together and ask Him to help us today and in the future to remember clearly why we chose to spend this life together. As I write, and insecurities fill up my soul, I can hold tightly to the fact that even if no one else is inspired by what I put into words, it is enough that God uses this to transform me. And when I’m looking around for anyone who will give me a pat on the back, I can remember the example Christ gave as the ultimate servant when He died upon that cross. I don’t need to be acknowledged for what I do. I simply need to do it because I know it is what I am supposed to do.

I need to strive for contentment. God created me to be me. I don’t need to strive to become someone else. I don’t have to be Jill Savage and found an entire ministry for women. I may never write a novel like Jane Austen. It is unlikely that I will ever be remembered as Mother Theresa. Comparing myself to others will only leave me feeling inferior. Making certain I am the best version of who God made me to be, however, leaves me fulfilled.

Freebie Fanatics

My husband is a freebie fanatic. He judges the status of the economy by the amount of free t-shirts he receives at the technical conferences he attends. He views pens, pencils, magnets, and anything anyone is handing out for free as a treasure. Honestly, I view most of the stuff that he brings into our home as junk. It’s good to have pens and I’m happy when he receives t-shirts or baseball caps but the day he attempted to prominently display a tissue box that pathetically transformed into a tissue box “laptop computer” was where I drew the line. There is only so much stuff we can collect in this house.

This past summer, our daughter was walking around our County Fair with her cousin when I heard her inquire at a booth, “Is this stuff free?” [sigh] Maybe it’s hereditary... or maybe it’s contagious.

I have recently found myself entering blog giveaways. While I really did not anticipate that I would actually win anything, the contests are fun to enter. They always give you a little something to hope for.

When I woke up this morning, I was not even thinking about the blog giveaway entry I made yesterday. Excitement filled the air as I saw an e-mail in my inbox from Jill Savage telling me that I won! My cousin and I are going to the What Women Want Now Women’s Expo in Bloomington/Normal. The highlight of the day for my cousin, I’m certain, will be the photo signing with BooBoo Stewart, who plays Seth Clearwater in the Twilight movies. (Not too many, including myself, would know the true appreciation for this moment.) My highlight, on the other hand, will be the “meet and greet” with Jill Savage . As the founder of Hearts at Home, Jill’s authenticity and transparency have been instrumental in my life. My marriage, my relationship with my children and my friendships are better because of Hearts at Home.

I am so excited to spend the day with my cousin. She is not just my cousin, but one of my closest friends. So while I’m learning that free giveaways can be fun, Rod’s little trinkets don’t even begin to compare to my day out!

National Day of Encouragement

I had no idea that there actually was a "National Day of Encouragement". A new site I came across, (in)courage, is how I learned today is that day. The other day I came across a post about an opportunity to receive free cards from DaySpring so I could use them for this day. Immediately friends came to mind that would benefit from these encouraging cards.

I have friends who I am often thanking God for in my heart but don't take the time often enough to express it in words so that they know. Other friends of mine are going through seasons of life that I cannot even begin to understand but still want them to know I care. Friend after friend comes to my mind that could use some encouragement. Then again, don't we all?

I used to be really good about dropping notes to my friends whenever they would come to mind. With kids entering the picture, I don't take the time as often as I would like to find cards and send them out. It was so nice to receive a pile of cards that I was able to take the time and tell friend after friend that I care. Thank you, (in)courage and DaySpring for encouraging and equipping me to encourage others!

In the Quiet

There is such peacefulness to the house in the early morning. In those moments where the girls are still asleep, my mind can function in ways I had almost lost hope for. I experience a calm that almost seems unfathomable in mothering young children. I never know whether I should be utilizing this time to exercise, rest, read or write. All I know is that it is in the quiet that my soul is refreshed and renewed.

The quiet today has allowed me to spend time in communication with God, have some conversation with my husband and remember the significance of September 11th. Quiet is difficult to find in today’s world. It almost requires intentional scheduling to experience it in my day.

It is in this quiet, however, that I grow. It is often in the quiet that God grabs a hold of my heart. When there is quiet, I can organize my thoughts, identify my fears, realize my dreams and acknowledge my hope. Morning is my time for quiet; my time to meet God; my time to remember; my time to dream; my time for me. I love the early morning.

Chris Rice has the song “Smellin’ Coffee” that identifies so much with my heart in the morning as well.

Last thing I remember sayin’ bye to yesterday
Glad to see it over, pullin’ covers over my head
But what were You doin’ while I dreamt the night away
‘Cause I can tell that somethin’s different and
My eyes ain’t even open yet

I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

I remember readin’ You’re the God who never sleeps
And while I’ve been dreamin’ You’ve been singin’ over me, yeah
Singin’ about my freedom, wakin’ me up to hear Your song
Now I can’t dance hard enough
‘Cause yesterday is gone, gone, gone!

I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

Every little breath, every heartbeat
Is a gift of love that You give to me
You keep givin’ even when I’m asleep
‘Cause I know You never stop watchin’ over me
I wake up, my past is gone
‘Cause Your mercy’s new with the mornin’ sun
I’m forgiven, I’m free, it’s a brand new day
‘Cause Your faithfulness is the greatest, hey!

I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

Have you taken some time to find quiet lately?

Are there ways that you intentionally schedule some quiet into your day?