Weighing In

I am not an arguer.

I try to stay out of debates.

I really do.

I would have made a lousy attorney.

I am a problem solver.

I assess.

I analyze.

I step back.

I question.

I think.

And then,

I plan.

I look and see what needs to be done to fix, amend, solve.

And if you are not solving the problem with me, then we are done talking.

Because I am not an arguer.

Sometimes that gets me into trouble.

Most of the time it gets me out of it.

But...

I can stay silent no longer.

I admire those who stand up for their convictions.

I want to be more courageous that way.

Yet, I feel that lately, those of us claiming to be 

believers and followers

Have become sorely misguided.

When did 

Following Christ

Living our faith

turn into

Venom

and 

Political Debates

?

What happened to seeking the lost?

Compassionate eyes?

Sharing the Gospel?

Last time I checked, no one was brought to the foot of the cross, arms reaching for our Savior, from a political tirade on Facebook.

Support Chick Fil A.

Or Don't.

I could.not.care.less.

But it's time to quit spewing venom in the faces of those we see as lost

And get out there

And find them

Quit your political self-righteousness.

Because if we really, really see others as lost,

We should be more concerned about the saving of their souls

Than we are of decisions made in Washington 

or anywhere else.

Focus, people.

Time is short.

Which is more important?

Politics?

or 

Souls?

Fully In The Moment

I met someone new a few weeks ago.  A coworker.  And every time I am around her, there is something that stands out about her.  She seems filled with peace.
She is always smiling.
She is always easy-going, helpful, and positive.
I do not know her well.  I do not know if she is a believer.
But
She stands out.
And I asked myself, "As a believer...
Do. I. Stand. Out?"


I am a dreamer.  And I dream big.  
And I've struggled for quite a while lately with this 'stirring' within my spirit...
A longing...
To change the world.
To make a difference.
To live an Adventure for the Messiah.


My life does not feel like an Adventure.
It is where I am.
Truthfully, it is where I am called to be right now.
I know this. I've prayed over this.
This is my present calling:
To raise my children and clean up financial messes post-divorce.
It often feels hum-drum.
And mundane.
And boring.
I'm OFTEN looking for ways to stir things up.
To be different.
To release the hold of conformation into the world's likeness.
But...
Work, housework, kids, bills, homework, activities...
NOT an adventure.


Or is it?


This morning's revelation took place like this:
"God, I am just afraid...
Of falling back into old habits.
Old patterns.
Old excuses like 'I'm doing the best I can.'
I want to be different and stand out.  I want to make a difference.
I don't want to live this day-in day-out life just like all I those I see around me simply because I don't want to be out of my comfort zone.  I am afraid of losing my Fire. 
I am afraid of losing my Focus.
I am afraid..."


And before I could finish the next sentence, 
God asked me:
"Why would you be afraid to be in the place I've called you to be?"


Dead stop.


Exactly.


If I am where God has called me to be, isn't that Adventure enough?


My focus so often is on MY idea of service that I forget, sadly, to surrender each day to God's purpose for my life...
That. Day.


It's all I've got.


And today...
I will live fully in each moment.

Mouth Purging

Me and my big fat mouth.


Sometimes something weighs on me.
Pushes.
Hovers.
Reminds.
Chastises.


It's that Someone.
Telling me that the status quo needs to be shaken up.
Again.


This time it is my mouth.


I know that it is the Spirit because He won't hush.
He repeats.
Reminding.
Again.
And again.


Until I know that if I do not listen and surrender,
That reminding will become
Louder
and
Louder.


I have printed on the back door:


"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." ~Ephesians 4:29


To remind my children to speak positively and encouragingly to one another.


Obviously, I've needed to read it a little more myself.


Confession Time:

• My children have called me out on the moments when I lose my temper and my mouth spews the world into our home.
• I've had my attention drawn to the tearing down words I've uttered in frustration.
• I've become aware of the mindless gossip I allow to infiltrate my mind.
• And of the enormous nothing I've done to stop it.

My mouth has become a breeding ground of yuck.

Mostly out of frustration.

No.

Excuse.

I am offended and disgusted when someone speaks unhealthy, venomous or even profane words in front of my children.

I am here to confess that I have done that very thing.

And it's time for a change.

As I continue to purge and clean out and renew my physical surroundings, storing up treasure in my eternal home, it's time for some mouth purging.

Friends, hold me accountable.


I want to be a voice.


A clear, melodious, voice of truth.


Not venom.