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Why is it SO hard to forgive the little stuff?
Do you ever find it almost EASIER to forgive “big stuff” than to forgive little, annoying stuff that really doesn’t matter anyway? Case in point … our neighbor is a nice little elderly widow whom we like a lot. She has a professional lawn care company come in once a week or so to mow her lawn and keep her bushes all trimmed. One day, months (years?) ago, one of the workers rang our doorbell and said, “You may want to tell your husband that one of your sprinkler heads is broken by the side of the house.” I said, “Thank you!” and told Fred about it later that night.…
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VERY difficult family situation …
This morning I posted a reply on the Peacemaker Ministries discussion board and I was wondering what you guys would add to improve it. Here is the original question: Anyone out there attempting to deal with biological family issues after a lifetime of avoidance? The issues are so many and so tangled that it seems overwhelming to even get started. After years of division, it appears that there are incompatible belief systems, ineffective coping styles cemented in place, insecure identities with hundreds of “buttons” to push, lack of understanding the differences in personalities and giftings so celebrating diversity is out of the question and offensive styles of relating are the…
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I just assume people will bug me …
I read a book recently where the author made the point (something to the effect of): I just assume that people will bug me. And I will bug them too. This is just the way relationships are. And I thought, “Boy! She is a wise woman.” Because isn’t it just true that EVERY relationship, at SOME point in life, BUGS US? Even our dearest, most beloved friends can annoy us. Let us down. Mess up. Fail and sin and just blow it. (Just like we do to them!) That’s why we need grace–from God and toward one another. It was interesting reading her words, though, because I thought about…
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It’s just SO HARD to remember …
Earlier this week, my pastor and I met with some friends who are struggling with bitterness — and even hatred — toward one another. These precious friends love the Lord, but they are locked in conflict and a devastating cycle of being offended, holding grudges, judging one another, having a charitable view of THEMSELVES while consistently having a JUDGMENTAL attitude toward the other person, etc. etc. I love them and I am praying for them — but boy! It was still incredibly hard to be with them and see their sin, unbelief, and gracelessness. Not so much because it was hard to be around THEM … it just reminded me…
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Last post on Aunt Jane’s Hero …
So I’ll end my blogging on Aunt Jane’s Hero with a few quotes that strike right to my heart: – (Describing a young woman who hurts the protagonist by leading him on and then rebuffing his love) … “Annie was by no means the heartless girl he was at that moment disposed to believe her to be. She was inexperienced, and thoughtless, and impulsive, and had seen very little of the world; that was all.” (Oh! Thank God for the mercy of those who were similarly kind to ME when I was so very young and thoughtless and hurt so many people.) – ” … what a gladsome, happy little…
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Prayerlessness & Prayerfulness
When I spoke at a Church Leadership Forum last month, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Henry Blackaby teach a number of times. In one plenary, he said this: “We are a prayerless people.” Ah! The truth in his words cut me to the quick. Then I read in Aunt Jane’s Hero this question: “Are you living a life of prayer amid all the distractions of the times?” And so … I am praying more. Remembering Brother Lawrence picking up a grain of wheat or washing dishes for God’s glory. Thinking about God’s greatness! Thanking Him. Asking for His help and guidance and conviction. What a merciful grace!…
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Not living the true life I was born to live …
Last month, a dear friend confronted (and encouraged!) me to become the woman I already am. That is, to remember who I am in Christ and then grow up even more into Him Who is my Head. I heard her words as I read Aunt Jane’s Hero and considered how she described the protagonist: – He had been drinking at broken fountains, but felt sure that the world had some full ones which sooner or later would quench his thirst. – … in spite of himself had his hours of reflection, when there came to him uncomfortable intimations that he was not living the true life for which he was…
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Lost in a book …
I couldn’t believe it, but only DAYS after I posted my, “Do you have any good book recommendations? It’s been years since I’ve LOST myself in a book …” blog, I completely lost myself in a book! It’s true! I was flying cross-country again and I started reading Aunt Jane’s Hero by Elizabeth Prentiss and I simply couldn’t put it down. It was wonderful! Let me tempt you with just a few opening lines (I’m sure I’ll be writing more about it!) and encourage you to read this lovely tome: “They were living to themselves: self, with its hopes, and promises, and dreams, still had hold of them; but the…
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How do we just GET OVER IT?!
I received an email last month and did my best to encourage/help in my reply … and I thought that our exchange might be a blessing to some of you. So, having removed all identifying information and cleaned it up a tad, here it is. (Oh, and I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on these questions too! What would YOU have said to her? How would you have encouraged her?) Joy to you, my friends! — Tara B. ———- Tara, Once again you hit the nail on the head! “Ultimately, we need to remember that our leaders have a right to be wrong.” I certainly am convicted for my…
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“Gospel Amnesia”
(Told ya’ there’d be a lot of blogs generated by CCEF authors Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp’s new book, How People Change. I hope that you get this book!) Profs. Lane and Tripp explain that I live anxiously because I have gospel amnesia. (Isn’t that the best turn of a phrase?! Man, these guys can write.) – I am anxious because I forget my identity is in Christ. – I am anxious because I take on my problems as identities. – I forget that I have everything I need for life and godliness through Christ. Friends, we are called to remember God’s identity, provision, and process for our…
