Learning From Our Past Experiences

Last week I shared about trying to let go of past experiences -- about moving forward and trusting God that it will be different this time. I shared my perspective on what a difference it makes when we refuse to let past experiences get in the way of our current decisions.

I think there is more here to examine than just learning to let go of those past experiences. I think before we completely let go, that we can learn much from our experiences. Many times the learning happens as we are living the experience. Some of the learning comes as we look back, too. The important part in looking back is that we don't stay there... we look, we learn, and then we move on.

The situation I shared was a difficult work situation that I experienced several years ago -- long hours, much stress, co-workers that lost their jobs. As I walked that road and as I strive to put it behind and not let it control how I react to work situations today, here are a few of the good things that have come of it all:

1) I am learning to let go of those situations where I have no control -- fully knowing that God can handle it for me.

2) I am learning to respond as God would want me to even when the situation feels anything but right or easy or fair.

3) I am learning that just because I don't understand God's plan doesn't mean that it isn't the "right plan". I may not understand, but it will always be better than my plan.


All of this has really been put to the test these last few days. I've been told I should work more hours and found that there are "perceptions" about how I do my job that were not necessarily positive. Long story about why this perception is out there, but I am secure in the knowledge that I have done the right thing. And, after several days of praying, I am secure in the knowledge that God will see me thru this. It may be tiring and it may be frustrating, but God will be with me each and every step of the way.

".... And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:20

Rest and Relaxation

Rest and Relaxation.

This is what I am thankful for this week.

Life gets so busy. Even though the many things to do are still there, I have had extra time in the evenings and the last couple of weekends to get a little extra rest, enjoy some quiet time, and just enjoy the moment.

Time to enjoy a good book.

Time to sleep a little later on a Saturday morning.

Time to sit quietly with my husband and simply enjoy being together.

Time to color with my daughter.

Time to sit with my son as he describes his latest "invention" that he has imagined and drawn.


I always make sure there is time to be with my husband and hang out with the kids, but it just seems that it has been easier lately. Not so many other things fighting for the time, not as many tasks waiting to be completed after the kids have gone to bed... simply more time to rest and relax and enjoy.

Thank you, Lord!! Just what this wife and mommy needed!


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Need Some New Tunes

I was given an iTunes gift card recently and I've been having lots of fun finding new music to download to my iPod.

I've got a few more dollars left on my card and want to find some new tunes that I've not heard before... something that I may not find on my own.

Do you have any new favorites that you could recommend to me? I'm looking for Contemporary Christian music.... maybe a new artist or new music from someone that's been around for awhile.

Let me know what you've got... I'm looking forward to listening to some new tunes!

Thankful for "the basics"

This week as I have watched the coverage from Haiti my thanksgivings have focused alot on what we consider "basics". Unfortunately, for those in Haiti, many of them didn't even have many of these things prior to the earthquake. Oh, how my heart aches for them! And, how much I realize how very blessed we are to live in this country and to know the Lord!

I am thankful for....

• a roof over my head when I go to sleep at night
• my health and the health of my family members
• the ability we have to provide food, clothing, and shelter for our children
• clothes to wear and the ability to clothe my children
• a car to carry me to church, to work, to take the kids to school, etc
• "modern conveniences", such as, our washer and dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator
• clean water to drink and to user for bathing

I could continue on and on this evening, but I'm sure you can see where my thoughts are tonight.  We are so blessed in this country.  God has given us so very much.  I fear that so much of it we tend to take for granted.

As I am so thankful for all of this and much more, I pray that I would never take it for granted.....  that I would always be aware of how much I have in comparison to so many others in this world.  I pray that I would have a heart that is aware of and willing to share these many gifts with others that are hurting and in need.


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Looking Past Our Experiences

I guess you could say that I have always been a career girl.  As a teenager/college student I couldn't wait to step out into the "real world" and get that first job.  As I have grown older, I still enjoyed my work and being a part of the working world.  When our children were born, I was incredibly fortunate to work for a manager that felt that being a mommy was our first priority.  She was always supportive of any time I needed to be away with the kids.

About 4 years ago many changes happened in our workplace that caused our workloads to increase, hours to increase, new challenges with little training, increased stress levels and on and on.  We were all placed in positions that made it hard to be as flexible as we had been in the past.  Add all these factors together and it was a rough couple of years.  Rough years that ended with several of my close co-workers/friends being laid off..... including my wonderfully supportive manager.

The year after the lay offs was rough for many reasons -- about the same workload with fewer persons, the loss of dear co-workers, trying to adjust mentally to what I felt was an injustice, and guilt because I was not laid off (this one was especially hard as one close friend that had been laid off was already in a desperate financial position... my family could have handled a lay off much easier than hers).

This last year has been better.  I see us working together better as a team than I have seen in quite a long time.  I'm getting to know my new team members better and finding that many of my pre-conceived notions were incorrect (which is a good thing... I'm sorry to say those pre-conceived notions were not necessarily positive).

Here is where I struggle, though.  We have started a new and very large project that is similar to ones we worked during those difficult, stressful, overworked years.  As I see certain events occur the fear of working those same long hours over again or dealing with the same type of stress rears its ugly head.  Over the last 3 months I have told my husband more than once, "XYZ happened today, I see the forced long work hours coming right at us."

Fact is, when I look clearly and am realistic, I can't be sure that will happen.  We are working better and more efficiently than several years ago.  There are positives.

But, at times, I continue to allow myself to be so bogged down by experiences that happened in the past that I can't always see past them.  When I stop myself and turn it over to God I see the positive changes and see that it just might not happen that way again.  This time just might be different. 

I even have new experiences that show it very well could be different this time.  So far, even though my workload has increased with this project, I have not worked any overtime (with the exception of a business trip last week).  My stress level is almost non-existent at this point.

My point in sharing all of this?  When we look at our past experiences and allow them to control our thoughts and our feelings, we will never find a way out of the fear brought on by our past experiences and/or circumstances.  It will effect the way we think, the way we feel, the way we communicate.  When we turn away from those past experiences/circumstances, when we look to God and allow Him control of our thoughts and our feeling, when we trust Him and have faith in Him, it will all work out.  God's light will outshine all of those past expereinces and all of those circumstances on which we may still be clinging.

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:  "The righteous will live by faith."  Romans 1:17

 

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34

If you allow circumstances to affect your service and commitment to Him, then you are walking by feelings and not by faith.  --Anonymous

Who Would You Like to Support?

A little over a year ago, I decided to run ads on my blog as a means to raise money for various charitable organizations.  Through your visits we have raised $25.06 that was sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital last summer and, just this month, $28.27 that was sent to Compassion International.

So, now we are starting at $0.00 and it is time to start thinking about where the next check should be sent.  This is where I want your help.  I have chosen four organizations and listed them in a poll in the sidebar to the right.  Over the next few months, please take a few minutes and participate in the poll.  At the time I receive the next check, I will send it to the organization that has received the most votes.

Here is some information about each organization:

1. Heifer International - their mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth.  With gifts of livestock and training, Heifer International helps families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways. The animals are referred to as “living loans” because in exchange for their livestock and training, families agree to give one of its animal’s offspring to another family in need. It’s called Passing on the Gift.
2. Habitat for Humanity - a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Habitat for Humanity builds with people in need regardless of race or religion.
3. American Red Cross - as part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering.
4. Show Hope - founded by Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman, Show Hope is a ministry that enables individuals and communities to change the world for orphans by not only addressing a child’s need for food, shelter, care, and spiritual nourishment, but by also addressing the root issue for an orphan: the lack of a family.

Thanks for all your visits to "The Fruits of the Spirit" that make giving in this manner possible!

Thankful

I've missed the last couple of "Thankful Thursdays", but I am glad to be back with it this week.  I think I might finally be getting back into a more normal routine after the holidays.

This week I am thankful for so many things. But, my biggest thanksgiving is my dear husband. He is kind, loving, and works hard to provide for his family. He's a good husband and father. He loves to spend time with each of us and does so many things, both big and small, for us. He sees that we are involved in church and works so well with me to raise our children to love the Lord.

While I am thankful for all those qualities each and every day, this week I am particularly thankful for his willingness to jump in and take care of everything at home. I have had to be out of town for work and he is home with the kids "holding down the fort". No complaints, no grumbling.... he just says "OK" and takes care of it all.

He is great, too, about taking the time to make sure I get updates of all that is going on at home. Throughout each day I get text messages with updates of the happenings at home. "I love you" messages from him and the kids, notes on homework status, and fun things they are doing together. My favorite message yesterday was that the dog had found a missing piece to a Christmas gift.... I almost laughed out loud in the middle of a meeting as I read the text message! :) Who would've thought the dog would find that little USB drive that came with one of my son's Christmas gifts?!

I miss them all so much, but I can assured that Jeff has it all under control while I am gone! Such a good feeling!!


To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Some Light Housekeeping

Happy Saturday! I hope everyone is enjoying a quiet, relaxing afternoon while managing to stay warm all at the same time. It seems virtually the entire country is experiencing colder than usual temps... including those of us here in Texas.

I'm spending my afternoon in front of my fireplace with laptop in hand (or lap.. hee hee!) making some changes to my blog. I think I've got the basic setup like I want it to be, but have some additional changes that I want to put in place over the next week or so.

I'd like to add additional info to be displayed when you click those neat little links across the top (Home, About, etc). I've got additional info that I'll probably display in the sidebars (while attempting at the same time to keep it neat and uncluttered).

I definitely prefer this type of housekeeping to the usual type. No dirty dishwater, no dust, no noisy vacuum cleaner... you get the picture. :)

Any comments or suggestions are welcome... I'd love to hear what you think of the new look.


Have a great weekend and I'll see you back here sometime next week!

Happy New Year!

After a nice long break spent with family and friends celebrating Christmas and New Year's, I am slowly starting to get back in the swing of things. Honestly, I'm struggling a bit. It has been so nice getting some extended relaxation time, family time, and time to get a few things done around the house that have been waiting for quite some time to get done.

However, the time is here and Monday morning will dawn bright and early with return to work and school for all of us in my household. In many ways I am excited about what this year holds for all of us -- for all that God has waiting for us. In a select few areas, I'm a bit hesitant as I know there are new challenges ahead... some foreseen and some not. I also know, though, that whatever God has out there for us, it will be good. Regardless of whether they are easy to live out or difficult to live out, it will all be for good.

I pray we all experience a blessed 2010. Whatever it holds for us may it be lived well and with the Lord in the "top spot" of our lives.