What can we be?

Currently, I am serving with my MOPS group at my church.

Love the mission of MOPS and that it is very evangelistic and outreach-oriented to moms. I love that it is seasonal...in that it is relevant to the crazy season of motherhood to preschoolers.

It amazes me that women (with children checked into kid care) sitting at a table with food, conversation, and a craft find the refreshment and encouragement they need to carry on with their weeks ahead.

As with most 'church' functions, I feel that there is that lingering pressure to show up, 'all together' and smile and nod, and say the most positive things we can think of.

Yes, we need to be hopeful about life, and as leaders, we are reminders that hope is found in Christ. But sometimes, we can find ourselves in an overwhelming situation, hopeless day, or just a dumpy, depressed week.....or season.

Consider what MOPS stands for: Mothers Of PreSchoolers!

Think there's not a major influx of hormonal emotions walking in the door? We've got fertile women, pregnant women, pms-ing women, post-partum women walking in the door. We are all one of the above, right? So honestly, is it a realistic expectation to believe all women who head into those meetings and play dates will all be thrilled about their life on that particular day?

(Just some perspective....)

So this morning, as I look at my list of Table Leaders whom I am working with. I have their name and what is on my heart to being praying for them about written down on a notecard. Some work, others have husbands still growing in the Lord. Some are pregnant, and others with a whirlwind going on in their lives. Long story short: They all need prayer.

Now, by no means is that a bad thing. I need prayer. Daily. Hourly. Really.

Which brought me to a question I journaled to the Lord today:

WHAT DO I NEED TO BE TO THEM?

This is the only way I know how to serve the Lord: ASK GOD HOW.

In the scope of ministry, there are always lists of things to do for the 'position/role'....but God knows each and every one of our lives and He knows what we each need....He knows what those in your group need. So....ask Him: What do I need to be to them?

After asking the Lord, "what do I need to be to them?"
These words were on my heart: AN EXAMPLE.

Now, the comical thing is our 'theme/title' of MOPS this year is....are you ready?
A BEAUTIFUL MESS!!!!

I laughed with God. And then I wrote down in my journal 'an example'...and then I looked over at my MOPS binder saw the theme logo:.

I was so relieved.

I am a great example
of a mess!!!!! 
 

God picked the right person for the job!

Interestingly enough, last night I was chatting with my husband and he asked me something to the effect of:  WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE OPEN UP TO YOU?

My response: They do?
His reply: Yea, people tell you all kinds of stuff.

I thought for a moment and came up with a couple of potential reasons why I have friends and even strangers open up to me:

1. I don't judge. (I know my own past and present.)
2. I'm transparent. (I share my past and present.) 

Maybe I share 'too much' according to others (those who don't share anything). But I have found that in ministry especially, I cannot let others think for one second I have it all together! Cause 1) I don't. and 2) I want to remain approachable.

Have you met those leaders who live the façade, as though they got a great life, great marriage, and great kids. They always look great, feel great, and have a great future!!!! Yea, I've met them...not really ever approached them or gotten to really know them. And then I've been greatly 'confused' when they failed....or should I say, made a mistake....But then not really disappointed because they are human....which I think they forgot.

My point is that I will continually share that I am a mess. My life is less than perfect. My marriage is less than perfect. My personality has many flaws. My kids are less than perfect. I am an imperfect wife and mom...an imperfect woman....Yet a beautiful mess!!!

And that's okay. I am okay with all this 'inadequacy' because I serve a PERFECT GOD!

I have the Spirit of God dwelling in me. The beauty of being a mess is that when beauty and anything good comes out of me...it is directly from the Lord Jesus Christ!

And that to me is the ultimate experience: TO BE USED BY GOD.

So what can we be?

• We can be used by God.
• We can be transparent.
• We can be real.
• We can be US.
• You can be YOU.

 

We can be examples of people

who are living this thing called LIFE,

completely dependent on God!!!!!

 

 

I often remind people to not think too highly of me because I will surely disappoint them. I am human, in need of a Savior - DAILY! If anything good comes out of me, it is surely because I know that I am nothing apart from Christ (John 15:5). Yet I show up daily to His feet for the grace and mercy to be all that He calls me to be...as a mom, wife, friend, daughter, woman of God, and 'table leader coordinator' for MOPS.

 

So with that, I hope that you're encouraged that God will use you because you are willing. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to 'perform' for those watching.

 

Although, do your best to be a disciple of Christ and show up to get filled with His Spirit so that you can do all that you have to do in HIS STRENGTH!

 

God bless and have a great week!

 



Turning down the "ANXIETY"

Looking at a "Stay-at-home Mom" many husbands would think:

"What is there to be stressed out about?"

Then they add the forbidden adage: YOU DON'T WORK!

Personally I have struggled with the whole 'stay@home' gig ever since I had my near 5 yr. old. Has nothing to do w/ my kids...just the lifestyle change of going from working 40-50+ hours a week (for 10 years) to being at HOME - ALL DAY EVERYDAY! Yes, talk about emotional ups & downs while I try to figure out what my 'job' is, right? In fact, being the compulsive list-maker that I am....I made lists for those things too!

Add some sleep deprivation to the equation from having an out-of-control asthmatic, and then adding a newborn to the mix in 2010...yes, you get a sleep-deprived, stressed momma.

And I will admit that I become easily overwhelmed by my own lack of discretion over my time. My husband asks, "Why do you say yes to everyone?"  Because I feel that if I say 'no' and don't get out this cave, I get a bit on edge, if you know what I mean.

It is not healthy for my mind and soul to stay home, day after day...I need people. I need to talk.....to adults. Otherwise, I nearly spontaneously combust! My high-energy needs somewhere to go...and when it doesn't I become a 'high-anxiety' mom! :(  Yet, if I commit to go-go-go...guess what I become again by overcommitting. It's one of those crazy cycles I am trying to find balance for.

Since I'm naturally a problem-solver, I have been looking at my life and finding where I can unplug the "anxiety". It's a household word these days unfortunately. Many people need medical assistance with it. It's a very real, physical thing that takes place in the body. But before I reach that boiling point, I'm searching my life and looking for what needs to go to make for a better, peaceful, more pleasant/balanced mom.

So what is my solution? (Confession time!)

1. I've been weaning myself off the caffeine in the last week - yes, I too never thought I would see the day. I was drinking, in the morning - 8 cups of coffee...8 cups = 8 scoops of coffee. Each day I have decreased my 'dosage' by 1 scoop. And I'm proud to say that I am down to 1 scoop of regular coffee & 1 scoop of decaf this morning (and yes, I did get up at 5:15 a.m.). I quickly cut out p.m. caffeine on day 1 which was usually tea, sometimes green tea, and sometimes more coffee. (Probably got to this point from all the sleep I've lost since...ooooo....Daniel was born in 2007.) The thought occurred to me that the caffeine (in the dosing of 8 cups) probably really sets me on edge first thing in the morning...THIS IS IN MY CONTROL...so I'm getting myself out from under the control of the caffeine. This will leave my body at more peace.
2. Now I am trying so hard to not say "YES" to everything. Everything is the keyword here. There are times I need to say YES...but not always. This is sooooooo hard for me because I love helping people. Because our world is so high-techy, people are so consumed w/ their inboxes that they don't see those within arm distance reaching out to them in need. I, on the otherhand, have such heart to see people overcome, reach their goals, grow, change, get saved, grow closer to God, etc...I too often drop what I am doing for THEM...leaving my kids to entertain themselves - NO BUENO! The kids get whiny, I get stressed out and bam - meltdown!....THIS IS IN MY CONTROL...In order to have happy, satisfied kids who don't throw fits for mommy's attention, (leaving me overwhelmed & mad at myself/guilt-stricken) - I must detach myself a bit to the world outside my home, to be more available to my kids! This will bring me peace of mind and harmony to my home.

These seem to me 2 things that I can work on now today, this week!

Let me leave you with this verse and what I saw that I had never put together before:

.....THE LORD IS NEAR. Be anxious for nothing...

Found in Philippians 4:5, 6

I read it: Be anxious for nothing because the Lord IS near!

Finally....the rest of verse 6 - but through prayer & petition make your requests known...sometimes that process of prayer leaves me more stressed out then when I started...Yes, I know...there's more to it of why and how. But in a nutshell, sometimes when I go to pray over something that is stressing me out...I get more stressed. Sorry.

But the light bulb went on this week for me:

But because the Lord is near...He is in arm's reach - I do not need to be anxious for nothing. See, being anxious, fretful, and worried leaves us vulnerable to trials and temptations (read this in John MacArthur's commentary).

How often do we want to binge on cookies when the baby is crying, the noodles are boiling over, the phone is ringing, and your oldest just wrecked his bike in the backyard? AAAAAAHHHHH! Right?

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

I do pretty well at spending time with the Lord in the morning...my attempts to get filled up for the day. But I must stay mindful of His omnipresence throughout my day.

Time for accountability:

1. I must be responsible to get plenty of rest to not need my caffeine jolt in the a.m.
2. I must remind myself that it's my privilege to raise two mini-men of God for the future generations.
3. I must embrace selflessness and not give into the self-pity party of 'what about me?'
4. My relationship with my husband must be the most important human relationship I have.
5. I must be a peaceful/pleasant wife overflowing w/ "soothing, comforting, supportive" love to my family.

I know I can do these things because:

• "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13)
• "MY God will supply all my needs according to His riches..." (Phil. 4:19)

So what's the mini-goals:

1. Get off the caffeine.
2. Stay committed to the time I've given my kids.
3. Run on time for my kids and husband.
4. Be diligent with my time & be a worker of my home (leaving it in order).
5. Fulfill my hearts desires of being available to my family above and beyond others.
6. Check my calendars and kids' love tanks before I say 'yes' to others.

When I do these things, I will (hopefully)

reach the ultimate goal of:

Turn down the anxiety/stress &

turn up the peace & harmony in the home!