windows

A person's behavior is a window to the state of his soul.

This is true for chidlren, adults, male and female.  

I used to think that a person's negative behavior towards me had something to do with me not being worthy enough to be treated well.

But this is not true...

This outward negative expression is a symptom of inner turmoil.

The same is true for someone who is at peace...  His actions and words towards his fellow man is full of manna...

I am fully aware that this is an area of my life that has caution tape wrapped around it.  This is an area that I am really working on: not responding negatively when I get hurt...  Not taking my anger out on someone else... Not feeling worthless when others lash out at me... Life has been super challenging lately and I haven't been great at responding to the stress...

But I am encouraged by the fact that the Lord is strong in my weakness and loving towards discipling me.  And patient.  And kind.  And that He loves me anyway.

creative God

Being a mom is about taking every pre-conceived idea and just tossing it out the window…

Everything you THINK WILL happen- WON’T.

Everything you THINK SHOULD happen- WON’T.

Everything you WANT to happen- WON’T… at least, not the WAY you want it to.

You see, I am learning that when we put ourselves in God’s hands, He gets a kick out of the new material that He gets to mold… so He stretches and pulls and swishes us across the canvas of life until we are perfect for His Kingdom. 

In the same way, we have to become more creative in our approach to life… 

I think that God places situations in our way to force our creative edge…

“Oh, here’s your window busted out… what are you going to do to get it fixed?”  “Oh, there’s a food stain on your shirt that your 3 year old put there and your boss and his wife are at your door for dinner.”  “Oh, there’s Ms. McNasty again to try your nerves, how are you going to show her My love.”  “Oh your 6 year old is back talking for the millionth time today… how are you going to change your approach to him?”  FILL IN THE BLANK

   This is my revelation for today…

That God places circumstances in our way to force our creative edge… 

That's not to say that this is a way to keep from relying on Him... I mean, what's more amazing than to see His creative solutions to our problems... truly, when a circumstance hits, I've lost control.  If I were in control, that wouldn't have happened in the first place!  

But if we stop and don't respond out of a place of our own flesh, we see that the King of Glory has truly given us resources and insights and has better way to do things. Inspired by God, maybe?  Definitely, a creative God who longs for us to see Him as the Artist that He is. 

Which leads me to another point that I think we need more Christian art... The art world used to be driven by religious-themed art, but now the art world has been over-taken by the enemy.  So support Christian artists especially when they go into the world.  It takes a lot of guts and we need more quality Christ-themed art: music, television shows, movies, paintings, sculptures, writings...  I, for one, long for more.  And I long for my children to have more options when it comes to art forms.  

Maybe this makes sense... maybe it doesn't... I've just seen God's creativity come out in the solutions to my circumstances lately... which has changed my response to circumstances....for the better, I hope.