Consider the Source

There are some people in our lives that have a way of rubbing us the wrong way.  Please tell me that I am not the only one.

F15562F9-6F12-419A-9F93-6B4F5AF89DD4While this one person, just today, and in all places, at church felt it was her duty to make a point visually and verbally state that my hair was too short.

Actually, I was having a good hair day, so I thought.  Nothing like being put down within five minutes of arriving a church.

The thought of just leaving as that took a bit to counteract the lack of self-confidence that I lack in at times and then to find a mirror or glass to view my head and apparent short hair to her.

I did not leave and continued to work the welcome desk, I pulled my little mirror out and I still thought it look nice.

What would possess her to do this to me?   Holding her hand up in a scissor sign although I thought first it was holding her hand up as in a gun up to her head.   Then asking her if all was okay and there it was, her comment making sure I knew of her dislike of my hair and the haircut. Stating it was too short for her liking and telling me so yet again.   I could have made a comment but I just looked at her and gave her a real big shoulder shrug with facial expression of who cares.  I was shocked I did that. 80FC76B5-B8AD-4CA8-8D78-067BA7BEFE6A

I went on about my business and enjoyed the church service.  Sitting there, I realized she was just a distraction to cause me to dwell on her negative comment.   I saw it as it was, just that.   I chose to not dwell but consider the source and brush it off.  Realizing, consider the source.

Many months ago, we had a situation between us, which could be a whole other writing, but afterward she pulled me to the side to ask for forgiveness and then turned right around and accused me of something out of the blue and definitely incorrect.  What?   What is this woman’s deal?  I realized that day that our ties were to be broken and today was just a reminder.

The old saying that still rings true… if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all.

On the flip side, if you see something nice or pretty whether a person, thing, an act of kindness, etc., I encourage you to say so.

People are always open to heartfelt, honest compliments and need them.  We all need them.

* Encouragement not Discouragement *

It was just interesting today how I could have dug a hole with her comment, leave church and not hear the sermon, which was awesome and encouraging because of her rude statement.2AD2AFC8-045E-4AFD-B38A-0BE69C605782

My counselor would have been so proud of how I bounced back.  I was proud of myself.

There are some people that you avoid and sadly some are in the church.  I’ve got her number but I will continue to go forward in my worship and serving the Lord and not allow her to be a distraction.

Whether it’s me or it’s you in such a situation, keep your eyes upon the Lord.  Beware of the distractions.

He knows, He hears and He sees all.

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Where Am I Going?

DF6F6EC3-C9F6-41FB-8722-F74D7C370EEFI’m unsure what lies ahead.  Truly, do any of us know?  Things in our daily life can change in an instant and our lives disrupted of the boring norm that exists.  I know at times life does get monotonous and joy seems so far away, as it happens.

Thankfully, I am not dealing with a loss in a death but it sure feels like it some days.  Perhaps, I am at this point because I had so much of an attachment to someone that in order to recognize and stop this process, God had to rip this person away.  How mean that it is of Him to do!  While I understand, it still does not help my coping at times.  He is a jealous God.

47100026-CA7B-427E-A2EC-25BCC24F7E2CWith that, we are not to be jealous of others but that scripture say He is.  Isn’t that contradiction?   Again, I understand that He Is because He Is and my faith in Him is of utmost importance but my mind has problems unraveling the idea of this jealousy.

All through my life, I have attached myself to others for their direction, wisdom and care.  A child with emotional neglect will undoubtedly reach out searching for such and rightfully so in order to feel loved and cared for.  Recognizing this now in my adult years, I do understand why I did it and still lean in that fashion. Childhood issues lurk long after childhood, causing adult issues and some all the way to the grave.

Losing yet another support person in my life is like the rug has been pulled out from under me.  I feel lost, lonely and grasping at air to hold on.  Sometimes screaming within and even aloud, ‘I need you.’

Along with childhood issues, trust in many was limited and still I let very few in my world. Acquaintances perhaps to enjoy laughter but not to know my heart, only a select few.  I don’t think there is anything wrong with that, as we need to be selective.

1DA59647-69F5-467D-9D25-64872142728CAs I faced a hurdle just recently, I don’t know what to do or where to go, what steps to take.  What I do know is to remain still and allow God to position my steps and my way.  This time in waiting is painful and lonely.  At times, I feel anger rise up.  All of these emotions are normal.  With Him, I scream within and aloud, ‘I need You.’

 

WTH Am I Doing?

3959F1E8-DCC3-42A4-A770-E32A71F0E159What in the world was I thinking?  Discouragement hits an all-time high in my life this week.  The negative words within my mind take over as I try to shake them out over and over again but feeling hopeless.

Panic sets in and immobilizes me in my steps to move forward. Tears fall like a water faucet and I keep drowning in the whoa is me, unworthiness.  Never finishing anything or amounting to much and that is where I am.  What the hell was I thinking that I could make a move to better myself in a class, thinking fate lined this up or that God had a plan.  Tonight I doubt Him, my life and everything ahead of me.  Where am I?  Where am I going?   AD9DE022-3DFE-4FB5-B067-AC15BDF77943

I had managed to get out of a hole of isolation after years of counseling, taking better care of my health, but I feel the sinking feeling once again and it scares the daylights out of me.   Where is my counselor?  Why did she have to leave?   Years of weekly sessions come to an abrupt halt and still after a month, I am going down.  My support has been taken from me.  With everything else in life and with this class that I thought I could handle, I feel the grief and even anger of it all.  A visible, physical person that I could confide and trusted like none other, is no longer.  Now, nothing!  Gone.  I’m lost.

The questions within overwhelm my thoughts so often.  Who am I?  What is this purpose?  When will this pain be over?  Where will tomorrow take me?  Feeling like a person that I can and have confidence to do what I want, which is a good place to be, but then discouragement takes hold and the confidence is canceled out doubting my own existence.

Knowing full well, and that is to put one foot in front of the other allowing my body to function in its own way of breathing, with the heart beating and feel the emotions as they come.  Deep down, I know the Lord has me in the palm of His Hand.  We all go through periods of discouragement, loneliness and hopelessness, only to mention a few, and perhaps my honestly and vulnerability will help another, you.

All I know right now, tonight, I will get through this period.   Tomorrow comes with a new outlook.

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