Sometimes I Feel Like a Rock

Sometimes I don’t!

Sometimes you feel like a nut
Sometimes you don’t
Almond Joy’s got nuts
Mounds don’t

Now you have that little jingle in your head. You’re welcome!

There are those days I feel like a rock. You know, it could be a bad hair day, or the gray hairs are sparkling and proving my age, the wrinkles look a little more deeper than the day before, the weight seems to increase and can make one feel hopeless, perhaps a sock gets a hole in the toe which can be annoying or perhaps the clothes or undergarments are just not comfortable. Those days I’d rather stay in bed with a cover of my head. On top of something like those mentioned, somebody’s mood or my own just makes the day even worse and then the emotions show up in tears. Those days are rough and hard to get through.

The next day, I may not feel like such a rock. The hair, the makeup and what you are wearing makes you feel good about yourself and nobody can get your goat and ruin your day. A bring it on attitude of confidence oozes from your glow from your face as your posture is upright while holding your head up and smile at the world. Those are good days and we all need more of them. Hopefully, for the most part, those days are more common than not.

Just recently, I had an opportunity in one of my Facebook groups to enjoy an online sale of geodes and rocks found and tumbled to make into jewelry. I have always found geodes fascinating and have always wanted to go mine rocks to set out and enjoy the beauty. While shopping is fun and it is easier to buy jewelry but playing and digging in dirt would be fun, too. As a child, if there was a mud puddle, I was in it standing and splashing or riding my bike through it and dirt splattered all over me. It made for a fun day or outside fun.

This online Facebook sale is of many in the family I have followed through the years, as each one was involved in one thing or another and I feel like I know them personally. I found it interesting that this father-daughter duo would go rock mining and come back home to show them off while both actively washing the rocks to prepare them many ways. I did not know until that morning of their online sale, which was a must.

The daughter, Cindy, was holding a geode and telling of the online sale. She also held and talked about how we sometimes talk negatively about ourselves or even another. The outside of the rock is full of cracks and crevices and not that pretty, which is what we see. Not good for nothing, it’s a rock. We see the bad parts of ourselves, the wrinkles, gray hair, etc.

With this geode, she turned it over and showed where her father, Pop, cut it in half. The inside of this geode was beautiful. Cindy went onto express how this is how God sees us and that we are inside. There is beauty and a lot of intricate pieces within that makes us unique and special. Not her words exactly but you get the gist or perhaps how I heard her and I am trying to express.

The geodes mined are all different, you and I, each person, are all different. We have good and we have bad or of days of how we see and feel about ourselves or life itself. We have a choice. Do we want to just be the outside of the rock and sit there until we die or do we want to open up and show the beauty within of the gifts and talents, the love, care and kindness to share of what the Lord has given us?

He made us to show up and show off what He has done, as we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Lord. To understand the smallest and intricate details of our lives occur according to the plan of the Lord, how can we not bring Him glory and praise? When we know and do this, we love ourselves and exemplify His love in us so that we can give to others. They see Him in us.

We may experience some days when we may feel like an old ugly rock. May you and I always know and remember that deep within, we are beautiful.

To love yourself was always hard for me to grasp, as I could only see most the rock formation due to circumstances in my life. Plus, I did not want to be stuck on myself as I have seen that happen. I found it easier to love others and see and even express their worth and beauty, but not my own. I’m sure my counselor wanted to throw a rock at me and say, “Why can’t you grasp this?” Still, as I am better in this of caring and loving myself, I cringe. Just writing that, I did. Even though, I know deep down I am made in the image of God, He made me who I am, He has given me gifts and talents and no matter what I look like on the outside or feel on the inside, He Loves Me. In that, it is all that matters. He loves me so much that I can love myself and I wish that for you.

So sometimes we feel like a rock and sometimes we don’t.

Interesting that this blog came about this weekend with Easter. As I held my geode in my hand and turned it over and over to look at it, the thought of the tomb. The stone, it was rolled away.

He Lives!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/321200912519586/?ref=share

Pops Rockz – Facebook

Let Me Hide

Today at church, which has been great to attend again, a late, smaller service and no cameras. Just for me. Too many have been ill with the virus through the months, so I declined going. The morning was beautiful with the sunshine, even though it was quite cold. The joy of knowing springtime is near.

I was reminded today of how far I have come.

As I am sitting there waiting for church to start, a lady commented that my face looks thinner. I had to laugh and said, yes I hear that all the time. While nice of noticing a difference in my face, it actually hurts me when this is said. I get frustrated more with myself. It makes me feel hopeless.

Also, it is my internal thoughts that start stealing my peace and my joy each time, because it is like a look of disgust received that I am still fat. I am.

As I turned to sit in my seat ready for service, for a couple of minutes, I had a war within. All the negative thoughts were being thrown at me and an urge to go hide. Just go hide, as it hurts too much. I was considering to leave and go home to feel safe in my rocking chair, throw the covers over my head and call it a day. All because I am fat, the thoughts of unworthiness, I should hide my fat, I am a disgrace nobody wants to see me, etc. WOW

The struggle was real but I worked through it soon after and stayed. I am not where I want to be, but I am not where I used to be. There were many years. I did hide.

Life can throw some heavy rocks of condemnation, unworthiness, shame and every negative word or thoughts to the point of hopelessness. I was there, in a pit of despair for so many years due to several circumstances. I had given up. What’s the use, just hide and let my comfortable chair hug me to a long deep sleep, sometimes hoping I would not wake up.

Even though I deal with weight issues, which I allowed to increase over the years. Depression will do that to you, as some of you may know. I have had to deal with being over weight. We probably each have a struggle in one way or another. Exactly where the enemy wants us, to hide and be depressed, believing the lies.

This won’t be the last time that I will be told my face looks thinner and then they glance at my body. It hurts because I see it happening, and I know I will need to deal with it afterwards. Thankfully, I did not leave church. I did not go hide in my bedroom and rock the negative thoughts to sleep. It can feel like a prison, locked up.

The first worship song, I sang along and clapped my hands, while still tossing a few of those negative thoughts. It was about the third time around of hearing and seeing the words on the screen and me singing, “He set me free, Yes He set me free, and He broke the bonds of prison for me” I actually felt joy rise up within me.

I know I have been in prison, not actual prison, but one in my mind that I am no good, etc. I don’t want to even type the words now of what I struggled with again or elaborate. I think you get it.

I am worthy of God’s Love whether I am overweight with a thinner face or whatever. He loves me. I don’t need to go hide away from life and people. I don’t need to fear but have peace knowing He is doing a work in me.

Perhaps you understand and at times want to hide yourself as the negative thoughts bombard your mind, or people are unkind in their words whether they know it or not. Whatever it might be. Please know, YOU are Worthy of God’s Love. He loves YOU.

I felt the prison bars opened for me today. I just need to walk out with my head held high. I don’t need to run off and hide. Just shut the door for no re-entry when those moments come and I want to hide.

Lord, don’t let me hide.

“I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45:2-3) 

..if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free. John 8:36

“God has opened the prison doors for you to walk out into the freedom He promised through Christ.

https://findingtruthwithin.com/2016/04/29/freedom-friday/

https://bessg.wordpress.com/2013/02/12/prison-in-our-life/

https://biblestudentsdaily.com/2016/08/18/isaiah-611-the-opening-of-the-prison/

Always A Hitch

Yet again, I find that one thing leads to another, which is good but somewhat misleading. You get drawn in and then, here comes a sales pitch. If you do this and pay this fee monthly, I will do this and that for you and you will never be the same, totally worth it.

A guilt trip is added, but you deserve this for you, do this to be a better you, you will thank yourself, etc. While I get it, I get totally frustrated of being strung along and then BAM. Yes, it would be a good but so would the other program and another program, each one having a monthly fee. I do want to join to become a better me. Majority of the time, the same layout. When will I quit being pulled in and fall for the catch of them trying to get clients? Tonight’s fee was just $450.00 a month, a six-month program. A great deal, she said. No!

This class for the week, first three nights, were awesome. I absolutely loved it. It was like a continuation of my counseling years ago and stirred some emotions in me, which was good. I miss those hard, exhaustive sessions I had years ago at times that leave one depleted emotionally, but I grew within myself.

What ticked me off was a couple of things, besides this happening, a sales pitch. I was vulnerable in an email and shared how this time learning had affected me, as I stated. The fourth night, it starts off great and then it started, as a commercial for thirty minutes. While I understand, I should have known better days before, although I kinda did. I let my guard down and trust level was present. Angry with myself for allowing that to happen. Years ago, my counselor questioned why I didn’t trust others. Wonder why? Moments like this and I fall for it at the beginning and have at times jumped in and totally regretted, while losing money. It’s like the “L” hand sign on my forehead, Loser. Live and learn, right? Not this time.

Besides the anger I felt, it brought back other memories. Memories similar since I allowed myself to think back of my former counselor, that I still miss. When I was her client, on her Facebook business page, she offered programs that would have been nice to join. I could not join because I was her client. To sell her courses, of course, those also came as advertisements by the way of emails. The same holds true, I could not join. Each email or post, I felt it was like a slap in my face, like I was being rejected by her.

Dealing with rejection anyway, this did not help matters although I understood. I requested that I be taken off her email list for this reason. I do not have to subject myself to further pain. Although that decision I made hurt me in the end, as she officially closed her office and I did not know. A sad day it was when I drove past her office, it was my safe place for four years on a weekly basis and her signage removed. Now, not only feeling rejected but now abandoned. Devastated.

Of course, her groups also cost, which is understandable. Now that I am no longer a client, as she closed her office, I guess I could join. I don’t know, I was not offered and probably best. Now she is a coach. Everybody is an online coach nowadays, it seems. Unsure of the cost for her program(s) but it was a lot, if I remember correctly, but not as high as I was just offered. No! At least, no guilt trip.

A friend of mine that I often walk with also has a support group, she is a coach, too, which I could join but I will not. No! It’s only $39.00 a month. Really, there are all types of classes, groups, etc., that we can all join and they all have monthly fees. Again, understandable. It makes the world go around. It’s a business world.

Still, the last night of this class, it opened up an area that still affects me. The anger with myself of allowing to trust and enjoy but the slick move of the hitch attached was too much. Please do not guilt trip me to making me go in debt to the soothing tune that I deserve it, I am worthy enough, etc. I do and I am but I am also to use wisdom.

Otherwise, it is just digging a bigger hole to deal with the depression and anxiety of added expenses and probably thereafter a class on financial management would be needed. Wisdom.

They are all good and fine but there has to be a balance, too. I was really enjoying and wanted to grow in this one area. Yes, I can do it for the low cost of $450.00 a month. Immediately with her saying this price will never be this low again. Also, an often-used slogan. Should I or shouldn’t I? No! Further stated, next year will be $550.00 and following year $650.00 so jump on this price now. Sign up! Now! Plus, told that she spent $50,000.00 for her training in order to help us, to help me. I did not need to hear that comment. I get it but I am not doing it. No!

As much as I would like to have joined, I just cannot put forth that much money. I know it would help me, I know I am worthy but there are some things that you must let go of and just trust the Lord. He has brought me this far, He will be the one I will look to help me go further.

There are many online groups and local classes that I would like to take a part in, cost or no cost, but there are only so many commitments you can make. Choose wisely. Too many and you will burn out. If you have a family, it is time away from them.

Even though I am venting through this blog, it also made me aware of the anger that came up due to situations that still bother me. You know what? It’s okay! It’s okay to be angry. It’s okay to say, “No Thank You.” As a thank you, a few days later, after I pondered this whole scenario, I sent an email stating I will not be joining and appreciated what online time we had together, wishing her well. No surprise, no reply, as I am not a monthly payment for her debt. It was a week of growth of knowing who I am, how it affected me and I am okay with my decision. No!

On a more personal note, it has taken me many years to get our family out of debt. Back in 2014-2018, my former counselor and I would discuss the stress this was putting on me. Drowning and I did not know how to dig myself out to move forward. So often I told her, I don’t know how. I did not see how it could happen, to be free of debt.

As I looked back and we talked, I caused a lot of this. Besides emotional eating, emotional purchasing is a thing, too. Depression and emotions can pull you down to where you feel there is no hope.

I can now recognize with the help she gave me, is when my emotions are trying to take over, how I am feeling and sensing, the desire to eat and the desire to buy. I know to pay attention to my thoughts, what am I telling myself, my emotions, my body. Just like the class mentioned above for $450.00 per month, my emotions were stirred. Stirred not only in learning but also grieving, as I missed my counselor. I needed to join. Everything she touched on was for me. I need it now, sign me up. Previously, I probably would have joined. It would have been good.

Thankfully, in late 2019, the debt was gone, just like that. Now it is me saying, Lord, I don’t know how you did that and led me to conquer such a mountain, but Thank You. An amazement in me, as that was a miracle. There’s a freedom I have not felt for a very long time, which is pushing me through an almost open door. Bring it on!

To bypass joining the class and knowing myself better and mostly of who I am in the Lord, I am a lot more aware of myself, happier and it is awesome. I wish I could share with my counselor.

In life, it’s hard at times. Through it all though, I know He knows my name and I know He knows where I am. What is exciting, He knows where I am going. No hitch attached, I just need to trust Him.

For you, He knows your name, He knows where you are and He knows where you are going. TRUST HIM ✝️