Notes from the Bookshelf: Unglued

So far this semester in Mom Time, we’ve buckled down on our housekeeping, dusted off our apron of hospitality, and made it a mission to reach out and show God’s love.  I wonder how everyone is doing.  Have you taken control of your home, figured out how to serve your family, friends, and strangers, lowered your voice and kept your cool, made a meal for someone in need, enforced responsibility and manners to your children, or have you just….come unglued?

This week Erika helped keep things real and reminded us all that we have emotions and sometimes they get can get ugly.  Based on the book Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst, we let out the truth that there is a not-so-pretty side to us that needs to be dealt with.  There are many situations, relationships, outcomes that can cause us to meltdown and lose our temper.  Erika also confirmed that we can be our own worst enemy and set labels on ourselves which cause self-dissatisfaction. 

Regardless of how we react or what makes us come unglued, we need to remember that we are children of God and that He works all things for our good.  We have been given emotions to experience life, not to destroy it.  The choice is ours alone, will we accept God’s help and make an active attempt at relying on scripture, prayer, or a close friend to help us through our anger, stress, and shame?  We’re not perfect but we can practice integrity and see the baby steps of grace working in our lives.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:5

Notes from the Bookshelf: Small Things with Great Love

Have you ever crossed paths with someone and without even talking directly to them or knowing them, you can see that they have Jesus in them? They’re just filled with the Holy Spirit and you know they’re good stuff? Is that you? Is it not?

This week Debbie cracked open our love shells with some truth and advice on how to serve those around you in small ways that make great impacts.  In every situation where you have the opportunity to show love or serve others, check in with yourself first. If that opportunity stresses you out or you feel obligated to do it, it will still bless someone else but it’s not really the genuine overflow of Jesus in you. 

There are so many things in our lives that keep us from reaching out but there are very simple solutions to fixing those.  From the book, Small Things with Great Love: Adventures in Loving Your Neighbor by Margot Starbuck, Debbie offered up solutions to avoid those stop signs.  If you’re too busy, maybe cut out some luxuries or absolute urgencies (like cutting the grass or doing the 100^th load of laundry) and make time for someone or something that Jesus would put first. Pull the ignorance blindfolds off and see the world around you, and that world can be as big as your household.

Our lives can offer constant serving opportunities, whether you are married, a parent, or a caregiver.  Add a little light and salt to your attitude and actions.  Jesus didn’t live a life of ease, luxury, and endless time and if we truly seek him and live for him, we won’t either.  But as we read in Matthew 16:25, “Whoever loses (her) life for my sake will find it.”

Notes From the Bookshelf: A Life that Says Welcome

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” 1 Peter 4:9-10.  Doesn’t that sound like such peaceful advice? Love one another and be hospitable, but how many of us do that? Do we have all the best of intentions but hold back our hospitality because of a messy house, not enough time, or  just not enough energy?

Becky taught us a humbling lesson on opening our hearts and homes in a way that’s more than entertaining and making sure everything is just right.  Based on the book A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman, she focused in on how we can let our lives be a channel to God for those around us.  It doesn’t take a warm cooked dinner in your home to let someone know you are there and that they are loved. 

 It’s showing genuine love and respect to your husband or significant other, it’s smiling at the stranger in the grocery store, it’s praying for a friend, it’s any act of love and hospitality that refreshes someone spiritually and physically.  Becky also made an important note that you cannot offer hospitality to others unless you are completely at home with yourself. 

So let’s work on our actions and good deeds; say “Hi” and smile to people, be polite to your family, send a “I’m thinking of You” card in the mail.  You just might be the channel to God that that person needed.