Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. -- Proverbs 31:25
Does God care how you look? Does God care what you wear?
The following quote from this week's reading provides an answer to the questions. "God doesn't care what style of clothes we wear or even if they match; but I believe God does care that we love ourselves enough to present ourselves confidently and so our families are proud to be with us."
I have always taken pride in my appearance. I think I dressed up every day for school from first grade thru college (or at least 99 percent of my college days). I always thought that it was important to have a clean, polished appearance. Does this mean I wore the best, trendiest clothes... far from it. I remember each year my mother took me back to school shopping and we only had a set amount to spend. I made the most of what we had and took pride in my new clothes.
The importance of taking pride in appearance was echoed when I went to college in the Deep South and joined a sorority. I heard comments that rules of appearance included always wearing lipstick (you never knew who you would run into in Walmart), wearing toe nail polish with open toed shoes, and never letting those bra straps hang out! These are thoughts I've carried with me back to my home in the North. As the reading reminds us, it's all about taking pride in our appearance.
Did all this change when I became a mom? Except for those first few postpartum weeks, I've tried to keep myself put together... and for the most part I'm doing OK. What about you? Could you use a haircut or new sweater to update your wardrobe? Spend a few minutes taking care of you... as your an example for your children.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Anger
"Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry-but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life." Ephesians 4:26-27
Okay, so how appropriate that it is my week, and the topic is anger. I just finished typing this up this morning before I read the passage for today. So, I am going to share the testimony of my miscarriage that I shared Friday night. I was so angry then, and God showed me that the best way to deal with anger is to talk to Him…
I have had to learn to trust God many times in my life. I grew up in and out of church until I was baptized in middle school. Then we moved to Alabaster where I began to attend Westwood in the 9th grade. I went off to college and gave into worldly desires until I can back to Westwood, and God broke me down and showed me that I had to trust only Him. I began to pray for forgiveness on the alter each time the church doors were open, but God had another plan. He put the prayer for a husband into my heart. I really wasn’t looking for a husband…I had just read I Kissed Dating Goodbye, and I meant business! But across the county a young man was approached by a prayer warrior at his church who told him she was praying for him. He thanked her and told her he was doing well in school. She said that, no, she had been praying that he would meet a beautiful, God-filled woman. My husband, Daryl, and I had a date that night! God again showed me that He would give me a desire and then fulfill it…I just had to trust Him.
Well, Daryl knew that I didn’t really want kids. I don’t enjoy the baby stage, and God hadn’t given me that desire. We got married when we were 25 and okay without having kids until I turned 26. Then God gave me a burning desire for children. I thought about it all the time. I began to come up with a plan. The problem was that I was given a timeline of only 2 years of fertility due to my endometriosis. I was in Physical Therapy School that lasted 3 years, so I felt like my plan needed to be fool-proof. I printed out ovulation calendars and arranged my clinical schedule around getting pregnant. I would conceive in the Spring, graduate in December, have the baby, take some time off, and then start a job. Perfect…and it seemed that God was on board (though I hadn’t really asked Him to be).
We found out we were pregnant in June of 2007 with our due date in March of 2008. We fell in love with that baby from the moment the stick said yes! We went to the doctor that Saturday for confirmation and drove straight over to tell our parents. Then we told all of our friends, our extended family, my whole PT class, and on Wednesday I announced it on Facebook. We were having a baby!
But then I woke up Thursday morning and just didn’t feel pregnant anymore. Daryl told me it would be okay, and I wasn’t cramping or anything. So I went to my PT clinical in Tuscaloosa and was standing in a room of adults with mental disabilities who were painting each other’s nails when I began to feel bad. I thought it was just the smell, but I was cramping some by then. I went to the bathroom (I’d been putting it off all day) and discovered blood. I knew in my heart that I had lost the baby. I told my instructors and called Daryl. They drove me to meet him, and we went to the hospital. The doctor, who wasn’t my doctor, met me with a hug. I couldn’t stop crying. I just felt like my soul had been broken. They told me to go home and put my feet up. If it got better, the baby was safe. If not, I would know.
It got worse. I continued to cry for 3 days straight. I woke up in the middle of the night crying. My family would not leave me by myself…I was just so sad. But finally, Daryl needed to run to the store. I was alone with God. I told Him how angry I was. How it wasn’t fair. Other women who didn’t even want their babies had them all the time. I didn’t understand; this wasn’t part of my plan. But God changed my heart mid-prayer. Somehow I began to thank God for the short time He gave me to be a mother. I got to love that baby for a little while, and it was amazing. Top of the world! God continued to comfort me and give me strength through songs on Sunday morning and beautiful conversations together. He allowed me to show His strength to my PT class, many of whom were not Christians. He has used me to minister to other women who have miscarried. His Glory has shown through my very darkest day. His plan was so much better than anything I could have dreamed of, and I am a better Christian, wife, and mother for it. I just had to learn to trust Him.
Psalm 113:9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.
Okay, so how appropriate that it is my week, and the topic is anger. I just finished typing this up this morning before I read the passage for today. So, I am going to share the testimony of my miscarriage that I shared Friday night. I was so angry then, and God showed me that the best way to deal with anger is to talk to Him…
I have had to learn to trust God many times in my life. I grew up in and out of church until I was baptized in middle school. Then we moved to Alabaster where I began to attend Westwood in the 9th grade. I went off to college and gave into worldly desires until I can back to Westwood, and God broke me down and showed me that I had to trust only Him. I began to pray for forgiveness on the alter each time the church doors were open, but God had another plan. He put the prayer for a husband into my heart. I really wasn’t looking for a husband…I had just read I Kissed Dating Goodbye, and I meant business! But across the county a young man was approached by a prayer warrior at his church who told him she was praying for him. He thanked her and told her he was doing well in school. She said that, no, she had been praying that he would meet a beautiful, God-filled woman. My husband, Daryl, and I had a date that night! God again showed me that He would give me a desire and then fulfill it…I just had to trust Him.
Well, Daryl knew that I didn’t really want kids. I don’t enjoy the baby stage, and God hadn’t given me that desire. We got married when we were 25 and okay without having kids until I turned 26. Then God gave me a burning desire for children. I thought about it all the time. I began to come up with a plan. The problem was that I was given a timeline of only 2 years of fertility due to my endometriosis. I was in Physical Therapy School that lasted 3 years, so I felt like my plan needed to be fool-proof. I printed out ovulation calendars and arranged my clinical schedule around getting pregnant. I would conceive in the Spring, graduate in December, have the baby, take some time off, and then start a job. Perfect…and it seemed that God was on board (though I hadn’t really asked Him to be).
We found out we were pregnant in June of 2007 with our due date in March of 2008. We fell in love with that baby from the moment the stick said yes! We went to the doctor that Saturday for confirmation and drove straight over to tell our parents. Then we told all of our friends, our extended family, my whole PT class, and on Wednesday I announced it on Facebook. We were having a baby!
But then I woke up Thursday morning and just didn’t feel pregnant anymore. Daryl told me it would be okay, and I wasn’t cramping or anything. So I went to my PT clinical in Tuscaloosa and was standing in a room of adults with mental disabilities who were painting each other’s nails when I began to feel bad. I thought it was just the smell, but I was cramping some by then. I went to the bathroom (I’d been putting it off all day) and discovered blood. I knew in my heart that I had lost the baby. I told my instructors and called Daryl. They drove me to meet him, and we went to the hospital. The doctor, who wasn’t my doctor, met me with a hug. I couldn’t stop crying. I just felt like my soul had been broken. They told me to go home and put my feet up. If it got better, the baby was safe. If not, I would know.
It got worse. I continued to cry for 3 days straight. I woke up in the middle of the night crying. My family would not leave me by myself…I was just so sad. But finally, Daryl needed to run to the store. I was alone with God. I told Him how angry I was. How it wasn’t fair. Other women who didn’t even want their babies had them all the time. I didn’t understand; this wasn’t part of my plan. But God changed my heart mid-prayer. Somehow I began to thank God for the short time He gave me to be a mother. I got to love that baby for a little while, and it was amazing. Top of the world! God continued to comfort me and give me strength through songs on Sunday morning and beautiful conversations together. He allowed me to show His strength to my PT class, many of whom were not Christians. He has used me to minister to other women who have miscarried. His Glory has shown through my very darkest day. His plan was so much better than anything I could have dreamed of, and I am a better Christian, wife, and mother for it. I just had to learn to trust Him.
Psalm 113:9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Ambition
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. - Proverbs 31:17
Many of you may be more familiar with Proverbs 31:17 from the NIV of the Bible as it reads, "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks." This scripture is part of The Wife of Noble Character, which is a beautiful description of a noble, hard-working, God-fearing wife and mother who is full of ambition to please the Lord and her family.
The word ambition is defined in our reading as determined, motivated, or even pushy. Do you consider yourself to be ambitious? How have your ambitions changed since becoming a mom? Perhaps as moms our ambitions focus more (or solely) on our children. When I first thought about this statement proposed in our reading, I thought that it didn't apply to me because my 17 month old is not involved in much yet but thinking again I realize that much of my energies do focus around my son. I schedule play dates, trips to the library, play spaces, etc. because I want him to have the most positive, interactive learning experiences possible -which can be tiring! Plus we all need our down time.
This reading was a pleasant reminder that God does want us to be ambitious too. We should continue to set personal and professional goals as well as daily goals. Think about one goal that you've always talked about achieving but haven't acted on yet and what can you do to work toward that goal. For me, I keep saying I want to do more with photography. I have a great camera and take decent photos but I want to get even better. Several months ago, I bought a video to familiarize myself with the camera - yet I still haven't taken the time to watch it. Watching it will be my short term goal. Perhaps next time Owen naps I will watch it instead of doing house work! I've also asked for one on one photography lessons for the holidays so I'm moving in the right direction. Use the ambition the Lord has given you to bring joy to Him and you!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Actions - Signals of His Love
"The good, the right, the true-these are the actions apropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ and then do it." Ephesians 5:9
The verse in the book was printed from The Message, which is a bit different from my NIV. I think the information is similar. They are both saying that what other people can see us doing (our fruit) should be good, right, and true. If we would apply the last sentence to everything we do, we would never need to check our actions. Seeking to please Christ takes out the yelling at our kids, the ignoring our husbands when they make us angry, and all of the selfish actions we take part in everyday.
I have a 1 year old, and he doesn't really get my words. I can't tell him how he is disobeying and expect him to understand. I can, however, use my body language and my tone of voice to influence him. If only we would pay the same attention to how we act toward everyone. How did my tone escalate the heated conversation with my mom? How did my lack of eye contact due to some distraction leave the visitor at church feeling the cold shoulder?
I can't say that I agree completely with each of the mannerisms that were listed...I sometimes prop my head on my hands and lean forward when I am actually trying to pay attention...but the idea is to focus on the signals you are sending and those that are coming back to you. What pleases the Lord? Keep asking that question. We know that He was well pleased with His Son, so there is our example. Jesus spoke directly to people. He did not avoid the sinners or the sick. He put his hands on people. I really need to work on that one. Okay, so I am not a hugger...some of you know this. I'm not against it, I just don't do it. I'm still trying to psychoanalyze why, but that's a different issue. But I have finally come to the realization that other people are huggers, and it might be odd for them when they hug me. I mean, I live in the South and people here really hug each other. I don't want my actions to discourage someone, so I am working through that. I encourage each of you to take the 24 hour challenge and then continue to think about your actions toward your husband, kids, strangers, etc. Pray that God will reveal how you can be more like Him and send signals of His love to those around you.
Let me know how it goes and if you have any suggestions for my hug issues!
The verse in the book was printed from The Message, which is a bit different from my NIV. I think the information is similar. They are both saying that what other people can see us doing (our fruit) should be good, right, and true. If we would apply the last sentence to everything we do, we would never need to check our actions. Seeking to please Christ takes out the yelling at our kids, the ignoring our husbands when they make us angry, and all of the selfish actions we take part in everyday.
I have a 1 year old, and he doesn't really get my words. I can't tell him how he is disobeying and expect him to understand. I can, however, use my body language and my tone of voice to influence him. If only we would pay the same attention to how we act toward everyone. How did my tone escalate the heated conversation with my mom? How did my lack of eye contact due to some distraction leave the visitor at church feeling the cold shoulder?
I can't say that I agree completely with each of the mannerisms that were listed...I sometimes prop my head on my hands and lean forward when I am actually trying to pay attention...but the idea is to focus on the signals you are sending and those that are coming back to you. What pleases the Lord? Keep asking that question. We know that He was well pleased with His Son, so there is our example. Jesus spoke directly to people. He did not avoid the sinners or the sick. He put his hands on people. I really need to work on that one. Okay, so I am not a hugger...some of you know this. I'm not against it, I just don't do it. I'm still trying to psychoanalyze why, but that's a different issue. But I have finally come to the realization that other people are huggers, and it might be odd for them when they hug me. I mean, I live in the South and people here really hug each other. I don't want my actions to discourage someone, so I am working through that. I encourage each of you to take the 24 hour challenge and then continue to think about your actions toward your husband, kids, strangers, etc. Pray that God will reveal how you can be more like Him and send signals of His love to those around you.
Let me know how it goes and if you have any suggestions for my hug issues!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
About Jennifer
I am blessed to be the wife of a wonderful husband and the mother of a fun-loving 17 month old boy. My husband and I enjoy an interfaith marriage as I'm a practicing Catholic and he is Jewish. I enjoy my position as a part-time Public Relations Coordinator for a home health agency. Thursdays and Fridays (and the weekends of course) are my favorite days as those are the days that I get to spend with Owen.
This past year as been quite the challenge for my husband and I because our son was diagnosed with hydrocephalus caused by a brain tumor. God has been good and has watched over our family. We were carried through very difficult times by the prayers of family members, friends, and strangers. If you are in need of prayer please do share your request as I would like to pray for you and share the strength that I have received.
Owen is doing well. His tumor is stable and he receives no treatment. I trust that the Lord will continue to watch over him. Although this past year has been quite trying it's also been a joyous time as we watched Owen recover, regain his strength, and meet his milestones. We are also overjoyed that come next May Owen will be a big brother! God is good - let's celebrate his goodness together. As mothers we are truly blessed to have the greatest gift of all, children of God.
I look forward to this year-long journey with you. Heather will begin with the first post on Tuesday.
This past year as been quite the challenge for my husband and I because our son was diagnosed with hydrocephalus caused by a brain tumor. God has been good and has watched over our family. We were carried through very difficult times by the prayers of family members, friends, and strangers. If you are in need of prayer please do share your request as I would like to pray for you and share the strength that I have received.
Owen is doing well. His tumor is stable and he receives no treatment. I trust that the Lord will continue to watch over him. Although this past year has been quite trying it's also been a joyous time as we watched Owen recover, regain his strength, and meet his milestones. We are also overjoyed that come next May Owen will be a big brother! God is good - let's celebrate his goodness together. As mothers we are truly blessed to have the greatest gift of all, children of God.
I look forward to this year-long journey with you. Heather will begin with the first post on Tuesday.
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