We have 4 days left in the fundraiser reading campaign for Cole's school, and I wanted to thank those of you who are praying for our boy. He has shown an incredible increase in his interest in reading this past week! Where before he would ask to turn the pages pretty quickly, he now listens to a whole story with me reading the words on the page, rather than just pointing and talking about the pictures! I didn't even think to celebrate these baby steps in maturity with Ryder, but with my little underdog, it's different. He is my reminder that we are not guaranteed anything in this life except for that which God has already given us, and for each step of maturity he shows, we are thankful!
For your glory and for your kingdom, we are yours.
- When I serve others, I deserve service in return.
- When I give a gift, I deserve a thank-you in return.
- Since I've saved my money for a LOOOOONG time, I deserve a house, car and all the other things this world says an American Family should own in return.
- Since I've been at home all day with 3 of the most adorable and patience-testing children in the world, I deserve dinner out, a manicure/pedicure, breakfast in bed...you name, I probably have thought I deserve it in return!
- Since we work so much with Cole on reading, listening speaking, he is entitled to great success!....No...any progress he makes is a gift from God.
If this list makes you as sick as it makes me when I read my thoughts of "entitlement" in print, then you agree with me on one thing...myself and anyone else who gets stuck in an entitlement "comfort-coma" needs a "holy" cure from these symptoms of discontentment, jealousy, pride, and arrogance when they begin to pollute our thinking and invade our spirit. The culture we live in only fuels this type of thinking, so our cure must come from outside this world...it must be HOLY and set apart from all we know to be normal here on earth...
The cure to entitlement comes, when we think about JESUS.
When I am reminded that there is NOTHING in this life that I am entitled to or deserve...
not service
not gifts
not breakfast in bed, or dinner on a silver platter
not a house
not a car
not a family to love
or even the air I breathe,
...once I realize all that all of these are GIFTS from above and I am not entitled to even one, then I have found His grace, and I am instantly and forever thankful.
When we acknowledge how UNWORTHY we are of a single day of life, every breath becomes a gift. I need this perspective shift DAILY and am grateful to have been reminded of this recently. When I trade in my spirit of entitlement for a spirit of thanksgiving, I have chosen joy instead of judgement and everyone around me benefits, my husband, being one of the most selfless beings I've ever met, is a constant reminder to me to give without expecting anything in return, for in this way, you have TRULY given.
For the sake of my husband, children and anyone else the Lord brings across my path......for His glory, I choose joy, contentment and a spirit of Thanksgiving, and I choose to see every breath as an undeserved and intentionally purposed gift from the LORD.
May you be BLESSED as you learn to recognize the blessings that are already all around you! If you'd like, leave a comment of something you are thankful for...it may be ordinary or extraordinary, but because it all comes from above, it is worth mentioning!!!
P.S. I am going to see Beth Moore teach live this weekend! I can't wait to share what the Lord speaks to me as I sit at His feet, ready to hear HIM speak. Updates to come on Sunday!
P.P.S. In case you couldn't tell in the picture on top...I cut my hair!
I am grateful to put on socks and shoes, go up stairs, shower, ride in a car more than 20 minutes, feel zero pain at times, fill in for a coworker who is ill with the flu, walk on uneven ground (lawns, sand, anything other than pavement :), have choices on what I can do, and for my Savior who enables me to do all of the above and more! He is my ALL in ALL! Hallelujah!!
Your hair is super cute!!! Looks great!!! So glad you posted a picture! Great blog too...lots to think about!
I LOVE your hair! It is so different but SOOOO cute!
As always, thanks for sharing your heart. Love you, friend!
Thank you so much for this post. Thank you for being honest about your struggles.
I have a lot in my life to be thankful for. I've been especially thankful for God's provisions. Money has been tight for us as I'm sure it is for many families right now. We've had some big decisions to make recently that were not for our financial advantage. God has continue to take care of us and provide for our needs. He has also given me the faith to trust in Him and not to worry about finances. I'm a huge worry wart so this state of peace definitely comes from my Lord.
wow great blog!! i LOVE beth moore! breaking free changed my life when i was in my early twenties. thanks for sharing your heart! cute hair too :)