Becoming Myself
The world is so quick to tell us that something is wrong with us and that we are deeply flawed. But, you know what? They are wrong. God formed us with His own hands, and we are exactly as God intended for us to be. Each and every one of us have unique gifts that God has given to us, and it is up to us how we use them and if we do so to glorify and honor Him. When we do so, I believe that God smiles a very wide smile indicating that He is well pleased.
When we stop fighting all that the world tells us that we are not and focus on all that God says we are, we will truly be content with ourselves in this life.
With that thought in mind, I have begun to explore all the wonderful things that God says about me in His word. In doing so, I thought what better way than to document this journey as all writers would do. I’m sure you can imagine my excitement when I received the Becoming Myself journal, and already I can tell that this little jewel will be a constant companion.
In this day and age where we have every gadget and piece of technology you could possibly imagine, it is refreshing still to me to pick up that pen and a crisp, clean piece of paper to write until my little heart is content. Writing is a passion of mine, and truth be told, it is a form of therapy as well. I enjoy writing so much, and it is wonderful to be able to type your thoughts out on the computer. However, there is just something about putting my thoughts down on paper that seem to give them more meaning at times. There is just something about jotting your thoughts down as they come to you. It seems to mean so much more when you take time and are intentional with every journal entry that you make. With every stroke of your pen, your thoughts have a way of flowing freely through you and helping you to reason and analyze along the way.
What is so special about this little journal is that it has passages of scriptures as well as quotes from Stasi Eldredge’s book. These offer plenty of opportunity to reflect on what she has offered within the pages of this journal alone, or it can go hand in hand with her book. That is what I like so much about this little journal is that just because she has written a book doesn’t necessarily mean you have to use it together as it’s perfectly fine as a standalone journal with scriptures and quotes to get you thinking. And in doing so, before you know it, you begin again by pouring your heart out on the pages of this journal.
Stasi certainly has provided thought provoking quotes all on becoming the person God intended for you to be. Just be open to what she is offering to you and allow them to speak to your heart as well. She writes beautifully as evident by the quotes within the pages of this journal, and her words are full of reassurance of God’s unconditional love, mercy, and grace that He extends and has for us ALL. The truths that she shares reaches into your heart and speaks to your soul.
Truly embrace God’s dream of you … become the woman God created you to be!
Becoming Myself can be found at your local Family Christian Store, and it is also available online.
Notice
I see you there. Sitting in the corner of the restaurant hoping that no one will notice you as you pretend to look through your phone while you avoid eye contact. A true introvert, no doubt. You’re not anti-social, you just choose to quietly observe the goings-on around you. Soaking it all in, yet often times getting overwhelmed by the increased noise level as children become restless or coworkers laugh loudly at the next table.
Then there’s the ones that long to be the center of attention, often cracking jokes to make those around laugh wildly. Not necessarily full of yourself, rather, you’re just an outgoing individual hoping this facade will hide the pain inside.
And like Kate’s post on writing and pouring your hearts out, all of my fellow bloggers sit wondering if they’re making a difference or reaching anyone out there. There is a famous saying, “Build it and they will come,” but I say, “Write it and they will come …” They will. Rest assured. They may not come in masses, but that is okay, too! I feel down deep within my soul that if I reach one person – if only one person stumbles upon my site and finds the information that it contains beneficial – if it helps to turn one life, one heart, and one soul to God above – it is completely and totally worth it! If I ever feel like no one cares what I have to say, I turn my focus on God and know that HE cares. He’s watching, He’s reading, and He’s often times giving me the words that I write. If I ever get down about the lack of comments on posts on my blog or on my Facebook page, I am comforted in the fact that I pour myself out to my readers in hopes that they will come, that they will take something that I’ve said with them to ponder throughout their day and that maybe, just maybe I’ve made a difference in their lives in some small way. To me, it’s not about hundreds of comments, although I appreciate every single person that takes the time to post a comment, it’s important for me to get the words out in hopes to help someone out there that may need exactly what God has spoken to my heart to write on that particular day. If I help one person, it will all be worth it!
This post was inspired by the prompt word of Notice for this edition of Five Minute Friday.
The Week Ahead
The countdown is on. The week ahead will consist of everyone finalizing their Thanksgiving menus as well as their travel plans. They will gather with family and friends for the big Thanksgiving feast with plenty of leftovers!
And then … it will happen.
Black Friday Shopping.
Immediately following the day in which we all give thanks for all of our blessings, we hit the stores to snatch up those bargains.
But, is it truly worth it?
Sure, you may get through the massive crowds of people to get a few dollars off of this or that, or maybe there will be really huge discounts. However, do we all really need to do this?
I’ll be honest and say that my family and I decided to see what all the hype was about last year. With several stores opening at midnight, we decided to venture out in the middle of the night in the crisp, cold air only to find an extremely long line wrapped completely around our mall. It didn’t take us long to realize that this just was not for us! So, we turned our car around and headed back to our house! I did check out a few items online, and the store with the long lines waiting outside actually had the same deals online! To me, it was worth just ordering with a few clicks of my mouse and having it delivered to my home instead of fighting that crowd!
I guess the real problem I have with all of this is the fact that the holidays are supposed to be about spending time with the ones that you love, NOT the deals you can snatch up or from each other in the stores. People actually get angry with each other, and we’ve all heard horror stories of fights breaking out in the store over the last hot item as everyone wanted it but only one lucky person was able to get to it first.
I realize that you don’t want your children to wake up on Christmas Day without any presents, so it is important to shop. I do understand that. I just don’t want the true meaning of this holiday season to be lost, and sadly, it gets to be more about material things than family, friends, loved ones, and all of God’s blessings in our lives.
As I walked through a medical building yesterday, I noticed that they already had it decked out with a huge Christmas tree, garland and bows on the railings going up the stairs, and wreaths hanging on doors. Then, upon entering a store, they seemed to bypass Thanksgiving altogether and focused solely on Christmas with deals marked every where and even Christmas tunes playing!
And speaking of Black Friday again, one of my Facebook friends asked if she was the only one that hasn’t already started decorating for Christmas. No, she’s not. My family and I haven’t, and we won’t … until the day after Thanksgiving. We want to give this holiday all we have – making sure to give thanks for all of our many blessings. We intend on savoring this holiday. Then, when everyone else is trampling over each other on Black Friday, my family and I will get our Christmas decorations down to begin decorating. We like to put on Christmas music and everyone picks their favorite decoration to add to the Christmas tree. With hot chocolate in hand, we step back to look at our beautiful tree with all of the bright lights and sparkling ornaments, and then we put in a movie and snuggle together.
This is what it’s all about – quality time spent together! Let’s have more of that and less focus on material things this holiday season.
