How others see us

 

   A couple of months ago I watched this video and it really resonated with me, as it probably did with millions of others. We beat ourselves up so much, and not just over appearance either. 

Did I say the right thing?, act the right way......did they think I'm odd or crazy? 

    To see first hand how others viewed them is eye opening! Don't you wish you could see yourself that way? Not so much as to make you vain, but to give yourself a little more grace. We are made in the image of God, we are His beautiful creation!    

     Have you had people compliment you, yet you shrugged it off thinking 'they can't really mean that' or 'they're just saying that to be nice'? Do you stand in your closet getting ready for an outing (or anywhere for that matter) and put on one outfit only to change because you think it makes you look fat, or frumpy....or ______ fill in the blank? Do you leave a party and wonder just how many times you put your foot in your mouth? I know I sure do!

   I received a very sweet encouraging email the other day and it made me look back in time. Back to a few comments people have made over the years that made me stop in my 'beat myself up attitude', making me long to get a glimpse of myself from their point of view. 

   It makes me want to be more intentional about telling people how I see them. How they inspire me. Not by just saying 'you inspire me' but including details. Writing a note, email or text. 

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~Maya Angelou

So, I'm challenging myself (and you!) to tell people more often how you see them (the good stuff) and what they mean to you. Allow them to feel Christ's love through you.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 

And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1 

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Contentment

We are a year & a half into running our own business. It's a lot of work & stress and I have to keep reminding myself of the things that make me happy about it instead of looking to the future at where I want to be.

• Witnessing two ladies picking out & buying SIX bags full of clothes to go to a family in need.

• Watching someone pay for a set of cloth diapers to send home with a missionary who would not have access to disposable diapers.

• Providing a place for families to be able to purchase homeschool materials that I know they wouldn't be able to afford new. 

• Having many people comment on how much they love hearing the Christian music playing in our shop.

• Being able to ask my boys to help a customer carry a box of books and see them not skip a beat, but jump up to help with a smile. 

There is happiness in the moment. This day, this moment. Lord, help me to keep seeing it.

Halloween 2013

It's hard to believe that the Halloween picture above is from two years ago! Someday I may replace it with a current pic, but for now my hearts content to keep it there.

Any who~ I wasn't intending to go down a sad road with this post. We decided to keep on with the tradition of having a family theme, this year: Movie Night!

We got them all dressed up and they trick or treated at the businesses downtown last week. And can I just say, I am SO glad that we did because Halloween night it was raining! The costumes were made of mostly poster board & markers that would completely ruin in the rain. All day long the kids had a solemn attitude thinking we would not be able to go. We closed up shop at 3pm and started driving home, with a van full of disappointment. If you read my last post, I'm trying (and praying for His strength) to be fully engaged with the kids, putting in a full effort.

So, I turn the van around.

A quick stop back at the shop, one quick trip to the dollar store & we came up with 8 new costume ideas that wouldn't be ruined by rain! Yay! We ended up with (in order from oldest to youngest): Spidergirl, Soldier, Football player, Princess, Ninja, Biker dude, Punk rock girl, & a blue alien (Mabel & Nicholas stayed in the van). In all the rush for plan B I forgot to snap any pictures. Boo. But the kids had a ton of fun and gathered enough candy to ensure high dental bills in our future. Success! :)

Giving up & Selfishness

Today I read this post: 

The selfish side of grief 

...and can I just say, wow!

and ugh.

I don't think all of it applies 100% to me, but I see the attitude just the same. 

She writes, "You see, when Emily died, I never wanted to want again.  I had lost my daughter and I had to go on living here on earth without her.  I felt deprived of her presence.  I felt I had lost enough.  I never wanted to feel any kind of deprivation again.  So, I started filling the void."


For me I think it boils down to distractions. Things I've used to keep myself from thinking too much, because if I think below surface level I'm sad. My distractions have come in a variety of forms: let's eat out, let's go shopping, what fun thing can we do?

....let's START A BUSINESS for goodness sake. 

In a lot of ways these distractions have been a blessing. A way for me to not completely fall apart. I love that. I see the downside to this though. I see myself not engaging as much. Not withdrawing completely, but not allowing myself to live fully out of fear. Fear that it'll hurt. I see myself not putting in a full effort like I used to. Birthdays for the kids, holidays, special events used to be SO much fun for me. I was fully invested. Now? Eh, not so much. Halloween for example we've done quite a few family themed costumes. This year (and last) I'm just not gung ho about it. My attitude has just been 'okay, I'll participate and keep the tradition' but on the inside I'm just holding back. Giving up and being selfish. 

Reading her post was like a light bulb this morning. 

I want to be fully engaged with my kids. So, I'm done.


 I'm done giving up. I'm done being selfish. Even if it hurts.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4