Imagining…
2 Corinthians 10:5
“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.”
Today I’m wishing my mind worked a little more like the judges on American Idol. Seriously.
I have a lot of thoughts that probably shouldn’t make the cut. Ones that I need to “actively demolish” or “take captive”. Maybe you do, too.
So here’s why I’m thinking my mind should work more like an Idol audition. Imagine it.
First of all, if the person really stinks, the judges don’t let them linger. There are thoughts that cross my mind that shouldn’t be allowed to linger. I should (figuratively) raise my hand and make it stop. Jealousy, resentment, feeling sorry for myself, just to name a few.
Second, the judges are discerning. They’re professionals – if someone stinks, they know it. I need to be sure to spend time in God’s word to become a professional – to know clearly what would glorify Him and what wouldn’t. Lots of things are black and white. But the gray areas are where I need that discernment.
And lastly, they’re honest. Sometimes painfully. How many times have I told myself what I’m thinking is not bad – maybe it’s justified, or other people feel that way, so why can’t I? I need to be brutally honest with myself regarding the quality of my thoughts.
I know it’s a little silly to compare my mind to an American Idol audition, but I do think we need to consider how to keep our thoughts under control. The direction of our thoughts is so important to our spiritual health. Some verses that support this:
Romans 12:1-2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
James 1:13-15 “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Anyone else out there seeking to control your thoughts? How do you go about it?
I totally Aced Differential Equations, or My Current Identity Crisis
Ha, and you all thought I was talking about a new Facebook game.
Nope, Differential Equations was a fun math course I took in college. I think it came after several levels of calculus, or something. Anyways, I got an A.
When we moved last summer, I cleaned out some boxes that were in our attic collecting dust. Twentyorso one or two of them contained old high school, college, and master’s degree stuff. (Did I ever mention I’m a bit of a pack rat?) Actually I was keeping them in case my kids ever need help and I needed my notes to re-aquaint myself with the subject. Really. I can’t make this stuff up. That’s how whacked I am.
So on with my story… I found a folder from my Differential Equations (aka in college-speak DiffEQ) class. And you know what? I can’t for the life of me figure out what DiffEQ is. Or what it is used for. Or why on God’s green earth I needed to take the class. My husband tells me he knows why, and he actually uses it at work- but I’m not sure I believe him. (Isn’t that what computers are for these days??). But I got an A in it. And I was awfully proud of myself back then (heck, I still am).
But these days my current challenges consist of solving riddles like ”if I was a sippy cup where would I be?”, “what is the best way to keep a child from having a big ol’ tantrum in front of bazillions of people in a crowded restaurant?”, and “how do I keep two children from screamingkickingandhitting each other alldaylong?”. You might say I’m in a bit of an identity crisis. How did I get from an A in DiffEQ to here?
How did I get from the career-minded earlytwentysomething to the stay-at-home thirty-something mom of three (totally awesome) kids?
Well, I think it all boils down to me listening to God. If you had asked me in 2000, when I was pregnant with my first child, I would never have guessed that I’d be a stay-at-home mom. Never. But here I am.
Going back farther, if you’d have asked me in college if I wanted to have three kids, I’d have given you a resounding “are you crazy?”. I never really liked the little buggers, until I had them. But here I am. A stay-at-home mom who knows that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. Where God wants me.
I always was more comfortable with facts, figures, lists… anything concrete. Motherhood is far from that. Sometimes I feel lost in relationships and feelings and kids that are far less controllable than differential equations. I wonder if anyone would give me an A in motherhood?
I have my days when I miss feeling like I know it all – confident and good at my job. These days I often feel like I am totally unequipped for this job. And even when I do momentarily think I’ve got something figured out – everything changes. But I love it.
And I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is where God has brought me. To be the mom to these three kids… not distracted by facts, figures, and other problems the workworld can come up with. This job keeps me coming back to Him – the answer to all of life’s problems – on a minute by minute basis. When I was working, I was good at my job without relying on Him. In the job of motherhood, I need to be on my knees daily. And it constantly challenges me to be a better person – to develop those people and relationship skills that don’t come as naturally to me.
As I look back, it’s not hard to see why God wanted me here. Right here, and right now. And knowing that is what keeps me at peace. Even when I wonder what happened to the me that got an A in DiffEQ.
Some good stuff from my blogging friends…
There have been a couple of fabulous posts from my blogging friends lately. Enjoy these…
A great New Year’s tip from a MOPS mentor.
and
Some misery (sorry, Pamela) and inspiration from a fellow mommy that will have you nodding your head in agreement, saying “been there, done that”, thinking I’ll cross that finish line, too and just plain laughing hard. (hint: go pee now so there’s no accidents. Really, it’s that good.)
Have a great “Back to School” Monday!
P.S. Read any good blog posts lately? Comment and share them with us!
TTAH Tuesday – Keeping Christ in Christmas
Struggling to find ways to keep your (and your kids’) focus on Christ during this busy season??
One of my favorite traditions we’ve started is having a birthday party for Jesus on Christmas Eve.
We have a ham dinner and usually invite extended family over. For dessert, we have a cake – complete with candles and singing happy birthday to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Then we go to our church’s Christmas Eve candlelight service.
This is a simple way to incorporate into our holiday a reminder of the true reason for Christmas. That God sent his one and only Son to Earth to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus is the greatest gift ever and we give each other gifts to symbolize that.
It’s great for the kids because a birthday party is such a tangible and familiar way to celebrate. Try it this year!
Merry Christmas!
A Very Important Decision
The upcoming election has been weighing heavily on my mind lately. I feel, as a lot of people do, I think, that the decision we make as a country will have a huge impact on the direction of our policies and our future.
I just got the following letter in my e-mail inbox. It’s worth taking the time to read. It is written by Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family. If you don’t know who he is, click on the Focus on the Family link to the right to learn more. Bottom line is that I respect him, his opinions, and I agree wholeheartedly with the content of this letter. I’ve been wanting to share my opinions on the upcoming election in this blog, but I think the letter says it all.
Please read this carefully and consider carefully your decision in this election.
Dr. Dobson’s October 2008 Newsletter
God Bless America!
