>A Fresh Perspective

>I was watching Ratatouille a few days ago with little man for, oh the 400th time and was struck by a scene at the end of the movie. A waiter asks a famous food critic what he’d like for dinner and the food critic responds with “I’d like some perspective.” I know I need some! What’s important, what’s first, what can I let go, who am I afraid to upset by saying “no,” why do I think I should be perfect, what is perfect – anyway?!?!? You see the struggle, right? Please tell me you see it – and maybe feel some of it – too!

My perspective should come from remembering God’s call on my life. Plain and simple. I stray from this very often and by NO means am I advocating a “follow me” philosophy. Girls, we’d all be going over the same high, dangerous cliff if you followed me. Follow Christ!!

I started a new Bible study last week with an amazing group of women. The scripture inspiration is from 1 John:4. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:10-11) As one of Christ’s followers, the most important thing I can do is to LOVE. First God, then loving those around me. It sounds so simple, yet loving requires being vulnerable, being accessible, being sacrificial. Those things are much harder. I am working every day to become more loving. I pray you are too!

>Self Control – or lack thereof …

>“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

Several weeks ago I attended a womens conference and listened to Priscilla Shirer speak. She briefly mentioned her battles with food and referenced the verse above from Galatians as one that helped her break the bondage to food. For her, it was all about self control. Food itself is not bad, liking food is not bad; the problem comes when we have no self control and we overindulge.

God has been working on my heart over the past few weeks. I have read those verses over and over and over again and I am also being “smacked in the face” with my sheer lack of self control. Every decision I make throughout the day speaks of what I value and how much I trust God to fulfill His promises. When I make impulsive, over-indulgent, unwise, foolish, or plain old bad decisions, it reflects on me and the God I serve. I am also realizing that God has big plans for my life, my husband, our family and our little man. He could use all of us much more fully if I would display more self control. Practical examples? How I speak to people and the words I choose, how I choose to spend time, how many things I commit to doing, how I choose to spend resources, and many more things each day give me the opportunity to exhibit Biblical self control in my life.

I often try to convince myself that I have an area of sin under control – that I have overcome it. Self control was one of those area for a while. Until I realized that I had begun to control only the worst – or most obvious – things that caused me to exhibit a lack of self control. God continues to peel back layers and expose more opportunities for me to think differently and act differently. I am so thankful He’s not done with me yet!

“…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6b

>Is Your Personality Different From Your Child’s?

>Somewhere along the way through schooling and the adventures into adulthood, most of us have taken a personality assessment. The widely used Myers Briggs test can be found everywhere from college dorms to workplaces to – yes! – even churches. I just had to go take this again – the short, free online version – because I had long since forgotten my type. I firmly believe my personality has changed over the years. I am now an ISTJ although I am sure I used to be an EN something something. So … back to the original question. Is your personality style inherently at odds with your child’s personality?

Mine is and I am praying every day that God gives me the grace to nurture our sweet little man and that He gives me just enough discomfort to know that He is the only way I am succeeding. How is my personality different from our son’s? Let me count the ways …

• Little man is a complete and total extrovert. He is happy as a lark when around many other children in a loud place. I, on the other hand, am generally pretty anti-social. I enjoy the company of a few close friends and family, but am just as content with a book and the quiet of the back porch.
• Little man requires little – if any – time to decompress and “chill out” during the day. We are working VERY hard on a consistent schedule that includes quiet time. Both for his sanity and mine 🙂
• Little man is an avid talker! I do know, thanks to my sweet mom, that I was exactly the same as a child. So, I can’t be too upset about this one. But, DH and I have decided on our new favorite game – who can be the quietest for the longest time. Little man never wins!

What about you? Are you finding yourself pushed, challenged, extended, and learning new and different things due to your child’s personality?