For those of you who know me, you probably know that I have been losing weight since last August. If you don't know me, well, I have been losing weight since last August : ) I came to a point in my brain where weight loss wasn't something to be avoided anymore. It just clicked in there and stuck. I completely changed my eating habits, like I have done a million times before with a million different diet ideas, but this time it worked. I started eating 5-6 small 200 calorie meals, mostly protein. I completely cut out wheat products from my diet and stuck to rice and potatoes as my starches. I started losing weight! I ate my yogurts, homemade crab salad on rice cakes, turkey rolls with cheese inside, and vegetables. Not only did I lose weight steadily, I actually kept it off. I have had moments of insanity, especially around Christmas. My daughter makes this fabulous fudge and we made alot of it and we ate alot of it! Mmmmm, so tasty! I have good days and bad days and I let myself cheat so that I don't completely blow it. I weigh myself as often as I can on one scale. I'm sure the school nurse knows all about me as I have chosen the elementary school scale as my "standard". Every time I'm there, I weigh myself so she gets all my news first, whether good or bad. I love seeing that little hangy thing go lower and lower on the scale. First, it was 10 lbs. Then 15. Then 20. Then 25. The last time I weighed, I was down 27 pounds since last August. Some months I don't lose anything and every once in a while, I gain. Usually because I have started eating badly again.
I didn't start losing weight because my Spouse didn't love me for me. I didn't start because of any comments or anything. I did it for me. I didn't like looking at pictures of myself, I looked so pasty and smooth. Not that smooth is bad, but an angle here and there isn't so bad, especially around the jawline. I felt uncomfortable in my clothes and I was noticing that I had gotten past size 16's and was creeping into 18's. My extra large shirts were looking rather sausagy and my airway was constricted every time I bent over. Turning red while tying your shoes is just ridiculous.
Now, I'm in a happy size 14 and continuing to lose slowly. I am trying to lose 7 more pounds so I can be in the next "10's" down. I can go into a store and try on stuff and not only does it fit, it actually looks good! I feel much prettier in my clothes and am fitting into stuff that I wore years ago! I feel healthy and energized. I am taking the weight loss a day at a time and a goal at a time. I am not looking to be skinny or teenageresque or anything, just happy and comfortable. I like walking around with my kids and they're not embarassed to be seen with me.
What about you? Are you losing weight? Are you happy with where you are? Are you on the other spectrum: too skinny? Are you the chubby sibling or the skinny sibling? (I'm the chubby one, I outgrew my sister by age 11) (dang it, I hate being the chubby sister!)(blog for another day)(don't you just love parentheses?)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Breastfeeding in Public: Pro or Anti?
I made a new friend at school this year and she is from Argentina. We have discussed how our countries are different when it comes to how the human body is viewed. Americans in general tend to be a little more uptight about what can be displayed publicly and Argentinians are a little more relaxed. We got into quite a discussion one day about whether or not people should breastfeed in public so I thought I would blog about it. Please post your opinion at the bottom because I really am curious.
My friend thinks that breastfeeding is a natural thing and should be openly accepted. She feels like breasts were made for feeding as well as pleasure and if a woman is feeding a baby, boobs should be viewed like a bottle. She doesn't understand why Americans don't see it the way she does, which is understandable. She also doesn't understand why we don't all wear thong bikinis but that is another blog : )
I have nursed 6 babies in public with very mixed emotions. With my first baby, I was very self-conscious and would leave the room to nurse the baby. That got old real fast. With my second baby, I got a nursing cover and breastfeeding shirts which allowed me more freedom. By the 6th baby, I really just didn't care anymore and was expert at keeping myself covered with my clothes and feeding pretty much anywhere. I love to see women breastfeeding their babies but I admit, it does make me uncomfortable when a woman is very open about it. I saw a lady once at Aldi's openly feeding with a boob just hanging out, putting her groceries on the conveyer, keeping an eye on her other children, and chatting up people in line. She acted like it was nothing and people just accepted it. I had to give her credit, I would have been blushing up a storm if that had been me!
I also like when a group of women are together and we can openly nurse without embarassment. Nursing a baby is natural and a gift. I loved looking down on their sweet little faces and knowing I was doing something for them that no one else could do. I have to admit, I also liked switching them to bottles so I could sleep through the night : ) and watch my husband bond with them as well.
But what about in public? Should women cover up? Should ladies be forced to cover up for the sake of someone else's discomfort or opinion? Nursing under a cover is hot and bothersome but does give privacy for everyone involved. What do ya'll think? Personally I think discretion is the way to go in America but more power to you if you want to hang it all out there.
My friend thinks that breastfeeding is a natural thing and should be openly accepted. She feels like breasts were made for feeding as well as pleasure and if a woman is feeding a baby, boobs should be viewed like a bottle. She doesn't understand why Americans don't see it the way she does, which is understandable. She also doesn't understand why we don't all wear thong bikinis but that is another blog : )
I have nursed 6 babies in public with very mixed emotions. With my first baby, I was very self-conscious and would leave the room to nurse the baby. That got old real fast. With my second baby, I got a nursing cover and breastfeeding shirts which allowed me more freedom. By the 6th baby, I really just didn't care anymore and was expert at keeping myself covered with my clothes and feeding pretty much anywhere. I love to see women breastfeeding their babies but I admit, it does make me uncomfortable when a woman is very open about it. I saw a lady once at Aldi's openly feeding with a boob just hanging out, putting her groceries on the conveyer, keeping an eye on her other children, and chatting up people in line. She acted like it was nothing and people just accepted it. I had to give her credit, I would have been blushing up a storm if that had been me!
I also like when a group of women are together and we can openly nurse without embarassment. Nursing a baby is natural and a gift. I loved looking down on their sweet little faces and knowing I was doing something for them that no one else could do. I have to admit, I also liked switching them to bottles so I could sleep through the night : ) and watch my husband bond with them as well.
But what about in public? Should women cover up? Should ladies be forced to cover up for the sake of someone else's discomfort or opinion? Nursing under a cover is hot and bothersome but does give privacy for everyone involved. What do ya'll think? Personally I think discretion is the way to go in America but more power to you if you want to hang it all out there.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Facebook: Friend or Foe?
I began reading a book about modern technology for a class and it sparked several debates among family and friends. Is Facebook a friend to modern man or a foe? Does it create relationships and bring people closer? Or does it keep us in our little nuclear families without creating new relationships with the people who live around us? I'll give a few examples of each and then we can discuss.
Facebook keeps us from getting to know our neighbors.
If we are spending time on FB getting to reknow our old HS buddies and the new people at church and keeping in touch with our family, do we really have the time to get to know our neighbors? How many of you really know your neighbors? Even better, are your neighbors your friends on FB? I have relationships with several of my neighbors, a couple who are, in fact, my FB friends. One friend I met at the school and we and our kids have become buddies. Another neighbor I met when she and her daughter were selling girl scout cookies. The people across the street both work full time but we enjoy monthly coversations as we yell across the street. The kids love the guy over there because he shovels snow in his shorts. They call him Jack Frost. The next door neighbor is a single lady with 2 dogs. I run into her a couple times a week when she is walking her dogs and she is doing just fine. That is probably the extent I am going to know my neighbors here. I may invite next door lady over this summer for a BBQ but that really has nothing to do with FB. Is it wrong for us to want to cultivate long lost friendships? Or is wrong that we spend more time cultivating far away relationships over new ones closer to home? I don't know, I think that would have to depend on the situation. If you live in an isolated area, FB might be helpful. If you are ignoring potential friends in your area by hangin on FB, that could be a problem.
I don't want to know what the kids in my HS are doing.
This is not a personal sentiment, I just hear it all the time. Personally, I love seeing what my old buddies are doing but I have to say, I am not looking to start cultivating. I like FB in the old HS buddy arena because I can keep up with them without having to expend alot of energy and time. There might be a few people I would like to get with from time to time to remember old times and have our kids play but that is about it. I love FB so I can chat with them and see their pics without having to travel. Some people hated HS and have no desire to see what those people are doing. They didn't get along with "those people" and want to move on. (Maybe those people have neighbors that are fabulous friends : )
Facebook keeps us glued to our computers.
How many times a day do you check FB? 1, 5, 25, every time your phone buzzes? Are you the kind of person who checks it in the evening when your kids are in bed or are you the kind who checks every second of every day and has a comment to make on Everybody's statuses? I guess we should really ask ourselves if it is wrong to be glued to our computers and phones. That's a good question. Phones are nifty little things that keep us connected to our teenagers, spouses, parents, friends, and bosses. We can text our kids to see where they are, text our buddies to tell them news, and text little love notes to our spouses. But phones can be a huge disruption. Talking on the phone while paying for our groceries is kind of rude and who has been enjoying a quiet dinner when a cell phone has interrupted us? We are always tethered to people who want to get in touch with us. But I have gotten sidetracked. Now that we can access FB on our phones, we have all day access in our pockets or hip phone holder thingies. Whenever I get a notification on FB, my phone pings. I can just reach in and check to see who is trying to tell me something. I can immediately respond and communicate with people that I normally wouldn't be communicating with. Again though, it can be disruptive if you are on a date and the person you are with keeps checking FB or posting their "places" or whatever. Or if your phone wakes you up several times a night with that incessant "pinging" (which usually means a fabulous status posting by somebody).
I don't know if I can think of anymore topic headings but I'm sure ya'll can. Personally, I see FB as a friend. I can keep up with all of my family because they all live out of state. I am friends with several of my kids' teachers and I get school updates and can easily reach them if need be. I am friends with over 150 people from church and it keeps me in touch with their daily lives. I am friends with my friends and can easily check on them or invite them to parties. I am friends with old high school and junior high school buddies. I can see people I have known since I was 5 and see how they grew up and what their kids look like. I know which of my friends are going through a hard time, who is a Star Wars fan, what kind of music they listen to, what concerts they've been to, and who has sick kids. I can tell people funny things my kids say or if I have something I just have to get off my chest. I can share victories and sorrows. I can run into someone I don't see much and can ask them about their water leak in their bathroom or they can ask me how I did on the paper I posted aobut. I have no desire to reconnect with an old flame but it is fun to see pics of them all grown up. I am not interested in giving up my current friends but I do use FB to try to better my friendship with them. I use FB to tell my Spouse I love him or my teens that they are loved. I consider FB a friend.
How about you? Do you consider FB a friend or a foe? What other topics could you add? I have to say that I probably could have added more but I am a little distracted with American Idol. Who do you think should win?
Facebook keeps us from getting to know our neighbors.
If we are spending time on FB getting to reknow our old HS buddies and the new people at church and keeping in touch with our family, do we really have the time to get to know our neighbors? How many of you really know your neighbors? Even better, are your neighbors your friends on FB? I have relationships with several of my neighbors, a couple who are, in fact, my FB friends. One friend I met at the school and we and our kids have become buddies. Another neighbor I met when she and her daughter were selling girl scout cookies. The people across the street both work full time but we enjoy monthly coversations as we yell across the street. The kids love the guy over there because he shovels snow in his shorts. They call him Jack Frost. The next door neighbor is a single lady with 2 dogs. I run into her a couple times a week when she is walking her dogs and she is doing just fine. That is probably the extent I am going to know my neighbors here. I may invite next door lady over this summer for a BBQ but that really has nothing to do with FB. Is it wrong for us to want to cultivate long lost friendships? Or is wrong that we spend more time cultivating far away relationships over new ones closer to home? I don't know, I think that would have to depend on the situation. If you live in an isolated area, FB might be helpful. If you are ignoring potential friends in your area by hangin on FB, that could be a problem.
I don't want to know what the kids in my HS are doing.
This is not a personal sentiment, I just hear it all the time. Personally, I love seeing what my old buddies are doing but I have to say, I am not looking to start cultivating. I like FB in the old HS buddy arena because I can keep up with them without having to expend alot of energy and time. There might be a few people I would like to get with from time to time to remember old times and have our kids play but that is about it. I love FB so I can chat with them and see their pics without having to travel. Some people hated HS and have no desire to see what those people are doing. They didn't get along with "those people" and want to move on. (Maybe those people have neighbors that are fabulous friends : )
Facebook keeps us glued to our computers.
How many times a day do you check FB? 1, 5, 25, every time your phone buzzes? Are you the kind of person who checks it in the evening when your kids are in bed or are you the kind who checks every second of every day and has a comment to make on Everybody's statuses? I guess we should really ask ourselves if it is wrong to be glued to our computers and phones. That's a good question. Phones are nifty little things that keep us connected to our teenagers, spouses, parents, friends, and bosses. We can text our kids to see where they are, text our buddies to tell them news, and text little love notes to our spouses. But phones can be a huge disruption. Talking on the phone while paying for our groceries is kind of rude and who has been enjoying a quiet dinner when a cell phone has interrupted us? We are always tethered to people who want to get in touch with us. But I have gotten sidetracked. Now that we can access FB on our phones, we have all day access in our pockets or hip phone holder thingies. Whenever I get a notification on FB, my phone pings. I can just reach in and check to see who is trying to tell me something. I can immediately respond and communicate with people that I normally wouldn't be communicating with. Again though, it can be disruptive if you are on a date and the person you are with keeps checking FB or posting their "places" or whatever. Or if your phone wakes you up several times a night with that incessant "pinging" (which usually means a fabulous status posting by somebody).
I don't know if I can think of anymore topic headings but I'm sure ya'll can. Personally, I see FB as a friend. I can keep up with all of my family because they all live out of state. I am friends with several of my kids' teachers and I get school updates and can easily reach them if need be. I am friends with over 150 people from church and it keeps me in touch with their daily lives. I am friends with my friends and can easily check on them or invite them to parties. I am friends with old high school and junior high school buddies. I can see people I have known since I was 5 and see how they grew up and what their kids look like. I know which of my friends are going through a hard time, who is a Star Wars fan, what kind of music they listen to, what concerts they've been to, and who has sick kids. I can tell people funny things my kids say or if I have something I just have to get off my chest. I can share victories and sorrows. I can run into someone I don't see much and can ask them about their water leak in their bathroom or they can ask me how I did on the paper I posted aobut. I have no desire to reconnect with an old flame but it is fun to see pics of them all grown up. I am not interested in giving up my current friends but I do use FB to try to better my friendship with them. I use FB to tell my Spouse I love him or my teens that they are loved. I consider FB a friend.
How about you? Do you consider FB a friend or a foe? What other topics could you add? I have to say that I probably could have added more but I am a little distracted with American Idol. Who do you think should win?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Riding along in my automobile
I am feeling very nostalgic of late and I wanted to share some memories with you. My parents bought me a Geo Metro back in 1993 for my first "real car". It was burgandy and it had shiny plastic Geo rims. No AC, a dinky little radio that we replaced, and the tiniest engine known to man. I used to drive it down to Laurel to buy $10 worth of gas that would last all week. Dad and I put in a new radio and hung stereo speakers in the backseat with drywall screws. They used to fall off all the time, my friends knew to just stick them back up.
I loved that car. I would blast my cheesy music that only I liked and hang my elbow out the window like I was something. John Lennon sunglasses, wind blowing through my hair, singing Crash Test Dummies or Phantom of the Opera at the top of my lungs. My Junior year of HS I had a group of friends that I hung out with (ya'll know who you are) and we went all over in that car. We drove down to Savage Mills to hang out with a buddy, drove to school games, and down to the movies where my boyfriend worked. I took that same boyfriend down to SC for spring break one year. We drove down to my hometown, Greenwood, SC to visit all my friends. I remember his shock when we drove into town and passed a police car. It was one of those old Dukes of Hazzard cars with the single blue light on top. MD had upgraded to the Taurus at the time and he laughed his head off. He also thought all the pick up trucks were a little much but it was home to me : )
One summer, my sister, my cousin, and I drove to MI to visit family. We got out at one rest stop and one of my shiny plastic Geo rims was missing. I was sad but what could I do? It was gone. We stopped at another rest stop later and 2 more were missing. We laughed til we cried, driving my little ghetto Metro up to MI with one plastic rim. That rim stayed put til my senior year when my dad bought me a brand new set of shiny plastic rims.
I drove all over in that car. I drove to SC several times, to MI to visit family, to school, the movies, to visit friends, and to work. I used to put the little 2 year old that I watched in the back seat in his car seat and take him to the mall. My mom and I drove it to SC once and one of my contacts flew out of my eye at a gas station and she had to drive the rest of the way. She was so mad! I was just as mad, those contacts cost money and I had to have just one in the rest of the way home.
I got a speeding ticket once on the way home from SC, cop told me I was doing 85 in that little tiny car. I laughed in his face and told him No Way! It doesn't even do 80, it shakes so hard you can't steer it. He didn't see things my way and gave me a ticket. Meanie.
I got another ticket before that and wasn't all that suck upish then either. I got a ticket and had to go to DIP (driver improvement program). I was sitting there with all these grown men who had gotten DUI's and I decided no more speeding. (except that one from SC but that was a couple years later and I wasn't speeding)
I used to drive it to work in Columbia where I would call people during dinner and ask them who they were voting for in the upcoming election. I would walk over to Wawa and buy Mountain Dew and Reeses Pieces to eat while I called people and made them mad. Guess who I met at the Wawa? Yup, my Spouse! He was all smiley and cute and trying to hit on me. I thought he was a teenager so I let him. Little did I know he was old (jk spouse). Anyway, we hit it off well and things blossomed from there. I would drive the Metro to hang out at his house or go to the park and walk around. We would drive to Rock N Bowl til 3 am listening to Clarence Carter and bowling like we knew how.
We got pulled over once when I was humongous pregnant. I didn't hang my front license plate because there was no place to hang it. I would keep it in the backseat in case I ever got pulled over so I could show the cop I had it. The cop was really nice and told me that when we were done running our errands to find some way to hang it. No problem Officer! After our last stop, we were heading back to my house (to hang the license plate of course) when we got pulled over again. Miss Officer was not buying our story, attempted to pull a gun on us, thought my Tums case was a cocaine holder, and bullied her way through the entire stop. I had never been so harassed. But guess what? We hung that license plate!
All in all, my Geo Metro was a little egg shaped gift from heaven. If I ever have the opportunity, I will buy another one and drive it around, even if just to embarass my teenagers. I wish I had some pics of it but I don't think I do. What was your first car? Did you name it? What's your favorite memory?
I loved that car. I would blast my cheesy music that only I liked and hang my elbow out the window like I was something. John Lennon sunglasses, wind blowing through my hair, singing Crash Test Dummies or Phantom of the Opera at the top of my lungs. My Junior year of HS I had a group of friends that I hung out with (ya'll know who you are) and we went all over in that car. We drove down to Savage Mills to hang out with a buddy, drove to school games, and down to the movies where my boyfriend worked. I took that same boyfriend down to SC for spring break one year. We drove down to my hometown, Greenwood, SC to visit all my friends. I remember his shock when we drove into town and passed a police car. It was one of those old Dukes of Hazzard cars with the single blue light on top. MD had upgraded to the Taurus at the time and he laughed his head off. He also thought all the pick up trucks were a little much but it was home to me : )
One summer, my sister, my cousin, and I drove to MI to visit family. We got out at one rest stop and one of my shiny plastic Geo rims was missing. I was sad but what could I do? It was gone. We stopped at another rest stop later and 2 more were missing. We laughed til we cried, driving my little ghetto Metro up to MI with one plastic rim. That rim stayed put til my senior year when my dad bought me a brand new set of shiny plastic rims.
I drove all over in that car. I drove to SC several times, to MI to visit family, to school, the movies, to visit friends, and to work. I used to put the little 2 year old that I watched in the back seat in his car seat and take him to the mall. My mom and I drove it to SC once and one of my contacts flew out of my eye at a gas station and she had to drive the rest of the way. She was so mad! I was just as mad, those contacts cost money and I had to have just one in the rest of the way home.
I got a speeding ticket once on the way home from SC, cop told me I was doing 85 in that little tiny car. I laughed in his face and told him No Way! It doesn't even do 80, it shakes so hard you can't steer it. He didn't see things my way and gave me a ticket. Meanie.
I got another ticket before that and wasn't all that suck upish then either. I got a ticket and had to go to DIP (driver improvement program). I was sitting there with all these grown men who had gotten DUI's and I decided no more speeding. (except that one from SC but that was a couple years later and I wasn't speeding)
I used to drive it to work in Columbia where I would call people during dinner and ask them who they were voting for in the upcoming election. I would walk over to Wawa and buy Mountain Dew and Reeses Pieces to eat while I called people and made them mad. Guess who I met at the Wawa? Yup, my Spouse! He was all smiley and cute and trying to hit on me. I thought he was a teenager so I let him. Little did I know he was old (jk spouse). Anyway, we hit it off well and things blossomed from there. I would drive the Metro to hang out at his house or go to the park and walk around. We would drive to Rock N Bowl til 3 am listening to Clarence Carter and bowling like we knew how.
We got pulled over once when I was humongous pregnant. I didn't hang my front license plate because there was no place to hang it. I would keep it in the backseat in case I ever got pulled over so I could show the cop I had it. The cop was really nice and told me that when we were done running our errands to find some way to hang it. No problem Officer! After our last stop, we were heading back to my house (to hang the license plate of course) when we got pulled over again. Miss Officer was not buying our story, attempted to pull a gun on us, thought my Tums case was a cocaine holder, and bullied her way through the entire stop. I had never been so harassed. But guess what? We hung that license plate!
All in all, my Geo Metro was a little egg shaped gift from heaven. If I ever have the opportunity, I will buy another one and drive it around, even if just to embarass my teenagers. I wish I had some pics of it but I don't think I do. What was your first car? Did you name it? What's your favorite memory?
Friday, April 22, 2011
All for the Glory of God, right?
I had a very interesting conversation this week with a friend and thought I'd let ya'll in on it. We were discussing performing at church and she had a totally different viewpoint on it than I did. We were enlightening each other on our viewpoints. She felt that only talented people should get on stage and I disagreed. Here's how it went down:
She wanted to know if I was singing a special song for Easter and I told her no. She said she wanted to see me up on stage more often. I was flattered but it wasn't my decision. We began discussing talent and humility versus performance attitudes. When people perform at church, talent is certainly a factor, but the main reason is to give glory to God. Can we give glory even if we know we're good? Can we enjoy worship if we are musically trained? Should people who can't really sing perform a solo?
When I get up on stage at church to sing, whether it's a solo or in a group, I struggle each time to put my perspective on God. I am singing for His glory, He gave me the talent, I am not doing it to receive praise for myself. I have to tell myself that each time, over and over. I know I can sing and I know I'm pretty good. Is that pride? No, it's self awareness and confidence in my ability. When a pastor gives a wonderful sermon that stays in your memory, it is both the gifting of the Lord and their training to deliver it well. When the Lord gives us a talent, we should certainly train ourselves in it and do our best at it. I have an ability to sing, so I train to sing. I have a horrible attention span, I certainly wouldn't train to be a referee. Who has the ball? Where did it go? I have no idea, I was watching a butterfly fly around the field. My husband has the uncanny ability to focus all his attention on a game and he makes an excellent referee. Although he has a desire to sing, he's really not that good at it. He gives it all at karaoke or church, but it is not his gifting. Should he sing a solo at church? Probably not. But if he did get on stage and sang, giving glory to God who loves to hear him sing, why should we care? Can we enjoy hearing him perform knowing that his heart is in the right place? Sure! There are always going to be people who want to perform at church who aren't what we consider "good". But guess what? God does. God considers all of our praise music to His ears.
Church is not a concert. We aren't going to be entertained, we are going to be taught the Lord's word and find each and every way to give praise to Him. Each and every person who is on stage at church is a volunteer. They weren't sought out for their gifts, they asked to be up there. Most of them are musically trained and alot of them are music teachers. They show up at the crack of dawn (ok, 8:30, but still, it's early) to set up and practice. Sure we are not perfect, no performer is. But we are not there to be perfect, Jesus is the only one who can do that. We are there to lead the congregation in praise and worship, to bring ourselves as close to Him as we can.
Each church is full of volunteers and not all of them are working in their gifted area. I know nursery workers who aren't good with babies, Sunday school teachers who can't teach, parking attendants that can't even drive yet, and ushers who aren't always smiley. But guess what? They are there with a positive attitude and a willingness to serve. They are there with a heart full of love for their Lord. I also know people who are gifted in several areas and move around the church volunteering in different positions from year to year. I am a pretty good Sunday school teacher but I am not currently teaching. I wanted to hold babies, and guess what, I am pretty good at that too. I would also like to be a greeter someday because I am pretty smiley and I like to meet new people. I do NOT want to be a pastor, a sound tech, or a parking attendant. If the Lord put me in those positions, I would do them happily, but probably not very well. The Bible says, Whatever we do, do it for the glory of God. It doesn't say, whatever we do WELL, do it for the glory of God.
What do you think? Should only "good" singers sing on stage? Should people try out different things even if they aren't good at it? Can we serve the Lord with humility even if we know we are good at something? Tell me your thoughts.
*edit*
I just wanted to be clear that I think each church has the responsibility to put people where they are the most talented in the church and to be doing their utmost to make the service peaceful and beautiful. Singers should be singing, teachers teaching, guardians guarding, etc. I do think if you can or have the opportunity, to try serving in new ways at your church. I don't think any Joe Blow should be singing solos, I just don't feel that you have to have a degree in something to do it at church. I hope that's more clear : ) I do agree with my first 2 commenters and that's what prompted the "edit".
She wanted to know if I was singing a special song for Easter and I told her no. She said she wanted to see me up on stage more often. I was flattered but it wasn't my decision. We began discussing talent and humility versus performance attitudes. When people perform at church, talent is certainly a factor, but the main reason is to give glory to God. Can we give glory even if we know we're good? Can we enjoy worship if we are musically trained? Should people who can't really sing perform a solo?
When I get up on stage at church to sing, whether it's a solo or in a group, I struggle each time to put my perspective on God. I am singing for His glory, He gave me the talent, I am not doing it to receive praise for myself. I have to tell myself that each time, over and over. I know I can sing and I know I'm pretty good. Is that pride? No, it's self awareness and confidence in my ability. When a pastor gives a wonderful sermon that stays in your memory, it is both the gifting of the Lord and their training to deliver it well. When the Lord gives us a talent, we should certainly train ourselves in it and do our best at it. I have an ability to sing, so I train to sing. I have a horrible attention span, I certainly wouldn't train to be a referee. Who has the ball? Where did it go? I have no idea, I was watching a butterfly fly around the field. My husband has the uncanny ability to focus all his attention on a game and he makes an excellent referee. Although he has a desire to sing, he's really not that good at it. He gives it all at karaoke or church, but it is not his gifting. Should he sing a solo at church? Probably not. But if he did get on stage and sang, giving glory to God who loves to hear him sing, why should we care? Can we enjoy hearing him perform knowing that his heart is in the right place? Sure! There are always going to be people who want to perform at church who aren't what we consider "good". But guess what? God does. God considers all of our praise music to His ears.
Church is not a concert. We aren't going to be entertained, we are going to be taught the Lord's word and find each and every way to give praise to Him. Each and every person who is on stage at church is a volunteer. They weren't sought out for their gifts, they asked to be up there. Most of them are musically trained and alot of them are music teachers. They show up at the crack of dawn (ok, 8:30, but still, it's early) to set up and practice. Sure we are not perfect, no performer is. But we are not there to be perfect, Jesus is the only one who can do that. We are there to lead the congregation in praise and worship, to bring ourselves as close to Him as we can.
Each church is full of volunteers and not all of them are working in their gifted area. I know nursery workers who aren't good with babies, Sunday school teachers who can't teach, parking attendants that can't even drive yet, and ushers who aren't always smiley. But guess what? They are there with a positive attitude and a willingness to serve. They are there with a heart full of love for their Lord. I also know people who are gifted in several areas and move around the church volunteering in different positions from year to year. I am a pretty good Sunday school teacher but I am not currently teaching. I wanted to hold babies, and guess what, I am pretty good at that too. I would also like to be a greeter someday because I am pretty smiley and I like to meet new people. I do NOT want to be a pastor, a sound tech, or a parking attendant. If the Lord put me in those positions, I would do them happily, but probably not very well. The Bible says, Whatever we do, do it for the glory of God. It doesn't say, whatever we do WELL, do it for the glory of God.
What do you think? Should only "good" singers sing on stage? Should people try out different things even if they aren't good at it? Can we serve the Lord with humility even if we know we are good at something? Tell me your thoughts.
*edit*
I just wanted to be clear that I think each church has the responsibility to put people where they are the most talented in the church and to be doing their utmost to make the service peaceful and beautiful. Singers should be singing, teachers teaching, guardians guarding, etc. I do think if you can or have the opportunity, to try serving in new ways at your church. I don't think any Joe Blow should be singing solos, I just don't feel that you have to have a degree in something to do it at church. I hope that's more clear : ) I do agree with my first 2 commenters and that's what prompted the "edit".
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Plans
How many of you have made a plan only to see it fall apart piece by piece? Or told everyone you possibly could of something you were planning only to have it not come to fruition? I do it all the time. I mean, all the time. I have big plans and then I either don't follow through or the plans change. Within the last year I was reading through James (my favorite Bible book) and I read a verse that stumped me for a sec. James 4:13-17 says, "Now listen you who say (he was talking to me), "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.""
I had never thought of making plans as bragging. Do I know what tomorrow brings? Absolutely not! How many times have I made plans to go somewhere, clean something, meet a friend, and not been able to do those things because of a situation that has come up? I wasn't even thinking about the Lord's will, only my own. I give no thought to God when I am making my plans, I don't think about what He wants to put in my day. I just selfishly fill my days with whatever I want to do. God gets his 10 minutes in the morning and the rest of the day is Mine, All Mine! Bwahahaha!
I know we modern day Christians try to fit in with the rest of the world as best we can because the rest of the world already thinks we're freaks. If we start speaking Christianese, we're just going to get more outcast. If we all start sentences with "If it's the Lord's will..." we are going to get some funny looks! Maybe we could find a way to change the way we speak so that it honors God and doesn't make us look weird. Unless looking weird is your thing... I like saying, "My plan, if God wills it, is... Or my plan is to..." I'm still working on it though, I forget sometimes.
Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." I don't think the Lord wants us to stop making plans, He just wants us to include Him and make room for what He may plan. People ask me all the time why I have 6 kids. I tell them that I only planned 2 of them, the Lord planned the other 4. I may have had my "plans" but God knew what was going to be best for me.
How about you? What plans did you have that God changed? How was your attitude when the plans changed?
I had never thought of making plans as bragging. Do I know what tomorrow brings? Absolutely not! How many times have I made plans to go somewhere, clean something, meet a friend, and not been able to do those things because of a situation that has come up? I wasn't even thinking about the Lord's will, only my own. I give no thought to God when I am making my plans, I don't think about what He wants to put in my day. I just selfishly fill my days with whatever I want to do. God gets his 10 minutes in the morning and the rest of the day is Mine, All Mine! Bwahahaha!
I know we modern day Christians try to fit in with the rest of the world as best we can because the rest of the world already thinks we're freaks. If we start speaking Christianese, we're just going to get more outcast. If we all start sentences with "If it's the Lord's will..." we are going to get some funny looks! Maybe we could find a way to change the way we speak so that it honors God and doesn't make us look weird. Unless looking weird is your thing... I like saying, "My plan, if God wills it, is... Or my plan is to..." I'm still working on it though, I forget sometimes.
Proverbs 19:21 says, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." I don't think the Lord wants us to stop making plans, He just wants us to include Him and make room for what He may plan. People ask me all the time why I have 6 kids. I tell them that I only planned 2 of them, the Lord planned the other 4. I may have had my "plans" but God knew what was going to be best for me.
How about you? What plans did you have that God changed? How was your attitude when the plans changed?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Alas fair youth, I knew you well...
Well folks, I am officially a grown up. No longer can I pretend I am young and fresh. I always wondered what I would feel like when It actually happened. What happened you ask? I found a gray hair. (I'll calmly sit and let you all pat me on the back and tell me it's okay while the song I'll Be There plays in the background) I did always wonder how I would react when I finally found one. Well, I had a freakout moment. I couldn't believe my eyes and I plucked it out and ran downstairs to show my husband who had very little pity. He assured me it wasn't a gray hair but I'm not buying it. I plucked a regular hair and you could clearly see the difference not only in color but in thickness. My gray hair is going to be thick! The next day I obsessively combed through my hair and found 2 more. I plucked one and left the other in as proof for all thouse doubters out there (cough cough Spouse).
I know the Bible talks about gray hair being a crown of wisdom or something but I am not wise enough to pull that off just yet. I am going to pick my battles but I am going to fight the Age Battle. I'm going to start by carefully picking the color I am going to start dyeing my hair. I'm currently a very subtle red and I like it but it's not a permanent dye. I may try a few more non-permanent colors before I make my decision. Suggestions are welcome.
I will be fighting aging but not in a weird way. I don't want to be one of those 40somethings with too much make up, a mini skirt, platform sandals, and too much jewelry. I don't want to compete with my teenagers. As my friend says, "Teenagers win every time" and it is so true. There are limits to the Age Battle. I want to look my age but in a beautiful way. I don't want to be in my mid 30's with gray hair, I'm just not ready.
I recently tried buying an over the counter "wrinkle reducer" by a reputable company. I went on their website and they happily told me that if I just bought these 15 daily use products my face would look glowy and youthful. I bought the 3 basics and figured I would give it a try. Wellllll, it took the top layer of my skin off and left me feeling like a dragon and looking sunburned for several days. I gave that battle up after less than a week!
What makes me feel the most young is that I feel young. Inside, I feel happy and bubbly and silly and it just flows out of me. My husband is infatuated with me and who wouldn't want to see that look coming at ya every chance you could? Seeing the look in his eyes makes me feel like a teenager all over again. When I'm at college, people look surprised when I say I have 6 kids and my oldest is 15; they think I'm only 20. I like looking young but not at the expense of my health. I'll start with dyeing my hair and see where that takes me : )
I know several women who aren't fighting the battle at all and more power to them. I also know some people who are fighting to the death. How about you? What "age" moment caught you off guard? What are you doing to fight, if anything? What hair color should I start with?
I know the Bible talks about gray hair being a crown of wisdom or something but I am not wise enough to pull that off just yet. I am going to pick my battles but I am going to fight the Age Battle. I'm going to start by carefully picking the color I am going to start dyeing my hair. I'm currently a very subtle red and I like it but it's not a permanent dye. I may try a few more non-permanent colors before I make my decision. Suggestions are welcome.
I will be fighting aging but not in a weird way. I don't want to be one of those 40somethings with too much make up, a mini skirt, platform sandals, and too much jewelry. I don't want to compete with my teenagers. As my friend says, "Teenagers win every time" and it is so true. There are limits to the Age Battle. I want to look my age but in a beautiful way. I don't want to be in my mid 30's with gray hair, I'm just not ready.
I recently tried buying an over the counter "wrinkle reducer" by a reputable company. I went on their website and they happily told me that if I just bought these 15 daily use products my face would look glowy and youthful. I bought the 3 basics and figured I would give it a try. Wellllll, it took the top layer of my skin off and left me feeling like a dragon and looking sunburned for several days. I gave that battle up after less than a week!
What makes me feel the most young is that I feel young. Inside, I feel happy and bubbly and silly and it just flows out of me. My husband is infatuated with me and who wouldn't want to see that look coming at ya every chance you could? Seeing the look in his eyes makes me feel like a teenager all over again. When I'm at college, people look surprised when I say I have 6 kids and my oldest is 15; they think I'm only 20. I like looking young but not at the expense of my health. I'll start with dyeing my hair and see where that takes me : )
I know several women who aren't fighting the battle at all and more power to them. I also know some people who are fighting to the death. How about you? What "age" moment caught you off guard? What are you doing to fight, if anything? What hair color should I start with?
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