What trips us up?

Have you ever had a broken bone before?  I broke my pinky finger one time in elementary school.  It was in a splint for a bit, then once the finger healed, the splint came off.  Much like a cast, once the bone heals, the splint comes off.  However, what happens immediately after the cast or splint is removed?  We continue to act like the bone is still broken.  I know for me, it took me a while to get used to the idea of my finger being healed, as it had been in a splint for so long I grew accustomed & comfortable with that.  I don't remember how long it took to get used to the idea of being able to bend my finger again, get it wet in the shower again, etc.  But I know I didn't act like it was healed right away.

It's like our dishwasher.  For a few weeks, the top rack has had this issue.  The rack would be lopsided in there & we would have to pop it back into place.  So, every time I used the dishwasher, I got used to popping the rack into place.  The dishwasher repair man came by today & fixed the top rack - hooray!  But, what happened tonight when I was loading the dishwasher?  Yup, I tried to fix the top rack even though it had been fixed.  Which got me thinking about us.....

What areas of our lives has God healed us from or fixed in us that we continue to live like they are still broken?  "Who the Son sets free is free indeed."  {John 8:35}  Why do we not live like we are free?  What trips us up from the freedom that is given {freely}?  What is it about our bondage?  Is it comfortable?  Is it our identity?  Is it a crutch?  It is an excuse?  Fear?  What is holding us back from the true freedom we are all offered?  It is there waiting for us, we just have to receive it & go for it!  {If you have questions about this, please let me know....would love to help if I can.}

How do we not sweat the small stuff?

Ok, I admit it...I sweat the small stuff all the time.  I mean, really, does it matter if my counter is clean before I leave the house in the morning?  Apparently to me, it does.  I'm not sure why, but it is one of those things that I sweat.  I've been reflecting on the small stuff I sweat daily & how none of it really matters.  I mean, at the end of the day, what matters is my family is loved, I have been present with them, I have connected with Jesus, lead them to Jesus in some way & our basic needs are met.   If the laundry isn't done or if the house isn't spotless, does it really matter?  What will my kids remember about me or their childhood when they are grown?  I don't think it will be clean counters.....

Today, at our church, we had a phenomenal speaker, Robert Rogers.  (mightyintheland.com)  The short story is in  2003 a flash flood washed their vehicle off of the highway, and Robert Rogers lost his wife and four children.  Yet, he didn't lose his faith.  This man knows Jesus, His Word, believes Him & lives for Him.  It was remarkable.  I feel like after hearing him speak, I have a new perspective on my life.  So many times I wonder should I work, am I raising my kids right, am I doing the best I can, is my house clean enough, am I doing this or that right?  And, really, does it matter?  Does any of these things that I spend my time, money & energy doing matter?  Is it worth getting caught up in?  Some of it yes, & some of it no.    Hearing someone who lost his whole family & almost his own life absolutely made me re think my life & what my "struggles" are.  It has been a very convicting, thought provoking day.  I'm sure the thoughts will continue to marinate as the week goes on.

Thank you, Lord, for this great life.  It hasn't been easy, but thank You that You are always with us.  Thank You that You work all things together for our good.  Thank You for blessing me with a great husband & 2 blessings we get to raise.  Thank You for working in our lives.  Thank You for loving us & giving Yourself for us.  ~ Amen

Holistic Living....

I mentioned earlier that I think God is a holistic God.  I absolutely do believe that.  I think He did create things for our good & our benefit & our enjoyment, but like most things, somewhere along the way, have gotten corrupted.  For example, our food sources.  This is one example of something meant for good that has been corrupted.  (I'm referring to the use of pesticides, GMOs, artificial this & that, processing, etc.)  By & large, food can be good, we just need to be responsible for knowing what we put into our bodies & where it came from.

Our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit, so I think it is our responsibility to take care of them!  Know where what you put in & on your body is coming from.  Exercise, drink plenty of water & lots of good, healthy foods.  Take supplements, if need be.  But be well, for when we are well, we can better serve those around us.  I think being well means taking care of our minds too....renewing our minds & keeping ourselves "fed."

Be well, friends.

The disconnect....

Hi all!  So, I've been thinking a lot about our faith & what it means to be a Christian.  Wow, that is a lot of thinking.  But, if being a Christian means being a Christ follower, it means believing His Word is true, right?  And, if you are living a certain way & following someone (Christ), wouldn't you live according to that Word?  It seems to me that it is so easy to get caught up in life & all we have going on that we are not really people of the Word.  Sure, we go to church, maybe Sunday school, might be in a small group, maybe read our Bibles & pray, but are we really living this thing out?  Do we really live like the Bible is true & like we believe it?

A couple of times over the past few weeks, I have been with other believers & noticed this disconnect.  For example, in a prayer meeting, heard someone say "God, if you can."  Wait a minute!  Doesn't God say  He is the I am?  That with Him, ALL things are possible?  Why are we putting Him in a box, asking Him if He can?  Of course He can, He is God!  We can't, but He can!!!  We can ask Him to do it if it is His will & part of His good plan for us, He may chose not to, but He certainly can if it is His will.

The other event was hearing another Christian woman say that diet coke & chocolate is a good diet.  I had to chuckle a little, because I have been there.  I'm convinced God is a holistic God who cares about us & every facet of our lives, including what we eat.  She proceeded to talk about how she couldn't avoid a treat one night.  I have a sweet tooth, so I understand that one, but also know that God has given us self control for our good.  (I'm not trying to sound judgmental here at all, I promise!)  I just am more aware of the disconnect between what the Word says & what we tell ourselves.

My example is with my kids.  For some reason I have a short fuse (I am working on it), so my ability to become angry is something I'm aware of & working on.  However, for me to tell them that God has given them self control & we need to be kind to each other & then go off & yell at them is a disconnect.  It sends them mixed messages.  Much the way we as Christians can send mixed messages.  Either we believe the Bible & try to live according to it, or we don't.  Thoughts?

Here we go...what chaps my hide!

As promised, I said a few days ago I would share what "chaps my hide."  Well, here it is....there are a few, but this one currently has been bugging me.  Our food sources aren't safe!  I know it sounds a little nutty, but when you think about all the junk that goes into most of the foods we eat, no wonder we are an unhealthy, obese nation!  So much of our food has been so processed with chemicals, additives, dyes, etc. & all the nutritional value has been taken out.  It is disgusting.  I am appalled that we can go into a grocery store & buy things that are making us sick & it is legal!  We think that because it is at the grocery store, it is safe. WRONG!

I have been on this journey of clean eating, whole foods, etc. for about a year now, maybe a little longer.  The more I learn the more appalled I am at all of it!  The more I know, the more disgusted I am.  I just read this today - First, let’s define gluten.  Gluten is the protein portion of the wheat kernel.  It is also the hardest protein to digest and process.  Gluten now makes up about 26% of the kernel compared to 3% just 30 years ago, due to the hybridization of wheat. So, when you eat two slices of bread today, it yields about the same gluten equivalent as 17 slices did back in 1980. (source and excellent article)  {Thank you, Jenni Hufford, I borrowed that from your blog!}  

As you may or may not know, Lauren has wheat & dairy allergies.  She also doesn't do well with food dyes.  We have also taken wheat & dairy out of Landons diet & the behavior changes have been telling.  I also recently discovered I have wheat & dairy allergies.  Food that I thought was good for us was actually making us more sick.  {I'm not saying wheat & dairy as a whole are bad....just know where it is coming from & what may have been added to it.}  As a result, I have been making food from scratch, knowing where our food comes from before buying {I get a lot from azurestandard.com, vitacost.com, greenpolkadotbox.com {I think} & the health mart at our local grocery store. 

If the saying "you are what you eat," is true, we are a very unhealthy people.  If you are looking for ways to get started, I encourage checking out JJ Virgin's "The Virgin Diet" book.  It is a great starting place - lots of meal plans, recipes, etc.

Don't even get me started on the amount of sugar in everything......

Thankful heart....

Hi all, I just want to say how thankful I am for my college sorority sisters.  One of our sisters was diagnosed with cancer, shortly after her husband was also diagnosed.  They have 2 littles as well, & other things going on in their lives.  Feel free to read her story here: http://www.gofundme.com/1yvbnk?pc=fb_cr

It really touched my heart to see so many Purdue DG's posting this on their walls to support Holly.  Man, I miss these girls.  They are just good people, you know?  All of them are busy with their own lives, families, careers, etc. yet they took time out to share with a sister in need.   My heart is touched by those who have posted, donated & prayed for Holly & her family.  Funny thing is I haven't seen many of these girls in 13 years, yet we are connected.  And, we will always be connected because of our time at 303 Waldron.  Thanks girls for keeping on "doing good."  I'm honored to be your sister.

ITB,
Melissa

You know what "chaps my hide?"

Yes, "chaps my hide" is a phrase a local friend uses & I'm borrowing.  She is from SD so maybe it is a true SD phrase?  Stay tuned for more info on what it is that chaps my hide....I need to ponder a bit more before putting it into words......

And, we are back...

I would just like to say that while we had a wonderful vacation, coming back is hard!  Reality is hard.....cleaning house, laundry, cooking dinner, grocery shopping, raising 2 kids, it is tiring!  I am ready to go back to the beach!  I'm kind of kidding...it is wonderful to be home & see the kids.  It is nice to be home, but I wish I didn't have the responsibilities that go with it!  Oh well, I'm sure once we are back longer, I will acclimate again, right?! :)