Resolution V/S Inventory

This year, I decided not to make new year resolutions. The reason, I have noticed that most of my resolutions are not realistic, either some come back every year or I always feel guilty about those I cannot fulfill … So, I chose to do an inventory!

An inventory takes stock of what we have and what we don’t have. Grocery stores, factories, all kind of businesses take inventories. They can even be taken of human spirit, right? How about taking a spiritual inventory?

Let’s begin by looking at what we have. Friends? Responsibilities? Deep feelings? Hobbies? Intelligence? Children? The list can go on! Taking inventory of our possessions, talents and relationships seldom turns up anything unexpected. But, let’s pause here and beware of a danger: sometimes taking inventory of what we do have can actually lead to pride; we begin to think: “hey I’m doing all right!”

The surprise comes when we tally up what we’re missing. Security? Happiness? contentment? Patience? Trust? Peace? Now, what do I do when I discover that my “don’t have’s” outweigh my “have’s” without feeling guilty or stress?

Well, as for me, I can finally recognize my true state before God. How can I move forward if I don’t see and admit what hinders me! While we might imagine ourselves to be spiritually “wealthy,” we are, in fact, bankrupt before God. When we pretend otherwise, we are being deluded by pride. Does this make you uncomfortable? If you’re a Christian like me, talk to God about it (He’ll never judge your feelings) and put Him in control of all that you lack, that you need to improve or change.

For my non-Christian friends, talk to someone you trust, someone who will be honest with you on your “don’t have’s” and help you in the process. Sometimes, we are surprised to discover that when we share with God or ask someone else, our resolutions list is way far from what we really need to improve or change right now or in this year 2016.

I hope you’ll choose God to reveal to you what you lack. Have a great week!

 

 

 

Advertisement

Label Your Light!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We can feel Christmas everywhere. Beside the commercial excitement, you can also see how people decorate inside and outside their house. The big give away is lights covering most of our neighborhood homes and yards, so beautiful, so colorful, shining and bright, eye blinding ones, and even some crazy decorations. Why so much work?

Honestly, we felt left out and were thinking to do the same with our house. Then I began to think: why would we want to spend that much money on decorations and then risk my boys’ life climbing on a ladder just for what: Christmas feeling? Showing off our decoration skills and how beautiful our home is? I’m not saying it’s necessary a bad thing. But, by asking myself those questions, I evaluated my motives and started thinking about focusing on the kind of light I’d rather be shining during Christmas time. So, what kind of light am I?

Am I a CANDLE? Do I light up the room with myself, but am I vulnerable to other influences that might snuff out my flame?

Am I a FLOODLIGHT? Do I shine so strongly in people’s eyes that they are blinded rather than enabled to see?

Am I a FLASHLIGHT? Do I click on only in emergencies?

Am I a CHANDELIER? Do I shine with beauty and make those around me look better?

Now, my friend, what is your reasons to decorate your home and how can you reflect that on yourself? What kind of LIGHT are you? How can you shine during this Christmas time, more effectively in your neighborhood, in your world?

Label your Light!

Luke 8:16-18

 

The ExTrA in the Ordinary

Believe me or not, it’s been a year now I’m trying to find  a job in teaching (my passion): a paid position or as volunteer. Now, believe me or not, it seems like all the doors stay closed, a very complicated paper work vicious circle…!

What on earth would someone with 4 kids and a lot to do at home be so desperate to find an extra work? Well, I guess my life was becoming too ORDINARY and needed an EXTRA…! Can you think of a place where life is more ordinary than home? Come on, I am not talking about those extra things you do to make your home vibrant.

What about the ordinary stuff like, cleaning, vacuuming, laundries, cooking every day, eating familiar food and discussing routine subjects. As we complete one stack of dishes, another one piles up. Each week we return to music lessons, Cheerleading, football training, help with homework and wash mounds of clothes (in our case, for 6 people) and realizing it is the same clothes I washed just the week or the day before: ordinary life!

As monotonous as such everyday patterns can be, I realize there is an upside to their repetition. A predictable, you-can-count-on it home life provides security that can carry us through even the most difficult days.

It is comforting to hear my husband saying how thankful and bless he is to know that he can be away for days for his work knowing and trusting that the house will be taken good care of (he is away right now for his work.) It is good to know that the kids will come through the door about 3:30 pm for the girls and 4:10 for the boys with that joyful look in their eyes, they thrive when they know their mom will be there, ready to help handle the day’s events. Not to mention hugs and compliments they give me when they find a clean house and their favorite snack ready…

Finally, my friends, finding the EXTRA in the ORDINARY at home means looking beneath the boring surface of the mundane and discovering that it’s a blessing to be a stay home mom for my dear and love ones!

Now, if this doesn’t apply to you but you somehow complain about any monotonous, boring or ordinary situation you’re in, may be there’s something to take here!

As for me, I choose to enjoying my EXTRAORDINARY home life, not every mom have that chance!

 

 

 

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk ‘s office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. 

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

‘What I mean is, ‘ explained the recorder,
‘do you have a job or are you just a ..?’

‘Of course I have a job,’ snapped the woman. 
‘I’m a Mom.’

‘We don’t list ‘Mom’ as an occupation, ‘housewife’ covers it,’ Said the recorder emphatically. 

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.   

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high-sounding title like, ‘Official Interrogator’ or ‘Town Registrar.’ 

‘What is your occupation?’ she probed
What made me say it?  I do not know.   
The words simply popped out.
‘I’m a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations.’

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.   

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. 

‘Might I ask,’ said the clerk with new interest,
‘just what you do in your field?’  

Me & Them 😉

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
‘I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn’t)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.’

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.  
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more

distinguished and indispensable to mankind than ‘just another Mom.’

Motherhood!   

What a glorious career!   
Especially when there’s a title on the door.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL OF YOU!

May your troubles be less,

Your blessings be more,

And nothing but happiness come through your door !

She was a Forgiver!