dear emily,
i received a facebook message from a woman that my grandmother used to
mentor 40 years ago. she reminded me from whence i came, of my godly
heritage, thereby encouraging me to step it up a little. after i recovered
from the shame, i re'ass'essed. (that little word is in the bible.)
it is good to stop and reflect on the state of one's condition. mine has been
better . . . and worse. it is harmful to compare oneself with others, though.
as i serf blogland, many seem to be putting on a very good show: amazing
recipes, breathtaking interior designs, incredibly gifted children, bionic
husbands! can all these women's lives really be that wonderful?
well, mine's not. i think more of us are like lucy than bree.
if i sometimes seem flippant, it's because i am more eager to show my warts
than my lashes. (my warts actually look better than my lashes.) my prayer
is that when you see my frailties, you will be encouraged to think, "if that
crazy old coot could raise a family, well then, SO can i!"
and you're doing a much better job than i did.
love,
lea
"let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1 corinthians 1:31
i received a facebook message from a woman that my grandmother used to
mentor 40 years ago. she reminded me from whence i came, of my godly
heritage, thereby encouraging me to step it up a little. after i recovered
from the shame, i re'ass'essed. (that little word is in the bible.)
it is good to stop and reflect on the state of one's condition. mine has been
better . . . and worse. it is harmful to compare oneself with others, though.
as i serf blogland, many seem to be putting on a very good show: amazing
recipes, breathtaking interior designs, incredibly gifted children, bionic
husbands! can all these women's lives really be that wonderful?
well, mine's not. i think more of us are like lucy than bree.
if i sometimes seem flippant, it's because i am more eager to show my warts
than my lashes. (my warts actually look better than my lashes.) my prayer
is that when you see my frailties, you will be encouraged to think, "if that
crazy old coot could raise a family, well then, SO can i!"
and you're doing a much better job than i did.
love,
lea
"let him who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1 corinthians 1:31
29 comments:
Thank you for your visit, where does the time fly to? Such a good post - I too have been blessed with a godly heritage and need a kick in the pants at times. Thanks for the reminder to keep fighting the good fight of faith!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Mimi
So sorry that happened to you. I of course when speaking of myself, know all about the white washed tomb that is me. I am always polishing the outside of the cup. Jesus knows really what I am.
I think sometimes people chide us without looking to see deeper. Some times we put on a good front to cover the fear that is always trying to get out.
I have never seen any thing you might describe about yourself.
I always see lovely Lea.
You are such an encourager, Lea! In being yourself and using the gifts that God gave you, you are beyond compare.:)
Good heavens! What was such a gal thinking? Tsk, tsk, tend to thy own garden, Ma'am. In a word, she has no clue how much good you speak into the world. Perhaps she was just having a rough day...
Why do people feel **compelled** to criticize and not encourage? Especially other Christians...? Lea, my heart feels for you; my mother read me the riot act a couple of weeks ago; told me I was bitter and angry.
HELLO! You bet, there are days the grief is simply so overwhelming, bitter and angry are the only reasons to get out of bed.
Then, there are the good days and praise God for them. I've had several lately, thank God!
I thought we could be honest with family; stupid me, eh?
Just today, I thanked God for not only loving me but liking me; no, not my faults, though He forgives those but He likes me too.
Bless His name forever!
As to she who chastised you; can she really afford to cast stones?
I think not.
oh dear! once again, i have not told the tale quite right.
the sweet lady wasn't criticizing me, just encouraging
me!
It is often good to recall our Godly heritage. However, I don't recommend using it as a measuring tool. God works with each of us in our own time and in His own way. If Mother Teresa was my aunt, that in no way means I will be a missionary in India. That was her ministry (and a most wonderful one at that).
So... take a breath and blow those words away with a breath of kindness.
=D You will have more blog fodder from this one, Lea. Perhaps something along the lines of how easily one can be misunderstood.
I share your inclination to be honest about my warts, too! And I bet I have more than YOU do :)
I appreciate this post, Lea.
When I look back on my youthful self a see a more passionate Christian. When I look through the eyes of my youth I remember amazing older Christian ladies that seemed so calm and wise. When I ponder this today I think it is time I stepped up to become on of them.
I can identify with this so much. I think I try to present the "good" side soo much as to not cause anyone to stumble. And yet sometimes there seems to be such an abundance of those who appear to have it all together ALWAYS that I wonder what in the world I am doing wrong. I try to present the "real" side of things to encourage others that even as full of warts (haha) as I am, the Lord IS sufficient. But it is time to
step it up"!! I am ALWAYS encouraged here. And hear great wisdom. And look forward to your next post. Have a wonderful Sunday! HUGS
Well God has me on "reality check"...which is really a high mileage check up...it was over due and about time. It isn't comfortable but it is allowing Him to show me my heart and some practical things I need to do about it
Comparison..oh my, I wish I could learn not to...but boasting in the Lord...YES, YES...so that He is lifted up I will show my warts also.
You are a doll...always lifting toward the Lord and His ways and challenging us in our walk
joan: i think you are doing a wonderful job.
i adore you!! and if my children end up half as brilliant as yours, i shall live out the rest of my days on mimosas. (except i can't because then the rest of my days would be lived out in rehab and/or jail).
seriously though, yes to your first paragraph. i get that... and with the emergence of things like pinterest and whatnot, the comparison can be endless... and as i told a friend who recently remarked that she was the "baby christian" and had the furthest to go: "you are comparing yourself to what you think we are... there is so much that goes unseen." and truly, i try to write from that place... even if it is edgy, or irreverent or ugly or raw... because i value the truth more than a lie.
your words are a lamp to my feet. i never think of you as a "coot". i think, man, someday i'd like to grow up and be as gracious and wonderful and welcoming as lea.
you are loved!
(sorry, i had to delete the first one. i saw a typo and i just can't live with that.) :)
Who wants to be perfect and flawless and hated? Give me a regular person anytime!
Well "crazy old coot" is probably not something I would ever thought to call you :-)
Your darling dtr, is a testimony to what a wonderful person you are.
~Cinnamon
I don't watch that show, but I've heard of those characters. I know what you mean, though. It's a dangerous thing to compare our lives with anyone but Jesus.
I don't have good heritage. My family and the home I grew up in couldn't be more dysfunctional. However, by God's grace, I can pass something different onto my kids and their kids. The badness will have to stop with this generation.
I can sooo relate to this post! Thank you for the transparency.
anne: i love that! "the badness will have to
stop with that generation!"
Great post! I always maintain that we don't really know a person's character until we live with them — which is obviously impossible. You are so right about the appearances of a perfect life, hunky husband, angelic children... My life is far from perfect which leaves lots of room for God's grace. And I have made focused efforts to be transparent since I don't feel facades don't help anyone. Have a blessed day!
This is a great posting I have read. I like your article. Thank you
oh so true Lea... even now, in the joy of their new baby girl, our kids are finding out that it's not a tv storybook life... pink and blue bundles come with birth pangs for the parents as well, in the creation of this new family. And yet, there is grace enough for all of us... amazing!
A thought provoking post Lea! Thank you.
A Godly Heritage! What a compliment you have been given. You are definitely carrying on that heritage with your encouraging posts. Sometimes I think we forget where we come from and get so caught up in the world.
You have definitely set the bar for future generations with your legacy. I know the legacy that was set before me, and it is such a challenge to rise up and meet it when so much "stuff" is constantly bombarding you. You do encourage many and I thank you for it. =)
I have been given a Godly heritage, too, and I need to step it up myself. Thanks for a timely reminder here! and Thanks for your encouragement!
I totally understand where you are coming with this post. I was having a conversation the other day with this lady about this exact thing. I don't want any pretense in my life either...we all have work to do...room for improvement...always!
Before I got married, I remember my mother making a comment at my bridal shower... "I really prayed that Elaine would find a guy who saw her for who she is, warts and all."
Thank goodness I was able to conceal a few prior to the nuptials; otherwise, he might not have been waiting for me at the end of the aisle.
peace~elaine
loved this post lea! you're so sweet and funny...and i am blessed every time i visit your blog :)
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