Queenies Little Kingdom

I’ve been reading about the amazing lives of some incredible missionaries…..  Adoniram Judson, Lottie Moon & William Wallace.  I can’t tell you how inspiring it is to peek into a life such as theirs.  My own troubles seem so stinkin small when I read what they did and endured for the sake of the gospel.  I am a pathetic worm of a Christian….when compared.  Which leads me to something I’ve been thinking about lately….comparison!

I see it everywhere.  At school, church and even while I meander through my normal day.  Everyone in some way or another is comparing themselves to another.  I’ve done it, too.  No one wants to be less than….so we build ourselves up.  We look at the person dressed poorly and say to ourselves….”Hmm, glad I didn’t come out dressed like that!”.  Or take it another step….we elevate ourselves spiritually.  We compare our walk with someone who’s not in the best spiritual condition.   It helps us feel better about our own complacency as a follower.

Over the course of my life…..I’ve had many humbling moments.  I’ve also experienced great triumphs and felt proud of myself.  As follower’s, I think each of us would agree that…..life is just that way.  Sometimes we’re up at the top and other’s we’re somewhere else.  How else can God use us?  He needs us to be where He needs us to be when He needs us to be there.  You know?  I just want to be willing and obedient.  I can’t sit around comparing my gifts or talents with someone else until I miss my opportunity to do whatever it is God has for me.

I want to be the best me I can be.  I want to love God and serve Him completely (in spite of whatever else is going on around me).  I want to be the best wife and mother that I CAN BE (not falling in the trap of guilt and failure that I so often do as a wife/mom).  I want to shine at work and to let that glow touch those that I come into contact with everyday (stop worrying about what the job crisis is).  I want to be a friend that loves at all times (….love one another!).

If you’re someone who sizes other’s up….STOP!  It’s not helping you become a better you.  As a matter of fact, it’s hindering you from moving ahead.  Try focusing on the great qualities in those around you….and encourage them to be even better than what they already are.  You’ll be surprised at how inspiring it will be to your own life agenda.

To get a little boost in your outlook…..read about people who have given it all just to share God’s love with someone.  You’ll see your own life much differently.  I promise!

Am I the only one……having a day that will go down in trainwreck history? I literally feel like I’m spiraling down into a stress oblivion! Crazy stuff keeps happening! I seriously can’t take another thing!

My girls have been arguing! To the point of physical fighting. YES, I SAID FIGHTING! I cannot tell you how crazy that makes me. Who answers their problems with physical violence? Savages? Yes! Have we reached that point? Obviously!

I’m thinking of running away!

Ally had a student council meeting after school (the teacher said a 30 minute meeting). Around 40 minutes later, she sent me a text that they were still going strong. I decided I would go walk with my friend for exercise and make good use of my waiting time. We get half-way around the school building and I get another text (meet me at the car, I’m finished!). I head back to the car and sit for 15 minutes waiting…..and waiting…….until she finally comes out.

While we were at school, I let Gates catch a ride home with her boyfriend Cj (we have a rule….no one home? no boys inside without supervision!). So for the hour we were at school….Gates and Cj were standing outside waiting on us to arrive. In yucky weather!

We arrive home, after 4:00pm and as soon as I walk in….I see it! DOG BARF!! All over the living room rug. Our dog, Maggie threw up in two huge spots on the floor. I cannot take the horror! Puke is not my thing. Seriously. I turn this job over to hubby…and he was NOWHERE near home! So, needless to say….I was totally freaking out!

I start dinner because I am so dang tired if I don’t…there will be no meal at suppertime. I decide that I should check around for more dog problems and find that Lizzy our little poodle has done a #2 on the rug in the hallway. Grrr! I am ready to do a dog send-off by this point. I even declare……I’m not going to miss these dogs when they’re gone! Mean, I know….but come on! I hate puke and poop on my floors! I clean up the poo and the toilet flushes until it has NO water left. Hmm, that’s weird. Later I go in and “use” the toilet and keep thinking….why am I getting splashed here? Then, stick my hand into a pot of water! The toilet was over full!
Can you hear what I’m saying? My toilet… now full to the VERY TOP! I go for the plunger…..IT’S GONE!

Do you get what I’m saying? Every little thing has seemed compounded! I didn’t even mention the all through dinner arguing by the entire family. It was enough to make reality tv.

At work, one of my co-workers shared with me an article in today’s paper about our future job loss expectation. Yea, it’s not looking like I’ll have a job much longer. I feel the pressure everyday. Many in my school do as well. No one knows……is it me? According to the paper, it could be many. Over 1.5 million in cuts from our school district alone. I need my job!

What is the deal? I need a break! I feel overwhelmed, under-appreciated and aggrevated! I need a Holy intervention, now!

Lord, rain down your love and mercy on me. I need you. I hunger and thirst for you. My heart is overwhelmed and things seem to be swirling out of control. Help me to focus on what is important and let go of what I don’t need to worry about.
Amen

What is it with me and Monday’s?  I take them so personally!  Like really, now!  It’s a bummer getting up after having the weekend off to enjoy being free.  I’m a baby!  I accept it!  Here’s what I meant to say…..I’m thankful for you Monday morning!  Glad I lived to see you….once again!   🙂

On another positive note, it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day!  A day many young people just cannot grasp.  It’s a completely different world.  The time he invested working towards civil rights seems unreal.  His heartfelt desire was to see all people treated equal.  It’s almost too much to bear when I see anything that reflects that time.  I have trouble understanding how anyone could mistreat another because of the color of their skin.  It disgusts me and makes me feel embarrassed….even though, I had no part in it.  I feel the shame as if I did!  So again, thank you Lord for the life and legacy left by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  He continues to inspire me today more than 40 years after his death.

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:12-13

I’m starting a new approach to my prayer life.  Our small group kicked off 2010 last night with a great lesson on talking to God.  Next week we’ll discuss “listening”!  I can’t wait!  I tend to do most of the talking in the majority of my relationships (something I’m working on…really).  So, I’m looking forward to sharpening my listening tools.

What about you?  Do you have a prayer plan?  If not, here are a few ideas to think on.

ACTS prayers!  I love this.  It really helps my all over the map brain stay on track.

A-Acknowledgement or Adoration (praise Him….adore Him and tell Him)
C-Confess (spill it!  say it!  get rid of it!)

T-Thanksgiving (thank Him for what He’s done for  you and going to do)

S-Supplication (ask Him for things….meet a need, health issues, friends/family)

Another?

Create a file system.  You’ll need 8 index cards or a folded piece of paper (folded in half and then again….8 boxes).  Name them.

Daily. Sunday. Monday. Tuesday……etc.  Then fill in your prayer plans for each of those days.  Stick to them.  A daily prayer need would be one that you need to focus time on each day.  The rest are your own to tackle as they come.  I like this one too.  I need structure.  Both of these prayer plans do that for me.  Give me a set direction to focus on.

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  Matt. 6:6