I heard on the radio once about 10 types of friends that a woman can have. I personally don't believe that I have 10 friends to put them in these categories. They are:
The Leader
The Doormat
The Sacrificer
The Misey Lover
The User
The Frenemy
The Trophy Friend
The Mirror Friend
The Sharer and
The Authentic Friend
Here I want to discuss the Misery Lover friend. This friend loves to hear about your drama, becomes the "best" friend when a crisis hits, but isn't very interested in your life when everything is going swimmingly.
I don't believe I can identify this friend in my life, but I unfortunately can identify this friend in other circles. I don't really care for a lot of drama. I prefer a quiet happy-go-lucky life. So I hate to see someone try and dwell off of someone else's life like that.
Drama happens in all our lives, whether we like it or not. But a friend that likes our drama, though they may seem as if they are a great ear to hear our problems, they secretly want our drama to continue. Why? Are their lives so devoid of drama that they need ours in order to feel that life isn't boring? I can't answer that, but I sure hope not. I only wish that friends, all types, where willing to help, instead of make the issue worse, and possibly cause wrong decisions to be made.
Drama seems to be a human thing. God doesn't make drama in our lives, we cause it. It started at the fall. If we weren't so bent on getting our way, then we could have lived a life drama free. I look forward to the day that we might once again have our lives focus only on the most important Thing.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Chapter 17- Disappointment
I'm struggling with the exact words to say. I can't complain about the life that I live. God has blessed me immensely. I am the sort of person, though, when things go down hill in another persons life, I feel it with them. I feel empathy and sympathy. Sympathy for the things that I can actually relate to, but empathy for those that I can't.
I know that God works in lives. He allows things for reasons unknown. We endure for our own good, and potentially for the good of others. Everything leads to the end testimony so that we might spread Christ's love. But it hurts non the less. I hope for better things to come. Especially for those that I love (there are a lot of those people out there).
There aren't really the right words out there for me to say. I want to say comforting things. I want to lift you up. I want the pain to go away. I pray that God will work through me to heal you, because He really is the only one that can truly heal. As I sit here, I pray.
I hate when pain and trial come to my loved ones. Are there right words to say? Will there ever be? Will a hug work? If I shed tears for you, will you shed less? My spirit groans on your behalf. I pray for peace in your life. Still I know that it is not my struggle, not my pain. I might feel for you, but you are still the person going through the pain.
May God give you comfort that I cannot. May He see you through to the end. Remember, I will be here too.
I know that God works in lives. He allows things for reasons unknown. We endure for our own good, and potentially for the good of others. Everything leads to the end testimony so that we might spread Christ's love. But it hurts non the less. I hope for better things to come. Especially for those that I love (there are a lot of those people out there).
There aren't really the right words out there for me to say. I want to say comforting things. I want to lift you up. I want the pain to go away. I pray that God will work through me to heal you, because He really is the only one that can truly heal. As I sit here, I pray.
I hate when pain and trial come to my loved ones. Are there right words to say? Will there ever be? Will a hug work? If I shed tears for you, will you shed less? My spirit groans on your behalf. I pray for peace in your life. Still I know that it is not my struggle, not my pain. I might feel for you, but you are still the person going through the pain.
May God give you comfort that I cannot. May He see you through to the end. Remember, I will be here too.
Angel By Your Side- Francesca Battistelli
I can’t say that everything’s okay
‘Cause I can see the tears you’re crying
And I can’t promise to take the pain away
But you can know I won’t stop trying
(Chorus)
I’ll be the angel by your side
I will get you through the night
I’ll be the strength you can’t provide on your own
‘Cause when you’re down and out of time
And you think you’ve lost the fight
Let me be the angel
The angel by your side
I know it feels like you’re running out of faith
‘Cause it’s so hard to keep believing
But if I can bring a smile back to your face
If for a moment, you’ll forget all about it
(Chorus)
‘Cause this won’t be the last time
You’ll need a little hope
But I want to be the first to let you know
(Chorus)
I can’t say that everything’s okay
‘Cause I can see the tears you’re crying
And I can’t promise to take the pain away
But you can know I won’t stop trying
(Chorus)
I’ll be the angel by your side
I will get you through the night
I’ll be the strength you can’t provide on your own
‘Cause when you’re down and out of time
And you think you’ve lost the fight
Let me be the angel
The angel by your side
I know it feels like you’re running out of faith
‘Cause it’s so hard to keep believing
But if I can bring a smile back to your face
If for a moment, you’ll forget all about it
(Chorus)
‘Cause this won’t be the last time
You’ll need a little hope
But I want to be the first to let you know
(Chorus)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Chapter 16- Mother's Day
Mother's day has a new meaning this year for me. This is the first year that I have been labeled a "stay-at-home" mom. For the first time I really understand what lots of mom's out there have been talking about. One day a year . . . For this sort of job one day doesn't really seem like enough. This job is a 24/7 job.
For those of you that are mom's, you understand. For those of you that are "stay-at-home" mom's, then you totally understand. For those that aren't yet mother's, here is a little tip. Being a mother is HARD.
I thought being a wife was going to be a challenge, a welcome one, but a challenge none the less. Then came motherhood. So now I have two full time jobs (since I quite the full time paid job). I can relate to those that are wife, mother AND career woman. I was there, I know what it's like. So to say that I want to go back to "working" mother would be a little misleading. There are things that I miss, but considering what I would be giving up, I"ll take the cooking, cleaning, breaking, rough housing, stealing, slobbering, crying, screaming, scrubbing, holding, swinging, teasing, laughing, and lap sitting.
It is indeed all that it is cracked up to be. I will say again, though, it is HARD. I've burned myself, broke my toe, cried, screamed, lost sleep, thrown away valuable things, lost things, wasted food, wasted money. I have been through a roller coaster of emotions since Carter was still in the womb. You would think that date night might help out, but we end up missing and talking about him the whole night. You want to get away, but you miss them. You want to sit and relax, but that's not possible. You want to sleep, but unfortunately . . . and that doesn't stop at any particular age. Your wants are no longer an option.
I love being a mother. I understand God's love for me a little better. It's amazing to watch them grow, but sad at the same time. In the end, I recommend motherhood, but as a warning, if you like everything centering around you, reconsider. Life becomes all about them, you are merely an afterthought, even for yourself.
May mom's everywhere know that you are appreciated, if not by those you serve, by those that serve along side you.
For those of you that are mom's, you understand. For those of you that are "stay-at-home" mom's, then you totally understand. For those that aren't yet mother's, here is a little tip. Being a mother is HARD.
I thought being a wife was going to be a challenge, a welcome one, but a challenge none the less. Then came motherhood. So now I have two full time jobs (since I quite the full time paid job). I can relate to those that are wife, mother AND career woman. I was there, I know what it's like. So to say that I want to go back to "working" mother would be a little misleading. There are things that I miss, but considering what I would be giving up, I"ll take the cooking, cleaning, breaking, rough housing, stealing, slobbering, crying, screaming, scrubbing, holding, swinging, teasing, laughing, and lap sitting.
It is indeed all that it is cracked up to be. I will say again, though, it is HARD. I've burned myself, broke my toe, cried, screamed, lost sleep, thrown away valuable things, lost things, wasted food, wasted money. I have been through a roller coaster of emotions since Carter was still in the womb. You would think that date night might help out, but we end up missing and talking about him the whole night. You want to get away, but you miss them. You want to sit and relax, but that's not possible. You want to sleep, but unfortunately . . . and that doesn't stop at any particular age. Your wants are no longer an option.
I love being a mother. I understand God's love for me a little better. It's amazing to watch them grow, but sad at the same time. In the end, I recommend motherhood, but as a warning, if you like everything centering around you, reconsider. Life becomes all about them, you are merely an afterthought, even for yourself.
May mom's everywhere know that you are appreciated, if not by those you serve, by those that serve along side you.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Chapter 15- Changes
I might unload a lot, please forgive me.
I am not perfect, we established that in my last entry. But I wish I could change. I wish the world could change. I wish Christians could change. I feel that we talk and maybe even walk, to a point, but our hearts are still stuck in the same worldly rut that our sin nature tells us to be in. I'm not certain what causes me too feel this way. I don't always live the way that I should, but I know where my heart lies and I work hard to show that. There aren't a lot of people that I see, that seem like they try very hard. Is a life lived truly for Christ that hard? Are we so bound by the desires of this world that we choose to live as if our lives are ruled by it? We go to church, we go to Bible studies, we go to Church groups (at school and at other homes). But I see ALL of us in stores buying extravagant things for children, for ourselves. Things that will burn! Why are we so wrapped up in THINGS? Why are we so torn between what feels good to us, and what feels good to our Father? Things and our primitive desires are so fleeting. They are here and then they go, but what is left? We are then forced to find that next thing that will make us feel better. Christians even do this with the Bible! We search it's contents for the answer that we seek, or the answer to the issue at hand, but we fail to see the full picture, the ultimate truth. God in His infinite wisdom sent His son, His only child, so the we might be free. Free to serve Him with no chains, no foolish desires. That should be our one and only desire. Not for things, not for the next best pleasure, but for Him and Him alone.
In the end I have to relent that God really is the only one that can change the hearts of man. I just wish that more ears would open to what He is trying to tell us. One step closer . . .
I am not perfect, we established that in my last entry. But I wish I could change. I wish the world could change. I wish Christians could change. I feel that we talk and maybe even walk, to a point, but our hearts are still stuck in the same worldly rut that our sin nature tells us to be in. I'm not certain what causes me too feel this way. I don't always live the way that I should, but I know where my heart lies and I work hard to show that. There aren't a lot of people that I see, that seem like they try very hard. Is a life lived truly for Christ that hard? Are we so bound by the desires of this world that we choose to live as if our lives are ruled by it? We go to church, we go to Bible studies, we go to Church groups (at school and at other homes). But I see ALL of us in stores buying extravagant things for children, for ourselves. Things that will burn! Why are we so wrapped up in THINGS? Why are we so torn between what feels good to us, and what feels good to our Father? Things and our primitive desires are so fleeting. They are here and then they go, but what is left? We are then forced to find that next thing that will make us feel better. Christians even do this with the Bible! We search it's contents for the answer that we seek, or the answer to the issue at hand, but we fail to see the full picture, the ultimate truth. God in His infinite wisdom sent His son, His only child, so the we might be free. Free to serve Him with no chains, no foolish desires. That should be our one and only desire. Not for things, not for the next best pleasure, but for Him and Him alone.
In the end I have to relent that God really is the only one that can change the hearts of man. I just wish that more ears would open to what He is trying to tell us. One step closer . . .
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Chapter 14- Failure
This is inevitable. There aren't many who can claim that they have never gotten an "F" on some assignment when they were in school. I am no exception to this rule. In fact I almost flunked out of the 4th grade in a private school. Not one of my proudest moments, but it did indeed "almost" happen.
There are still so many more things that can be failed. If you think about anything that you can do, there is probably someone somewhere that has failed at that thing. I am a failure at whistling. I just cannot do it. I am also a failure at putting my clean clothes away on time. Yes, there is a fairly large pile in my bedroom as we speak.
This week I have failed at keeping my calendar up to date. I remembered, and was reminded, to make a snack for my Bible study. I also remembered to be at the house at 8 am Friday for the exterminator. I, however, couldn't remember any of my other obligations. I forgot what date we weren't having small group. I forgot what date we were having the Confirmation lunch. I even forgot the darned checkbook this morning! I am having a very failed week so far.
In the end, I am not perfect, even if Keith does like to say I am. I cannot expect myself to be able to meet ALL of my obligations without failing at some. The goal here is to get better. If I feel there is too much, cut down. If I feel the current process isn't working, find one that does.
I would like to apologize to those that I have let down this week. I promise it will not happen again, at least for a little while. I may run into another "fail" week again before too long. Thanks for understanding. . .
There are still so many more things that can be failed. If you think about anything that you can do, there is probably someone somewhere that has failed at that thing. I am a failure at whistling. I just cannot do it. I am also a failure at putting my clean clothes away on time. Yes, there is a fairly large pile in my bedroom as we speak.
This week I have failed at keeping my calendar up to date. I remembered, and was reminded, to make a snack for my Bible study. I also remembered to be at the house at 8 am Friday for the exterminator. I, however, couldn't remember any of my other obligations. I forgot what date we weren't having small group. I forgot what date we were having the Confirmation lunch. I even forgot the darned checkbook this morning! I am having a very failed week so far.
In the end, I am not perfect, even if Keith does like to say I am. I cannot expect myself to be able to meet ALL of my obligations without failing at some. The goal here is to get better. If I feel there is too much, cut down. If I feel the current process isn't working, find one that does.
I would like to apologize to those that I have let down this week. I promise it will not happen again, at least for a little while. I may run into another "fail" week again before too long. Thanks for understanding. . .
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