As part of my graduate studies in nursing, our class visited the Capitol to mingle and voice our concerns of the laws that make the nurse practitioner role difficult in Georgia. If you know me at all, you know I am nothing near a political woman and I can assure you I was there because it was expected of me to go...for the grade. I remember standing there quietly, dressed professionally, pretending to be important. I knew I would never approach a Congressman and discuss anything. All around me I could here these very political, intellectual sounding conversations. In that moment, I remember feeling unimportant. In that particular instance, for me, I preferred to remain unseen and unheard...invisible. Remaining invisible is never once preference. However, there comes a time when even the quietest of people want to feel seen and heard.
Sometimes, we allow the world to convince us that we are not worthy.
Sometimes, we compare ourselves to others and quickly decide we are invisible and she isn't. We are less, she is more. We are insecure. She is confident. We are wanna be's. She has arrived. The comparison game causes us to do ugly things. We begin to strive to be heard. Then we begin to sulk and just want to throw in the towel. The feeling of being invisible begins to compound.
Sometimes, God reminds us of a recent Bible study we participated in and the scripture leaps out at us. I am reminded that other people don't necessarily speak for God. Because I am not invisible to Him, I can be in a crowded room of important strangers and remember I am seen by the only One who really matters.
Matthew 6:33 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
One of my all time favorites...
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."
Suddenly, I realize God is my El Roi. He sees me. He listens to me. He cares about my feelings. I am important to Him. And for some stinkin' reason, He loves me more than I will ever know.
Seeking Him,
Leah
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
Older and Wiser
This year has been a year of growth for me; I have grown to realize how people operate and behave is quite a comedy yet sometimes sickening all at once. As 2014 winds down, I will share what I have learned through various circumstances...in no particular order. These are clearly observations and may or may not have directly involved me.
Adult tantrums, rants, quarrels, closely resemble childlike behavior. Adults will always in some way act like children.
People find the shortest route with the least amount of work yet always expect optimum results.
40 year old hormones do weird things to one's body.
Choosing kindness no matter what is always best.
Truth and honesty prevent a life of looking over one's shoulder in fear.
People don't receive when someone is blunt yet they thrive on the interpretations of what they think someone meant either in their words or deeds.
If you have a problem with someone...go to them, not everyone else- it's painful and sometimes difficult, but omits lots of unnecessary talk, chatter, and opinions.
God loves me no matter how busy life is!
Telling others I attend a non denominational church was strange for me in the beginning, but in today's society and culture...I have never been more proud!
I don't have to be the driver in all situations. The passenger's seat is always a thrill ride! Just buckle up and shut up!
Thoughts are sometimes best left at thoughts that never form into words.
Never say never!
Always listen to what you feel God says is best and don't let other people's opinion persuade you otherwise.
The biblical perspective of marriage can never be studied enough.
Parenting is hard!
Optimism is hard for me and I secretly (not anymore) am envious of people who are good at it.
Our pasts, no matter how good or bad, not only become the answer to every Bible study question but also follows us everywhere we go- so choose your paths carefully.
Flesh is easy to give into! When the Spirit prevails, it is always a great feeling!
God and family are really the only ones that have your best interest at heart, no matter how much others try to convince you otherwise.
What others think of me is thankfully becoming less of a driving factor for me.
I really am blessed with a job I enjoy doing and don't dread going to work.
I am still trying to learn my role as a wife and mom after 17 years of marriage.
This year I have learned the importance of family time and how awesome it feels to just be together.
Thoughtfulness is important and little things mean a whole bunch!
Fake is always ugly and truth sometimes hurts!
I am blessed (not cursed) to have experienced true forgiveness in marriage.
I really miss my mama and would live to hear her silly laugh!
Things change and people do to...but life goes on.
People can't take back wrong doings yet only learn from their mistakes, seek forgiveness, and move on with lessons learned.
Being as wise as a serpent yet innocent as a dove is an awesome theme in any situation.
Not agreeing with someone's lifestyle= I hate you...I am judging you??? This I will never understand.
Being an effective leader involves making rules, being in charge, confrontation when needed, accountability, not being a people pleaser...Unfortunately or thankfully, I would never be a good leader.
People get upset when someone decides to try to eat healthy...yep you read that right! Go figure!
People talk out of both sides of their mouth and this is quickly becoming one of my least favorite things to witness.
People go to extremes to avoid dealing with situations...That's too much work...just deal with it!
People with equals rarely accept them as equals. Power struggles will be the downfall of many relationships.
People, whether intentional or unintentional, make others feel unimportant.
Sorry if this sounds morbid but 2014 has been a very eye opening experience for me! Thanks for reading!
Adult tantrums, rants, quarrels, closely resemble childlike behavior. Adults will always in some way act like children.
People find the shortest route with the least amount of work yet always expect optimum results.
40 year old hormones do weird things to one's body.
Choosing kindness no matter what is always best.
Truth and honesty prevent a life of looking over one's shoulder in fear.
People don't receive when someone is blunt yet they thrive on the interpretations of what they think someone meant either in their words or deeds.
If you have a problem with someone...go to them, not everyone else- it's painful and sometimes difficult, but omits lots of unnecessary talk, chatter, and opinions.
God loves me no matter how busy life is!
Telling others I attend a non denominational church was strange for me in the beginning, but in today's society and culture...I have never been more proud!
I don't have to be the driver in all situations. The passenger's seat is always a thrill ride! Just buckle up and shut up!
Thoughts are sometimes best left at thoughts that never form into words.
Never say never!
Always listen to what you feel God says is best and don't let other people's opinion persuade you otherwise.
The biblical perspective of marriage can never be studied enough.
Parenting is hard!
Optimism is hard for me and I secretly (not anymore) am envious of people who are good at it.
Our pasts, no matter how good or bad, not only become the answer to every Bible study question but also follows us everywhere we go- so choose your paths carefully.
Flesh is easy to give into! When the Spirit prevails, it is always a great feeling!
God and family are really the only ones that have your best interest at heart, no matter how much others try to convince you otherwise.
What others think of me is thankfully becoming less of a driving factor for me.
I really am blessed with a job I enjoy doing and don't dread going to work.
I am still trying to learn my role as a wife and mom after 17 years of marriage.
This year I have learned the importance of family time and how awesome it feels to just be together.
Thoughtfulness is important and little things mean a whole bunch!
Fake is always ugly and truth sometimes hurts!
I am blessed (not cursed) to have experienced true forgiveness in marriage.
I really miss my mama and would live to hear her silly laugh!
Things change and people do to...but life goes on.
People can't take back wrong doings yet only learn from their mistakes, seek forgiveness, and move on with lessons learned.
Being as wise as a serpent yet innocent as a dove is an awesome theme in any situation.
Not agreeing with someone's lifestyle= I hate you...I am judging you??? This I will never understand.
Being an effective leader involves making rules, being in charge, confrontation when needed, accountability, not being a people pleaser...Unfortunately or thankfully, I would never be a good leader.
People get upset when someone decides to try to eat healthy...yep you read that right! Go figure!
People talk out of both sides of their mouth and this is quickly becoming one of my least favorite things to witness.
People go to extremes to avoid dealing with situations...That's too much work...just deal with it!
People with equals rarely accept them as equals. Power struggles will be the downfall of many relationships.
People, whether intentional or unintentional, make others feel unimportant.
Sorry if this sounds morbid but 2014 has been a very eye opening experience for me! Thanks for reading!
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