Last Post

Robbie said that my last post sounded pissed. And yeah, I do get a little p'ed off about comments like that. I have been told to just let it run off my back. I am just unsure how to do that. Especially when it comes to my family, I tend to be incredibly territorial and protective.

Helping orphans and children is something I have been called to do. So if someone feels like criticizing that, then talk to God!

There was an old lady who lived in a shoe....

Well, it happened again the other day! Every time this happens I want to yell and scream. Someone made a comment along these lines, "That's just what you need, another baby." Not a question of how are you doing? or a comment about it being difficult. No, they interjected there ideas about my life that I did not solicit nor want. I just want to know who gave someone the right to negatively comment about the state of affairs in my household.

Look people, I only have five children. If I am not mistaken, it was only a few generations ago that five was considered average. My grandmother had 6 children and some she raised by herself after the death of her husband, and she lived until the ripe old age of 92.

I, of all people,understand the difficulties of balancing five children. Sometimes its hard. Sometimes it is fun. But it is always full of joy. Most things worth doing are difficult.

And guess what person, I probably won't stop at five. I am thinking that 15-20 has a nice ring to it! :)

Birth Rate

I heard a little blurb on the news about the birth rate in the Vatican. It says that Muslims now outnumber Catholics in the Vatican, primarily because of their birthrate. The report went on to say,

"Formenti said that while the number of Catholics as a proportion of the world's population was fairly stable, the percentage of Muslims was growing because of higher birth rates."

This is alarming to me on so many levels. First off, if nothing changes we, as in Christians, will be outnumbered in a few short generations. And I do not want my future generations to be ruled over by Muslims.

We need to realize that children are a gift from God. I think western culture has been negligent in supporting this idea. We see children as another mouth to feed, instead of another disciple of Christ. Another being to be raised in a home showing devotion to God.

God says blessed is the man whose quiver is full. (Psalm 127:4-5) Do we really believe that? I think if we did we would see a lot more Christians having larger families.

Frustration

Frustration has an interesting definition. Here are just a few:

1. a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs
2. a feeling of annoyance at being hindered or criticized
3. a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety or depression, resulting from unfulfilled needs or unresolved problems.

So basically it comes down to this. I want something or I want to do something, but someone or something is standing in my way, so I become frustrated. Example, A parent wants to watch a TV show, but child keeps coming in and asking silly questions. So parent becomes frustrated. Parent then says, "Can't you see that I am watching this show?"

So now I have decided that frustration is basically a totally selfish emotion. The child only wants to connect with parent. But the parents unfulfilled need is to watch TV. Does this sound right? Whose needs are more important here?

Why do we allow frustration in our lives? It is a completely negative and self-centered emotion that, I think, does more harm than good. As Christians, aren't we called to consider others before ourselves? (See Phil 2.) What if we allowed a little grace to manifest instead of frustration?

Finding Purpose

I heard this quote again the other day and it was thought-provoking. It came from the movie "A Walk to Remember":

"Find out who you are and do it on purpose!"-Dolly Parton

What an interesting concept. Finding out who you are sounds simple, but can be incredibly difficult for some. Especially those of us who have been programmed since birth to please others. But what freedom there is in finding out the person God created you to be instead of what those around you want you to be. Because most of the time those around us don't even know who they were created to be.

And then doing it on PURPOSE!

Try it! Try asking God who HE created you to be!

No More Whining!

All of you who are mothers have uttered these words probably more times than you can count. I am not sure about anyone else, but whining completely drains me of all energy. It grates on my nerves and causes me to lose my patience quick! Especially when the whining is groundless and complaint ridden.

Unfortunately, my diatribe is not concerning the smaller of us, but is directed to the adults in this world. I have heard it said before that if you are complaining and not offering a solution, then you are just whining! Now don't get me wrong I understand some peoples need for constructive criticism (if that even exists!) but there are some that just want to point out all the flaws and complain that it's not right.

Here's a thought! Instead of complaining, how about we all jump in and do something about it. You know, see a need and meet a need! If you see something is not being done or you don't think it is being done right, do it yourself!

Just venting!

Borrowed words

Since I have been missing from the blogger world as of late, I thought I would post something. Unfortunately, my mind is so sleep deprived, I have nothing original to contribute.

I am reading this book that is incredibly intriguing. I can only read a few pages at a time because my mind starts going. The book is called "Seizing Your Divine Moment" by Erwin Raphael McManus. Here is a quote that I wanted to share:

"We have put so much emphasis on avoiding evil that we have become virtually blind to the endless opportunities for doing good. We have defined holiness through what we separate ourselves from rather than what we give ourselves to. I am convinced the great tragedy is not the sins that we commit,but the life we fail to live."

So my question to you all is, what have you given yourselves to?