Tomorrow begins it! A personal challenge of sorts that I am inviting anyone who reads this to hold me accountable to. But first let me back up a little before I explain more.
Lately I have been feeling frustration over the waste of money in our country and in our culture. It started some day when I was thinking about Hollywood. Specifically, I was thinking of the way actors and actresses dress for awards shows, pondering the thousands of dollars spent on a dress they will only wear once. And I thought it would be a better idea to have an awards show where all the actors had a budget of only 100 bucks or so for their wardrobe, and then they donated the rest of what they would have spent to charities and mission work.
Then we had a guest speaker at our church one day preaching on mission work. He told the story of meeting some guy who was showing off his 200 million dollar boat (or something to that effect). Then he told us that this is the same annual amount that is donated to missions (in our church denomination) throughout the whole country! One guy spends the same amount on a boat as all our churches put together.
After pondering this issue for a little longer and getting off my somewhat judgemental soapbox, the one distinct thought that came through all of it was, So Erin, what are YOU going to do about it? "What Lord? I'm not making millions, or even thousands of dollars that I can just donate. Trust me, if I did, I would." Or would I? You see, it's easy to judge what other people "waste" their money on, and to lament over the lack of giving to worthy causes, but when it comes down to it the only person you are responsible for judging is yourself. So the question shouldn't be "Why isn't he or she giving all that money they have" but "why aren't I?" and "Where can I give more? What can I give up?" Concerning the guy and the boat, instead of asking "Why isn't he giving that money to missions" we need to ask "why aren't we giving more?"
I may not be "wasting" my money on things like thousand dollar formal dresses or 200 million dollar boats, but I'm not being the best steward I could be with it. It is so easy to justify my "spending habits" because I don't really have too many--we live very modestly; I don't buy myself expensive things the latest electronics or clothes or shoes. And when I do want something I try to be smart and budget for it. This is all very well and good, but I know I can do better.
So, all of this to say that I have felt convicted lately of needing to give up what is my spending habit, which is the $2 here and the $3 there and the occasional $5 spent on food and drinks, lunch and snacks! Eeek! I am almost embarrassed to admit it, but I'm hoping to inspire some others out there with this little confession! It never seems like that much at the time, and it is part of my allotted spending money, but when I am honest with myself I know this isn't what I want my spending money to go to. I think this $5-10 a week would be my equivalent of a thousand dollar dress or a 200 million dollar boat. It's money I could be giving to something much more worthy than my current cravings. So there it is! My confession. My challenge. And maybe a challenge to you as well: what is your 200 million dollar boat? I am not judging anyone else for what they choose to do with their money because I am only responsible for my choices, so to begin I am choosing to cut off this spending habit for the month of April. I will try to update you once in a while on how I am doing. Feel free to ask me too! It's good to be held accountable. I am excited and encouraged about it, and I hope you are encouraged today too!
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:20-21
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Learning to Just Be
I wrote this a month ago when winter was still present but spring was peeking out....
The art of just being. I don't think we know how to do that these days. At least, if we do it takes a lot of effort. Even now, as I sit here, the weather is heavenly--there is still snow on the ground from two weeks of cold snow storms, but the sun is blazing in a clear blue sky and the breeze is warm and wonderful. Water drips and trickles down the gutter from melting snow. It's too glorious for words, sitting here outside after being shut up inside for days on end. It's a gift and a blessing!
But even as I recognize that and love it, I am still distracted by too many other things that are threatening to take away this peaceful moment of joy. Oh, these distracting thoughts, not even bad thoughts in themselves, that keep me from basking in this gift and from just "being." I should go to the store now while I have time; I need to cash this check and pick this up from the store; what am I making for dinnner?; what can I do now to be more productive; how can I maximize this playtime with my litle girl (although she is perfectly content playing on her own with her growing imagination)? I have the opportunity to just "be," to enjoy the fresh air blowing in my face and to watch my precious daughter as she creates her own world of play. Oh, just to watch her is precious enough! She is growing too fast and won't be this little for much longer--so enjoy this Erin! Bask in it! Soak in it. Watch that precious face and the wonder of her. The Lord is saying, "This is for you...."
Oh God, you are so good! How many of your gifts do we miss because we don't know the art of just "being?" Our minds are too full. Our priorities are upside down. Our distractions overwhelm us. We don't make time to be still, quiet, or to listen to you.
Oh God, you are so profound and at the same time not. It's simple--you are all around. You are in this moment of "being." I just had to recognize it and say "No" to the other thoughts. This isn't their time. It's our time, my family's and mine, and it's straight from you Lord, the giver of all good things, the one who satisfies my soul.
Be encouraged today, and don't forget to take some time to "just be."
The art of just being. I don't think we know how to do that these days. At least, if we do it takes a lot of effort. Even now, as I sit here, the weather is heavenly--there is still snow on the ground from two weeks of cold snow storms, but the sun is blazing in a clear blue sky and the breeze is warm and wonderful. Water drips and trickles down the gutter from melting snow. It's too glorious for words, sitting here outside after being shut up inside for days on end. It's a gift and a blessing!
But even as I recognize that and love it, I am still distracted by too many other things that are threatening to take away this peaceful moment of joy. Oh, these distracting thoughts, not even bad thoughts in themselves, that keep me from basking in this gift and from just "being." I should go to the store now while I have time; I need to cash this check and pick this up from the store; what am I making for dinnner?; what can I do now to be more productive; how can I maximize this playtime with my litle girl (although she is perfectly content playing on her own with her growing imagination)? I have the opportunity to just "be," to enjoy the fresh air blowing in my face and to watch my precious daughter as she creates her own world of play. Oh, just to watch her is precious enough! She is growing too fast and won't be this little for much longer--so enjoy this Erin! Bask in it! Soak in it. Watch that precious face and the wonder of her. The Lord is saying, "This is for you...."
Oh God, you are so good! How many of your gifts do we miss because we don't know the art of just "being?" Our minds are too full. Our priorities are upside down. Our distractions overwhelm us. We don't make time to be still, quiet, or to listen to you.
Oh God, you are so profound and at the same time not. It's simple--you are all around. You are in this moment of "being." I just had to recognize it and say "No" to the other thoughts. This isn't their time. It's our time, my family's and mine, and it's straight from you Lord, the giver of all good things, the one who satisfies my soul.
Be encouraged today, and don't forget to take some time to "just be."
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Please wait, my little Impatience Petunia!
That's it.
That was the line I said to my little girl one day that inspired me to write my children's story, which is tentatively called "Impatience Petunia" until it is through the editing phase. (It is only in it's first month of a two-month editing stage, beginning with copyediting and then conceptual editing.) So that's it. It's pretty simple actually.
To back up a little, my little girl's name is not Petunia. It's Shaelyn. But most of the time Shaelyn gets called a variety of silly pet names. We've never stuck to just one. At times she has been called somewhat typical things like "Sweet Pea" or "Love Bug," but more often then not she is called things like "Sweetie Peetie Pumpkin Pie" or "Silly Wiggles" or "Booger Bear" or "Kiddo Speguiddo." She is loved! So, on this particular occasion, she was being whiney and impatient about something, although I don't even remember what, and I happened to call her my little Impatience Petunia. My next thought was, "that would be a cute character name in a kid's book!"
And there you have it. Impatience Petunia was created. It took a lot more thought and effort to make myself sit down a write a whole story for this character, but once I started, I was determined to finish. I loved the idea of a kid's character learning a favorable quality, or as the bible describe it, a "fruit of the spirit." I mean, who doesn't want their kids to be patient? Then again, maybe moms and dads will need to read this more than their kids! Anyway, once I finished the story I was surprised to find out that it was actually pretty good, according to friends and family who I let in on my secret accomplishment. But now, what was I going to do with this? Stay tuned, I will write the next chapter soon!
I truly feel like this story was a gift to me. To be perfectly honest, I don't really consider myself a "writer." If any of you know my sister, Lisa, you know that she is the true writer. If you read her blog (check out sites I follow: Much Ado About Something) she explains a little about this in her latest post called "The Twin Enigma." Her "thing" has always been writing, and she is a fabulous novelist who will also have a book out by Tate Publishing soon after mine. I, however, was hesitant to share my work because, after all, this wasn't usually my "thing." So needless to say, I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity. Not only that, I have more characters and more story ideas coming to me, and all of a sudden I am wondering what is going on here?! It's like I have a new dream that I never realized I had before. It just popped up on me one day and is growing, and I feel so thankful to my Lord for giving it to me. He is, after all, the Dream Giver and the Dream Maker. And I have found in my life that the best things that have happened have always kind of found me, rather than me finding them, if that makes sense. I've had my own dreams and plans, things I always thought I wanted, but most of that hasn't happened. And looking back, I'm glad. What has happened, as I have determined to walk with Jesus and seek to know Him more is that He brings better things than I even planned or hoped for. And He hasn't stopped! So it really is true--God wants to give us abundant life! And not just for me, but for you too! Do you believe it? You can, and that's only the beginning...
I hope you are encouraged today.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. -John 10:10
That was the line I said to my little girl one day that inspired me to write my children's story, which is tentatively called "Impatience Petunia" until it is through the editing phase. (It is only in it's first month of a two-month editing stage, beginning with copyediting and then conceptual editing.) So that's it. It's pretty simple actually.
To back up a little, my little girl's name is not Petunia. It's Shaelyn. But most of the time Shaelyn gets called a variety of silly pet names. We've never stuck to just one. At times she has been called somewhat typical things like "Sweet Pea" or "Love Bug," but more often then not she is called things like "Sweetie Peetie Pumpkin Pie" or "Silly Wiggles" or "Booger Bear" or "Kiddo Speguiddo." She is loved! So, on this particular occasion, she was being whiney and impatient about something, although I don't even remember what, and I happened to call her my little Impatience Petunia. My next thought was, "that would be a cute character name in a kid's book!"
And there you have it. Impatience Petunia was created. It took a lot more thought and effort to make myself sit down a write a whole story for this character, but once I started, I was determined to finish. I loved the idea of a kid's character learning a favorable quality, or as the bible describe it, a "fruit of the spirit." I mean, who doesn't want their kids to be patient? Then again, maybe moms and dads will need to read this more than their kids! Anyway, once I finished the story I was surprised to find out that it was actually pretty good, according to friends and family who I let in on my secret accomplishment. But now, what was I going to do with this? Stay tuned, I will write the next chapter soon!
I truly feel like this story was a gift to me. To be perfectly honest, I don't really consider myself a "writer." If any of you know my sister, Lisa, you know that she is the true writer. If you read her blog (check out sites I follow: Much Ado About Something) she explains a little about this in her latest post called "The Twin Enigma." Her "thing" has always been writing, and she is a fabulous novelist who will also have a book out by Tate Publishing soon after mine. I, however, was hesitant to share my work because, after all, this wasn't usually my "thing." So needless to say, I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity. Not only that, I have more characters and more story ideas coming to me, and all of a sudden I am wondering what is going on here?! It's like I have a new dream that I never realized I had before. It just popped up on me one day and is growing, and I feel so thankful to my Lord for giving it to me. He is, after all, the Dream Giver and the Dream Maker. And I have found in my life that the best things that have happened have always kind of found me, rather than me finding them, if that makes sense. I've had my own dreams and plans, things I always thought I wanted, but most of that hasn't happened. And looking back, I'm glad. What has happened, as I have determined to walk with Jesus and seek to know Him more is that He brings better things than I even planned or hoped for. And He hasn't stopped! So it really is true--God wants to give us abundant life! And not just for me, but for you too! Do you believe it? You can, and that's only the beginning...
I hope you are encouraged today.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. -John 10:10
Friday, March 11, 2011
Welcome to my new blog!
So my first thought when deciding whether or not to start a blog was that everyone and their mom already has a blog, so what do I have to say that would be any different or even interesting enough for others to read? But I guess that everyone who has ever written anything has probably had that thought. So, thank you for taking the time to read and support me in this new venture of mine. For this first post I mainly want to share why I am starting this blog, and I hope you will stick around for awhile and check out my future posts, as I want this blog to be less about and for "me" and more for all of YOU! Yes, I will be sharing details and stories of my life, I am sure, and keeping you updated on certain exciting things going on (read all about it below!) but overall I want this blog to benefit you readers. As it explains in the "About Me" section to the right, I want these entries (my "mustard seeds") to be words that encourage and uplift, and maybe they will plant something positive in your lives!
The driving force behind starting this blog was to begin to get the word out about an opportunity that the Lord has recently blessed me with! So here it is: I am soon to be a published children's book author! This month Tate Publishing has officially started production on a children's book I recently wrote. This will be about a 6 month process, but by September my book should be out. It will first be available directly through me, and then later through distributors after an offical "release date." I am still a little in shock from getting the call last December that my book was accepted for publication. Mostly though, I am praising the Lord, as every good and perfect gift is from Him, and I wouldn't want this project to be anything less than everything it can be in His hands! And so I wanted to share this good news and keep you, friends and family (and future friends who may stumble across this blog), updated with this process. In another entry I will share the inspiration for and more of the story behind my book. Stay tuned!
Beyond that, I know I want this effort of my blog to be more than just about me, as I shared above. I have a desire to lift people up when they are down, to offer a word of encouragement, to share my life experiences and lessons I've learned in hopes of helping others, and to see people grow in their faith. Not that I have any special skills or training to be able to do this, but I do know the Lord, and I know that He supplies all that we need if we only let Him. I am offering a small voice (although a pretty loud one sometimes) from a limited life experience and I hope that He may be able to use it. If not, I hope that I can at least be somewhat amusing! For now I will end on a word of truth that has been my prayer for not only my book, but for my life, that the Lord would do immeasurably more with me than I could even ask or imagine! Or as a different translation states it, that he would do exceeding abundantly above all that I can ask or think. Isn't that awesome? Did you know that He wants to do that in your life too? Be encouraged today!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -Ephesians 3:20, NIV
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. -Ephesians 3:20, KJV
The driving force behind starting this blog was to begin to get the word out about an opportunity that the Lord has recently blessed me with! So here it is: I am soon to be a published children's book author! This month Tate Publishing has officially started production on a children's book I recently wrote. This will be about a 6 month process, but by September my book should be out. It will first be available directly through me, and then later through distributors after an offical "release date." I am still a little in shock from getting the call last December that my book was accepted for publication. Mostly though, I am praising the Lord, as every good and perfect gift is from Him, and I wouldn't want this project to be anything less than everything it can be in His hands! And so I wanted to share this good news and keep you, friends and family (and future friends who may stumble across this blog), updated with this process. In another entry I will share the inspiration for and more of the story behind my book. Stay tuned!
Beyond that, I know I want this effort of my blog to be more than just about me, as I shared above. I have a desire to lift people up when they are down, to offer a word of encouragement, to share my life experiences and lessons I've learned in hopes of helping others, and to see people grow in their faith. Not that I have any special skills or training to be able to do this, but I do know the Lord, and I know that He supplies all that we need if we only let Him. I am offering a small voice (although a pretty loud one sometimes) from a limited life experience and I hope that He may be able to use it. If not, I hope that I can at least be somewhat amusing! For now I will end on a word of truth that has been my prayer for not only my book, but for my life, that the Lord would do immeasurably more with me than I could even ask or imagine! Or as a different translation states it, that he would do exceeding abundantly above all that I can ask or think. Isn't that awesome? Did you know that He wants to do that in your life too? Be encouraged today!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -Ephesians 3:20, NIV
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. -Ephesians 3:20, KJV
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