Monday’s Mantra

I didn't inherit a green thumb. I wish I had. I've even tried to force the issue…with little success! Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power and Monday’s Mantra with Trench Classes United.

 I have a few indoor plants that require little upkeep and I've managed to keep those alive. A favorite of mine is the ficus tree which I've had for years. The other day I noticed that one side of the tree had grown larger and fuller than the other. A moment later I realized that part of the tree reaches towards the window. I turned the tree around so the other side faces the light.

This small, seemingly insignificant act made me think: What parts of me have grown by exposure to Light, and which parts are still in the dark?

I read a quote the other day, the gist of which was, if you are lucky, being a parent will help you become the person you are meant to be. I would add that you must allow it to, but otherwise I agree. The same is true in marriage or intimate relationships. As I've grown older, and a tiny bit wiser, I've seen the truth of this in action. Being a mother has shown me many of my weaker spots, areas in which I'd like to grow. The same is true in my significant relationships. Truthfully, I've been humbled on many occasions.

What's your first instinct when faced with a truth about yourself? If it's good, it's easier to accept, isn't it? How about if it's bad?  I go into defense mode, with some righteous indignation thrown in. If I'm honest though, that defensiveness is because I know the struggle I have. I don't want to admit it. Like my plant, that side of me is in the dark. It can't grow.

 For instance, my anger, I've had it all my life. It was my go-to emotion. A relationship of mine shone light into this particular area of my life, and I had to acknowledge the damage it causes. Humble pie is hard to swallow. I have since begun to understand that God used this to shine His Light into my heart. I can honestly say, through the work He is doing in me, anger no longer has the same control over me. I get angry, yes. Anger is a secondary emotion, covering up fear, sadness and anxiety. Now I access the feelings underneath much faster than I used to be able to.

If I choose to turn towards the Light, I will grow. If I choose to hold my brokenness close and keep it in the dark, I will be stunted.

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life." John 8:12

Until next week, be blessed,

Jenn

We can get so busy being busy that we lose our balance! EL

Wednesday’s Word

Have you ever had one of those weeks where you felt as though you were juggling so many things that your brain would burst and surely something important would fall through the cracks?  And when everything was all said and done, your body collapses but your mind keeps running around like mouse in training for a triathlon?

Welcome to Coffee Hour with Chicklit Power @ Wednesday’s Word with Trench Classes.

You know, there’s nothing like scripture to rein it all in, mind, body and emotions! And yet, scripture needs to be our first go-to daily in order to accomplish any and all things that we do throughout the day, whether you’re a mom of little ones, teenagers, or someone who has the freedom to enjoy volunteer work for a cause or causes, and then of course, if you’re married, maintaining that marriage in a way that we are called to.

The truth is, we can get so busy being busy that we lose focus and when that happens, it’s time for a three-point balance check:

1.     Why am I doing what I’m doing?

2.     Do I need to be doing as much as I am doing?

3.     What are my motives for doing what I’m doing?

Here’s what we discover when we answer these questions:

What we are doing reveals who/what we are pursuing!

Seek Him first…and all other things will be will be added. (Matthew 6:33); in other words, you will never be last as long as you put Him first!

Love,

Kim-Evinda

Tuesday’s Trench Truth

Everyone has a “love-hurts” story; join us to explore yours!


https://youtu.be/8hvONU7V0X8

Monday’s Mantra

Welcome to Coffee Hour @ Chicklit Power and Trench Classes United. I’m incredibly grateful that you chose to join us for Monday’s Mantra. Grab your coffee, or whatever you’re having, and grab your Strand of Faith © and let’s go tie some knots in our faith together.

Have you ever had to be reminded of something over and over again? I really hate that feeling of forgetfulness which in a split second turns to frustration. Do you know what I’m talking about? When I think back on the recent times this has happened, it usually has something to do with humility! 

Without going into explicit details, I’ve had this “issue” and of course it involves another person; how could it not?! J But for years, I’ve determined in my heart that they were the problem and recently I discovered that I am actually a big part of the problem too! Oh, the sting is still there as I write this and yet, there is hope for this particular situation, now that this has been unveiled and become my truth. Oh, that word just reminded me of something and we must take this little detour: Did you know that one of the translations for truth in Hebrew means “unveiled truth”? See, what my truth is for me may not be your truth, but if one is earnestly seeking our Father for truth, He is faithful and just to unveil it for us…and when that unveiling happens, humility swoops down, ever so gently to clean up the mess that living a lie left.

Maybe that explains it for though I’ve had many lessons in the classroom of life on this very deep subject, I’ve come to realize that humility is like an ocean…never-ending. It’s like a must in the tool-belt of life, a condiment to have in all conversations and interactions. Humility, like an ocean, can soothe the hurting soul of both the giver and receiver. Humility has the power to ease tension, to crash into walls and bring them down, to build bridges where there is a chasm.  Humility is accepted everywhere all the time. What if…we were to humble ourselves in times of frustration, and just give the other person the benefit of the doubt, reminding ourselves that they are doing the best that they can with their truth? Oh, Coffee Hour Friend, then we would be walking scripture!  1^ST Peter 3: “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit…” and “walk humbly with your God.”^{Micah 6:8c}

Walking humbly,

Evinda