I bet you're thinking that I'm dreaming of a new house. Right? Well, that WOULD be a good dream. Not for us anytime soon I'm afraid! That's ok, I really don't like moving! HA!
I've heard over the years that if you dream of a house, it's really about YOU. Have you heard that? So, there is a favorite house from when we were growing up. It tends to show up in my dreams often. It took a few times, but I started to think maybe it was more about my life than the house itself. This house was so cool. I loved growing up there. Loved the adventures, loved the memories of being there. But I have found, in my dreams, that house is always in MAJOR construction. It's a mess. It's uncomfortable and not livable. Interesting, right? It's been that way ever since it showed up in my dreams. Sometimes it was quieter than others and sometimes it's such chaos that it's hard to tell that it's the same house.
Why am I telling you this? Well, I had a new dream the other night. It dawned on me last night that I dreamed about my house again. BUT....this time it was BEAUTIFUL, fully restored, beautiful colors, beautiful woodwork all over it. The room I remember the most is my old bedroom. I remember walking into that room and feeling comfort and peace. There was now a beautiful fireplace in the room, hardwood floors and a overstuffed couch just beckoning to be sat in! This is dramatically different than the room before. Before it was cold and drafty and I always wanted to turn and walk away. This time I wanted to sit and enjoy the room. Another thing I remember feeling was that there was an element of mystery. Exciting mystery. I'm not sure what that was about...but it wasn't scary at all, just exciting.
Now, I'm not a person that picks apart dreams or really believes there is much to them. BUT this did get me thinking. Over the last few years, God has been doing some major construction in my life. Restoring the years the locusts have eaten. I understand the "construction" phase for sure. God was doing a number on me. Molding me and making me more of who He meant for me to be. I feel like I've come into my own a bit. Began to figure out who I really am (that's a life long adventure, right?) and who He wants me to be. I'm still a work in progress...but there is a peace to life right now. A God peace on life. Life is chaos. 4 kids and 2 of them in sports, work, family, church, youth group, the list goes on and on. Life isn't peaceful and calm. But on the inside, there IS peace. It's an amazing feeling I've never felt before. God has done an amazing work on not only my heart, but my entire life and the life of my family.
I'm blessed to be in this "house". Blessed that I can share a peaceful house with my family and friends.
Just thought I'd share this. How is your "house"?
I hope you have a wonderful day :)
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Misinterpreted Introvert
Are there any others out there?
I don't believe I'm alone.
Us introverts....we are usually misunderstood, misinterpreted and sometimes judged. I truly believe in the phrase "It takes all types to make the world go 'round." I'm totally an introvert. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed about it. The worst part is when people "diagnose" me as a snob or something like that.
Anyone else out there with this problem? Wait....is it really a problem?
Here is what I think. :)
I find it to be a blessing. I like to be at home. I like to work on my home, like cleaning and organizing! I'm not the grab a hammer and make something kind of girl, but I love to organize and rearrange furniture! In a major way! I like to be home with the family, enjoying time together. We all love to watch movies (that's usually our Friday night family night!). But if I'm in a group of people, I am a wall flower. I can't help it! It's not that I don't have anything to say. I do NOT like to be in front of people (ya know, having the focus on me. Very uncomfortable!). Now, with that said, my job doesn't allow me to always be a wall flower. That's ok. If it's small groups, I'm good. Plus I've worked here long enough, everyone feels like family & friends, not a group of strangers. Oh, here is a kicker. I blush....EASILY. It gets pointed out just about every time it happens. Add that to the not wanting attention...double whammy! :) I'm also terrible with small talk. I don't do it well. I would much rather get to know you (quick) and get onto topics that are about the real you. Who you are, what makes you who you are, what your life has been like. Ya know, those deep topics.
But, as an introvert...I want to make it known...I LOVE to hear about YOU! But like everyone else on the face of the planet..I have things to share too :) Just give me time. I'll get there. I'm not quiet because I'm judgemental or don't think you're worth talking with. YOU ARE! Give me some time to get to know you. Laugh with you. Cry with you. You'll have a friend for life. I just hope you like me for who I am, because it's the only ME I know how to be. I'm not fake. I'm not an actress. I'm me :) I'm the me God is working on. I'm a construction site. I have cones, tape, steel plates (you know, all the construction stuff) but those places are just where HE is working on me. It's a good thing, good construction.
The best part of my life: my husband & kids. Period. I am a very blessed introvert :)
I don't believe I'm alone.
Us introverts....we are usually misunderstood, misinterpreted and sometimes judged. I truly believe in the phrase "It takes all types to make the world go 'round." I'm totally an introvert. I'm not ashamed or embarrassed about it. The worst part is when people "diagnose" me as a snob or something like that.
Anyone else out there with this problem? Wait....is it really a problem?
Here is what I think. :)
I find it to be a blessing. I like to be at home. I like to work on my home, like cleaning and organizing! I'm not the grab a hammer and make something kind of girl, but I love to organize and rearrange furniture! In a major way! I like to be home with the family, enjoying time together. We all love to watch movies (that's usually our Friday night family night!). But if I'm in a group of people, I am a wall flower. I can't help it! It's not that I don't have anything to say. I do NOT like to be in front of people (ya know, having the focus on me. Very uncomfortable!). Now, with that said, my job doesn't allow me to always be a wall flower. That's ok. If it's small groups, I'm good. Plus I've worked here long enough, everyone feels like family & friends, not a group of strangers. Oh, here is a kicker. I blush....EASILY. It gets pointed out just about every time it happens. Add that to the not wanting attention...double whammy! :) I'm also terrible with small talk. I don't do it well. I would much rather get to know you (quick) and get onto topics that are about the real you. Who you are, what makes you who you are, what your life has been like. Ya know, those deep topics.
But, as an introvert...I want to make it known...I LOVE to hear about YOU! But like everyone else on the face of the planet..I have things to share too :) Just give me time. I'll get there. I'm not quiet because I'm judgemental or don't think you're worth talking with. YOU ARE! Give me some time to get to know you. Laugh with you. Cry with you. You'll have a friend for life. I just hope you like me for who I am, because it's the only ME I know how to be. I'm not fake. I'm not an actress. I'm me :) I'm the me God is working on. I'm a construction site. I have cones, tape, steel plates (you know, all the construction stuff) but those places are just where HE is working on me. It's a good thing, good construction.
The best part of my life: my husband & kids. Period. I am a very blessed introvert :)
This was taken a few years ago.
More current:
Our wedding 2013
Yes, love them all VERY much :)
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Life, it's just crazy..
Busy, busy, busy....aren't we all in that same (or similar) point in life. Some days I feel like my life isn't my own, but more like it belongs to everyone else.
"Mom, can you sign this?"
"Mom, I need money for this"
"Mom can you wash this?"
"Mom....mom....mom....??" (this is when I'm hiding) :)
I wouldn't change a thing.
Am I alone in this? Yes, it's busy and often exhausting. I have the great privilege of raising some awesome kids and I get to be one to speak into their life. It's a challenge sometimes to speak NICE into their life, but that's a whole other story! But what an honor!
Do you see raising children like that? Is it an honor or is it a burden?
I sometimes look at these kids and wonder what God was thinking when he entrusted them with me. Am I worthy? Am I good enough? Do I give them enough? Am I teaching them good things? How am I damaging them? I have to ask that one...we are all human, right? We hurt each other, even when we don't mean to. If we're honest with ourselves, we would be asking that question about all the relationships in our lives! We can't get better at relationships without asking the tough, honest questions!!
I had someone tell me a few months ago that a lot of my self-judgement is the lies that I'm believing about myself. Believing that things will happen if I don't do ____. Believing I wasn't a good mom, or daughter or friend. You get the point, right? Ouch! Thankful for the truth, but it still hurt. I've been believing lies? It was time to deal with all that. Deal with the holds satan had in my life, deal with the destructive patterns that he was creating (and I was allowing) AND deal with those lies that I'd been blind to. I had to take those captive in JESUS name and speak truth to them. Amazing how the truth unraveled those lies. Bringing truth in place of lies....it's like a field of flowers in the spring after a nasty, gloomy winter! Life grows in those places when God's light is shown. Refreshing...
Take a deep breath, find those dark places, speak God's truth to those lies....LIVE!!!
I wonder if we all took the time to make this habit, what would our world be like? Would you be able to unwind and slow down your schedule if you weren't so busy trying to keep up with everyone (because that lie says you aren't worthy if you don't keep up)? Would you be able to see the world from a different perspective if you weren't bound by all those lies?
God is good...I'm thankful for that every single day. Even on those crazy, busy, exhausting days!
Enjoy your day :)
"Mom, can you sign this?"
"Mom, I need money for this"
"Mom can you wash this?"
"Mom....mom....mom....??" (this is when I'm hiding) :)
I wouldn't change a thing.
Am I alone in this? Yes, it's busy and often exhausting. I have the great privilege of raising some awesome kids and I get to be one to speak into their life. It's a challenge sometimes to speak NICE into their life, but that's a whole other story! But what an honor!
Do you see raising children like that? Is it an honor or is it a burden?
I sometimes look at these kids and wonder what God was thinking when he entrusted them with me. Am I worthy? Am I good enough? Do I give them enough? Am I teaching them good things? How am I damaging them? I have to ask that one...we are all human, right? We hurt each other, even when we don't mean to. If we're honest with ourselves, we would be asking that question about all the relationships in our lives! We can't get better at relationships without asking the tough, honest questions!!
I had someone tell me a few months ago that a lot of my self-judgement is the lies that I'm believing about myself. Believing that things will happen if I don't do ____. Believing I wasn't a good mom, or daughter or friend. You get the point, right? Ouch! Thankful for the truth, but it still hurt. I've been believing lies? It was time to deal with all that. Deal with the holds satan had in my life, deal with the destructive patterns that he was creating (and I was allowing) AND deal with those lies that I'd been blind to. I had to take those captive in JESUS name and speak truth to them. Amazing how the truth unraveled those lies. Bringing truth in place of lies....it's like a field of flowers in the spring after a nasty, gloomy winter! Life grows in those places when God's light is shown. Refreshing...
Take a deep breath, find those dark places, speak God's truth to those lies....LIVE!!!
I wonder if we all took the time to make this habit, what would our world be like? Would you be able to unwind and slow down your schedule if you weren't so busy trying to keep up with everyone (because that lie says you aren't worthy if you don't keep up)? Would you be able to see the world from a different perspective if you weren't bound by all those lies?
God is good...I'm thankful for that every single day. Even on those crazy, busy, exhausting days!
Enjoy your day :)
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