Insecurity

In preparation for the Beth Moore simulcast "So Long, Insecurity", I am reading her book by the same name. OUCH! is what I have to say! Most every word is hitting home....and not in a good way either.

I have known mostly forever that I have insecurity issues and a bit of inferiority complex thrown in the mix. I have known most of that time that I tend to try to get my sense of security from the wrong sources. But to have to read my life in the pages of a book written by another...well, that's just rude!

Beth Moore mentions that whenever you look at someone and think, "They must have a great life because they are ________.", then that is probably one of the areas you are most insecure. Well....it's true for me! I have two areas that I could use to fill in that blank....areas I think of as my biggest weaknesses...areas that I think, deep in my heart, if those areas were changed, I would be happy, fulfilled, content, joyful, etc...

I am learning....slowly....that I need to be content where God has me....with the "weak" areas God has for me...putting my security in Jesus and Jesus alone! I have been a Christian for almost 34 years, and I am just know beginning to learn the tip of the iceberg about who God is and the amazing work He has already done for me! Whew....I AM a slow learner!

About Face

Today has started out interestingly. I have had to face some of the uglies about myself and it's not pretty! It has dawned on me that God is using this as a lesson...and I'd like to go ahead and learn whatever He has for me and not have to go through this again.

Here is what has happened:

I received an email that relayed some ugly things said about the way I have handled an event that I am in charge of. My pride instantly got wounded....if that person only knew the amount of hours I have put into this...how much I cared about this. The accusations were hurtful.

But as I began speaking my frustrations aloud, it hit me that this was an opportunity for me to allow God to work through me. What a novel idea! Stopping my natural self...curbing my "right" to defend myself...forfeiting my ability to "teach" this person what is right and wrong...

So...what started out as frustrating, maddening, and upsetting...has turned out to be a great day where I am excited about how God is going to use me...how He is going to work through me...how He is going to mature me...if only a little bit!

Darby Through the Years

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARBY!!!!

Darby's Pre-Birthday Celebration

Darby
Darby and Bailey

Darby with a new itunes gift card.

Darby with a cool new jacket!

Darby with her favorite new gift....iTouch!

Let the embarrassment begin! The singers are Red Robin!

Darby after the singing....but with her ice cream and balloon! Now it's really a birthday!

Darby turns 12 tomorrow! Our day, tomorrow, is shaping up to be a bit crazy from outside sources, so we decided to celebrate her birthday today. She chose chocolate brioche for breakfast, Red Robin for lunch, and chicken nuggets and stuffed shells and lima beans for dinner....ice cream, of course, for dessert.

I don't know where the years have gone since 1998! Darby we love you so much. Our family would not be the same without you! Have a terrific birthday!

My Small Faith

I have been praying for two dear friends! They both have different things that are going on in their lives. I have been privileged to have been asked to pray with and for them in these areas. I know that prayer is the most important, life-changing thing I can do....but I want to do more! I want to DO something?

Am I the only one who feels that way?

The things that are being prayed for are definitely in God's will...the Bible says so! These two things, though so very different from each other, are dear to God. I can point to specific verses that say how He feels about them.

So...in my limited human capability...it seems that He would jump right on these and fix them.

But in my bit of knowledge of God...I know that things are done in His timing.

aarrgghh! Am I the only one who feels this way?

So...in my small faith...I will keep praying for God to work His miracles in these two lives. I will keep praising Him even when I don't understand. And I will keep walking with my friends through this time waiting in anticipation to see the great things God has in store for them!

Give Me Your Eyes

I have recently been reconnecting with high school friends via facebook. It's really cool to re-meet them and catch up on their lives, their spouses, their families, and their jobs....but God has opened my eyes to so many of them being lost spiritually!

Though I can't know their hearts...I can read their status updates and read their responses to others' comments...and for several, it's pretty obvious where they stand.

God has burdened me with praying for them and for a way to either be ready to respond OR to maybe even initiate the conversation.

The following video is how I am feeling more and more these days!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2cYxOkR2-g