This week started off in Tupelo, MS where I went to visit my Great Aunt Betty. It was a time of refreshing for me, I went alone. We had great fun reminiscing about our family growing up and I was so glad to hear of my great grandmother’s life, whom I never knew. It turns out she was a high energy girl like me, and also had a seriously creative side. How fun to know that, I had never been told that! Got a really fun zebra purse with pink trim and a wallet to match and monogrammed a .75 cent lampshade while I was there, how fun is that? (pictures in Monday’s post)
Tuesday I was so run down from running hard the last few weeks I thought perhaps I was getting sick. Thankfully a good night’s rest and more careful attention to what I was eating cured my down and out energy level. I taught the ladies’ Bible Study for our teacher who was out of town, I did not do very well….a few weeks ago someone had called after we joined the church and said unkind things, someone in the class brought it up to ask what I felt and said back when it was done. Unfortunately the conversation got off topic at the study and I couldn’t get it to stay on track after that. My response to ugly is always the same, I’m not a “in your face” girl, so I tend to simply say “I’m sorry you feel that way” and walk away from the ugly. I truly think people are used as unknowing pawns by Satan when they do and say unkind things to others, most folks truly don’t mean to be ugly, they simply are hurting , exhausted, self conscious, or they don’t know the wonders or peace of God’s love yet. God’s church will always be imperfect as long as imperfect humans are in it, and we are called as Christians to simply not be offended by others. I truly have no issue dismissing the ugly of what is said to me, because at least the person who chooses to be ugly is honest and told me through a first person conversation what was thought. I mess up regularly and apparently I wear a sign that says “Tell her what you really think”. In my boldness, high energy and let’s do it! attitude I simply offend some people by simply breathing…. I told my students when I was the teacher at public school that people are always going to talk, its human nature. The best way to deal someone saying unkind things to you is to 1) listen carefully to what is said, if what is said is true, fix your part of it, and ask for their forgiveness, if what is said is not true, then consider the source that said it, their situation and perspective, realize that you may have unknowingly offended them or perhaps its not your problem at all and go about your way, blessing the person who confronted you or gossiped about you and pray for them as you go. I’m just sorry that even on Easter Sunday, folks find ways to be miserable….such a happy day!
Tuesday night I went before the ominous City Council to get my zone variance and new licensure for our business, She’s So There, which had to be changed to that name (what a pain for everything from business cards, to addresses, to website!), since we’re changing states and how we work! For entirely different reasons than the blog is named She’s So There,, where ever there is, she’ll find it yet, She’s So There LLC is simply a name that is more encompassing of all the things I do! Viral Marketing, Consulting, Educational Consulting, Writing, and E Communications, Speaking and Websites.
Wednesday we did a rare thing. Dh came home with a headache, and we were all lacking of time alone, so we gathered for a good dinner together then called it a night. Everyone went to bed early and caught up with sleep. I think we all needed it!
I was determined to do Rachel Anne’s bedroom 100 things…we won’t talk about how many hundreds it took to catch my room up and declutter it, but we’re there now! I am thankful for the small things challenges. I need them daily to help get me into the habit of doing for our home!
Madison made me breakfast yesterday as a surprise…how fun is that?! Today, I am working at the church with our children’s minister on plans for a mom and me activities for 4-6 graders this summer, we’re brainstorming at 10:30 so I’ve got to get up and get to it this morning!
The family update?
Dh is working harder than ever on the government projects with the satellites. College boy is doing well at school and looking for a car to replace his that died. Newlywed girl sounds happy when we hear from her! Sophomore boy is in Spring Football and fishing these days and prom this weekend! Miss Priss is counting the days to turn thirteen and is so busy in her garden! The boys, our three small dogs (though one is growing bigger daily) are regularly out on the deck outside my office now…and the geriatric labs are loving the spring days!
That catches you up on us, but please, tell me about your week! What can I pray for for you this week?
My prayer request this week is:
To pray for wisdom and discernment for Les and I as we are facing so many choices right now and to place a hedge of protection around our children as they continue to be under satan’s attack as the ministry moves forward! To also pray for prom weekend this weekend, so many children will be at risk for serious mistakes!
God is good!
I am so glad to hear from you! I have been praying for you and the ministry since I began my blog fast in March! I am so sorry about the "ugly" you have had to endure, but in a way, I see it as a blessing, because when Satan attacks, it is usually because that is where God is working! I will continue to keep you in my prayers! You are a blessing!
That is sad that people have to be miserable and confrontational. You had a good response, i.e. considering the source, changing what you can. It made me think about marriage (my own in particular) in which we had "words" this week. I was mad and hurt…it took about 2 days to realize that everything that was said to me was true. Ouch, it hurts.
OTH, when people simply like to stir things up with criticism…that's just sad. I'm awfully sorry that you bore the brunt of it this week.
It sounds like you have had a bit of rest thrown in with the whirlwind, and I'm glad to hear it. I'll keep praying for you and your family!!
That's such a positive way to deal with people's unkindness, which is something I really struggle with. I have a way of taking every little detail personally and it wrecks me! I'll have to try this.
Have a great weekend 🙂
I'm not good with confrontation. I like the way you handled it. Will be praying for you. Good luck with the business transition(?) and God bless your ministry.
Thank you for the coffee and cheesecake. I'm sorry about the rough patch this week. That is never fun but it sounds like you handled it well. It also sounds like your week has been very productive. Mine…notsomuch. (Some weeks I have more work than others – this was one of those weeks.) I will be praying for your family and ministry. I would add my own kids to your prayer list – that God's loving hand of protection keep them secure from satan's temptations. Have a blessed weekend!
Oh to respond to things so gracefully as that… Sadly, I tend to take little things to heart and let them effect me to the core. I'm working on it though. God blessed me with such a calm and optimistic husband who helps me to try to look at things from a better perspective! Change hurts doggonit…
I said a prayer for you and your family!
I agree with riotwife. It's easy for me to take every little thing personally. But I have also unwittingly used the gift of words that God gave me to hurt others. It's something I am sad I've done, but I'm also glad God continues working through it with me. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful response. Have a blessed weekend.
Thanks for the coffee. Sorry you had to deal with some unpleasantness but when you come home and look at those cute, little furry faces doesn't it take all the ugliness away? Give them a scruffin' for me!
You have a marvellous way of handling nasty situations…good for you…I usually just go home and fume! Please pray for the daughter that we just moved today…when I was helping her pack I found some drug paraphenilia (but I didn't realize it) ..then today I went to clean the room that she's been living in and noticed black sootie stuff all on the walls…I'm pretty sure it's smoke residue from her smoking her dope pipe….I'm so discouraged that she would do this in our own home…..please pray for her.
Hi Sweety! Thanks for the invite to coffee and cheesecake! As usual, I enjoyed catching up on your life and hearing how you are doing. I will be praying for your family. I know a little something about being under the enemy's fire. We saw some great things happening for God's glory this week. First at Youth group, then at worship night. When I say "we", I really mean my DH, because he is the up front ministry man. But I am the behind the scenes prayer warrior! When awesome things happen in our church, I usually end up feeling the firey darts of the enemy here at home.
Keep up the faithful work sister! I will be fighting the good fight right by your side! 🙂
Ps. 144:1 "Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle."
Thanks for the delicious cheesecake! It is raining here today, so that is perfect. I think it is rude that people say unkind things in church especially. You seem to handle it very well.