We all have in us a perfect blend of "Regina George, Cady Heron, Gretchen Wieners, Karen Smith", & let's not leave out "Janis Ian". If you don't know who these characters are, these are cast members of, "Mean Girls". It's a cult classic. I would like to write about one scene which touched upon the part of the main problem of people. We tend to be the meanest to ourselves. And we don't even know it. Our Own Words Are Our Worst Enemies.
In the movie scene it shows "The Plastics" in front of a mirror saying the mean things about themselves. In the scene Regina George says she has "Man Shoulders" and another one says she has big pores. The main character, Cady Heron, had to learn about these "girl rules". Women are to verbally self mutilate. When it was Cady's turn to say something mean about herself, she said she woke up she had bad breath, to prove she didn't understand the "verbal self mutilation"
Verbal self-mutilation is true and it happens, I have caught myself doing it. But worse yet, in front of my children. They have stopped me from saying mean things about myself. But I'm showing them it's ok to do it. I have since tried so hard to stop saying mean things about myself. I do catch myself right when I am about to self-verbal mutilate. It is habit forming, and it will be a slow death no worse than heroin or meth, in my opinion.
So first rule of survival is get your self image through Jesus Christ. First and foremost! You will never make it on your own or if you try to rely on this world. Don't get your identity through your work, family, body, worldly things. The only way to survive your time on earth is by surrendering your heart to Jesus, and then becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. And that means different things for different people.
Second rule, read the Word (Bible). Be excited to spend time with The Father. He is excited to spend the time with you. The Bible is like a text message, remember the Words and Phrases in Red are ALWAYS spoken with LOVE.
Everything I'm writing about now is sort of an intro to what I'm about to tell you with what's going on with my family right now. We have been going through some major changes and I would like to share them with you all. First I would like to brag about my daughters.
Oh my daughters.... my loves.....total and complete opposites! And that is what's so cool about them. I am so completely amazed and in love with them. They never make me stop laughing. These two are best friends and I couldn't be more proud. I don't know how many mom's get to say their daughters are best friends with each other?!? I am so blessed that I do. Thank you girls! This is the best gift ever!
But here's the deal....
You see, our family is in an almost emergency situation with my father-in-law's health. And my mother-in-law needs help like yesterday. Being the service family (Mike calls us that) we are, we decided to move out of state and 1 block over from my in-laws. Now I'm sure some of you will be reading this and cringing right about now, but I lucked out when it came to in-laws. I truly love my mother and father in-law.
But here's what's different about this move and our life now, Mike is leading our family. He is leading us with Grace into this new chapter. He is being the husband and father that he would'a, should'a, could'a been....I believe he will be husband, father, leader, I never let him be. I didn't trust him, because I didn't trust God.
We are doing this move the right way, the Biblical way. We are asking God to lead us, and speaking words of Hope. Of course we're praying, asking for the Holy Spirit to guide us in EVERYTHING! We are being careful with our words, only speaking words of Grace, Love, and Hope. We have never lived our lives like this before...ever.
I think that 24 years ago this is how I was supposed to feel on the day I made my wedding vows. I don't believe I ever truly cut my "apron strings" with my parents until we bought this house last weekend! For the first time in our marriage, NO WAIT, for the first time in our relationship, "I'm truly understanding what it feels like to be Yoked" with my husband...and it feels.....overwhelming!
I don't have that pressure on Mike to try to live up to my expectations, which are unrealistic. I don't have the anxiety of trying to control Mike or my children anymore. I took the focus off the imperfections in myself and others and put my focus on Jesus. He is the only Perfect One out there.
Mike and I can love Jesus with all of our mind, body, and soul. All of us are in this marriage. In fact, it is the only time a threesome is allowed. Mike and I love Jesus together at the same time.. We are actually a stronger and healthier couple if we do include Jesus in our relationship! Thanks Be To God! In Jesus's Name, Amen
Might I invite you all to try it out some day?!?
