What am I doing?

O.K., I know I have probably shared this before, but some days I cannot decide what my purpose is here. I have a very full life, ministry at my local church (to kids and women), a real estate job, caring for my husband and children, taking care of our household (I don't have a housekeeper), maintaining friendships, excersising 4 days a week (at 46 you have to or everything goes south!), and trying to remain flexible so that when things pop up I am available. I enjoy each of these segments of my life immensly. However, it does get tedious when it appears that my efforts are discouraged by others, or that I am having no tangible effect. The area in which I am discouraged today, and realistically for at least the past year, is in ministry.

When I accepted the position at our church to head up the women's and children's ministries it was because there was need and I felt a calling. After almost 3 years I am grateful for the challenge, the character it has built in me, and the memories, but, I see no change in the ministries in general, nor the people. I cannot call myself a failure because I feel I did my best and was faithful to do what I was called to do. But, maybe it is time for someone else to affect change in these areas. I cannot let my pride keep me in a position in which I should not continue. Maybe my ministry is something different than administration, maybe I should jump off into a new arena where I will really be stretched.

Timing is everything. Is now the time? Maybe.

Changes

Why is it that change is so difficult? Shouldn't it be exciting and fun? What makes so many people stuck in their ways? Personally, I love change. Probably, some might say, waaay to much. I look forward to the adventure and thrill of something new. It could be as simple as painting a room that brings me pleasure. Or even just moving the furniture around the house. The change that is soon to come will be huge, and I relish the thought. Our local church is about to explode with spiritual as well as numerical growth and it will be wonderful. With pleasure, I anticipate learning from new people, stretching in my worship experience, knowing more of God.

OK you people who are thinking of digging in your heels and resisting change, let me encourage you with a few simple words. No one is ever stagnate in their relationship with the LORD. You already ARE changing daily. You must simply choose whether to move forward or be dragged away by the tide of comfortable complacency.

I choose forward change. YIPPEE!!!

Words and Freedom

This past weekend we celebrated our liberty. As I contemplate this notion of liberty I find that it is quite an enigma. What I encountered this weekend, within myself, caused me to be perplexed as I considered the freedoms I enjoy.

I am free to work at any occupation at which I choose to be trained. I am free to serve any god, the Living God, or man made. I am free speak my mind and expound upon any subject I should choose, even if it is injurious in nature. That is where I cannot continue in my thoughts. You see, I found myself imprisoned by my own words this weekend. I freely used my words to express annoyance. Then, as I felt so free to announce my frustration in one area, I took the liberty to continue to articulate further my impatience with others as they failed to meet my expectations. My free use of words resulted in a sense of misery as I continued to talk too much about subjects that were none of my business.

Why, oh why, can I not exclusively use my words to encourage. Even if correction is necessary, the words used in that pursuit can be and should be encouraging and instill hope for a future, rather than discouraging words that inject disdain and discord.

Today I will measure my words, consider the cost, then I will endeavor to speak freely about hope to a world that desperately needs it.