The Real You

Who are you? Who are you really?

  • I am who others say I am.
  • I am who others tell me to be.
  • I am what I think others want me to be.
  • I don’t want to stand out.
  • I want to fit in.
  • I want to be different.
  • I want to be accepted for who I am.

So, who are you?

  • I am strong.
  • I am weak.
  • I want to be liked.
  • I want to be needed
  • I want fulfillment.
  • I want to have purpose.
  • I just want to make a difference.

So, who are you?

  • You didn’t make you.
  • You didn’t choose your family.
  • You didn’t decide to be born-when or where.
  • It was not fate.
  • It was not a mistake.
  • You are not a misfit.
  • You are not a mistake.

If all this is true, then who am I?

  • You are one of God’s creation.
  • He made you in his image.
  • He went about doing good.
  • He left a pattern for us to follow.
  • He said He would make us new. Brand new!
  • He specializes in rebuilding.
  • God is the original restorer.

 

 

July 4th!

Today is July 4th. I am an American. I celebrate July 4th. I am privileged to live here and partake of the many good things that have come about because of freedom in this country.

Centuries ago, in other lands our ancestors were persecuted for their faith in God – Jesus to be more specific. After lots of suffering, pain and loss, they came up with a plan, an idea to have their own land where they could worship God, live before Him, do their own work. own their own property and raise a family as they saw best – not as others tried to force them to. 

As a result, America was formed. The governance was well thought out by intelligent men who disagreed with each other, but their goal was the same. Provide a country ruled by the laws of the people, not by a king. This unique form of government is a republic – just (fair, honest) laws drafted by good men for the good of all. This was not a democracy where majority ruled, this was a set of principles where if you were the only one right, you could maintain your freedom and be safe. No majority rule could overpower that right. (Might help here to reread your Bill of Rights).

There will always be people clamoring for their truth, trying to force you into theirs, but not so in America. Each here has the freedom to live and express himself as a valuable person provided it is done within the confines of the law which takes into account the freedom of others and good of all.

The God and His laws which our country’s laws are patterned after is for our good. We need to continually keep our focus on how good God is, how He gave us this good land, kept us safe from others who’d try to do us harm. He is the true light who will overcome the darkness so we can live in freedom, light and truth with each other. 

“Our father’s God, to thee, Author of liberty, to thee we sing; Long may our land be bright, with freedom’s holy light, protect us by Thy might, Great God our King.” 4th verse of ‘My Country Tis of Thee’ by Samuel Francis Smith (1832)

Preserve Your Mind

News! World Events! Politics! Wars! Rumors! Gossip! YouTube! Instagram! AI!

I cannot keep up! Who said you’re supposed to?

It’s information overload. Knowledge of everything at our fingertips. So busy keeping up with the world we have no time to keep up with ourselves and our own families and communities.

I don’t think we’re intended to know and see everything. Why do we have to have an opinion on everything. Why do we need to hear everyone else’s opinion on everything and everyone? Our mind can only handle so much before it goes into stress mode. Don’t feel guilty because you aren’t ‘concerned’ about all the wars, death and sickness in other parts of the world. You are not being cold-hearted or uncaring. You are one person. You have your life and family and community. They are first and maybe only! We let go of much stress if we tend to our own immediate affairs and not jump on everyone else’s bandwagons hollering and waving concern.

There are many causes and needs hoping for support…your support. You cannot help everyone and meet all the needs clamoring for you. You need to say ‘no’ more than ‘yes’. Stay in your own lane and tend to your own – first and foremost.

Be at peace within yourself. Go outside and smell the fresh air. Look at all the spring flowers. Get a coffee with a friend. Sweep your own porch. Tidy up your place. Wash your car. Call a relative.

Let the rest of the world twirl on its own, while you stay in peace with your own.