Facebook, you stole my life...

I spent the month of February cleaning out proverbial closets. I fasted sugar. I gave up caffeine. I stayed off facebook. I didn't watch TV. Okay, that last one is normal for me. What freed up a large chunk of time was actually the facebook fast. I didn't realize how many times I sit down to veg out for a minute only to end up scrolling endlessly through a news feed that I (annoyingly) can never seem to get to the bottom of.  What did I do instead last month? Let's count down...

10. Read the book "Clean" and began a detox journey. This book talks about the toxins in our world and how to help our body "reset" by using foods in a natural state. Our bodies truly are so stunningly complex.  Highly, highly, highly recommend it.

9. Made my first acupuncture appointment. Yes, I'm scared of needles.

8. Attended the regional NACADA conference and learned a TON! Plus, there was a hot tub and awesome company.

7. Got my own therapist. The rumors are true, folks; sometimes counselors need therapy too.

6. Found and memorized the verse I plan to recite all year long:

Isaiah 61:1-4
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

5. Got up on a ladder and fixed my garage door opener. *brushes shoulder off*

4. Studied Psychologist William Glasser's Choice Theory and decided my future should include a house in the country and lots of laughter with Brooke. Maybe a country boy too. And definitely lots of high heels. And a PhD.  And most of all, lots of Jesus. 

3. Found a new favorite restaurant, Cafe Cusco. Mediterranean & Moroccan cuisine, amazing eclectic decor, and lots of orange and turquoise. I'm considering moving in. 

2. Went to an art exhibit displaying work by Edward Deeds-- a man who completed all his work while committed to a mental institution in Neosho, Missouri. Amazing art work and amazingly thought provoking. Thanks, Ms. Jacquie Atkins from Art Inspired!

1. Spent time cuddling, laughing, praying, reading, and coloring with this ray of sunshine...

If you're considering a break from facebook, I must say it's well worth it. Happy self-discovery and may your journey bring you ever closer to the One who created it all!

It's not an accident

It is true that God works in mysterious ways.

A conversation with a dear friend (who seems to be more like a sage) left us recently discussing how in classical, ancient languages, there is actually no equivalent for the English word “coincidence”. No, the path we’re on is never a coincidence. Even after yet another set of very hard, personal life circumstances, I believe this now more than ever.  When we make impulsive, un-thought out decisions, God is right there to catch us. When consequences of our mistakes should be nothing less than death, He covers us with protection and comfort. He saves us from ourselves repeatedly and tenderly draws us right back into His arms. No, I’ll never fully understand the mystery of our Savior, but I plan to spend my life trying.

I recently watched The Count of Monte Christo with another good friend. There are two lines in this movie that have etched into my mind. Without giving away the movie (if you haven’t seen this movie, it’s a must), there is a character in the movie who believes in God and then, in a series of extremely tragic circumstances, loses his faith. At one point, Edmund- the character who has lost all hope- is speaking with a priest. He tells the priest firmly that he does not believe in God, to which the priest replies “It matters not…He believes in you”.  At another point in the movie, Edmund is declaring his unbelief once more to the woman he once loved. She replies with a bold statement “Can’t you see that God is in everything…even a kiss”… (and yes, then they kiss in that way that makes you want to sail off to Italy and run through a hillside of daisies).

There is one thing I know to be true; God is in everything. And He always finds us, even when we run. When we’re lost and caught up with busy minds, caffeinated nervous systems, and mile long to-do lists, He breaks through.  When we’re weighted down with past failures and wounded spirits, He cuts in and binds our broken, human hearts.  When we wonder if it’s really Him who has come to save us, we need only to quiet our racing thoughts long enough to feel His silent peace. It’s Him.  It’s always been Him. 

One for the ladies

Dear Ladies,

As a follow up to the letter I wrote to the men (below), I’ve also thought a lot about what I want to say to you. This one’s harder because--well, I am one of you. Everything I say to you also becomes something I say to myself. So know that as I write this letter to you, I’m writing directly to myself as well. In all actuality, everything I said to the men I also say to you (with only a few changes).

You are not made to be the leader of the household, but you are made to be strong and beautiful.  Beautiful doesn't mean shiny lip gloss, size 2 whole-in-the-knee jeans and hot new pumps either. Remember that wisdom and a servant’s heart are far more valuable than anything you can see. Your beauty DOES come from within, regardless of how cliché that sounds and how backwards this world is. Read Proverbs 31. Read it again. Read it again. Read it again.

You are not controlled by your need for male attention. What's that? You don't want male attention you say? Next time you leave the house ask yourself why you’ve chosen the particular outfit you are wearing.  Sometimes I think women (myself included) dress in a provocative manner subconsciously because of the attention it can bring. We are human and attention feels good. Period.  If we are dressing without thinking, we have to start asking ourselves if what we are wearing is bringing glory to God or bringing attention to our female form in such a way that we end up bringing guys (AKA our brothers in Christ) to their knees!  If we are dressing provocatively on purpose, we also have to ask ourselves why…do we believe our worth is based only on how we look? Does attention make us feel powerful? Do we feel so bad about who we are that we need someone else to affirm us physically? Most importantly, what are we saying to our daughters by the way we present ourselves?

You are not defined by how many comments you got on that picture you just posted on facebook an hour ago.  You are not defined by your role as mom, by the number on the scale, by the degree you hold, or by the man in your life. You are not defined by your beautiful- or not so beautiful- house. We must remember that Christ and Christ alone is the One who defines us. Nuff said.

Love,

Your sista from another mista

To the real men in the room

Dear Men,

I've thought a lot about what I want to say to you, so here it is. I'm so excited to see you live out your purpose and turn this world upside down!  What must you do to make this happen? Simply stand up and be the man you were created to be!

You are not controlled by a need for recognition, power, or a souped-up Camaro.  When that high paying, 80-hour a week promotion is offered, try to think ahead to how this will affect your eulogy. On your death bed, will you be happy you spent most of your waking hours working on padding your bank account?

You are not controlled by lust, so when that mini-skirt walks by, raise your eyes to Jesus. When you are tempted to objectify a woman, remember that she is someone's precious little girl; she used to sit on her daddy's lap while sucking her thumb and watching Saturday morning cartoons. Try and see her soul instead of her boobs. Be faithful and pure both in action and in thought.  Trust me, it's not harder for men. If I can do it, you can do it. Promise.

Stand up and lead your family; this is what you were created to do! Deep down, you are called to be a warrior. Don't let our culture water down your purpose. Pick up a sword with one hand, the bible in the other, and  FIGHT!

If sin sneaks up beside you, RUN--don't walk-- in the other direction. Show us girls what you are really made of. Choose your movies, friends, and conversations wisely. We are what we eat. Do not partake in this trending, prolonged adolescence. Remember that your integrity is defined by the choices you make when no one is looking.

Don't just be the man who is "pretty good compared to all the other guys", be the man God created you to be. 

Love,

Lindsey

(A.K.A. Your sister in Christ who definitely doesn't have it all figured out yet, but who is dying to see you succeed in fulfilling your God given destiny!)