Check it out!

I'd love for you to go to my sister's blog and read her post of how she taught her sons patriotism. What an awesome idea! Just look to the right at my blog list. It's under Sandra Langford. You'll be blessed! In fact, I don't think you'll be able to read it without crying....

Difficult Relationships

Do you have any difficult relationships? I think most of us do. Can I share what I've learned over the years that may save you some heartache, stress, struggling, and expectations? Here it is: You may never get what you're wanting, desiring, needing, or hoping from that relationship.

First of all, let me say that I hope your difficult relationship isn't with your spouse. I've done a lot of counseling and I know it could be. If it is, let me just say that the only person you can change---is YOU! And if you're a wife, I'd encourage you to memorize, meditate on and drown yourself in I Peter 3. Let it become your best friend. I promise it will help you.

But if your difficult relationship is a parent, a sibling, an in-law, a pastor, or a friend, I'd encourage you to put your expectations in God---not in that person. In fact, let God meet all your needs! There's not another person on the face of the earth that can meet your needs. Here's a secret---God intended it to be that way---because He wants to be that person in your life! And if we can just realize that those people that you're having a difficult relationship with are probably hurt, damaged, or were abused--and they may not have worked through those issues and just don't know how to relate to you on the level you need.

I know I found peace when I admitted I was probably never going to be loved or accepted by the person I was hoping to find it from. And I spent so much time struggling and anguishing over it!! It's still a difficult relationship, but I'm just learning to love them, give to them, and help them without expecting anything in return. That's the difficult part. But isn't that what God called us to? He told us to love our neighbor as ourselves. And He gave the example of being a servant. Give...whether you get anything back or not.

Simplify

It keeps coming up. That word. This morning, in my prayer time with my prayer partners, it came up again! Have you ever looked at the Proverbs 31 woman with that word in mind? Her life doesn't appear simplified. She worked through the night, she gave her maids their orders, she gave to the poor, she strengthened her arms, she bought real estate, she had a home-based business....etc., etc.
But God showed us something this morning. It's something I'd already been thinking on...but this morning, God got a little personal. I think the Proverbs 31 woman's life was simplified---even though it looks really busy. But here's why I think that. I believe she was doing what she was gifted to do and what she was called to do! Have you ever thought about that? Do you know how you're gifted? Do you know what God's called you to do? When I'm doing those things, I'm energized! I love it. And I could keep doing it for hours. Really! Can't you? I think that's even part of discovering what your gifts are. What energizes you?
And what is it that drains your energy? What do you dread doing? What things do you get yourself involved in that you wish you could get out of? That's what you need to simplify your life from!!
How did it get personal this morning? Well, we each discovered what was draining us---what we needed to simplify our lives from. And guess what? It was different for each of us! (Duh...) For one it was relationships; for another it was emotions; and for another, it was a way of doing things. Isn't God amazing how He can give one word and individualize it?
So...I'm back to simplifying. And now I have clear directions in how to do it.

Burning Question

I have a burning question: Does anyone have a pillow that they just love? A pillow you sleep on at night. I have searched for YEARS for one that is perfect. I like a medium height, soft pillow. The ones I've gotten either squish down too quickly and become flat or they're too high to start with. The one I have now has broken up and is lumpy. I've gotten them fromWal-Mart, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Dillards, etc.
Please, please, please let me know if you've found the perfect pillow!! I'm getting desperate! And my neck will thank you.

Playing Hooky...

I never played hooky in school...never!!  I would have been too afraid of getting caught!  The closest I came was when I was a "basket girl" in 7th grade P.E.   (Man!  Am I showing my age!)  After collecting and putting up all the baskets in P.E. (where our clothes were stored), we were allowed free time.  You could finish homework, etc.  I'm not sure if we were given permission or if the example was set by those before us, but we would sometimes leave campus and go to "Patrick's"  across from the school and get some of their fresh, homemade ice cream.  I don't know why that appealed to me....I really don't even like ice cream.  But theirs was really good.  I did that a couple of times.  My last time was when my postman of a father showed up there delivering the mail to Patrick's at the same time I showed up to get ice cream.  I think he just laughed, if I remember correctly---which was par for how he disciplined me.  But it either took the adventure out of it for me or scared me into not going anymore.  It's been too long and I can't really remember.

But today, I played hooky again.  Andy went to Lubbock to hear a man from China.  And since I'd been sick all week, a trip just didn't appeal to me.  But as I contemplated what I'd do while he was gone, "hooky" kept popping up in my mind.  Do you realize how seldom a minister's wife gets to play hooky????  Well, I did it.  And not only did I do it myself, I tried to find an accomplice!!  I called one of my best friends (who plays hooky often enough herself, mind you....) but for once, she was going to church!! ha!  Ok...I'm kidding, kind of...she goes alot.    Oh well, I played hooky all by myself.  And if I'm being honest with my story, I must tell you that I enjoyed it alot!  I did some laundry, read the beginning of a new book about Chinese martyrs, and took a nap.  So now my hooky-playing is over (since church is over) and I must venture out to find some lunch.  In all probability, someone will see me and ask me why I wasn't at church.  But that's a price I'm willing to pay this morning to find food.  

Giving

I guess what motivates me to give is to really see a need---or to be persuaded of a need. Yesterday, I went with some United Way representatives to talk about how United Way helps Living Water and try to raise more funds. Another agency in town was also sharing. Norma is the director of the women's shelter here in Borger. She was so convincing and very persuasive. By the end of the 2 hour tour of speaking, I was ready to give to the Women's Shelter here in Borger! She presented the needs so well and made us feel the hopelessness of the women who come there. I know they're helping lots of women and children who are in bad situations.

Giving Season

We have definitely entered the holiday-giving season! Praise God for all those people who are bringing food to Living Water!! I'm sincere in saying that. It's going to help so many people. But seriously....I didn't sit down once today!! It's a good problem to have.
My question to you...just because I'm nosy and I've been speaking on this subject since I got off work:
What motivates you to give? (Besides Jesus, obeying the Word and all those godly answers. ha!)