Sharing God's goodness...

I belong to a HS group that is FULL of great families.  The woman of this group truly embrace the definition of a Godly woman.  Every family represented approaches the topics in life a little differently, but that is one thing I LOVE about this group.  The perspectives brought to the table is amazing.  Sometimes with perspectives comes a sense of self-righteousness...."I can't believe they are letting their child ______".  In our group, if this is a problem, is done with such tact and dignity that only our spouses hear these statements.  In our group, these families are committed to praying with and for each other, and NEVER choose to gossip, bad mouth, or condemn one another.

Last night, a few of us that were able to attend gathered around a table at DQ.  Some of us enjoyed french fries, ice cream, coffee, soda, but, I think, we all enjoyed the conversation.  We got on the topic of how, as woman, we should fulfill the task of a Titus 2 woman in regards to the older woman teaching the younger woman.

So I asked the question:
What would I (older Carrie) say to the younger Carrie??  In other words, what do I wish I would have heard when I was a young woman seeking to be a Godly woman.  One of the responses that was given was, "It's going to be hard being a wife and mom!!!".  Another response was "it's exhausting being a wife and mom."

When I think of my response to my own question, my response would be:
Pray more, demand things from other less and try to control things less.  When we seek God to change the situation that we feel the need to demand things from others or want to control, He changes them in a way that results in a change in us.  He changes our perspectives as from what we deserve to what we REALLY deserve.  We deserve Hell...we all do, but He has given us eternal life when we submit ourselves to Him and His purpose.

Sharpening or cutting

I have the privilege of spending 30 minutes three 

times a week with a group of women... So I choose to 

spend 90 minutes out of my week with them, 

why is that a privilege??  Because these 

women and I have one common denominator....we exercise (no, this 

was not a New Year's resolution...we began our 'habit' at the 

beginning of November :) )!  We don't discuss our children, 

our husbands, our finances, our doctrinal views...you get the picture.  

Now, please do not hear that these topics are not 

important or that they are not worthy of being discussed.  

But!, please hear me say that these topics do not 'cloud' 

the common denominator of our goal to be healthier 

and stronger...the encouragement regarding

these topics are just a bonus.  

I will also not say that these topics don't come up....

If you know me at 

all (a little or a lot), I am an open book...You don't have to 

wonder what is going on in my life.... :) 

Well because we are women--we do, on occasion, 

talk, and this morning did not disappoint...  

One of the ladies and I were discussing a scenario where a 

tough conversation had to happen.  A tough conversation that, 

out of love, HAD TO HAPPEN for the recipient's eternal 

well-being.  As she was talking, I was reflecting 

on a conversation that I had with a friend 

this week that was, needless to say, a little challenging.  

The questions that I asked from myself, about my 

convo with my friend, are the same questions 

that my friend was 'mulling' over: 

How does scripture advise us to handle tough conversations that HAVE to happen??

How does Christ exemplify handling tough conversation that HAVE to happen??

How does Christ exemplify humility in tough situations?

How does Christ encourage reconciliation?

Why do we extend forgiveness? 

How do we extend forgiveness regardless where the fault falls??

How do you handle someone who is lacking humility, the want to reconcile, the unwillingness to extend/offer forgiveness?

These conversations made me think mostly about how 

scripture outlines handling these questions...

And, my initial thought was "what provokes me to 

NOT consult scripture or pray about first?".  

The answer EVERY TIME is pride!!

How many times in scripture do 

people attempt to do things without the Lord's 

prompting...  

My friend gave a good example: 

The first time Moses hit the rock it turned into water.  

The second time Moses struck the rock - nothing.  

Why did the 'formula' work the first time but not the second??  

Moses was following the leading of Christ's

 'direction' the first time... Moses was NOT following 

Christ's direction the second, and nothing happened.  

When we try to 'do' tough situations, have tough conversations, 

raise our children, appeal to our husbands 

without seeking God for His direction thru 

scripture, prayer, and waiting on God's timing...

we are seeking our own glory 

(John 7:18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain 

personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one 

who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him). 

But...when we do things 

according to the Lord's prompting 

iron is allowed to sharpen iron. 

(Pro 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, 

so one person sharpens another); 

otherwise, we are just cutting.  

Please consider if you are sharpening or cutting....