Just a glimpse of me...

My photo
Do you ever feel STUCK? In 2000, I began looking for answers to some tough questions in my life. I'd searched high & low and finally conceded to search the promises found in the Bible. Those promises have sustained & guided me through the loss of a parent, the struggle with anxiety & depression, the loss of a valued relationship and so much more! I've found joy amid the pain. And, I want to share it with you!

22 September 2009

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old - 3 No Strings Attached



About 10-15 years ago, a few things began to really "get under my skin" about a dear, cherished, beloved relative. I pondered those things & came to the abrupt conclusion that I too could easily slip into similar and perhaps the exact (gasp) behaviors. It was at that time that I began a new file entitled, "Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old". About 2-3 times each year, I send the file to a few "sister friends" in the hopes that they will NOT let me edit the entries as I get older to suit my fancy. I'm beginning with the first entry & will add others throughout the coming months, years, whatever :)

I began the file with a note to read each time I open it...

Dear "Old" Caitlyn,
As you continue to get "older", please DON’T FORGET the following these guidelines from...
"Young" Caitlyn

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old -- Entry #3

Solomon sitting on the Christmas bags so I couldn't put them away!
3. No strings attached please!  What does it mean to give a gift to someone? Does your gift come with conditions -- is there a cost? Are you giving to get a thank you or to make a big impression? Are you giving your gift with a hidden agenda? The same thoughts go with the intent of a compliment or an invitation to join you in an activity, etc. When growing up, 99% of the time, I felt like there were conditions to the approval & affection that I received. As, I grew up, that perception didn't seem to change much from that one person. Currently, I see that same thing happening in the lives of my children.

Why do we have to attach strings to so many things in our lives. When we give without the expectation of receiving something in return, the joy is immediate with our gift. We aren't sitting in a holding pattern waiting for recognition or accolades! Isn't this they way it was intended? None of us enjoy going on a guilt trip.

Old Caitlyn: DON'T send your loved ones on a guilt trip. Give freely!

Scriptures of the Day: A few scriptures that come to my mind. Acts 20:35: "You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: `It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Luke 6:38: "If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving--large or small--it will be used to measure what is given back to you."

SO TODAY... as Deuteronomy 15:10 says, "Give freely without begrudging it, and the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do."

FORMER POSTS IN THIS "SERIES"
Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old #1 - Sleep Around
Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old #2 - The World Doesn't Owe Me



Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old, #2 The World Doesn't Owe Me


About 10-15 years ago, a few things began to really "get under my skin" about a dear, cherished, beloved relative. I pondered those things & came to the abrupt conclusion that I too could easily slip into similar and perhaps the exact (gasp) behaviors. It was at that time that I began a new file entitled, "Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old".

About 2-3 times each year, I send the file to a few "sister friends" in the hopes that they will NOT let me edit the entries as I get older to suit my fancy. I began with the first entry & will add others throughout the coming months, years, whatever :)

I began the file with a note to read each time I open it...

Dear "Old" Caitlyn,
As you continue to get "older", please DON’T FORGET the following these guidelines from the ...
"Young" Caitlyn

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old - Entry #2   The world doesn’t OWE me! We all suffer injustices & should NOT expect to be compensated for those the rest of our life. What am I saying? Try NOT to act as if the world owes you – because of all the sacrifices you’ve made in life or because of all the unfair things you've experienced. LIFE AIN’T FAIR. How many times have we said those words to our kids as they grow up & encounter unfairness, hardships, persecution?? What gives us the right to "get back at the world" when we are older.


KEEP REMINDING YOURSELF...  eternity with God is much closer than it ever was. Heaven isn’t necessarily "fair" either-- we get to heaven based upon Christ’s sacrifice - not our good. It’s much more than we could ever imagine, hope, and dream!! The hardships & injustices we endure here make us better & stronger -- fitting right into God's plan!  They equip us to help others with their struggles... not make it so they must pay us for our struggles. Yes, Old Caitlyn, remember... the world does NOT owe you.
Scripture of the Day: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Gen 50:20 (what Joseph said to his brothers after their terrible treatment of him)



FORMER POST IN THIS "SERIES"
Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old #1 - Sleep Around


17 September 2009

Sweet Dreams

Trusting in Him enough to turn my cares over to Him during the dark times in my life (sometimes just the night); wow, what a concept :)

I've thought of a favorite scripture many nights when I was unable to sleep. I've claimed it.  
"I will both like down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

And, the perfect scripture for the following morning: 
"I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me." Psalm 3:5. 


As a friend of a friend says, "Turn it over to the night shift."

God's in control 24/7 and watching out for us 24/7. So, go ahead & turn your cares over to the night shift. See I Peter 5:7 too! He's got your back!

(written 14 Sept 2009)

12 September 2009

I'd love to give this boot the BOOT!

Well, I'm not a happy camper at the moment! I got a second x-ray yesterday - after wearing my heavy, ugly to-the-knee boot for 3 wks & 1 day. The Report: No visible signs of healing (aka calcification)... at least three more weeks in the BOOT... at least three more weeks of no driving... no more step aerobics anymore - only walking around the block. Next x-ray scheduled for October 2nd.
The way I'm feeling at the moment, if it was up to me, I'd not leave my house for the next 3 weeks except with my hubby (church, choir rehearsal, and an occassional meal out). I'd be perfectly happy to just stay home & communicate via blogs, e-mail, Facebook and Twitter. The desire to get out & about for anything seems to be missing. I'm pretty certain that I'm in need of a slight attitude adjustment.
I'm SO thankful that it's not something really serious though. There are so many in this world who are suffering from serious illnesses or persecutions or losses. I'm thankful that I didn't reinjure the fracture in the past 3 weeks. I'm also very thankful that I can do everything I need to do around the house, albeit considerably slower. AND, I'm quite thankful that I look so fantastic wearing a bedazzled boot. But, I must admit, I was hopng to give my boot THE BOOT as soon as possible!
I don't believe that God "did" this to me to teach me a lesson. I believe that He allowed it to happen to me & that I will grow and become a better person through the experience. I believe that He will use this time in my life to grow in other ways. I also believe that this experience will allow me to be used of Him in ways that would not be possible if I were not experiencing this! What's the point of fretting about this little inconvenience? It's not going to make the healing go faster. I also refuse to let this little dilema pull my attention away from all the other people who have greater needs. So, for the present, I'm in a boot & spending some extra time praying for others!
"O Lord, you alone can heal me; you alone can save me. My praises are for you alone!" Jeremiah 17:14

Attitude... I'm Working On It!

It's been a great week -- not so much a great day. I learned today that there's no visible healing (although no further injury) in my foot. I had a second x-ray done & have to wear the boot until the next x-ray in three weeks. 



I can't drive a car. I can't do step aerobics anymore. I can't even walk for exercise. I'm not thrilled but, I'm not devastated either. It could be SO MUCH worse. It's just gonna be a pain for a little longer than I had hoped. 

Several scriptures come to mind & I'm reminded that this life on earth is going to be a challenge. 
Christ spoke in John 16:33, "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." 
So, what do we DO about those trials & sorrows? I look further into the Bible. 
We're told in Matthew 6:34, "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."
That second verse might seem to have a negative connotation to it. But, the way I look at it is that there's no need to fret about tomorrow, worrying will NOT change things. Sometimes we need all our energy for just what's thrown at us today! So, I attempt to deal with today's challenges with God's help and claim His help for whatever tomorrow throws at me! It's all I can do. 

Okay "stuckinindiana"... breathe in & out; ask God for a positive attitude about the foot & a few others things! I'm standing on the promises -- and leaning heavily upon His Word!

My attitude... I'm working on it!

A human being can alter their life
by altering their attitude.
~ William James
 



01 September 2009

Parenting is NOT for the Faint of Heart!

In our adult Sunday School class a few years back, one of the couples (parents of 3 children) were beginning the summer after their oldest child's first year in college. She was coming in late, being noisy, not reporting where she was, requesting QUIET in the morning hours, and more! I remember my husband & I "giving them advice". While doing that, I was silently wondering what will we actually "do" if we faced that!!

I guess we learned that when our oldest came home after freshman year of college. When we began experiencing the same things our friends had told us about all those years ago, the LOML and I recounted the "advice" we'd given to our friends. We'd said something like this...