Tough Talk On Valentine's Day

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."   ... Psalm 51:10


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(Edgy titles. They get my posts more views.)  シ


Last week as I climbed our stairs, I thought, "I'm kinda tired. Have much on my mind. Maybe I won't mail out Valentine's this year." And you know? The 30-year-old me probably would've skipped it.

But I don't want to be at 60 what I was at 30. That would reflect poorly upon my Life-changing God.

So instead, I asked myself "Are you insane? You love mailing Valentines to friends! You anticipate it all year. Besides, later on you'll feel sad and regretful if you don't."

I really would.

So I snatched my bag of Valentines and carried them downstairs to our dining room table where I began signing them. Only greyness came through our big windows, but inside of me? The bright light stemming from obedience.

You know how the Apostle Paul said this?


"No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."   ... 1 Corinthians 9:17


Well, I'm not quite there yet. ツ 

But. I am at the "I refuse to settle" place. I refuse to accept (and make excuses for) the old attitudes/weaknesses/sins I knew at 30, 40 or 50. Sad, weak-kneed, whiny places of--

Shyness
Procrastination
Nagging
Offense
Worry
Laziness
Complaining


And if you ever hear me say, "I can't help being _____" (or, That's just the way I am"), well, I call me out on it! Those are like building an I-dare-you-to-change-me wall, one even God can't bust through.

No, I'll keep asking Him to change in me what reflects poorly upon Him. The pain of humility, the embarrassment, the handing over of some pretty-good-sounding excuses be darned. 

Why? Because what if a 30-year-old Debra suddenly appeared, watched me for a day, then said, "Well, you sure look older, but otherwise, yeah, you pretty much act the same."?

That would be horrifying.

"Wisdom is doing today what you'll be satisfied with later on."   --- Joyce Meyer


"Sociologists have a theory of the looking-glass self: you become what the most important person in your life (wife, father, boss, etc.) thinks you are. How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?"   

--- Phillips Brooks




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Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Enjoy French Country style decor? You may love these rooms.

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"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15