The Pre-Election Months. What Were We Thinking?

So in my immense quest to be occasionally relevant, I've decided to discuss the upcoming presidential election (Debra-style). And to my intelligent, but worried-about-next-month's-outcome readers, I would urge one thing:

Come on, people. Snap out of it.

As I, myself, recently recalled after The Big Blow, worry is a sign we're paying closer attention to the world (and how it works) than to God. (Yikes! What were we thinking?)

No matter who wins the election--I believe--our lives will change. And oh! What we could have done to prepare had we not spun in frantic circles, wasting time, distressing, instead:


We could have spent extra quiet time with God. Listening. Loving Him. "Becoming built up in our most holy faith" for any hardships we might face ahead.

We could have gotten our houses in order-- spiritual, financial and physical. You know, become prepared for tons of changes, emergencies, like: Created bug-out bags and alternate routes from work so to avoid areas of possible rioting. Collected enough supplies at home so to avoid panicked crowds at supermarkets. Prepared to hunker down at home just in case things really go wild. Socked away extra cash at home and worked at getting out of debt. In general, prepared for short-term troubles and farther away, longer ones.

We could have gotten in good physical and mental shape so to cope with any changes. Could have listened to way more Bible teaching than news reports, more Bible study than newspaper reading.

We could have finished projects and made Life easier (and our minds, lighter). Rather than camping-out in front of the tv news, we could have un-procrastinated tasks galore, in Real Life and online, soaking in a sense of accomplishment rather than hopelessness.

We could have sown more unity, peace and seeds of helping, friendship and forgiveness rather than alienating Facebook friends and neighbors by our rabid, unverified political posts. (Friendships last longer than presidential terms of office.)

We could have--well, you get it.


Yes, November's is an extremely important election. I agree. But all months preceding it were precious, given by a generous God. None were worth wasting in dread, worry and unbelief. As I commented at Facebook:

God's had a specific plan for thousands of years and no two questionable presidential candidates are going to screw it up. I think it's pretty exciting to see what God will do next!

And in coming weeks, each of us will (I know this) face the reality of whether we arrived at November 8th fully prepared--or not.

So get busy, ok? And remember Whose we are and Who will care for us no matter who's sitting in that big white building in Washington D.C..

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"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."   ... Philippians 4:6-7


“Fear is the glue that keeps you stuck. Faith is the solvent that sets you free.” 
― Shannon L. Alder


“The reason some of us are such poor specimens of Christianity is because we have no Almighty Christ. We have Christian attributes and experiences, but there is no abandonment to Jesus Christ.” 
― Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

(Ouch! But true.)


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For my fellow preppers: One reason I love my new battery-operated sconces is that they make excellent emergency light sources at home. You'll find a variety of them here.

Oh! And for genealogy fans, this morning I discovered a new show on Netflix called Heir Hunters. I'm thinking many of you would enjoy it.  :)


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Always there's something productive we can do rather than just slide into a heavy heart through unproductive worry.

" and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."   ... Matthew 28:20


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Debra: Sometimes She's Wise. Other Times She's Ridiculous.

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."   James 3:17


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Well, Tom bought that expensive new car and Penny Pincher Debra freaked-out (more than I told you, but hey, it's my blog and my reputation. er hem).

Anyway, I went all must-cut-back-on-future-purchases! Must-not-go-broke! Must-not-spend-our-savings-set-aside-for-the-end-of-the-world!

Really.

So I moped sat around on Monday and Tuesday, twiddling my thumbs and not spending my self-imposed monthly allowance of 14 years. And not buying new decor items or books or anything else for myself, rather, just a few online groceries. Oh, and postage stamps (we're nearly out).

I imagined a dark future of this and felt royally deprived. Moody. Bummed-out.

By Wednesday I woke up. 

I realized rather than using wisdom, I was exercising fear. Fear that if I spent anything, even a reasonable amount, on myself or our house, well, our checking account would sink like the Titanic. And we'd drown in debt (and regret).

Tsk. Tsk. And only when I realized/admitted my folly, was God able to remind me (via various sources) that it's possible to be overly-cautious, too independent and to doubt His provision. That, yes, perhaps Tom's huge purchase was ill-timed, yet there's sowing and reaping and--as long as I keep sowing good things for other folks--He'll make sure I reap good things, myself.

Then I recalled how that rare redecorating season began a couple weeks ago. Would I now toss away that grace/strength/creativity because of fear of lack? Or would I proceed in making purchases using trust (and wisdom, of course)?

Well, I've read my own blog long enough to know what to do. :) If I ignore Grace's timing, all other tasks will feel like struggle. Strength-zapping, must-force-everything, no-delight struggle.

And who wants to live that way? Not me, certainly. 

So here I go, out on the wire of faith and trust, but holding hands with God and Grace. The only way to proceed in faith. 

Daily.
Hourly.
Minute-by-minute.

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I've not hung the wallpaper in our bathroom yet (I've got my excuses, trust me). But ideas for that whole redecorating project are pouring in.

As a reminder, here's the wallpaper:

And this morning, I ordered this from Ebay:

And this switch plate which will go on a plain grey wall:

I'll have a few dusty-rose accents in the bathroom, as well, and will let you know if when my bathroom redo actually comes together.

These things take time, ya know.  :)

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"Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour."  ... 1 Peter 5:8



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Speaking of 'the end of the world'... Because I spent the last year prepping grocery-wise, we'll need to spend very little money on food. Aren't you glad God knows the future and can tell us the right time to do things?


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Today would have been my grandmother's 103rd birthday. Oh how clearly and fondly I remember one born so very long ago... Happy birthday, Grandma. I can't wait to see you again!

My oh my.... Have you ever heard this instrumental song? Wow. Stopped me in my tracks in our kitchen moments ago. Just had to share. (The visual scenery of the video is gorgeous, also.)


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Moving On

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."   ... Jeremiah 29:11


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So ol' Debra's been psychoanalyzing herself lately and uh-oh. Turns out she's not as 'dead to self' as she'd supposed. 

All my recent pouting certainly was a major clue, but as you know, while in the middle of a shake-you-up storm one seldom notices details. 

Anyway. Regarding the new car, Tom and I have agreed to disagree. Once a person tastes peace, she'll do whatever it takes to keep it, so although I feel guilty about owning such a car (and think it, frankly, resembles an angry hornet) I've decided to throw the whole matter into God's lap and leave it there.

And then just do my best, forgive some ugly arguments and accept this all as a new challenge to use the skills and brain God's given me.

Part of me enjoys that. The other part rolls her eyes and says, "I'd thought we'd moved past these financial shenanigans long ago. Shouldn't life at this age look differently?" 

Bottom line: I know God will take care of me if I try to obey Him, trust Him and not hold a grudge. (Boy, have I remembered lately how anger sucks the serotonin right outta your head. Yikes.)

I had to process and work through some issues. Needed to spend extra quiet time thinking, praying, letting go, accepting challenges, tweaking dreams and asking to view obstacles in a new, doable light. 

I grew a lot, I'm thinking. (Gotta appreciate that.)

And all is--mostly--well. The leftover storm is only slightly rippling across the sea. It's certainly nothing to get all worried about.

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"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."m  Galations 2:20


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Re: The Sconce Saga:

The new sconce arrived and it's the one I wanted! It shines just a soft light rather than 5 little yellow bulbs. So I placed the new sconce above the fireplace and moved the bulby-one here:

And in my quest to give our office a more western theme, I bought two of these hooks (Ebay):

And one of these switch plates (Ebay):

Long ago I noticed I've got a thing for cast iron.  Oh, and these all were purchased BTBB--before the big blow--(just in case my fellow penny pinchers wondered. heh.)  :)


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