Day 6 - Another Challenge - Dressember

Why me?

What did I do to deserve to be born into the life of freedom that I have? Nothing. What did the woman (or child or man) who becomes a victim of human trafficking do to deserve the life of slavery that they have? Nothing.

Their worth as a human is just as valuable as mine. After all we all created in God's image. Yet they find themselves in circumstances that are beyond my comprehension.

As I sit here in my comfortable house going about my comfortable life, it's easy to become oblivious to devastating injustices such as human trafficking. But it's real.

When I see articles or news stories or posts from organizations working to stop this horrific practice, I start wondering what I can do to help. But then I think, I'm just one person - just a stay-at-home mom in suburbia at that. I have no real influence. I don't have wads of extra money to donate. I guess there's really nothing I can do.

But there is. Thanks to the creative minds of people who decided that they could do something to help.

I first heard about Dressember last year when some women I follow on social media began posting about their participation. As I learned more about the movement, I thought that it would be a great way for someone like me to be able to contribute to the fight against human trafficking right where I was.

So when registration for this year's challenge opened, I didn't hesitate to sign up. For the 31 days in December, I along with many other women (perhaps even you reading this) will commit to wearing a dress every day to advocate for the inherent dignity of all women. 

This means I will forgo my yoga pants and sweats (this is a big deal for this homeschooling mama) as well as my favorite jeans for the entire month of December. But the discomfort this will cause me is virtually non-existent to what these enslaved women must face every day.

I'd love for you to join me in this challenge - the more the merrier and the more we can accomplish. Don't over think this - visit Team Sunshine Stories and sign up today!

Day 4/5 - Overthinking Others’ Words

I like words.

I like speaking them. I like reading them. I like writing them.

But to be honest, I don’t always like hearing them.

Sometimes it’s because I don’t like the truth that’s being shared, even though I need to hear it. But sometimes it’s because I mistake lies that I hear for truth.

Nothing sends me into serious overthinking and second-guessing mode more than the harsh judgments or the overly critical words of another person. Maybe their words aren’t technically false – at least not completely. But if they’re delivered in an accusatory tone or in a super critical way they are still lies because they were intended to deliver a false impression.

And many times they make me believe that false impression of myself – I’m not good enough, I didn’t do enough, I’m not smart enough, I’m parenting badly, and the list goes on. I’m guessing I’m not the only person that allows this to happen.

Why do we let ourselves cling to these hurtful statements? Why do we let these lies take hold in our hearts and grow? We’re basing our self worth on what others think of us.  We’re desperately seeking the approval of those around us especially if they’re important to us.

We’ve temporarily taken our eyes off the only One whose opinion really matters. This allows our ears to hear the lies that penetrate our hearts and edge out the truth that God loves us just the way we are. We’re enough for Him.

The next time someone’s words leave you feeling like a failure and you begin second guessing your worth, measure them against what God has to say to us through Paul in Ephesians 4:8:  

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, 

if there is anything worthy of praise, think about 

these things. 

Any words that don’t meet this criteria simply aren’t worth overthinking.

The only words we should ever overthink are the words coming out of our own mouths. Let’s remember that  “gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24)

Day 3 - My New Fall Go-To Outfit

Tonight's post is short and sweet but possibly helpful. 

I had a wedding to go to and help out with today. I wanted to look nice but be comfy. Thanks to a little retail therapy yesterday, I succeeded. I now have a new fall go-to outfit. No more overthinking what to wear - and it works for casual to dressy depending on your accessories. 

(Disclaimer - I have no actual photos of me wearing said outfit because I was working behind the scenes and never managed to get a photo.)

I paired the dress and leggings (both Old Navy) with black riding boots then accessorized with some awesome Noonday Collection pieces. You could easily dress this outfit up or down by adding a chunky scarf or changing the boots out for cute flats. I'm sure this outfit will become a staple for me this season.

Day 2 – Overthinking God’s Promises

This is probably the only rainbow I’ll be seeing here in North Carolina for the next few days. We have plenty of the rain part, just none of the sun. I feel like I’ve moved to London with all the rain we’ve had lately.

Maybe that’s why this fun little cupcake rainbow jumped out at me as I was scrolling through some recent photos – that and the fact that I could really go for one of those cupcakes right now. (They were pretty yummy if I do say so myself.)

Actually I think this cupcake did more than get my salivary glands going - it helped drive home some lessons I’ve been learning, or rather re-learning, this week in my daily If:Equip Bible study. God is always faithful with His promises.

Maybe you’re like Sarah (Abraham’s wife) and have doubts that God is going to fulfill His promises because it seems like it’s taking too long or the circumstances seem beyond impossible. (Don’t know about you, but I get a little impatient sometimes – even with God.) Or maybe you’re a Noah, and people are looking at you like you have three heads because you’re stepping out in faith and complete obedience to what might appear to be a crazy request.

When I come up against those kind of situations, my overthinking kicks into high gear. 

“God, are You sure this is what you want me to do? I don't think I'm the right person for the job.” 

“Is it really necessary for me to put myself out there like this?” 

“God, if this is really Your plan for me, then why is it taking so long for all the pieces to come together?”

So today when I saw the ‘rainbow,’ it was like God was using my own replica of His creation as a gentle reminder that I don’t need to overthink anything. He’s got it all under control.

Genesis 9:13 ~ I [God] have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

31 Days of Not Overthinking It

Fact #1 – Once upon a time I was a fairly spontaneous, try new things, throw caution to the wind, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal.

Fact #2 – Somewhere along the way to my forty-**cough-cough**-something birthday (which is this month), I acquired the habit of ‘over-thinking.’

What fabulous opportunities have I missed out on – or at least delayed - as a result of over-thinking (sometimes known as self-doubt)? What friendships or experiences have passed me by because I was too busy wondering should I, should I not?

I’ve spent countless hours over-analyzing a blog post only to decide, after all that, to delete it (hence the somewhat very sporadic postings).  Not to mention things of actual importance that I have successfully talked myself out of doing or trying because I thought about it too much.

Well, no more. It’s time to give my feeble brain a rest. Maybe it’s time to give my heart and soul a chance to run the show for a while.

For the next 30 days I’m challenging myself to sit down with a cup of extremely dark-roasted coffee and write. Will I write about over thinking every day? No, but I will write without over thinking.

Who knows, maybe I’ll re-emerge with a little of the spunk that used to get me into trouble. But hey, since I’m forty-something, aren’t I allowed a little more grace? :-)

(And in the spirit of full disclosure, some very minor over thinking may have gone into the writing and publication of this blog post. But I promise no more.)

Day 2 - Overthinking God's Promises

Day 3 - My New Fall Go-To Outfit

Day 4/5 - Overthinking Other's Words
Day 6 - Another Challenge - Dressember
Day 7 - Do I Have What It Takes? Or Does God?
Day 8 - Couple Time
Day 9 - 14 - Oops, Marriage, Anything
Day 15 - Spreading Their Wings

The Step Stool

A step stool - a beaten up, chewed up, worn out, dirty, old step stool. That would probably be your answer if I asked you "What do you see in this picture?".

That was my answer the other day too as I bent down to move it out of my way to sweep the kitchen floor. I thought to myself that maybe it was finally time to toss the almost seventeen-year-old piece of junk. But when my hand connected with the once smooth wood, it was like one of those freaky sci-fi TV show moments (or what I imagine them to be since I don't really watch those). Memories, like electric currents, jolted through my brain...

…Brandon's first black eye at the ripe old age of two. His eyebrow connected with the corner of the stool after he came barreling into the kitchen - in sock feet - all set to climb up and take his perch to help make pancakes on a snow day.

…Seeing the stool perched in the bathroom floor so that toothpaste spit would make it into the sink (or preschool boys' pee would make it into the potty).

…Standing guard at the base of many a kitchen cabinet while independent (aka headstrong) little boys were determined to grasp whatever the object of their desire "all by myself!"

…During the twee years, the stool wasn't as nearly in demand. But it came in handy when growing arms were asked to change light bulbs or reach the barely-used items on the top shelf of the cabinets.

These days the stool just sits there waiting to be needed, but more often than not it's shoved out of the way. Those two rambunctious little boys can not only reach the counter now but they can fix their own breakfast. And usually the toothpaste around the sink is because they spit from too high above. They're still asked to change light bulbs or grab dishes but a step stool isn't required for reaching.

Princess Mia uses it from time to time, but as in true princess fashion she usually just beckons someone else to do or get whatever she needs.

As I continued moving the stool and looking at remnants of pulled-off stickers, I realized that the real beauty of an object isn't in what it looks like but in the stories it tells. How often have I gotten rid of memories because something looked worn and dated? Next time I think about getting rid of something, I'll think about those stories the nicks, dents and dings tell before I chuck it in a pile for the dump.

2013: One Little Word

I’m trying something new this year. (Here’s where I first heard about this idea.) Since I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions, but do like to start with a clean slate and a renewed focus, I decided to select a word that would be my theme if you will for the upcoming year. Let me tell you it’s not easy selecting one word to set the tone for an entire year. But after much thought, prayer and reflection, there was one word that kept popping up in various, completely unrelated places and I knew that was it.

So without further ado, let me introduce you to my One Little Word for 2013...

One of the reasons I chose this word was because it has so many different meanings – from the literal to the figurative.

For an object to sparkle, it typically requires light. If I’m to sparkle, I need to remain close to my light source. That light source is Christ. “I am the light of the world.” (Jn. 8:12)

Clear, clean objects sparkle the brightest. I like diamonds. After all, they are a girl’s best friend. But what I like most about diamonds is how much they sparkle, and the more they sparkle the better. But what makes some diamonds sparkle more than others? Their clarity. The same goes for me. I can’t sparkle if my life is dull, dingy and cluttered – both physically and mentally. In order to reach my full sparkle potential for 2013, I need to focus on cleaning up and clearing out. What this means will constantly evolve throughout the year – of that I am most certain.

Objects that sparkle can reflect their light on other objects. What good is it to sparkle, if no one sees? “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Mt. 5:14-15) In 2013 I want to share the sparkle!

Source: http://society6.com/CarriePrytzKoehmstedt/Dont-Let-Anyone-Ever-Dull-Your-Sparkle-IOC_Print

I plan to reflect on my word throughout the year and let it guide my goals, dreams, desires and most importantly my everyday life. Well, with one exception - I will not be adding sequins to my wardrobe.

I'm looking forward to sharing a little 'sparkle' with you during 2013!

Happy New Year!!