This bedroom is getting pretty cluttered and crowded as gifts come rolling in for Christmas. Yes, I started buying a long time ago and little by little, tis room is filling up. I want to start wrapping and labeling and making my list so that I stop buying for some and know what I need to get for others. I know, I say all this frequently, don't I? One of these days I'll actually do it. At least we both know it will be done by the end of December, right? Surely I can get to it when I get the trees up! Which, by the way, I'm hoping that hubby will 'let' me put up by the 3rd week of November. That's not too soon, is it?
Today is Sunday and we will be heading to church in a couple hours. Pastor John has been doing a series on 'Passages' and thus far it has been very good. I'm sure today will be as well. I'm tired this morning, for some reason, but will be jumping in to the shower after I finish this and I can get awakened and refreshed. I hope. :-)
Yesterday went well. After Needles of Hope I stopped by the Michaels at Metro Center. I could not wait to get out of there! I don't know what has drawn them into the store, nor what is keeping them there, but flies are everywhere. They would land on my arms, on my face, and yeck! I actually felt nauseated with them landing on me. I swatted so hard at one my watch went off and asked me if I had fallen and did it need to call emergency! I don't like bugs to start with - not even flies - and to have them constantly landing on me just creeped me out. Was able to get part of a Christmas gift completed, but at my sanity cost.
I went on to get my car washed and then stopped at Popeye's to pick up 'linner'. Or is it 'lunner'. LOL Hubby and I had a major 'discussion' when I got home and I think I finally got the message across to him. I wasn't mad, I was furious and just tired of some things. And I let him know it. I think I shocked him that I finally spoke my mind on this issue. But I said what I said and I mean what I said. Can you figure that one out? Don't ask - it's not a big deal; but it is an issue to me and I dealt with it. :-)
I really wanted a nap yesterday but wouldn't let myself. I tried reading for awhile, but my eyes kept closing. Switched to crochet and then we watched a couple Christmas movies. Yes, I'm already watching them. We have so many on Up Faith and Family, plus Prime Video. We did watch one we both really like and have seen numerous times. One Special Night with James Garner and Julie Andrews. Cute movie.
Today I really want to bake, but I also know I need to work on the message that I will be sharing next Sunday. The season is actually here - already! And no, I haven't worked ahead and had some done to draw from. Thought about it many times, but have not. So, down to one week from today so I will be hopefully finishing one today for next week. Then I'll start on what I need to do next month. I think it's three next month, but two different locations so I can use one twice. I need to get my mindset on getting these completed. I've gotten extremely lazy this summer.
I Peter 2:1-3 (NIV): Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted the Lord is good.
Those of us who know, and have known, Jesus, know that we are to rid ourselves of all things of this world that pull us away from Him. It isn't easy, as you know. It feels like the more I try to keep my mouth shut about things, the more it opens and spews forth! Now you may not have that problem, but for some of us, when we let our guard down, our mouth just starts drooling out the things that we know we should keep within and give to God to deal with.
We are to get rid of all that stuff. We are to let go of the anger, bitterness, jealous, etc. that plagues the world. Sometimes we just get too close to the flame and we know we are going to get burned by it. But it doesn't always stop us, does it? Sometimes I will catch myself in mid-sentence and will stop and not allow myself to say more. I leave people 'hanging'... but when I say,"I'm sorry, that's gossip, and I need to not say that." They usually 'get it'. And some will say, "But that's not gossip, you are 'sharing'. Yeah, right. It's NOT always a 'prayer request' - right?
But talking about other people does not make us a better person. What is it that Paul says in Ephesians 4:29?
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV): Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Some people would reflect on those words and think that it is just about gossiping about others, or saying things that were not true. But it is more than that. We are not to say anything about anyone that does not build them up. I know, I have failed many times and I have had to ask God's forgiveness many times. I am usually ashamed of myself that I 'allowed' my mouth to keep spewing things when I knew I should close it and lock it.
There are a lot of things I don't like about myself. There are things I don't like about hubby. There are things about my children, and some grandchildren, that hurt and drive me crazy. I know I have spewed things even in here, especially about hubby. I do try to do it in such a way it isn't helpful, but some things are just too easy to share, right? Doesn't mean that I am right in doing it. But then, if I don't share about hubby, I wonder if I would have anything to write about at all? LOL Just kidding!
I do need to watch my words and speak only truth that will build up and strengthen. And so do you. And many times it isn't the words you (we) use, it is our actions. My granddaughter has called me out a few times on my 'rolling my eyes' at hubby about different things. The thing is, when I've done that, it is to show her that I don't always agree with his behavior - and I'll leave that there. I'm not perfect either, right?
So we are at the beginning of November. What if we made a pact to try and not say anything 'unwholesome' about anyone for the month of November. Or through the end of the year. Or maybe forever. But sometimes we have to take baby steps, right? We aren't perfect, and I'm sure I'll forget all about this conversation tomorrow. (Lord, Help!) But it is a goal we all can look to accomplish. Shall we?
And with that - I'm off here. I have a few minutes before I need to jump in the shower and I want to just be alone and quiet. Maybe I can get in a 10 minute nap.
Blessings!
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