and I have a scratch on my arm to show for it! I wondered where the blood came from that was showing on the frame of the reading nook I was putting together..... then I decided to look on my body to see if something was wrong.... and found about a 2-1/2 inch scratch. Oh well. It had already stopped bleeding. But - I got the reading nook put together with little difficulty. But, also, after I got it put together, I noticed that the front side of the shelving wasn't painted. Now I know I was making sure I had the paint sides outward, but I also was checking the instructions on which way the screws were to go and all... so I'm (hoping I'm right) thinking they just didn't paint that one side. No biggie. I will buy a small container of white paint and paint it. Really not a big deal. BUT - I did get it finished -AND found a place to put it after moving things around a couple times - and was able to accomplish it all while hubby was gone yesterday morning. Whoo hoo! Now to go to Goodwill or Savers and find children's books to put in it. No rush; the great-grands don't come over that often, but it was just too cute to pass up. It is really for a small child so don't know how long I'll be able to keep it without it just collecting dust.
When hubby got home it wasn't long before we were heading down to the eye doctor's to check out my eyes. Well, I found out what it is called - my 'silent migraines' that I call them. These headaches that are really not headaches, but will occasionally blot spots of my vision, and gives me lightening bolts on the sides - comes and goes in about 20 minutes - is actually called 'occular migraines'. No pain, just annoyance.
There is no cure. They are caused by stress, spicy foods, (and extended screen time, I'm sure with staring at the computer 8-9 hours a day) and could be just about anything. He suggested I track when I get them, to think what I've been doing. Since I sometimes get them while I'm driving, I'm going to think it's also things that lead up to that moment. I have gotten them while working; I have gotten them at the gym; I have gotten them in the evening watching TV, I've gotten them while driving. They don't happen frequently, usually. Last weekend I had 3, which is a rarity. Usually it may be once a month. So - there is no cure; there is nothing I can do to prevent it without writing down what is going on in my life at the time of it happening. They did this one test on my eyes - after dilating them - that had tears flowing down - I think it was taking photos of my retina. Anyway - all said and done - I have a diagnosis, nothing I can do about it except stop whatever I think is causing it (when I figure it out). And life goes on.
I probably could have summed up all that in three sentences - and I gave you two paragraphs so that you had something to read. :-)
Romans 12:2 (NKJV): "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Webster's dictionary describes 'conform' as 'to make like'. To conform to something is to change your behavior, or change yourself, to look like something or someone else. I think we see a lot of that in dress code nowadays, don't you? People trying to look like celebrities whether in clothing or in hair styles or makeup.
But for a Christian, we should not conform to this world and the things in it - behavior or clothing - but be transformed in Christ by renewing our minds constantly in Him. We seek to grow in understanding of God's word, transforming our mind, to discern or prove God's will. Metamorphesis comes from the Greek word for transformed and indicates change from the inside out. When we accept Jesus as Lord of our life, we need to use our minds to be transformed on the inside and seek Him and allow Him to change us into being like Him.
Jesus told His followers to 'Follow me". Paul told us to "Follow me as I follow Christ". We are to be ttransformed into His likeness and follow in Christ's steps. How are you doing with that?
Sometimes I think this is an area we all - including me - have to constantly work on. I often ask God if I have pride in me, that it is reflected in things I possess or people I associate with. There have been things in the past that I have cut out of my life and took a step back for awhile, because I felt I was feeling prideful about it. God has shown me since, in one area at least, that it wasn't pride, but the devil accusing me of being prideful and I believed him. It's sometimes hard to gain back what one gives up. But I strive daily not to be prideful about anything, for pride is a sin of the world. Nothing is to be before Christ.
Sometimes I don't know how I get into predicaments... sometimes it is my mouth that does it... but how I choose to respond to things shows how I am confomred to the world, or to Christ. Sometimes we all get 'stinking thinking'.... and need to sit back and re-evaluate our life. Do we hate our job so that all we can do is complain about it? Do we hate our circumstances enough that we will stop and do something about it instead of wallering in the mud all the time?
And I'll use myself as an example...somewhat.... I mentioned about a situation that has come up from a year and a half ago. Instead of just someone saying, "Hey, this has been on my mind, something you said back aways, and it troubles me and I'd like to talk about it." .... instead we run from the situation (because it is true? there is guilt here?) and say "I'm taking a break from you because you said something hateful." Could we do that to our children, our spouses? Anyway - taking a break from each other isn't going to cause it to go away. And saying "I forgive you for saying it, but I will never forget it in my darkest of darks, with God as my witness"... so.... no forgive and forget... is that the right attitude? And - my choice has been to just say 'ok, if that's what you want.' I'm not going to argue on the truth of my statement. It is what I said and and feeling guilty about the truth of that statement... well, that's not my problem. Pride is a terrible thing at times. When someone calls me out and it is true, I step back and evaluate that truth..I pray about it... and if God shows me that they are right and I was wrong, I will ask forgiveness and let it go. Some people don't know how to let things go, but choose instead to waller in their distress, their issues, their troubles... and tell everyone what a great person they are because someone did this to them and they cut them out of their life. Whatever.
In all things, choose Jesus. He is the Author and Perfector of our faith. Stop and evaluate how you feel about things, about people. Have you forgiven them? Have you talked the issue over with them? Is it even of any value to do either of those things? Why not just forgive them and forget about it and let it go? Be TRANSFORMED into Christ's image and run your thoughts through His Word and see what He says.... it sure can straighten me out at times! Words will always hurt when we think about them. I've had people say things to me that I could not share with anyone, but they cut deep. Praise God He shows me how to let it go, to forgive, and choose life in Him versus letting the enemy distort my mind with my own perceptions and accusations. Things happen... sometimes we need to just say 'Ok - whatever", and let it go. Maybe I'm wrong in my situation... I used to beg to resolve our situations, but every time we got together, I would be told what a terrible mother I was, I should get a divorce, I wasn't living the way this person thought I should be. Interesting how I have learned to step back instead of begging to restore friendship. I don't need to. I give it to God and let Him deal with her, with the situation, with me. It's wanting to be transformed in to His image, and let others see Jesus in me. Lord, help!
Blessings!
