Couldn't sleep...

"At one end, we have those who go out of their way to show others how much they are cared for, will even make themselves sick in the giving. At the other end you will find those that "love" themselves so much that no one else matters to them and they'll trample on anyone's feelings to get what they want." (Taken from a former post of mine on this thread.)

I'd like to clarify what I meant and what my thoughts and feelings are at this moment. As I've said before, this is a journey for me, also. I have much to learn about self-care and taking care of myself (body and mind) as a temple of the Holy Spirit which we all are.

1. This, perhaps, was on of the thoughest realizations I came to as I shed the old way of thinking, the old family dynamics and move on to a healthier mind. I had to learn and accept my own limitations.

I could no longer use my oldest aunt as my compass. She gave till there was no more to give and then gave some more. I couldn't use my mother as my role model either because of her introversion and selfishness where her "neighbor" was concerned. At a younger age, I couldn't abide her false pride in herself. Now I find myself fighting against it. I recognize now that it was a coping mechanism for her. I don't want to avail myself of that particular mechanism.

Somehow, I had to find a healthy balance between my Aunt Helen's altruistic nature and my mother's opposite nature.

1Cr 12:12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ.

1Cr 12:11 It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (Yes, I know the verses are in reverse order.)

In other words, I had to find my own gifts, how and where God wanted to place me. And then, find my own worth in that position no matter how "saintly" my aunt was or how uptight my mother was. I had to overcome her constant reminder that "you didn't let me make of you what I wanted."

(more to come, no doubt. )

We are all shaped by those around us. Sometimes, as you noted, we shouldn't be. I find your realizations to be excellent review, Tomi. Now that you do realize you are not the way you want to be, and why you might be that way, it's a good time to continue to find how we are to be.

((((((((september))))))) i think we all need to take the initiative and look into ourselves. Then ask what it is that we see. And what can we do to become more of what it is that God would have us be.

I too, have been struggling with this myself lately. It can be difficult to face ourselves and then try to see ourselves from God's perspective. For me, it was a real eye opener and a very humbling experience. For all the hard work i've done; there is that much more yet to do.

But knowing that I am not alone, that others share the same struggle to find their way, somehow makes it easier.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{Recluse}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

You most certainly are NOT alone. Knowing that others are on a similar journey is a big help. I don't need to remind you that the Holy Spirit is always with you and you most certainly have the Love of God to cushion you when the going gets rough.

Listening to a sermon on the topic of John 3:16, I had what I thought was my foundation rattled. I felt my jaw drop and my breath catch. It was something I had never conceived of in my wee little mind. The minister was saying "Put your name in this unfailing fact... 'If (name) was the only person that ever existed or ever would exist, Christ would STILL have died on the cross for her/him.' "

Be sure, without a moment's doubt, that when God looks at you, His face is full of love for you! You already know this. Sometimes it's just difficult for us with our human minds to comprehend.

You're not alone!

((((((SeptemberMorn))))))))

Thank you sweetheart for your kind and encouraging words. rest assured that even the simplest of things, like a kind word spoken, can make significant impacts on others. as is the case here. Thank you.

i love you, sweet sister!
recluse1

Galations 5:25,26

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other.

With that scripture in mind, when difficult situations or decisions arise, we need to ask ourselves,"In this, how do I keep in step with the Spirit?" Then keep your heart and mind open to His answer.

Spirit of God,
descend upon my heart.
Wean it from earth,
thro’ all its pulses move.
Stoop to my weakness,
mighty as Thou art,
and make me love Thee
as I ought to love.

Breath on me breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love
what Thou dost love,
and do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me
glows with Thy fire divine.

ON EAGLE'S WINGS

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
who abide in His shadow for life,
say to the Lord: "My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!"

The snare of the fowler will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear:
under His wings your refuge, His faithfulness your shield.

You need not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day;
though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come.

For to His angels He's given a command
to guard you in all of your ways;
upon their hands they will bear you up,
lest you dash your foot against a stone

Refrain: And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings,
bear you on the breath of dawn,
make you to shine like the sun,
and hold you in the palm of His hand.

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Wonderful hymn to meditate with... and ON!

This may have been posted in this thread somewhere before. But just in case, i wanted to post it anyway with the thought of peace and love!

1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers...that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Even when me may see things differently than one another, we can peacefully agree to disagree and leave it at that. No need for bitterness or anger. For therein lies the division. In this thread we can remain united in mind and thought so long as we stay focused of LOVE.

We're in tune with each other, Recluse! I was just reading that and listening again to "On Eagles Wings". No, it hasn't been posted before.

Definitions of agape love:

agape: selfless love of one person for another without sexual implications (especially love that is spiritual in nature)

Unconditional love. A love that stems from the ability of the initiate to see the divine spark in all life.

the love of God or Christ for mankind

John 15:9

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."

Just wanted to bring this thread back up. It seems to have been lost. But it's message is too important to be forgotten.

Ephesians 4:3

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

The Bible tells me that we are to be loving and accepting of others just as they are. Not to pass judgement on them or to be self-righteous and believe that we are better than they are. Christians are suppose to be peaceful, loving, and compassionate people. That is who and what I want and try to be.

It is so much easier to love than hate. It may make us more vulnerable or humbled, but what a blessing it is when we feel that love returned!

{{{{{{{{{{{{Recluse}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Thank you! I haven't been in the position to continue to keep this thread going. I do plan to return to it, though.

((((((((SeptemberMorn)))))))))

Hope you are feeling better soon my friend! I want to see this thread continue to grow. It has been so wonderful and such a blessing to me!

Isaiah 66:13
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you....

Revelations 7:17
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Ecclesiastes 2:26
To the man who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness...

The bible tells us that in God we can find the comfort, love, and knowledge, all that we need. But we must first seek and ask.....

Proverbs 3:3
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.

Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:2&3
2. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.
3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

According to The LORD, we are to help and support one another and live in the spirit of peace, love, and mercy. How great life would be if we all lived our lives with these things always in the forefront of our hearts and minds.

"But we must first seek and ask....."

Jam 4:2 You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

Take comfort in knowing that you are always held in God's arms and in His heart.

I, too, woke up with this song on my mind this morning.

If you want to miss the introduction, you can slide the bar to halfway through the video.

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WHISPERING HOPE


Soft as the voice of an angel,
Breathing a lesson unheard,
Hope with a gentle persuasion
Whispers her comforting word:
Wait till the darkness is over,
Wait till the tempest is done,
Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
After the shower is gone.

Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

If, in the dusk of the twilight,
Dim be the region afar,
Will not the deepening darkness
Brighten the glimmering star?
Then when the night is upon us,
Why should the heart sink away?
When the dark midnight is over,
Watch for the breaking of day.

Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,
Rends the dark veil for the soul,
Whither the Master has entered,
Robbing the grave of its goal.
Come then, O come, glad fruition,
Come to my sad weary heart;
Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,
Never, O never depart.

Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

just something to think about,

everyone wants to be loved.
everyone wants to feel love.
everyone wants to be needed.
everyone needs somebody or something.

you what? God can be the answer to all of the above!