Dance Steps

 This blog is in response to the Proverbs 31 Bible study that Melissa Taylor is leading, on Karen Ehman’s book titled, “Let. It. Go.”

I became a follower of Christ as an adult…mid forties to be more exact. I can’t even begin to tell you how difficult it was, by that age, for me to learn God’s ways over my own.

I had always been a very independent person; one who was very set in my ways and…as my husband would agree….quite opinionated…and correct…all the time. Yet, in my defense, I would say that I was willing to admit I was wrong…should that time ever come to fruition.

Let’s face it…I was stubborn and headstrong to no end.

When I first came face to face with the Scripture about wives submitting to their husbands…I honestly didn’t even care that it was God’s word. I was so disturbed by that Scripture verse; I simply decided to ignore it.

Somehow, that Scripture reference had been misquoted; mistaken…by someone along the way. Some translator had really messed up on that one.

In time…and it took a lot of it…I came to both understand and respect that verse.

I knew in my heart that God put everything in the Bible for my own good. I knew there must be a reasonable explanation. And there was….

Submission? Well, I am getting better. (I have to be honest here because my husband gets my blogs on his work email.)

I now understand the meaning; I also understand I am to submit to a godly husband…which mine is…most of the time.

When I feel he has tripped up, I am comfortable with confrontation…or should I say… discussion.

For the most part, I believe he is as well. My husband has never desired to “run” the show…most of our decisions are based on mutual agreement or compromise.

I am pleased that my husband rules over me (HA!)….I need to add…when it suits me. (I can hear him laughing now).

He is a man who strives to follow the Lord and I know I can trust him.

Trust was something I found difficult in all my relationships because of my past.

I really try to see his point of view now more than I ever did.

Submission is not easy for me, but I have come to know the comfort of allowing him to lead and, if I feel uneasy, I do speak up. (Yes, dear, nod in agreement).

I always remember:

No one is perfect, no one except God

God gave me a good mind

God made me to be a helper for my husband, just as He is my helper

Hubby and I are equals

We simply have different roles.

I am loved and respected, and I know it. This is healthy.

Oh, and one more thing I gotta say….

God made Eve last because once he had made man he turned and said, “I know I can do better.”

I’m only joking……….

Have a blessed day!

 

WHAT-EVER!

This blog is in response to the Proverbs 31 Bible study that Melissa Taylor is leading, on Karen Ehman’s book titled, “Let. It. Go.”

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
~ Colossians 3:23 NIV

I grew up trying to be a “people pleaser.”

For my dad, it didn’t seem to make much difference how good my grades were in school, I could still “always do better.”

From my older brother I constantly received ridicule, so I was always striving to be his friend; which only led me into more hurtful ridicule from him.

My mom….well, my mom needed me to be the head of the family…the family being her and I…once the divorce had taken place. One huge problem remained; I was not quite ten years old at the time.

Yet, I continued to try to please, although I was never to be successful.

In time, I came to be angry that I never seemed to measure up to the standards put on me by others.

I soon rebelled and grew up troubled and…well, lets just say, “messed up.”

That caused me a lot of problems…for a lot of years.

I had spent my life trying to live up to others expectations of me. No matter what I did, I would always be viewed as wrong in someone’s eyes.

The problem, or should I say, one problem with being a people pleaser is, you will never please everyone.

By the time I came to know the Lord, I was well in control of my own life; had been for many years and not at all willing to let go.

But how was it working for me??

Poorly.

Very poorly.

Yet, it was still difficult to let go. It was the only way of life I had known.  

Even though I knew I must let go, I didn’t know how.

 I was so used to ‘my thoughts; my ways’

I struggled each and every day to find a new path.

Truthfully, to this day I continue to struggle.

But it is studies such as this, along with time with the Lord on a daily basis, reading Scripture and pursuing this goal to do all for the Lord…..that continue to be helpful.

Change does not take place in a day…..or a year….

And it does not come easy. It does not come without great effort.

It does not come without numerous failures.

It does not come without regrets.

It does not come without tears.

But, it does come…..

Gradually.

My thoughts and efforts now more than ever, are turning towards the Lord.

I find of late that I am more intent now on pleasing Him, than I have ever been, and because of that I am more willing to do whatever it takes.

I am learning to be patient….with great difficulty…yes, it is a challenge.

But, I am now on that new path.

I am working at trying to please Him.

I might be a newbie, but I am now here.

I live for today…in the hopes that tomorrow I will be able to celebrate any small successes I have from today.  

And I do.

My simple motto is this:

One day at a time.

And you know something?

It works.

It absolutely works!