Welcome to Dana's blog!

red hair

**If you have red hair like I do, then you can easily relate! Altho I must confess, due to unnecessary attention that we often recieve, I still have a hard time embracing it at times..........

July 26, 2007

Feeling Different

By Laura Boggess, She Speaks graduate

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.  I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Revelation 2:17 (NIV)

Devotion:                                                                                                                                    

“If I could change three things about me, they would be my hair, my freckles, and my name.”

I looked in the rear view mirror at my redheaded, freckle-faced boy named Theodore, and my heart ached.

“I love those things about you.  They’re part of what makes you who you are.  Why would you want to change them?”

“Because they’re different.  Everybody else just looks normal, and has normal names.  Not like me.”

I chose my words carefully, trying not to chastise or judge.  Something in his tone reminded me of a little girl I used to know.  A little girl who hated her freckles too.

“That’s what makes them so special.  Believe me, sweetie, it’s not a good thing to be like everyone else.  That’s boring.  That’s why God made us all different.  It keeps the world interesting.”

“Oh, Mom, you just don’t understand.”

Some truths are given little credence when spoken from a mother’s lips.  No matter what I said, he remained unconvinced.  I felt like I had failed him somehow. 

My son is not the only one who struggles with feeling “different”.  Countless adults battle feelings of inadequacy every day when they look in the mirror.  Whether it’s that extra ten pounds, an undesired birthmark, or a secret emotional scar; we all have some mark on our being that we are sure others will revile. 

Our differences can leave us feeling insecure and alone.  Still, there is One who celebrates our uniqueness, One who is charmed by our oddities and loves even our scars. This One sees every part of us and still calls us beautiful.  He is El Roi, the God who sees. 

Yet, we, like my son, turn our ears away from our loving Parent.  It’s too difficult to grasp that He loves us with all of our flaws and imperfections.  We say, “Oh, Father, you just don’t understand.”  But we are wrong.  He understands all too well. 

Scripture tells us, “…He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.  He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering…” (Isaiah 53:2b-3a NIV).

Yes, He understands how it feels to be different. 

That week, I prayed for God to help me explain this truth to my son in words that he would hear.  I wanted so desperately for him to understand how special he is, not just to me, but to his Heavenly Father, as well. 

The Lord is faithful, and He placed Revelation 2:17 in my hands.  I sat my son down and shared this scripture with him, explaining that God has a special name set aside just for him.  I told him that no matter what he is called during his time here on earth, there is a name waiting for him in heaven.  A name that will have nothing but love attached to it.

While we were at it, I read him Psalm 56:8, and told him that God loves him so much, He keeps track of every tear that has fallen from his eyes.  Then:  Luke 12:7; He knows the number of hairs on our heads.  (No matter what color they are!)  And He probably counts freckles for fun.

We are set apart, dear ones, but we are not alone.  Our Heavenly Father sees us... all of us ... every secret scar and past sin... every freckle that has ever graced a nose...  each and every red hair. 

And He is “enthralled” by our beauty. (Psalm 45:11NIV)

Dear Lord, I know with my mind that you love me.  Help me to know this with all of my heart.  Help me to see my differences as you see them.  Show me how to help others to accept the beauty of their differences by loving them as you do.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:  

Visit our website at www.proverbs31.org and check out our many articles, resources and special limited time offer for a Girl’s Get-A-Way Cruise with Lysa TerKeurst and friends!

Application Steps: 

Read the scriptures in today’s devotional and take them to heart.

Make a list of all the things about yourself that have ever caused you to feel different or ashamed. Write down today’s scriptures and place this paper over the first one.  God’s love covers you in all things.   

Reflections: 

Do you believe you are special?

Do you believe that God loves you?

How does your view of your worthiness affect your children or those that you love?

Power Verses:

Ephesians 5:-2, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (NIV)  

1 John 3:1-2, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (NIV)

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.Proverbs31.org

Keylee is here!!!!!!!!

Joey, Joey, Joey....where do you get your red hair?

Is my underwear on backwards?

My oldest just asked me that. As if I knew the answer.........but I was thinking that they are some days that I feel like asking myself that too! And while they have never been on backwards, I can think of occasions when they have been wrong side out!:)

So why do some of us do things backwards? Not necessarily underwear, but maybe in relationships, handle money, parent, drive? Of course my thinking is cuz we aren't remembering to use our owner's manual, the bible. It really does tell us how to do so many things! In the right direction!

Summer fun!

Pics of Joey in the 'sprinkular' as he calls it.;)

Joyful

Yesterday morning I realized that *I* had to be joyful no matter what situation that I am in. I mean really, things are pretty bleak here. It's easy to get sucked into the pit. But since I"ve DECIDED to be more joyful, I've had a relatively enjoyable time! I came out here to help them and sinking into the quagmire doens't help anyone! THe past 2 days have been nice. MIL even seems more pleasant and upbeat. She even joked that tomorrow is her prom and graduation since it's her last radiation treatment!LOL You see, the first day I nearly sent her headfirst out of her wheelchair cuz I didn't know there was a door 'thing' (the word escapes me) jam?? to go over. SHe said that FIL usually backs her in. OH!!!!! So today I started forward and then remembered to go backwards. So I promised her that her walk down the aisle tomorrow would be smooth!ROTFL! And this afternoon, they had me take MILs cell phone in case I got lost (and what is it w/all these ppl thinking that I"m going to get lost????????) so I told them that maybe I WANTED to get lost. FIL asked if I wanted to come back. I told him that he was finally catching on!LOL I just hope that this continues.

And guess what today's devotional from Proverbs 31 was? YUP! Read below!

The Happy File

By Luann Prater

 “Be joyful always.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV)

Devotion:

It wasn’t what some would call a perfect day, but to her it was special.  We had spent the day together just hanging out around the house.  Simple things like lunch on the deck, soaking in the sunshine, and giggling over funny memories traced the outlines of our shared moments.  That’s when she whispered a few words as if she were telling herself a secret, “This day is going in my Happy File.”

She explained that her Happy File was a record kept of God’s simple blessings, those moments in time that beam with a little extra spark.  You know the ones.  When no one else would get it, but whenever you recall it… you smile.  Her collection was spilling over the top.

Often we choose to hang onto the bad memories.  We relive the abuse.  We replay piercing words.  We carry the guilt and hold on to the shame.  We forget the promise of Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (NIV).  No condemnation. Period, nada, zip, none! 

She found the Happy File very helpful when darkness came creeping into her life.  Satan loves to fill our minds with negative thoughts and trip us up with stumbling blocks.  A stash of happiness works like a flashlight in the middle of the night.  The evil one can cloud our world with gloom, but when we open the file that holds God’s blessings, the shadows are shattered.

So what are you choosing to keep on file?  Here is the deal.  Start a collection of Happy Files!  God’s fingerprints are all over each day.  Look for them!  Record them!  Recall them! 

Next, pull out those old musty files that have collected guilty dust and shameful mildew.  One by one as they come to your mind plunge them into God’s thought-shredder.  Second Corinthians 10:5 instructs, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (NIV).  When you say this verse out loud, something amazing happens!  The thoughts go away!  God longs to give you freedom from guilt, shame, worry, and anything else that hinders your ability to be joyful.

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can begin daily to rid your mind of the garbage Satan has dumped on you and replace it with Happy Files. Then you truly can BE JOYFUL ALWAYS. 

Dear Father, thank You for forgiving us for every sin we have ever committed and promising never to condemn us for them!  Help us each day to choose to live in the freedom of that promise and to be joyful always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

The Confident Woman by Anabel Gillham

She Speaks! conference

Do You Know Him?

Application Steps: 

Get a package of index cards that are spiral bound.  Begin to record “God moments” on them.  Keep this Happy File where you can easily grab it in case of unexpected darkness.     

Reflections: 

What gloom am I allowing to hang over me?

How can I walk in the light of God’s promise every day?

Why am I resistant to let go of the past?

Power Verses:

Psalm 68:3, “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” (NIV) 

Isaiah 55:12, “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace.” (NIV) 

Psalm 40:1, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” (NIV) 

Romans 4:20-21, “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (NIV) 

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.Proverbs31.org

My SIL is getting baptized tomorrow!

God's blessings

Church was nice yesterday. We were running late (as usual) and desperately trying to be there on time since we werent' sure whether or not we were going to be prayed over for our mission trip. I walked in thinking how I'd love to sing Hymn of Promise. It's in my top 5 favorites. So I was pleasantly surprized to see that we would be singing that today AND Seek Ye First, which was sung at our wedding! And I realized during the service how I'd prayed to have Mat somehow involved in a mission trip. Originally he was going to go w/my mom where they go in Appalachia for a few days (4ish). I figured that would be long enuf and it was close enuf that I was OK w/sending him w/my mom. But that all fell thru and I was kind of sad. So what does God do? He arranges for us to ALL be able to go (including my dad!) on a trip for a week!!!!!!!!!! How wonderful is that???? And I know He was planning it cuz of the many little things that happened long before we knew anything about it and how it's all so clear in hindsight!!!!! We prepaid a tank of gas in August and our bill came in January and I was frustrated cuz that was the amt that I was putting back to go on the trip and then DH reminded me that it's the tank that we prepaid so I could still use that money! (Yes, I know, who forgets that they prepaid $600 in gas?!?!?!?!?LOL) It's just all those little things that all work themselves out for this to work. Me being able to work in the kitchen so that Joey doesn't have to be at the worksite each day (we'll be onsite a couple of days) is another one.

I'm just sooooooooooooooo excited about the whole thing. I know I"ve said that 100 times (ok, a million!LOL), but I can't wait. Missions are so life changing and I hope that Mat gets life changing things from it. I know they'll be subtle, but they will be there. Joey might even as well.

So I need to print out the maps for them to have on the trip. Joey knows what states we are going thru, but I want Mat to work on his map reading skills. Plus I think it will help them to understand to see spots on a map to realize where they are and how far we have to go.;)

Praise!!!!!!!!!

Oh this is just such a God thing! Yesterday at the altar, I handed the homeschool coop over to Him. We only have 3 classes being taught this session and I was feeling sort of bummed. Anyway, today a lady called about field trips and I asked her if she had talked to the lady that she had mentioned earlier about teaching art. NO, but I'll call her. She calls me back (she gets excited like I do!LOL) and said that her friend wasn't sure if we would want soap making, how to make a gourd lamp, woodworking, caning, or art/painting!ROTFL!!!!!!!!! Ummm, how many classes do you want ot teach?LOL She said that she thinks that she also quilts and sews! But this lady just lost a very, very close friend and the mom thought it would be just as good for her as it is us. She has/had the slightly misguided notion that hslers have social issues and so the mom tried to squelch that idea.

At any rate, it was just great and much needed news today!

A little bragging........

Dh was bearing gifts!

The good news keeps rolling in!!!!!!

New work insurance.....

A special page in Mat's scrapbook

How nice!

REMEMBER THE REASON!

I have to tell myself this. I'm very stressed this week and my perfectionist tendencies were rearing their ugly (and I do mean ugly) heads again. I was about to have a melt down over teaching the preschool Sunday School class and I realized how ridiculous I was being. They are 4 & 5. They don't care!LOL They want to have fun and learn about God. KEEP IT SIMPLE! I've gone over all the lesson plan books and got things punched out. I really noticed my frustration hit the wall when I realized I was going to need to leave at the children's message (they go to children's church while we have the sermon) to get the room ready. DH always picks the kids up so I don't even know what's in the room anymore! I need to hang some posters, find materialsa nd in general nib around and see what there is so I'm not buying tons of stuff. Thankfully I have a copy machine (3-in-1 printer) so that's easily taken care of. I'm certain there has to be crayons somewhere!LOL But it's stuff like glue, scissors, etc that I need to locate. I don't even have a guess as to how many children are in that class! I'm praying that I've made enuf and when I do attendance I can see what they average.

DH is stopping by Aldi adn picking up what we don't have to make trail mix (they are learning Exodus) and I have some VERY old sugar cones that I thought it would be cute to serve them in. ANd as usual, God knew this as someone suggested that for my "T" lesson in preschool to serve trail mix. So when the time comes, I'll have everything ready for them.

So I just feel better now......

WOW! Highspeed internet here!

I gonna brag on DH. He apparently got us high speed wireless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't asked why or how much (gulp) and it doesn't work on my computer (he's having issues), but I waslike WOW!!!!!!!!

If he can get it to work on my computer (and he will given some time--we are just so busy!), this will be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

Great Tuesday!

I have a HUGE praise!  His ins called and are offering to pay 50%! This includes car allowances so it's $1000!!!!!!!!!!!! We ar eover the moon! I do need prayers about DH talk to our ins agent. State Farm (us) claims wanted us to eat the claim adn be done w/it 1.5 weeks ago. I told him that just show how much they are fighting for us. So he's now taken it upon himself to ask her why exactly we were paying her! He'll be nice, but I told him not to loose our $1000!LOL It's coming from the other side, but still!:)

AND I stopped by jewerly box man. No, I still don't have the box. I really thought he was charging me $200-250 and I wa sfine w/that. he has to hand make the veneer and he's made the drawer knobs, etc. Serious craftmanship. He's only charging me $180! I told him that wasn't right so I'm going to try to get him to $200. But I was still floored!!! And it's sooooooooo cool! Not the look most would have in a jewerly box, but it suits me to a "T"!

I'm hurring Karen--honest!LOL

I GOT TO CAN TODAY!!!!!!!!!

Now my juices are flowing! I love to can soooooooo much!

I made a batch of rhubarb strawberry jam. Apparently everyone here thought that meant I NEEDED strawberries!LOL AWW sent 6 qt home w/Dh last night and none had been touched and the jam was processing. Mat asked me twice and DH asked me too. I was thinking I KNOW IT DOESN"T MAKE ANY SENSE, BUT LEAVE IT ALONE!LOL MIL nad GMIL can't have seeds so this recipe is perfect for them.

BUT I had to do something w/the berries and I had 2 cups of rhubarb leftover so I made strawberry/rhubarb cobbler. I think it will be fine. I just adapted a rhubarb recipe. Then DH cleaned 2 qt of berries. I'll probalby do the other 3 tonight.

In my complete stupidity, I bought a pint of blueberries at the grocery. I TOTALLY forgot we'd be deluged w/strawberries. So I may wash and freeze that pint and 2 qt of strawberries to take on the houseboat. I have food on the 4th of July so that would work.;)

But I'm tired! I got up and showered and whatnot and then cut rhubarb int he rain. I had to do it twice cuz I didn't get enuf the first time. i don't know if something's wrong or what, but this is hte latest I've ever waited to harvest it. Hopefully more will grow now that I've cut some. I want to make another batch of jam!

Our 'car guy'!

It's sooooooooooooo refreshing to find someone like this guy! There was an elderly gentleman with them when they dropped off my van and he wondered over to the shop the day I stopped in for this last estimate. And they staff was all very friendly to him. It was just nice to see that. I don't know if he's related or not (no one called him anything!LOL), but they were very kind and considerate towards him. It just warms my heart and I always hoped that someone like that was around MY grandparents since I couldn't be.

But he stopped by today to take the pics. He stopped by earlier and didn't see the van. I've had really bad phone connection at his shop so I think they must've asked me to leave the van outside and I didn't hear that part. But they gave me his cell number and I called that and he was out this way so he stopped. Turns out he doens't live to far away AND we grew up near each other! I know his uncle and aunt!!!! It was very nice talking with him.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, the ins co asked what HE thought of the accident based on damages and he said that there was no damage to the front of the van and that there should be if I was in his way. So maybe that will help DH some. It at least helps me......