NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
I am sitting here this morning with all kinds of thoughts swirling through my mind. The horrible actions of the past few days have me feeling a little more depressed about the state of our nation than normal. I am definitely a glass is half-full kind of girl, but I am having a hard time seeing the bright side today. I just see people, of all colors and races, hurting. I see pain and anguish in their faces, and I don’t see any answers.
My Sunday posts are supposed to be inspirational, so you can see my struggle. How do you shed happiness and sunshine when there seems to be so much sadness and darkness? I was just staring at the computer screen, not knowing even where or how to proceed. I looked over to the right where it shows how well my post is written. It will say either, OK, Good, or in this case, Needs Improvement. Keep in mind that I hadn’t even typed the first word, so I guess it did need improvement. But, I thought that my post was not the only thing that needed improvement.
The list is long for the things that needs improvement in my life. I need to be a better housekeeper, a better employee, a better planner, a better wife, the list in my personal life could go on and on. In my spiritual life, the list is probably even longer. I need to pray more, I need to study more, I need to have more faith, I need to worry less, I need to be more forgiving, and I need to remember to give God the glory. Once again, I could go on and on and on.
Here’s the thing, I am the only one who can change any of those items. I can’t hire it out, I can’t wish it done, and even though I can pray, ultimately it is only “me” that I can change. If you are on FaceBook, you will see thousands of shared meme’s. These are the little sayings that people put as their status. Some are inspirational, some are funny, some are political, etc. There is one for any emotion that you are feeling. You can just look at what a person is “sharing” and know what is going on in their life. I was looking this week at the hundreds of little shared posts, and I couldn’t help thinking that this was the wrong answer. You read a little passage about doing something to help others, and then you share the post. Why not instead go actually “help” others? You read a passage about being lonely and sad, and then you share the post. Why not join a club, call a friend, volunteer to help out at a food bank? You would be surprised how much better you would feel with actual human contact, instead of just looking at the computer. I am not trying to make light of anyone’s struggles. EVERYBODY has struggles! I am just saying that we have to at least try to fix ourselves.
Today is a brand new day, and with it brings all kinds of new opportunities. I am going to start fresh. I am not going to beat myself up over what is in the past. I CANNOT change anything that is in the rearview mirror. I am going to focus on what is in front of me, and move forward.
Please continue to pray for this nation. Maybe, just maybe, when the storm passes by, there will be a silver lining.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAmh3yvmzXs[/embedyt]
So very well said!! Something we could all benefit from hearing. We can make that change through the power of the Holy Spirit within us!!So glad we don’t have to do it within our own strength, we couldn’t make it! Thanks for such a beautiful post. I am saving this one for future reference!
totally agree sharing a picture doesn’t do a thing
Oh my gosh. This is one of those “things” that is so for me right now. Thank you God for guiding you to post this. I am burying my father on Tuesday in Florida but had to leave my husband behind in Nebraska so he can start a new chemo regimen tomorrow for the rare cancer he is fighting. I’m working hard to remember that God has a purpose for me and I have to shine my light now and carry this with God’s guidance.
Gretchen, I hope my post gave you some comfort. Your post just broke my heart. I know we all have struggles, but mine pale in comparison to what you are going through. I am saying a prayer for you this very minute.
Tania, I have been weepy around the edges ever since Thursday night. My son is a police officer in a Dallas suburb. His wife is expecting their first child (my first grandchild) in less than two months. I read comments like “why didn’t they tase the shooter instead of killing him?” and it’s hard not to despair.
I agree completely with these sentiments Tania, but on a personal level as they say, you can have everything, but not all at the same time. Perhaps you don’t need improvement in every area, but you’re just too busy. Rather than improve yourself, Can you outsource something eg get a house cleaner to help, delegate more at work etc. These small changes can also improve your life
Thank you for a beautiful post.
I was feeling sorta hopeless too with what is going on in the world.. But today I feel renewal!! At church today the teens took over the service and shared what all they have learned today at the convention that they spent the week at.. It was so comforting to see Christ in them and how they are physically going to go out in our community and show them what Christ looks like through their works of service and such.. I was noticing that they are learning in a new way and it is effective for them and will be for the world.. I know at times I have a tendency to judge things thinking well that’s not how I learned to do it.. No it is not because the world didn’t stand still in time. They have technology so advance we don’t even understand it.. But they do and they are using it to further Gods reach. So watching them speck from their hearts gave me such peace.. God IS in control.. oh..one of the things they really learned and took to heart is sometimes you have to just stop and be silent to be able to hear what God is telling you.. I tell you that they always put me to shame when I really listen to them.. so please stop judging them and lift them up.. they are the hope of the world..
Thanks so much for your inspiring words
Hugs, Kath
In any study/bible group I’ve been in the message was the same, it all starts with me”. If I don’t ” be the change” nothing will happen. This was a great post! It made all of us think. If you just change one thing for the better what a great world this would be!
I appreciate your words…we do indeed have a struggle and I’m especially concerned about the kind of country my three grandchildren ages 12, 10 and 8 are growing into. Thanks for the lovely music. I’m in a summer book study at my church. We’re reading and discussing a book called “Who Is This Man?” by John Ortberg, a very thought-provoking book on Jesus and how he changed the world forever. We now all need to work together to change our country.
Perfect post – thank you