...and Gossip

Once upon a time...

not all that long ago, I had an influence in my life that I shouldn't have. 

We've all been there and done that - had friends we really shouldn't have.

In my case, she was far too manipulative.

I knew she lied to others and for some reason I assumed she would never lie to me or about me. 

Well, let's just say I was wrong.

A spade is a spade.

 When I saw this picture, the ugly fight that ensued when I had enough came to mind.

I wish that someone had used these words to calm me over the matter.
Of course nothing she was saying was true.
Or was so far from the seed of truth that it was ridiculous.

But I was furious! And through my fury, frustration and anger that my
reputation was being tarnished I lost sight of the fact that it wasn't true.

That none of it was true.

If I conduct my life in such a manner that is pleasing to God,
why would anyone believe it when the inevitable Gossip or lie surfaces.

Coveting & ....

Coveting & Gossip...

two things that you wouldn't really think of together...

but they have been on my heart as lessons I'm learning

so I thought I would share my little lessons today & tomorrow.

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God and I have a constant battle/conversation over the things I want but do not have.

I suppose that technically this would be called coveting although not in it's conventional form.

Sometimes I just get so caught up in the future and the things we are working for now that we won't have until then (whenever "then" may be).  The one I struggle with the most is a nice, big home.

 

I have had to take my "Dream Home" Pinterest board away from myself. 

It amazes me, I'm happy with what I have one day,

but then I look at these ridiculous things that I will in all honesty probably never own

and it makes me sour towards the blessings I do have.

God and I were having a conversation about this exact thing the other day when I was driving through an unfamiliar neighborhood in an unfamiliar town.

The houses were quite nice and it seemed like such a cute neighborhood.

I came upon a house to my left that caught my eye.

A family had clearly just moved in to this big, nice, pretty home.

As I drove closer I noticed that the children had drawn banners and taped them to the garage door,
"Happy 18th Anniversary".

18. I don't know that family, and I don't know their story.
but I do know that John and I have only been married a year and a half.
It's silly to assume we're ready for a home that would cost more than what we've ever even earned.

Sometimes God speaks in quite voices...
other times in loud.
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My Prayer:

God, I know you have a plan for our lives.  You know my desires and you also know my needs.
I pray you grant me patience to wait and see your plan unfold.
I pray I have a grateful heart for the things you have provided for me.

I have a roof over my head, food to eat and a healthy family to love.
Thank you for these things and for your abounding grace.

Meet my new friend!

Hi! I want to introduce to my lovely readers one of my very favorite bloggers!

Christa Waldrop is the author of Significance or Nothing

When I found her wonderful blog I smitten with her title.

Significance or Nothing.

So succinct and wonderful!

Then as it turns out her blog is much more than just a great title.

I enjoy her honesty and refreshing posts!

I've also gotten the opportunity to "get to know" her some and she is so sweet and kind-hearted.

I am very pleased that she agreed to post here today!

You guys should really go check her out and give her some blog loving!!

Without further adeau... Christa!

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 via

Hello new friends! I am Christa & you can find me at Significance or Nothing. First, I want to thank Rebekah for asking me to grace her space on the WWW! Happy to be with you today.

I want to talk about something most of us can relate to: girlfriends. Perhaps I am jumping the gun here, but I feel like it's a statistic (fact check, anyone?) that most blog readers are female with the occasional splash of a male reader here & there.

Girlfriends are a connection I hold near & dear to my heart & one that I think you should, too. I am not specifically talking about your best girlfriends. Of course, they are very important, but today I am simply talking about girlfriends in general.

Define: females who find they have something in common, can connect and/or chat as if they've known one another forever after first meeting. I am talking about the woman-to-woman connection on a very general level. Those "oh my gosh, me too" & the I never knew anyone else felt that way" moments.

Those very things that can bring us together. Those BAM moments when you realize someone is going to be a new friend. Maybe some would call these girl crushes... I'm really not sure?  

I think they're fabulous. I think we're all pretty fabulous.

This connection is extremely prevalent within the blogging community. I am not even sure how I first found Rebekah's blog, but I did & for that I am glad. I left a comment on one of her posts & received a sweet e-mail back about how we had a lot in common & I've been reading ever since.

I liked Rebekah's blog because she's funny, she's real, & I can tell she loves life. She also loves The American President, which I can quote in its entirety. You see, this is why I love blogging. Meeting people from all around the world you have little things in common with & can form an instant connection. A girlfriend connection. 

Perhaps I am a bit biased & men actually connect this way, too, but I choose to think we're special. Being a women is extraordinary, isn't it?

Come by and say hello sometime. I'd love to meet you. Obviously it's my thing.