Enslaved by Shame

Many out there are just like me and at times are full of shame. Shame that we aren't as pretty as someone else, as skinny, or as "perfect". For some it involves our past...mistakes we made, lies we told, whatever it is we hold onto that causes us to feel "Less Than". My new ladies Bible study is "What Women Want - The Life You Crave and How God Satisfies" (by Lisa T. Bergren & Rebecca Price). In it they quote Liz Higgs saying "Shame is the result of a search for perfection, and perfection is impossible." I was convicted beyond words. I am an admitted perfectionist..not always in ways other people would think, but there are areas of my personality where I don't want to willingly settle for anything less than the closest appearance of perfection. Alan Wright says in his book "Shame Off You" .... "the cycle of shame can only be broken when repentance replaces bitterness. Shame can only be healed when honor replaces dishonor. To let go of shame, you must let go of your sinful reaction to it. Be angry, but do not sin. Hold no judgment. Harbor no resentment. Nourish no bitter root." I never gave my frustration and shame over my physical imperfections enough thought to think of them as sin they were just me being a typical girl and not thinking I had as good of genes as the next girl. They are sin though...the Bible says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. It says that GOD knit me together in my mother's womb. If we believe that our God is perfect then He is not capable of making a mistake and who do I think I am to tell Him otherwise?? I was struck by the realization that I need to replace my negative self talk with the truth of who God made me to be. Each time I start to think one of those thoughts...I'm too fat, my skin looks awful today, why can't I have straight hair. I recite those scriptures above and say out loud to myself (and my kids if they are listening) "Christ's love makes up the difference". As creations of a loving, amazing, fantastic God we are covered in the blood of Jesus and all the love it represents and WE ARE ENOUGH!!!! Replace the dishonor you are showing your Creator with those words of shame with the honor He deserves in the form of REPENTANCE AND CHANGE. Looking toward the sky accept the Grace He so willingly pours out to us and with joy begin the new habit of reminding yourself daily or hourly that between me and perfection -- "Christ's love makes up the difference".

Hi again!

Well I know I've been on a little siesta, but as I started my new Bible study I know that God has been teaching me a lot and there are some great things that I want to share so hopefully over the next week or so I will get the chance to put into words all that He is working on in my heart right now. For now... a challenge to be in THE WORD everyday NO EXCUSES!!!! I know for me this is not always easy, but oh so worth it when I make it my #1 priority. LOVE TO ALL - S

I Wish You Enough

An email that circulates around that I love......

Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.
Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said, 'I love you and I wish you enough'.
The daughter replied, 'Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom'.

They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'. Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.
'I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' she said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?'.
She began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone'. She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more. 'When we said , 'I wish you enough', we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them'. Then turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.



TO ALL THOSE I LOVE -------- I WISH YOU ENOUGH