Bad Day at Work...we all have them no matter what our jobs are or how much we love them.

Before having kids I never thought of parenting as a “job”. 

I was wrong.

Being a parent is a 24/7, never ending, no holiday’s or PTO type job.

And I LOVE it…95% of the time.

The other 5% I want to pull my hair out. I feel overwhelmed, under-qualified, and completely at a loss as to what I should do.

But unlike a real “job”, I can’t quite.

I’m a mom for life!

And I LOVE that.

But as with all jobs, there are “Bad Days”.

Recently I experienced one of those 5% days when I’m stressed to the limit and not enjoying my job. 

I tried praying, but I couldn’t focus.

I felt drained, irritable, and in need of rejuvenation.

At the end of the day I was able to pray and read my Bible.

During that time God reminded me that thoughout my day I had a choice on how I would respond to my problems.

He reminded me that my focus determines my reality and I wasn’t focused on God or loving my boys. I was focused on ME. And my reality sucked because of it. 

God reminded me that SELFISHNESS is what kept me in my bad mood and ruined my day.

I began thinking about the job’s I had before becoming a stay at home mom.

I’d had bad days in those jobs too.

Day’s where I felt undervalued and overworked.

Day’s when I didn’t want to go in.

Day’s when I thought what I was doing was meaningless.

All those day’s had something in common with my current bad day: SELFISHNESS.

How I felt.

What I wanted.

Where I would rather be.

Who I felt was wrong (hint: it was rarely me)

Why I felt something wasn’t fair.

When I wanted a break.

ME. ME. ME.

Me. I am the cause of my bad days staying bad. 

My choices.

My attitude.

What I’m focused on. 

Yes, sometimes bad things happen that really suck and are out of my control.

But I don’t have to let circumstances dictate how my day goes.

Situations should not define my mood. 

Romans 13:9-14 NLT says, “…Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others… Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”(emphasis mine)

When I’m busy loving others I don’t have time to focus on my environment or how I feel. 

When my focus is LOVE, my reality changes. My attitude changes. My thoughts change and I don’t have time to be self-centered. (click to tweet)

I have a CHOICE to love others through my words and my actions. 

I have a CHOICE on what I am going to focus on and how my day goes beyond a situation.

Yes, bad days happen…even if we LOVE our jobs.

But we don’t have to be stuck in our bad day.

When we are clothed with Christ (who is love) we don’t have time to think about indulging in our evil desires. 

But it’s a choice. 

A choice to be clothed in Christ.

And a choice to NOT think about self and to love others.

Remember: Love is patient, kind, never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.

Love is NOT jealous, boastful, proud, rude, irritable, demanding, or self-centered. Nor does it keep track of when it is wronged. (1 Cor 13)

I don’t know about you, but I need to work on my love.

I need to work on my choices.

When my day doesn’t go as I’d like, I need to remember to focus on God and not self.

Bad days will come, but they don’t have to stay.

It’s a choice.

FYI-
Need something to read over Spring Break?  My book, The Precipice: When Everything We Know Ends will be FREE on Amazon March 10-14. 

He Knows My Name!!!

Think about a famous person you really admire.

Someone you wish you knew.

Someone so totally awesome that you can’t imagine actually meeting them.

They seem so far above you.

So out of reach.

Untouchable.

And yet, you hold pronounced respect for them. 

You think they are GREAT!

Now imagine this famous person knows your name.

How exciting is that!?!

They know you!

Your heart is beating fast.

Sweat pops out on your forehead. 

Your palms are clammy and you’re so happy you might actually pee your pants (okay, maybe not pee your pants, but you get the picture).

This totally amazing person knows your name!

Out of the thousands of fans out there, this person knows YOU.

How cool is that?

Are you hyperventilating yet?

Now imagine this person says they want to be your best friend(BFF).

Did you just pass out?

Do you need a moment to collect yourself?

Awesome dream, right?

Life changing if that dream were to come true.

The person you “idolize” most wants to be your BFF!

Completely out of this world, unreal, and would be so amazing if it were true.

Okay, calm down. 

Time to focus.

I don’t know who your “famous” person is that sends your heart in overdrive, but I know someone famous who SHOULD send you reeling, because He does know your name.

If fact, He knows all about you and He adores you. He would say He’s a fan of yours.

Have you figured out who He is yet?

GOD.

He’s the most famous person ever…and He knows your name.

He wants a relationship with you.

To be your BFF.

The questions He has for you are:

Will you be His BFF?

Will you admire, respect, and idolize Him MORE than other famous people?

Will you stop what you’re doing just to interact with Him?

Will you listen to Him and memorize His Words?

Will you choose Him over every other thing that vies for your attention? 

Will you get as excited to spend time with Him as you would someone else who is less famous?

Does your heart sore at the thought of Him knowing your name?

Does He need to pick up you because your legs are too wobbly to stand in His presents?

Does He hold a candle to the dream you first envisioned when you began reading this post?

Does He take center stage in your life?

He wants to.

He wants to mean something to you…something more than just a passing acquaintance.

He wants to change your life and rock your world.

He’s worthy of your adoration and devotion. 

And you already have His.

Will you give Him yours?

Is He your dream come true?

This post was inspired by the song “He Knows My Name” by Francesca Battistelli.

2016: The Guilt of being Imperfect and the Promise to overcome

During the Christmas season I began thinking about Jesus’ parents…Mary and Joseph. I’ve always been blown away by their faith and obedience, their complete trust in God. They seem perfect. 

Yet, I know that’s not true. 

They were human.

Just like me.

Just like you.

That means they were NOT perfect.

It means they sinned.

Let that sink in. 

The parents God chose to raise Jesus were imperfect humans. They sinned. And yet, God still used them! 

While the Bible doesn’t record Mary and Joseph’s mistakes, we can be sure they were just as human as you and me. 

In Luke 2 we find a very interesting story about Jesus as a boy. 

When He was 12 He went with His family to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. After it was over, Jesus decided to not go back with them. However, He didn’t inform His mom or dad of His plans and they assumed He was with the large group traveling home. It wasn’t long before they realized He was missing! 

Can you imagine how they must have felt?

Where was their son?

What had happened to Him?

Was He hurt?

Had someone taken Him?

Besides the instant worry and fear, I imagine they felt GUILT.

How could they have let this happen?

How could they NOT have known He wasn’t with them?

What kind of parents were they?

All the fear, worry, and guilt would build as they searched for Him. 

It took 3 days to find Him.

Can you imagine how you’d feel if it were your son missing?

Now add to that the knowledge you were choose to raise the SON OF GOD!

Talk about pressure!

They were responsible for the Messiah!

Here are some of the things I would have been thinking as I frantically search for my son:

“You’ve got to be kidding me; I LOST the Son of God? God trusted me to birth and care for His Son and I LOST Him? I can’t believe I LOST Him? How could I have let this happen? What’s wrong with me? I’m a terrible mom! Did God make a mistake making me Jesus’ mother?”

Here’s the conversation I would have had with God:

“I’m so sorry I lost your Son. How can you ever forgive me? You entrusted me with Him and I LOST Him! If You will please help me find Him I promise I won’t lose Him again…I hope!”

Now I don’t know if Mary thought anything similar to this. But from the scriptures I do know that she said, “…Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” Luke 2:48

Mary and Joseph were anxious.

They were scared.

And I bet they felt at least a little guilty at not having kept better track of Jesus. 

The point I’m trying to make is: WE ARE ALL HUMAN.

We all make mistakes. 

God knows this about us.

God knew Mary and Joseph were not perfect. 

But He trusted them to care for His only Son anyway.

God loves you…even though you are imperfect.

Nothing you’ve ever done, or will do, can change that.

We all sin.

So as you go into this New Year, know you will  mess up.

Go ahead and make “New Year’s Resolutions” but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t stick with them.

You will make mistakes in 2016.

But God’s grace is enough.

His love knows no bounds. And the plans He has for you are good.

Trust Him.

Mary and Joseph did.

They weren’t perfect and God used them.

He will use you too. 

Have a wonderful New Year.  

And please, don’t let guilt over messing up keep you from moving forward. 

God has great things in store for you.

May this promise from God comfort you and guide you in 2016:

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Mistakes don't have to define who we are. They aren't the "end" unless we choose to make them that way. With God, we always have hope for more. 

Happy New Year! 

God bless.