CHOOSE: TO MEASURE UP

Measuring up can be hard. Many strive for perfection, especially young moms who try to do it all so they look good on FaceBook, or other social media, ""Mommy Moments!" 
If we compare, we despair. (J Hezlep) Never compare your insides with someone else's outsides. (my NASB marginalia)
When you’re tempted to use the measuring stick of comparison — be sure to measure UP by focusing upward on Christ — whose you are and who you are in HIM! (Renee Swope, Proverbs 31 Ministries)

The opposite end of the self-pity spectrum (guilt and shame for not being "good enough") is the self-promoting end. One can always rationalize their sin as not being as bad as someone else's or even worse in someways, is seeing the sin in others and not recognizing it in oneself.

One needs to let go of expectations of the world as well as their own excuses and use God's word as his/her only measuring stick.
When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise (2 Corinthians 10:12b, NIV)                  

But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. (2 Corinthians 10:13 NASB)

Sometimes even the older ones need to look up to the younger ones---spiritual maturity knows no age.
Choose to measure up to God's BEST plan for your life, not someone elses, even your own.

CHOOSE: HODGE PODGE

Some choices are  more of a defeat or...on a more positive note, an acceptance.

Such is the way with my "garden" and I do use the term loosely.

Living between "master gardeners" could be intimidating. In fact, it is only my thinking that drags me down that lane. They never do.

They're always encouraging but I'm sure it's difficult for them to imagine my interest in a printed page, even about gardening, greater than my desire to put gardening into practice.

Possibly because that's when my ineptness is front and center.
Think random placement. Harem-scarem. Hodge-podge. Jumble. I would put eclectic but I think that only pertains to furniture/ decor! Certainly not a pastiche of neighboring gardens. 

Just patio pots with my small garden of phlox, praying hands, lenten roses and Solomon seal as a backdrop.

Comparison is the "Thief of joy." (T. Roosevelt) ...or as Lo says, "If you compare, our despair."

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each should carry their own load. (Galatians 6:4-5)

Measuring Up

8/3/13 Measuring up. Isn't that what we all try to do? Too often, we continually try to "measure up" to a parental expectation, a culture/society benchmark, or self-induced standard. It's as if "measuring up" will bring esteem and love from others.

For some, it's a life long pursuit that is never quite attained. Adolescent girls want to be shorter or cuter, boys (in our family) tend to want to be stronger and more athletic. Everyone seems to want to be smarter or more successful by the world's measuring stick.

As I watched John Parker (5) stand on his tip-toes by the NASCAR measuring stick, all those thoughts came to mind. 

From his tip-toed positioned feet, he said, "See. I'm big (tall) enough!" 

I know that I am "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) and with God "there is therefore now no condemnation" for believers, and that He "loves me with an everlasting love." (Jeremiah 31:3 & Romans 5:8) Yet, how easy it is to see myself trough the world's eyes instead.....causing me to stand on my tip-toes as once again I "try" to measure up.

I need to trust God's measuring stick. Thankfully, because of Christ, I'll always measure up.

To Mask or Unmask

5/18/09 A “Smile on a Stick” can be a good thing---it hides scars and wounds but lets people see your “smiling eyes.” Talking with high school chums this past week, I was reminded (by them) that the yearbook had dubbed me, “Merry, vivacious and always smiling”. I think they were giving me permission to take my mask off. 

It was my “self” that was keeping it on. Of course, I do need it for sun protection (doc’s orders) and to keep flowing bodily fluids hidden but…..I can take it off---it’s just hard. Hard because the lips are so noticeably crooked when I smile---and I have trouble not smiling, sometimes. It reminded me that SELF was an area where I still needed work. My friends accept me. Why can't I accept myself,

My meditation verse has already convicted me that it’s not about me, it’s about Him. Not me, but Thee. "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts, boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things says the Lord." (Jeremiah 9:23) 

THOTS---let not an overly sensitive gal boast that she once she had a smiling countenance. 

Comparison is not from the heavenly realms. If we compare we despair! I know I am fearfully and wonderfully made---how about remade? I KNOW how bad it could have been, I KNOW things change daily but I also know it’s not what I’m used to seeing---do I sound ungrateful? Forgive me Lord. I’m still struggling here. Thank You that I am rich in blessings from this “event” in my life. Thank You that You can teach me wisdom in this that I can share with others. Thank You for Your lovingkindness to me as I heal. I have come to KNOW thee in a deep way through this struggle—and I wouldn’t trade that for anything, not even a straight mouth. 

Thank You that I have a safe haven like Houston High School where I was able to go "unmasked" today---they accept me scars and all!! Those are my THOTS—What are yours as you meditate on this verse?