Lesson I wish I had leanred a long time ago #1,756:
The only thing I can control in this world is how I respond to it.
Seems that trials and tribulations and unfair circumstances have been rearing thier ugly head all over the place lately. I dont know if its because I am hormonal and extra senstive, or because I am such a wretched sinner and God is just working very dilligently to teach me a well deserved lesson.
Either way, they are here, and I need to deal with it.
I have stayed away from my mommy blog very intentionally as of late.
I want my blog to be a source of happiness, honesty, and inspiration... not me complaining about every single little things that goes wrong. And when I feel that critical spirit encroaching into my speech and thoughts, I try to limit my interaction with the world.
Sometimes its easier to dwell in it. Sometimes its easier to sit and complain then to find a solution.
And a lot of times, its just plain easier to blame circumstances then to blame the way I reacted to them.
That is where I sit today.
I can pass the critical buck, or I can face the facts that I am exactly where I have put myself emotionally.
I can make a change now... a positive and prayer guided choice... or I can let my circumstances define me.
I think today, I choose grace. I choose kindness. And I choose peace.
Forgive me for not making that choice sooner!
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
I pray that at some point, in something I say or do, I can give grace to those who listen. For I cant even tell you the humbling amount of grace that has been given to me!!
Amen sister! Thanks for your post!
Posted by: sharon simons | March 03, 2011 at 08:49 AM
Sorry to repeat Sharon but AMEN!
Posted by: cara @ the boys made me do it | March 03, 2011 at 08:51 AM
Well said, my friend. But don't forget to give yourself a break once in a while too. You're pregnant & have 3 kids to care for. It's very stressful and hormonal. Plus, we love you happy and grumpy. The best part is that God accepts and loves you happy and grumpy. Hugs to you.
Posted by: Michelle | March 03, 2011 at 08:57 AM
I know this is about the most generic comment ever, but I really love this blog. I've told you before it's my favorite. I don't read complaints. I read the innner thoughts of a person who gorw and changes and learns every day and still has to learn the same lesson again later. Isn't that life's journey?
I am so glad you say out loud the conversations MANY of us have with ourselves daily. It's so very comforting to know that we are not alone in our struggles, and that other go down the same path.
Thank you.
Posted by: sweetsugarbelle | March 03, 2011 at 09:00 AM
Inspirational! Great post, none of us are perfect and life would be easier if everyone had the same realization about control and your own reactions.
Posted by: MIss | March 03, 2011 at 09:06 AM
What a wonderful post, it is inspiring to me as I am facing a hard time myself.Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Posted by: Kathia | March 03, 2011 at 09:54 AM
Sweet Amanda! Praying that God blesses you richly today for voicing your thoughts. We all need to be reminded of this.
Posted by: Sally | March 03, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Good reminders :)
Posted by: The Lumberjack's Wife | March 03, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Hey Amanda! I am still loving your blog. Lots of great, creative ideas that I can try, not duplicate in appearance but maybe in yumminess! Saw your oreo cake on Pioneer Woman. Congrats on that! It looks beautiful there as well! Take care and don't be too hard on yourself.
Posted by: Judy | March 03, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Amanda, I am right there with you and that is how I want my blog to be too. Thanks for putting it into words, and for having a heart to keep it positive. I still look forward to hearing from you, good bad and beautiful...keep up the good work...walk in the spirit and may joy and peace be with you this day!
Lovies,DJ
Posted by: Simply Dawn | March 03, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Thanks for sharing that verse! It's a really great one to remember and I find myself struggling with the very same thing. Love your honesty and your willingness to share "you" as you are. We all grow and learn at different speeds and sometimes we have to relearn a lesson we thought we had down pat.
Posted by: Lois | March 03, 2011 at 02:08 PM
When my days are filled with these kind of thoughts my only relief is to pray through it and breathe. Hoping your Today treats you well my friend. Take care and may GOD bless you and yours always,
Kaite
Posted by: Katie | March 03, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Ah, my dear, Amanda. God does not waste a thing. Even our grumpy, ornery, hormonal moments can be used by HIM to grow us and draw us closer to HIS heart. If we will surrender!
Bless you for your willingness to be shaped by Him.
Love you!
Posted by: Karen@SurvivingMotherhood | March 03, 2011 at 03:00 PM
Yep, been there a time or two. Probably will join ranks again a time or two or three before all is said and done. Humanity. We are so wretched at times, aren't we?
Posted by: Ruth | March 03, 2011 at 03:18 PM
I was going to say something original. Hopefully encouraging then I read sweetsugarbelle's comment. she totally nailed. You put out here what so many of struggle with in our minds. Sometimes your blog posts remind me of conversations I have with my sister. And I love that. What she struggles with she shares. What she succeeds at she invited people to rejoice with her.
I hear what you are saying, and I agree. I think reading Gary Smally's(sp?) "The DNA of Relationships" was the first time I ever really got it! I also want to say for precisely the reason you gave in your last sentence, this blog is a safe place for people of the bloggy word to come. Those who have received grace know how to give it. You do, sweet friend.
I have prayed, and will continue to pray for peace to flood your home.
Posted by: Bethany | March 03, 2011 at 03:43 PM
I'm sorry that things have not been going as smoothly as they could for you right now and I hope your troubles soon come to an end. The roads we have to travel on can get pretty rough and bumpy at times but the destination is always worth the trip. You are so right when you said at the beginning that the only thing within your power of control is the way you respond. Glad you found peace in your choices.
Posted by: Paula | March 03, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Amanda
I can relate ALL too much...I won't get into all the details here...but just know that I love your heart and your honesty...God refines us through fire and even when it hurts we come out better on the other side. I just wish sometimes that God didn't want to refine me quite so much! :) haha!!
Many hugs friend!!
Kristin
Posted by: Kristin Smith | March 03, 2011 at 04:25 PM
xoxo, sweet Amanda
Posted by: Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles | March 03, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Sweetheart it is okay to have these feelings, it is what makes us human and fallible. I never have a sense of you being negative when I come to this blog, I think you acknowledge that things aren't perfect or people don't respond in a way we would like BUT you always try to rise above that or find a beautiful classy way to deal with it. And it is with his Grace we find the strength to overcome it. You're a darlin x
Posted by: Seraphim | March 03, 2011 at 05:39 PM
Great post. I have many days like that as well. A great quote I have heard before is life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react.
Posted by: Amber Hurd | March 03, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Sweet Amanda, I have been reading your blog for a while now and if there is one thing you are is {full of Grace}. And as all humans do (even SUPER HUMAN MOMS like us!) we fall from Grace every now and again. Thankfully your pure heart and God's guidance will always lead you back to where you belong. Thanks for leading us all there t'day!
Posted by: Shannon | March 03, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Thank you. That was an inspiration to me! I am so excited to open my email everyday to see what you have dreamed up next and by the way you tell it.
Posted by: Kelly | March 03, 2011 at 08:40 PM
don't know what happened, but I love your blog and will always love your blog. You are an awesome person!!
Posted by: Joy | March 03, 2011 at 09:22 PM
I am pretty sure that we are not going thru the same things in our life right now, but it is funny how your blog/post seems as though you could be. All your words hit home on a current situation that I am going thru with my family right now. Thanks for the post!
Posted by: Erin | March 03, 2011 at 10:08 PM
This really spoke to me and touched my heart. Thank you for posting exactly what I needed to read today <3
Posted by: Jessica | March 04, 2011 at 07:21 PM
First I say to thank you for the share personal information and then say to you that you are really brave and great woman.
Posted by: Nand Lal | March 07, 2011 at 05:14 AM
I LOVE your blog. So simple, so real. I am starting my own blog, more about being a mom and creativity/design. I read this post, and felt like I was talking to myself. This is how I have been feeling as well. God is trying to teach me or things are just sucking the life out of me. Thanks for your post!
Posted by: Katie | March 16, 2011 at 12:31 PM