What I’ve learned so far…pt. 1

Looking back at my post in January, I realize how well I really know myself. The 30-day fitness challenge didn’t make it past the first week. Did I set myself up for failure? I don’t think so. Hubby and I began walking in the evenings until my knees started rebelling. I now work on the stationary bike.

Sewing class was a lot of fun, not anything that I expected and lasted all the way through May because my students didn’t want to stop. One of my students and I were able to attend the local quilt guild’s quilt show. Very inspiring. We’ll be starting class again in a few weeks.

I did start a planner. Even kept up with it until about June. It wasn’t quite what I needed. Looking into the popular bullet journaling which, I think, will fit my style. Just haven’t gotten around to it yet. One part of the journaling that I’ve kept up with, though, is hand-lettering. I enjoy it a lot.

I have kept up with the 365 day Chronological Bible reading and am currently on Day 241. That combined with other things has led me to writing this post.

The 30 Days to Taming the Tongue was an eye-opener. We always have to watch our words. Think before speaking, even when it’s in jest. The bible study transitioned into Beth Moore’s Believing God. Wow. It was during this time that the first intense look into what God was teaching happened.

On Wednesday nights at my church, I’ve been attending a special set of classes: Life University. The one at the conjuncture of the bible study on Believing God and the 365 day Chronological Bible reading brought out a name.

Rahab.

Over and over, her name came up within a couple of weeks. I remember writing in my notes, “What does the story of Rahab have to do with me?”

So, what was so special about Rahab? I had to do some research on her story to find out. (Don’t you love other people’s stories?) First of all, she’s identified as a harlot, a prostitute. What? Again I asked myself and God what her story had to do with me.

Her story: She lived in Jericho. Her home was on the wall of the city. She hid the Israelite spies on her roof and lied to authorities about it. She let them down the side of the wall, but not before asking them to spare her life as well as her family’s. The scarlet thread hung in her window. The same window she let them down from.

Several days later, the Israelites began their march. Everyday, they walked around the city. 6 days of this. I imagine the people of Jericho were rattled by this time. They had heard stories of God’s hand upon these people. In fact, Rahab tells the spies:

“I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, who you utterly destroyed. and as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” (Josh 2: 9-11)

She had come to the conclusion that the LORD is God, not the ones that the people of Jericho had believed in. Her faith saved her from destruction.

Notice where she lived. On the wall. On the 7th day the Israelites marched around the city 7 times. Then when the trumpet blew, they shouted and the wall fell down flat. Look it up yourself in Joshua 6:20. The wall fell down flat except where she lived. The scarlet thread (or cord) was in the window. And she and her family who were with her in her home were spared.

Her story doesn’t end there. She goes with these conquerors from there on. Marries one of them. (What mercy!) She was the mother of Boaz, husband and kinsman redeemer of Ruth. And later on we find her in the lineage of Jesus, the Christ.

She had heard the stories. Then she became part of the story and their story became hers.

We have heard the stories. Now the stories can be ours. Because of the scarlet thread. That scarlet thread that goes from Genesis through Revelation. The beginning and the end. The Alpha and Omega.

What’s your story?

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The Lies I’ve Told Myself

Raise your hand if you’ve ever taken a personality test.

There are so many out there. I think one of the most common is the Briggs-Meyers test. I took it several years ago and, if I can remember correctly, I was an ISTJ. I don’t even remember what all the letters stood for but I do know the first one. Introvert.

I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. I don’t mind being alone and I do things by myself all the time. Sitting in a restaurant by myself—no biggie. But in the big picture, I love being around people. I like being in a class situation where participants are encouraged to participate in discussion. And I’m good at it. I don’t have to run home and recharge myself after being among a large group of people, as the “introvert” is known to do.

I thought back to my high school and college years. Yes, those were a long time ago. I was a social butterfly, flitting from one group to another, part of none but friends with all. I’m still that way. To be honest, there are a lot of cliques out there. I’m just not one to fit in. I guess because I hate exclusion by or of anyone. And you would think, being grown-ups it wouldn’t be that way, cliquish, I mean. But there they are. I’m not intending to put them down. It’s just the way it is.

I’ve had best friends along the way and, with life situations, they’ve changed or I’ve changed and my best friends aren’t the same best friends I had. I’ve also been in a best friend trio a few times. Still am. And, as always, the other two seem to do more together than them and me. Mainly, I think, because they have grandkids and family nearby and I don’t. And I’m okay with that. I still love doing things with them, being together.

I’m getting real honest here. I like doing things with others or I can do things by myself. What I don’t like is being with a lot of people and feeling alone. I am a quiet person in a crowd (except in the aforementioned class situation.) I don’t like small talk. I would rather talk about things that matter.

I have become introvert-ish because of circumstance. My husband is a home body. Would rather be home than anywhere else. My daughter, who is probably my best friend in the world for all time, lives several hours away.That is why I do things by myself a lot. I guess I could call someone to join me in my goings but I do things largely on impulse and that doesn’t often work for others. I don’t have a problem with crowds unless it is really noisy. Then I need the quietness of being alone.

So, this is who I am. I AM NOT AN INTROVERT (by choice) but neither am I an extrovert. I am sensitive to others. I fly by the seat of my pants a lot. Would love to be organized but mostly not. I retired from teaching but not from learning. I love knowledge. I, typically, don’t analyze myself but sometimes it’s necessary to get where I want to be. I am loyal, faithful, caring, careful, friendly, focused.

I am a favored daughter of The Most High God and am called to worship Him and seek His will, to make a difference my part of the world with everything I do and say. A child of the King.

Who are you?

Join me soon to see what else I’ve learned from my “Un-resolution”.

The “UN” resolution

I have some things I’m looking forward to getting done. I don’t “do” New Year’s Resolutions. The fact that these are starting up in January just makes it easier to keep up with.

1. 365 day Chronological Bible reading plan. (Yes, I’ll be one day short this year since it’s a leap.) I’m using YouVersion where I can keep it keeps up with what I’ve read. It’s an app downloaded on my laptop and can be downloaded to my cell phone also. I will enjoy the audio version as I have it set to the NIVUK so there’s an Englishman reading it to me. YouVersion
2. 30 Days to Taming the Tongue. The ladies bible study I attend will be going through this book for 6 weeks. Although I don’t have too much of a problem with the subject (or at least I don’t think I do) I know how much words can hurt and harm or build up. I’ll be teaching one of the sessions. Amazon 30 Days to Taming the Tongue
3. Sewing class. I am going to be teaching a sewing class. Whether I have one person or a bunch doesn’t matter. I will be passing on my love for the art. It will only be for 6 weeks so I’m not committed too far.
4. 30 Day Challenge ~full body workout. I won’t need any equipment and I don’t have to join a gym. Perhaps I should have started with a plan for a week since keeping fit is not my forte but I will give it a go. Blog with free printable of 30 day challenge
5. I would love to be able to start a new planner and actually use it daily since I have all these new activities in my life. Considering that one. What an accomplishment it would be for me to have it full by the end of the year! Consistency is key. The Happy Planner that was shown to me by a friend recently got me interested.

That gets me through January at least.

What are your goals?

The leftovers

As I went to close the blinds in this bedroom a couple of days ago, I noticed something bright. These are the last leaves on this particular tallow tree hanging on.