Just Moms » Chair Thoughts

Terri Schiavo

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:17:32 +0000

This is a poem I wrote 5 years ago when the courts ruled that Terri Schiavo’s husband had the right to remove her feeding tube thus ending her life.

THOUGH YOU DON’T BELIEVE…

By Susan M. Swann

Matthew 22:39 – And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Though you didn’t agree…
I existed here on earth.
My life was precious this morning
as it was at my birth.

Though you didn’t agree…
that I can show any feeling.
I did feel love and fear
though you’re unbelieving.

Though you didn’t agree…
I loved my family endlessly.
I had joy when I saw them
and my heart smiled with glee.

Though you didn’t agree…
I recognized voices and faces.
I knew my mother’s kisses
and my father’s warm embraces.

Though you didn’t agree…
That my life had meaning
Ask those who love me greatly
if I was worth keeping.

Though you didn’t agree…
that I was worthy enough to live.
You had no right to take away
something that God did give.

Though you didn’t agree…
that I understood pain.
You didn’t feel what I did
the hunger I felt within.

Though you didn’t agree…
you didn’t have to, that’s okay.
It’s not me you have to answer to
For the things you do and say.

Though you didn’t agree…
as you watched me grow frail
You heard my last breath
And watched my heart fail.

Though you didn’t agree…
My life ended in the hands of men.
but our souls lie in the hands of God
and to Him we must repent.

Though you didn’t agree…
That’s between you and God alone.
Man will be judged one day
for the things He has done.

Though you didn’t agree…
I hope that you’ll find peace.
I hope you’ll one day know
Life with God that won’t cease.

Don’t assassinate the image of God.

SPRING into Action!

Sue — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:07:27 +0000

Part 1

Questions:

What are some of the pros and cons of Spring?
What changes occur in the Springtime?

Springtime is filled with “life”. The new plants that grow around us. New babies born this time of year. And we celebrate the resurrected life of our Lord. But I want to focus on how we LIVE because of the LIFE that Christ has given to us. It’s time for us to SPRING into action!

S – Search ourselves.

P – Prepare ourselves.

R – Rededicate ourselves.

I – Involve ourselves.

N – Nourish ourselves.

G – Give of ourselves.

SEARCH OURSELVES – Popular phrase. But what does it mean? What are we supposed to be searching for? How are we supposed to do it?

PREPARE OURSELVES – Whenever we have communion, we are told to examine and prepare ourselves before we partake. What does this “preparation” involve? Is it only to be done before communion?

REDEDIDATE OURSELVES – After we search ourselves and then prepare ourselves, rededication must take place. Dedication involves determination. It involves knowing what we have (or haven’t) done. And it means we are going to give it yet another try. What things can we do to help keep us dedicated and determined?

INVOLVE OURSELVES – Knowing what we must do is one thing. Putting what we know into practice is another. What are some ways that you can use what God teaches you?

NOURISH OURSELVES – Just like a plant, we need nourishment. Not only physically (food and water), but spiritually. What gives God’s people nourishment? How can you tell if someone is malnourished? How can you tell if they are being well-nourished?

GIVE OF OURSELVES – Our personal relationship with Christ is essential, but we can’t leave it at that. We must have relationships with others. And we must be willing and ready to give ourselves. How are we to give of ourselves? In what ways are you currently giving of yourself?

How will you respond?

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Luke 10:30-37

30Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.

31″And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32″Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

33″But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,

34and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

35″On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’

36″Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?”

37And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

Now that we’ve all read this passage (for some it may have been the ump-teenth time reading it, and for some it may have been the first time reading it), but let me ask you a question…

Are you the priest? The Levite? Or the Samaritan?

All of us probably WANT to say the Samaritan. That is because we can read Christ’s response at the end of this passage. And we want to be the one that Christ wants us to be. But are we?

I am one of those that have read this passage for the “umpteenth” time. However, reading it this past week was a bit different. I noticed a small, 4-letter word that made a huge difference for me. Do you know that that word is?

w-h-e-n. When.

Look at verse 33. It says “when he saw him, he felt compassion”.

Two things happened at the same time here. He saw him and felt compassion. He didn’t see him and then think about being compassionate. He didn’t see him and ignore his need. He didn’t see him and then debate whether he had the time to help. WHEN HE SAW HIM HE FELT COMPASSION.

What would you do in this situation?

You’re in a rush and have to make a quick stop to Walmart. You see a woman in a motorized wheelchair strugglling to grab something on a higher shelf. What are you going to do?

Now granted, this woman isn’t exactly in the “condition” that the man in this passage was in. She hasn’t been mugged and beaten up. But she IS in need, regardless of the extent of the need.

Do you pretend not to notice and walk on by?
Do you see her and walk in another direction?
Do you walk past her, say hello, and continue walking?
Do you tell an employee that she needs help as you walk by?
Do you stop and watch her for a while, debating whether you should help or not? (not realizing you could have helped already and been on your way in the same amount of time you’ve been debating it!)
Do you say “forget the time, I’m going to help!” and actually follow through?

Once you see the need you will be held accountable for how you respond. We can’t always help the way that we want to or the way that they need help. But God knows the help that they need. Maybe what they need is you to pray about their need. Maybe they need you to lift them up in prayer and ask that someone will be able to help the way that they need it.

We must respond to others needs! Whether it’s doing it ourselves, getting someone else to do it, or praying for God to provide for their need.

How are you responding?

Find the Sparkle!

admin — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Find the “Sparkle” in someone else’s eyes:

Sincerity – don’t try to over-analyze everything that someone does for you… thinking they have an “agenda” or an “ulterior motive”. Accept it as sincerity and cherish it.

Patience – face it, at times we aren’t the easiest people to get along with! And not everyone will understand you all the time. Value the patience that others have with you and then offer it in return!

Abilities – we all have God-given gifts and abilities. But we must recognize it in others. We cannot make them do something that they aren’t able to do. Instead we must encourage them to use their abilities and motivate them to love and good works.

Responsibilities – Not all of us are in the same “boat”. We should realize what others’ God-given responsibilities are and respect them. We should not over-task others so they cannot fulfill the responsibilities that God has given to them. We should be gracious and respectful of others schedules and duties.

Kindness – when someone is kind to you, THANK THEM. It’s not always easy for people to show kindness, so when they do, make sure to respond in kindness. All it takes is a simple smile, hug, or thank you! (or all 3!)

Love – people love in different ways. So get to know what someone else’s “love language” is and respond accordingly. When they do something out of love for us, it may not be exactly what ‘we’ think is an act of love. But as you get to know the person, you will begin to recognize what they are doing out of love and appreciate it. Likewise, you will begin to know how to show love the way that they need you to.

Encouragement – encouragement comes in all forms. A card. An email. A hug. A visit. Let us be open to the ways that others try to encourage us, and not put down the things that we think are too “simple”. After all, it may not have been a simple thing for the other person to do!

So, I encourage us all to find the Sincerity, Patience, Abilities, Responsibilities, Kindness, Love and Encouragement in others and then show it just the same!

Question and Answer time!

admin — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Luke 10: 25-28: And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”

I have read this passage several times, but last night as we were discussing it at the women’s study, something “dawned” on me. And of course I’ll share.

Many people read this passage and focus on verse 27 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and will all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Songs have been written and sung about it. Sermons have been preached on it. And lives have been changed by it. But I want to focus on something else….

I just got done helping my son with part of his schoolwork. He had to read a bunch of sentences that weren’t in order and then rewrite it as it happened. So let’s basically do that now, but simplify it….

1. Lawyer asks Jesus a question.
2. Jesus asks him to say what he already knew.
3. Lawyer states what he knows.
4. Jesus affirms what he said.

How many times does this happen in our own lives? Here’s an “example” of what I mean…

1. Lord, what do you want me to do about this person who has hurt me?
2. “My child, what does my Word tell you?”
3. Lord, your Word says I should love them as myself and forgive them 70 times 7.
4. “Yes, my child, now do it.”

Isn’t it wonderful knowing that we have a God who “deals” with His children in this way!?

But there are 2 things found here that are ESSENTIAL in our walk with Christ….

-Reading His Word
-Praying

The lawyer knew what the law said. But he also needed that personal communication from Jesus to explain it a little more and to reassure what he knew. And the same is true with us. Yes, we have His Word. But we must go to Him in prayer to see how we should apply His Word and for the strength to live it out. He will give us the courage and wisdom in knowing how to apply it in even the most difficult situations.

So let’s get some Question and Answer time in with our Lord!!!

Help us Lord to seek You
in all things that we do.
May we read your Word daily
and live a life that’s true.

Ice-Cream toppings!

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Think about your favorite ice-cream flavor. Now, imagine that a friend hands you a bowl of your favorite ice-cream… and even provides you with a spoon to eat it with! Ok… as you are getting ready to take a bite, another person comes over and dumps a jar of cheese sauce all over it. Doesn’t seem to appetizing does it? So you scrape off the cheese sauce and try to “salvage” the ice-cream underneath that didn’t get “ruined”. You get ready to eat another bite and another friend comes and dumps spaghetti sauce all over it. Again, not real pleasant, right? You try to “rescue” some of the ice-cream, but you can’t. In fact, it doesn’t even look like the ice-cream that your good friend brought you to begin with. It’s ruined.

This is what we often do with our own friends. We see/hear how someone does something kind for a mutual friend. And instead of us being happy that our friend is being ‘served’ with her favorite ice-cream, we feel that we have to get involved and add something to it. And it keeps happening until eventually the friend doesn’t even recognize the help that she was given by the first person.

Is it fair to the friend who is being “served” the ice-cream?
Is it fair to the one who was “serving” the ice-cream to begin with?

We live in a world when we want to “one-up” everyone. It bothers us to see credit being given to someone else when they are doing what we “think” we can do (and think we can do it even better!). But instead of us spending so much time “one-upping”, shouldn’t we find a situation where no one is even helping to begin with?? Instead of trying to put our own 2 cents in and get involved (when it’s clearly being taken care of), we should be finding a person who doesn’t have anyone serving them “ice-cream”.

Cheese sauce and ice-cream doesn’t “go” together. And neither does spaghetti sauce and ice-cream. The same is true with “one-upping”. The original friend knew the situation first hand. She knew what her friend needed/liked and offered it to her (the favorite ice-cream). She even gave her the tool (the spoon) to enjoy it! But when others start to get involved without knowing the full situation at hand, they start adding things that aren’t necessary or applicable (the cheese sauce & spaghetti sauce). And ultimately it makes things worse.

Stop putting toppings on someone else’s gift of ice-cream. And start scooping some yourself!

Power’s out!

admin — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

I L-O-V-E thunderstorms. I have always loved to watch the lightning and hear the thunder roll. I know most children are afraid of storms, but from the time I was little I have loved them! I would rock in a rocking chair on the porch with a book in hand and enjoy every minute of it.

Just a glimpse of God’s power is seen through storms where the lightning is flashing and the thunder is booming. Oh how powerful He is!

We had one of these storms on Friday night into Saturday morning. And at one point during the early morning hours, the power went out and stayed out for a few hours. As I wondered how long it would be before the power came back on, I thought about how our lives revolved around power/electricity. We are completely dependent on this earthly power. Yes, we can live without it, but boy we don’t want to!

Some were posting on FB during the power outage. But how long would that last?

Battery backups for laptops would eventually die.
Cell phones would eventually lose their charge.
Even a car would run out of gas eventually, so that would end being able to charge things in the car.

Just a small act of God’s power (a thunderstorm) is enough to wipe out all earthly power (electricity). And our power “back-ups” will come to an end.

Think about Adam and Eve. They had perfect unity with God in the garden (before the fall). They had everything that they would ever need. Their lives were easy. Their fellowship with God was endless. They had the PERFECT life! And guess what? They didn’t have electricity! They didn’t have cell phones. They didn’t have laptops. They didn’t even have Facebook! But what did they have?

EVERYTHING!!!!

It is only when Eve chose to take some power for herself, and then get her husband to join her, that their dependency went off of God and on to themselves. They thought that they new what was best and they wanted it!

Adam and Eve weren’t happy with relying on God’s power alone. They wanted just a bit of it themselves. And because of their actions, all of mankind is condemned.

Are you living a life like Adam and Eve did BEFORE the fall? Are you trying your hardest to live a life that is dependent on God? Are you satisfied with knowing that He is all powerful?

Or are you living a life like Adam and Eve did as they fell? Wanting to have power over your own life and not be solely dependent upon God?

The next time you hear the thunder roll and the lightning flash, think about power. Are you relying on God’s power? Or are you being like Adam and Eve during the fall?

“When God is our strength, it is strength indeed. When our strength is our own, it is only weakness”.

A gift for you!

admin — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The repetition of small efforts will accomplish more than the occasional use of great talents. — Charles H. Spurgeon

This goes along perfectly with what the women were discussing last night at the Coffee Mom’s Study. We were discussing Satisfaction and not being jealous of what other people have (including their talents). The author shared a time that she asked her friend (who knew how to do everything and did it well) if she would like to play golf. The friend said that she didn’t play. The author told her friend how she should learn and how she’d be good at it. Do you know how the friend responded?

“No, I shouldn’t learn. I know what I’m good at and what I enjoy. I don’t need to know how to do everything.” (paraphrasing)

Why do we do this to ourselves? We hear about something someone else is doing and then we feel like we need to be doing it too! A friend starts a ministry, we feel like we need to do it. A friend uses a certain curriculum for school, and we (homeschooling Moms) feel like we need to use it too. A friend loves to scrapbook, and we feel like we need to learn.

We all have talents and gifts. And once you know what your gifts are, you need to USE them. And not just in “grand” ways, but in repetitive small ways, as the quote says.

My husband loves to encourage me when it comes to my writing, musical gifts, etc… He has often encouraged me to put my writing into a devotional, or my music on a CD. He wants it be used to encourage others and outreach to people. And one day I may pursue that. But for now, I need to use my gifts in “repetitive & small ways”. Singing in church. Writing a note on Facebook. Counseling the young women that God draws to me. I need to be using my gifts now on a “smaller scale” instead of thinking that some “larger scale” will happen!

God has shown me lately that God brings the ministry to me, not the other way around. And that I just need to be willing to follow through. I have to trust that God has given me the experience and knowledge to serve in that ministry at that particular time. He gives the gifts and leads the ministry. And that is all I need to know!

We need to get out of our comfort zones and start using our gifts NOW. We can’t sit back and plan and schedule how we will do things. We can’t sit back and wait for that “flashing neon sign” from God. We must use our small gifts in repetitive ways!!

Are you using your gifts for God NOW?
Are you waiting for that “larger scale” to happen before you start to serve?

Get out and use your gifts that God has given!

It’s not about me!

admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

When we are going through a tough time, something we don’t understand, it’s easy to ask God why we are going through it. What does He want us to learn? But the fact is, we may not be going through that tough time for ourselves.

God uses tough times in our lives for a few reasons….

To teach us who He is.
To teach us who we are.
To teach us what we should do.
To teach us what we shouldn’t do.
To teach us to trust God when it seems impossible.
To teach us humility.

Notice how all of the statements above have the word “us” in it. Now, let’s look at a few other reasons…

To help us to be sympathetic and empathetic to someone else in the same situation.
To help us to know what to say to someone else to encourage them.
To help us grow closer to someone who is walking in the shoes that we were/are in.

All of these have the word “us” in it, but the statements are not about US at all!

Last night I had the opportunity to talk to a dear friend of mine. And after a while of laughing and having a good time, God opened the door for us to talk about something that is weighing heavily on her heart (and mine). On my way to the homeschool co-op signups last night, I spent time praying and laying something down that I needed to let go. And sure enough this very thing was what my friend was dealing with.

I began to understand the reasons that I had been going through this “trial” in my life. It wasn’t about me. It was about my friend and her situation. And it’s about my other friends and how the same trial may plague them one day.

Both of us were being accused falsely. And both of us were hurting at the thought that someone would think this way about us. And I found myself quoting something that another dear friend of mine told me on Friday night (again, things all work out for our good!). I found myself telling my friend that God will defend His reputation. Wow, what a thought! If my friend and I were doing what God has called us to do, and neither one of us felt that we did anything wrong (after praying about it), then we have to trust that God will defend us! Because if we are doing what God wants, God will defend Himself! And that, my friends, is a reason to be joyful!

Are you dealing with a tough time? Maybe it’s something like my friend and I have been dealing with. Maybe it’s a sinful habit in your life that needs to be broken. Maybe it’s waiting patiently for the Lord to do something in your life. Whatever you are dealing with remember this… it may not be about you at all. You may need to “suffer” a little longer so God can place a person in your life that you need to “relate” to.

So, in while you are going through your trial, don’t focus on only yourself. Take a look around at the people that you see on a regular basis. Are they dealing with the same situation that you are dealing with? Can you use what you have learned so far from your trial to help encourage and teach them?

Take your focus off of yourself, and place it on Christ! And then, and only then, will you be able to see the needs of those around you.

It’s all about JOY – Jesus, Others, and YOU!

Hello, how are you?

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Cashier: Hi, how are you?
Me: Good, and yourself?”
Cashier: Good.

Is that the extent of your conversation with a cashier, waitress, drive-thru worker, etc….. ?

I have my certain places that I like to go. Zippy’s for coffee. Safeway for groceries. Sheila’s Party World for cake supplies. And after going to these places over and over again, people have had the chance to get to know me a little. And of course I’ve had the chance to get to know them.

I have heard people say that they have to “find” ways to witness or outreach. And in my opinion, I think that’s a bunch of baloney! (or bologna, however you want to spell it. LOL) We do not need to FIND ways to outreach! Those “ways” are presented to us constantly. It is just our responsibility to take advantage of them and do something.

When I go to Safeway, I look to see who is working on what lanes ahead of time. That way I know who I will have the chance to talk to. I can think of something to talk about, etc…

When I go to Zippy’s, I look at the cars in the parking lot to see who is working. This helps me figure out what to order (some people make certain things that I like better than others), and what conversation(s) may arise.

When I go to Sheila’s, I think about what cakes that I will be making and think about how to get the event “fit” into the conversation so I can bring up church, God, etc…

Outreach takes time. But it is all around us. We don’t need a specific day of the week that we do it. We don’t need a ministerial ‘title’ to do it. It’s not about quotas (how many people we can talk to in one day). It’s all about recognizing when the Holy Spirit is leading and acting on it!

What are you willing to do to outreach?
Are you utilizing every opportunity to talk to someone?
Are you willing to pay attention the cashier a little more and try to get to know him/her?

Outreach is all around us. Just REACH-OUT and grasp it!