Encourage the Timid

I've talked a bit about being shy in the past.  Though I wouldn't classify myself in that way anymore, I am not a loud person, nor will I ever be.  So when I read verses like this:

And we urge you brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

It's no surprise that "encourage the timid" is what sticks out to me.  I love timid people.  I understand them. I am one of them.  Timidity is something that keeps a person from doing anything that's out of their comfort zone. Anything remotely scary is out of the question. Dictionaries describe it as lacking self confidence, shy, fearful, and hesitant.

Though I've come a long way in this department, overcoming fear is a continual struggle for me.  It's one of those things that I have to fully rely on the Lord for.  I'm prayin' for strength...always praying for strength and, if nothing else, an appearance of confidence.

Eleanor Roosevelt said "Do one thing every day that scares you."  Piece of cake for a timid person!  Go across the street and meet some neighbors.  Talk in a group of people.  Better yet, give your opinion in a group of people.  All very scary, I assure you.

But, I think the worst thing about being timid is that you are often completely written off by those who are the opposite of timid. A shy person is often deemed boring or their silence is quickly chalked up to ignorance.  Blah, I hate that!

So here is some encouragement for my friends, the timid:

~ the way I see it, we will have a lot less to answer to in heaven....the Bible sure does mention the "tongue" a lot. :)

~ Eleanor's quote is awesome, just apply it Biblically.  Do one thing for God that scares you everyday, or baby step it - every week.  (Posting this is my scary thing for the week)

~ your words matter just as much as anyone else's!  In fact, I tune in much more to what a shy person has to say because I know firsthand the guts it takes to speak out.  And a response or opinion is usually well thought out too, not off the cuff.

~ you can be used by God!  You don't have to be loud to serve the Lord. He made you this way for a reason and it wasn't to be mean. He wants to be your strength and confidence.

I can't thank God enough for those who have encouraged me.  If it weren't for these people, I may never have grown spiritually or taken risks.  So if you are a shy person, be encouraged!  And thank you to those "loud" people that live this verse out and encourage us to be bold for Christ.

Why my Dad is the Best

When I was in grade school I entered a contest in school to write about "Why My Dad is the Best."  I had good incentive because if I recall, cash was involved.  And the winners got published in the newspaper. (Which happened about every other week anyway in our town of 300 people, but a huge honor none-the-less.)

All I can remember in my article was writing something about how I loved when dad read me Bible stories at night.  Well, it must have been riveting because I either won or came in second - I can't remember, and it's no surprise that my mom didn't save the clippings of my big newspaper debut. (She's notorious for not saving anything and probably would've thrown me away if I stood in the same spot too long).

And so began my illustrious writing career. This is pretty much where it ends in case your wondering. And there's not much in between.

My dad holds a pretty special place in my heart and I'm sure I could still write that article today and come in first place. So, twenty-some years later I'll hit on the high points of just "Why My Dad is the Best."

~ He's hilarious.  His combination of dry humor and ability to laugh at nothing and everything is contagious.

Hot tubbin' with Uncy Dan and the girls

~ He's easy to be around and has never met a stranger.

Helped Eric call in his first Turkey this year

~ He yells at baseball players on TV more than he ever did at us.

Watching his favorite team (the Twins) with baby Rylie

~ He is an amazing singer.  There is still no one I'd rather listen to singing than my dad.

Trying his hardest to pass the singing baton to his grandchildren

~ He's a wonderful "Papa" to my girls!

Likes having lots of help when we visit!

~ He read me Bible stories at night.

God has blessed me with such an awesome dad!

 

I love you Dad!

You are the best father a girl could ask for.

 

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This Week's Verse:

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:14-15

One of Those People

My cousin Ashley got married this weekend in Sioux City.  She is one of those people. The people that have creativeness in every bone of their bodies.  As much as I desperately want to be one of these people, I am pretty much the opposite.  This is a good explanation of why I had so much tulle at my wedding.  It didn't occur to me that there were other options.

Check out the work she put into her big day.
Everything was handmade.

Every program...

Every hair bow...

 

Every corsage...

Every boutonniere...

Every centerpiece...

Every menu...

Every thing was perfectly done.
And this was my favorite part...

20 kids (including my girls) coming down the aisle with a "Here Comes the Bride" sign. (Also carrying homemade pom pom's of course). How fun!

I'm in awe of all your work Ash!  It was such a beautiful and happy day!

Prayer for Today

We went to Sioux City, IA last weekend for my cousin's wedding and the scene there was heart wrenching.  Flooding.  Everywhere.  Farms completely wiped out, houses standing in water...and they are expecting the worst today.  The dams upstream are being let out full force today to prevent worse flooding upstream. 

Please pray for the people of Sioux City and those who live close to the Missouri River. Many of them will most likely lose homes, businesses, and life as they know it today.

I snapped a few pictures as we drove.

They have tried to prepare for it by sandbagging...

Pray that the flooding won't be as bad as they've feared.

 

Pray for strength for those who have already been affected.

Pray for hope for a new beginning.

Pray for comfort and peace in spite of what happens.

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This week's verse

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22

Bring Blake Home

This is my friend Anna and her girls.

I often tell her how proud I am of her determination and work ethic.  She's one of those annoying people that has great ideas and actually has the drive to put them into practice.  But most importantly, when the Lord lays something on her heart she runs with it and doesn't look back. I love this about her.

Her latest conviction?  Adoption.
Hesitation?  Not at all. 
Faith?  Amazing.
Heart?  Couldn't be bigger.

I'm proud to call her my friend.  Read about her adoption process HERE and learn how you can help her and Jerad bring Blake home! 

Click below to see and read about the new love of her life...




Grab This!

Little Faith

If you have grown up in the church (or not) you probably haven't escaped without hearing the story of Jesus walking on the water.  Reading this story is sometimes like reading my own life of faith.  Whenever the Lord asks me to do something, I pull a Peter...


Matthew's version: During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

My version:  You want me to do what?  No, that's way to scary.  Surely this isn't from the Lord?  It's probably Satan trying to trip me up...

But Jesus immediately said to them; "Take courage! It is I.  Don't be afraid."

Okay everything is pointing toward God.  My heart is changing, everything is falling into place, this has to be the Lord.  Maybe I can do this thing he's asked of me but, I need some proof.  I need him to tell me one more time. Then I will do it.

"Come," he said.

Okay, it's definitely the Lord.  I will do what you ask Lord.  I'm so excited! I may be a little scared but I know I can do it with your help - for you didn't give me a spirit of fear!  I am following the Lord, I know I'm in his will, what a great feeling. I know he wants this for my life.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Lord, was I really supposed to do this?  I could've sworn I heard you telling me to go for it.  But now the excitement has worn off and I feel defeated.  Nothing is going right.  You need to remind me again...is this really what you want for me?

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Sorry, Lord. You're right, my faith is even tinier than a mustard seed. Not even visible. I'm ashamed of my lack of faith when your call was so clear. Forgive me.

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Truly it was you, the Son of God! You are my confidence and my hope. The Lord be exalted!

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This week's verse:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Hebrews 13:5-6

Never too late for a Comeback Line

When I went home (to South Dakota) last week, do you want to know the first thing my brother said to me?  Never mind that I haven't seen him for months.

Well, I was wearing these jean capris:

And he said, "Geez Tami, what are you trying to do? Recapture your youth?"

Yes, if you don't have a little brother, everything you've heard is true.

*****Little brothers are, in fact, extremely annoying.****

Even when they are in their 20's.

Of course I couldn't think of any good comebacks at the time, so I pretended to cry on my husband's shoulder. This comment did hit a little close to home though, because I had just had a mid-life crisis discussion with my husband and Dan only solidified my fears.

Oh no! I can't pass for a college student anymore! (For some reason this has always been my measuring stick for youth.)

So after much thought, I decided that he deserves to hear my comeback lines. Here are a few that have been swirling around in my head:

1. I happen to know that both Jennifer Aniston and Cameron Diaz wear jeans with holes in them.  And they are older than me!  (I know, weak)

2. Oh yeah, well I heard jeans with manure stains on them went out of style last year, so you're screwed too!  (picture my tongue sticking out here)

3. Thank you for the fashion advice Mrs. Joan Rivers.

4. You're such an idiot Dan! (this is usually my go-to line)

5. (There is also mimicking his words in a high pitched voice which would have been a last resort, but not out of the question in this circumstance)

Okay so I haven't worn these jean capris again.....
Does it matter that I was in my 20's when I purchased them?
They may or may not have come from Charlotte Russe...