Stretching my Flexibility

Flexibility. Not one of my strengths.

I'm a planner.  I don't like surprises in my schedule.  I like to know what I'm doing today and usually don't stray to far from that.

My husband is a totally different story.  He loves to be spontaneous.  When we first married he would come home from work and say, "Let's go to the mall!".  That simple sentence would throw me into a tail spin.

"I can't go to the mall!"
"I didn't wash my hair today."
"I haven't cleaned the kitchen."

So on & on & on. Bless his heart.  He finally learned that I do better when I have had at least 2 hours notice before he changes my plans.

Having children helped me to learn the importance of being flexible.  Things are gonna happen that you just can't help.

Did you know that flexibility is a character trait?  I had never thought of it like that until I found it on a list of character traits to teach your children.

Here are some definitions I found.

Flexibility:

• Learning the wishes of the one I am serving and adapting my priorities to meet them. Learning how to cheerfully change plans when unexpected conditions require it. Avoiding obligations that would hinder us from taking the best course of action. (IBLP - Character Clues Game)

• Not becoming attached to ideas or plans which could be changed by my authorities. (Character First!)

• Flexibility is not setting my affections on plans or places that could be changed by those whom I am serving. (The Power For True Success)

Living with family in two different places has definitely stretched my flexibility.  The younger kids & I are usually at each house for about 10 days at a time now.  It is easier for us to travel between the two places than the older kids since they work.

I am learning to be flexible.  I never really know how long we will be somewhere.  It is hard to plan.  It is hard to make commitments. I am learning to not hold on to any plans because as soon as I do they will get changed.  I write my plans with a pencil.

Psalm 40:8  "I delight to do your will O my God.."

His will.  I delight in his will, not my own.

Matthew 6:19, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal."

  Colossians 3:2, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

1 John 2:15-17,    Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Flexibility understands that nothing is about me or what I want.  My life is all about Him!  Even in the simple things like missing dinner with friends because I am not in town or not getting to sleep in my own bed.  When my attitude gets nasty it is because I am being stiff necked, impatient, determined to make my plans work.

When I set my mind on things that are above and I set aside my fleshly desires my attitude is not only better, but I am now free to see God is working all around me.  Who am I to think my plans are better?

Below is something I made a few years ago when the kids & I studied this.  It is the "I Wills" of Flexibility. Feel free to use it.

So my journey continues as the Lord continues to reveal more and more of myself that I keep holding onto.  I am so thankful He doesn't leave me to myself.  I would surely self-destruct.




 

Happy Charlie

Charlie is 3 months old today.  So hard to believe.

As you can tell, he is a happy baby.  He smiles so easily and is beginning to belly laugh. He is a chunky baby too weighing in at 15 lbs! He sleeps all night & takes wonderful naps during the day.  He loves to have someone to look at.  He loves to be outside and he loves music.  Such an easy baby to please! 
God is so good.  I love having a newborn again.  This go around is much different than the others.  This time I have my 2 moms to help; my mom & my mother-in-law.  They are always ready to take Charlie if I need to do something else or tend to the other kids.  Living with our parents is showing to have some perks I didn't expect.




 

28 Things Your Family Needs to Hear You Say

Found this on Pinterest & just had to share it here.  Our words to our family matter always.  Even when our kids get older & leave our home, our words to them matter.

We can either build them up or tear them down.  (Proverbs 14:1)

Attitude...keeping it in check

While I continue to learn the importance of surrendering my own plans & idea's I have been reminded lately of the importance of my attitude about out present living situation.
I know- surprising isn't it that I could have a bad attitude about something(insert major sarcasm here).  There are plenty of things these days that I could (& often do) have a bad attitude about.  Keeping this in check is an ongoing thing & keeping scripture in front of me is a must if I am going to overcome my yucky-ness.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

This quote by my pastor is also a big help to me.

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

Chuck Swindoll