I remember my high school class motto because we borrowed my mother’s high school motto:
Give the world the best you have and the best will come back to you.
While being able to summarize what your high school class is all about is of questionable importance, being able to summarize what YOU are all about is very important.
Unlike a bucket list, a list of your lifetime goals, or a description of your blog or business, a motto communicates in one sentence or more what you want people to know.
I have read about the importance of a simple description for blogs so people know what to expect. I have struggled to really refine my own tagline, but the recent survey I did of what people want to see in my blog suggested people either didn’t care or wanted me to keep my broad focus.
But only recently did I read about summarizing your whole existence in one motto. Surprisingly, it’s easy for me to give you my life motto–the sentence I’d be okay with having on my headstone, the words I want my children to know, the truth I want to share with the world.
I have a Ph.D. in psychology and experienced nearly every problem that plagues modern women: overeating, disorganization, messed up relationships, depression and out-of-control finances. My smarts and the knowledge gained from the field of psychology did nothing to help me. Nothing. In fact, I think it drove me deeper into depression. And no wonder.
Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” (Isaiah 29:14)
Although people are impressed by my education and I understand that, I’m only impressed with the God who forgave me for the sake of His Son, Jesus, and then transformed me.
My prayer is that even if you don’t believe my motto, you’ll know that I do. I have nothing to offer you, but God has wisdom, help, and hope for you. If He uses me to share out of the abundance of His riches with you, I am blessed.
If you ever sang traditional Sunday School songs, you know you aren’t supposed to hide the light of Christ under a bushel basket. You’re supposed to share the Good News with others. But often, when it comes to our talents and gifts, the bushel basket seems like an acceptable option.
I wrote a book in the summer of 2007 and aside from selling it at several speaking engagements, I haven’t shared it with many people. The copies aren’t under a bushel basket, but rather in a cardboard box under our ping pong table. I decided to take one step to share it and that was putting the link to it on my email signature. A woman I corresponded with saw the link, clicked it, read the sample chapter, ordered the book, read it, and loved it. She has been raving about how it has changed her life ever since.
The point is we all have gifts and talents given to us by God that were meant to be shared–not stored under a bushel basket. Often we get confused and think that we have to be celebrity quality in order to share our gifts. What a shame! I’m no Beth Moore, yet my book has been a blessing to others.
In the interest of sharing my book with even more readers, I am doing an interview with Felice Gerwitz on Monday, April 9th at 11:00a.m. Central time. Hope you can listen in or that you’ll share this link and this blog with the people you know who would benefit from it. All the proceeds from my book are donated to charity and missions.
Are you a closet writer, photographer, artist, singer, musician, athlete, speaker, teacher, leader, or money manager? Don’t hide it under a bushel. Use it for the glory of God and to benefit those around you!
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b]do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8
How are you going to let your light shine this week?
I thought I was done with my series on contentment that begins here, but the Lord had more to say to me about it.
I just returned from a homeschool speech and debate tournament with my oldest son. How strange it is to watch your child agonize over others’ evaluations of him as you once did. I remember the feelings of frustration I had in being praised and criticized for the very same aspect of my speeches. I remember feeling like I wasn’t as good as my teammates who had taken home trophies when I did not. I remember feeling so low at times that I considered quitting. Don’t get me wrong. I think speech competition (and even the constructive criticism I received) prepared me for what I do today as a speaker. I was driven to improve and I learned to use discernment about the feedback I received. (Just because a judge says it, doesn’t make it so.) But competition can also confuse us; I know it does me.
When I watch my son debate, I just think, “Wow!” I am unable to be objective about how his speaking skills compare to others’, because I love him so much. To me, he isn’t better, just beloved.
One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. – John 13:23
I have heard a number of teachings on John’s reference to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Most of them emphasized that Jesus spent more time with John and as a result, was closer to him. I can’t deny that. But I don’t think that John was emphasizing that he was better, just beloved. The most amazing thing about Jesus for John was that He loved him.
When I am tempted to be discontented about not being better or my children not comparing to others, I want to remember this: I am the disciple that Jesus loves. When He looks at me, He sees what I see when I look at my son. Wow.
What do you think? Does Jesus spend time considering which of us is better?
If we’re honest, most of us will say no. We’ll admit to wishing:
We looked younger (after our teens anyway)
We were thinner or fitter
We were more organized and productive
We had a better rating or record in our sport or activity of choice
We could do what we do like someone else does it
We had more fans or just more respect
We made more money
I could go on, but you probably found yourself there somewhere, unless you have the gift of contentment where success is concerned. Even if you’re mostly content, you probably have your moments. I do.
No matter what I’m discontent with, the root cause is the saME. Did you catch that? Whenever it’s about ME, I’m not content.
When I was a kid, the song, “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden” was popular. One promise God never made was to give me glory. The promise He made was to use my life for His. Remembering that helps me return to contentment sooner.
The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Isaiah 60:19
When I’m not happy with the success I’m having in a particular area of my life, I often reflect on great men and women who died without ever knowing how famous they would become. This Scripture reminds me that if they’re with our Lord, and know about their fame on earth, they don’t care. God is their glory now. We don’t have to wait until we’re in heaven for God to be our glory. We can be content knowing that God is always successful, even when we don’t seem to be.
How has God helped you be content with the success you have or don’t have?
I don't know how my little guy, who was worried there would be no more places for him to explore when he grew up, is now ready for some real exploring. But he is!
We've long dreamt of the day that one of our kids could accompany their missionary Aunt Nancy, on a mission trip. This June, the dream is becoming a reality. Caleb will be going to Kenya and Tanzania for a month with other high school students through Student Venture.
What He'll Be Doing
Caleb will have an exciting opportunity to use his gift of speaking to share with students how to achieve academic excellence, rewarding relationships, and how to know Jesus personally. While we hope that Caleb will be able to benefit the students of Africa, we believe that God will also use this trip to change our son. We pray that he will understand how incredibly blessed he is, that he will learn to love and respect people of other cultures, and that he will grow in his faith as he spends time with other committed Christians.
Raising Support
Because Caleb will be serving as a missionary, he must raise supporters who will pray for him and will provide for him financially. The blessing his supporters will receive in return is to hear all about what the Lord is doing in Africa and in him. I will have him share a blog post with all of you!
If you feel led by the Lord to support Caleb's mission financially, I have added a Donate button to the right sidebar. Some generous ladies have helped him earn five beautiful sets of Premiere jewelry. For every $10 donated, your name will be added to a drawing to win them. I will be drawing for them when his trip is funded or he is heading out–whichever comes first!
Whether you feel called to donate or not, please know that we are so grateful for your prayers on his behalf and on behalf of the people that Caleb's team will be ministering to in Kenya and Tanzania.
Have your children ever gone on an international mission trip or have you? Any advice for me or Caleb?
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
I recently discovered that I haven’t learned that. Oh, I don’t pine away for material possessions, but that’s no credit to my character. I have everything I need and so much of what I want. Yet, I am not content. Here’s how I know:
I feel like I never have enough time to accomplish all I want and need to do.
I feel dissatisfied with the amount of success I have in many areas.
I feel frustrated with people who don’t behave the way I would like them to.
I feel disappointed by institutions, my country, and even my church.
In short, I haven’t learned to be content like Paul. Can you relate? Do you find yourself wanting more and being dissatisfied?
Having had times in my life in which I experienced true contentment, I can say unequivocally that I wouldn’t trade it for momentary joy. While I am sure we will know joy in heaven, contentment has got to reign supreme. Over the next several weeks, I’d like to explore what God would like to teach us about His contentment while we still live on earth. I will know that I am learning when:
I am not stressed out and in a perpetual hurry
I see everything I accomplish as progress toward His purposes
I recognize that people are wretched sinners like me who are in the Lord’s hands; if we weren’t, we wouldn’t need a Savior
I understand that God is in control of every institution, country, and church and I’m not
The sweet baby pictured above would not be content if he had fear. Fear is opposed to contentment. We’ll delve into that in the coming weeks, but for now, here is your assignment:
Look for instances of discontentment in your life. One I’ve noticed is a habit of looking at my smart phone constantly.
When you notice lack of contentment, ask yourself what if anything you’re afraid of? I sometimes look at my phone because I’m afraid of being left out of a conversation. Looking at my phone makes me appear to be a busy, important person.
Thinking of some of my difficulties as lack of contentment is helpful to me. For example, concern about how much blogging I do isn’t leading me to work harder as it would have, but now to be content with the time I have.
How about you? Do you struggle with discontentment?
I’m a Christian psychologist turned homeschooling mother of six. My life can be a little crazy, so I look for sanity-saving ideas to use and share. I hope you’ll read my About page to learn more.
