Is pride clouding your vision?

“But I’m too young to wear reading glasses!” I whined at my eye doctor. “Isn’t there another alternative?”

My kind and very competent doctor patiently explained to me (again) that the changes in my eyesight are a normal part of the aging process and that reading glasses are the solution. I then went on to ask him why I don’t see anyone else my age wearing reading glasses yet if this is all so “normal.” He chuckled a bit as he replied that most people don’t start using reading glasses until about 10-12 years after the time they start to need them. “People are too proud and vain.” He encouraged me to get an inexpensive pair of readers to try.

That was two years ago.

I did eventually get a pair of readers to try and they worked like magic, but I felt very self-conscious wearing them. It’s kinda silly. I started wearing glasses when I was six years old, and contacts when I was fourteen. I’m very accustomed to needing corrective lenses in order to see. But reading glasses? No way! So I went back to squinting a lot and holding things at arms length in an attempt to focus better. I would even ask my kids to read stuff to me! Recipes, washing instructions on clothing tags, ingredients on packages of food… it was pretty ridiculous.

When I went back to the eye doctor a few months ago, he asked how it was going with the reading glasses. I told him that they worked, but I didn’t like wearing them. He laughed, told me to “get over it,” and use them already.

As I was driving home, I came to the realization that my pride was keeping me from having clear vision. I should be thankful that there was something I could use to improve my situation and stop thinking so much about aging and what others might think.
 

I began wearing the glasses. And my vision immediately became clear. What a fool I was to let pride get in the way.

Is pride clouding your vision today? Perhaps not in the literal sense, but maybe in regards to your life vision?  Do you need help but pride is getting in the way? It’s okay to ask for help. Life is too precious, so let’s not waste one more day blurry and unfocused. Think about what would help you develop a clearer vision for your life and then go for it!

“It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.” ~Helen Keller

Word-filled Wednesday

 

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. ~Psalm 28:7

It's In The Book

This election was my oldest daughter’s very first opportunity to vote. She was so excited and said that she had been looking forward to this since she was young. Because she is away at college, she had to complete the registration process by mail and request an absentee ballot. She was so proud to complete that ballot and send it in.

When I went to our assigned polling place to vote last week, I saw her name listed just above mine in the official registration book. As I signed in, I could see the notation indicating that her ballot had been received. I was so proud of her! I was also relieved to see that she had successfully completed the registration process and that her ballot had, in fact, been received by the county election office.

As I was walking home, I continued to think about how proud and thankful I was to see her name in that official book. In that moment, the Holy Spirit reminded me that her name is also written in another important book. An eternal book. The Lamb’s Book of Life! Hallelujah! Her name will be recorded in many important documents over the course of her life, but none as important as that eternal book.

A 17-year-old young lady from our church was tragically killed in a car accident last Saturday. My heart has been so heavy for the past few days, especially when I think of her parents. It is a huge reminder that this life is but a vapor and we never know just how much time we have. However, we can take comfort in knowing that her name was also written in that eternal book. I cannot begin to comprehend the sorrow of her family, but I am thankful that we do not mourn as those who have no hope.

I’m holding my precious ones a little tighter these days, thankful for all of the moments that we share, secure in the knowledge that each of our names is written in that big book. Is yours?

“I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”~Revelation 21:22-27.

Word-filled Wednesday

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~Romans 8:28

Monday Musings

Out in my yard today... it's sunny and a balmy 65 degrees. We've been having some beautiful weather, but the forecast says that colder days are ahead later this week. I've been trying to get used to a different view in my backyard. It used to look like this:

 

But now it looks like this:

 

 

The honey locust in the middle of the yard was starting to die. There just wasn't enough room for it to spread out and get adequate sunlight with all of the other trees in the yard. It started leaning towards the house and would have eventually come down, so we had it removed. It seems kind of empty out there now. This is all that is left:

 

 

There is one lone mum still blooming.

 

I'm grateful for... the opportunity to write about parenting for 31 days in October. Last year I followed several 31 day bloggers and briefly considered doing this myself, but I wasn't very serious. One night in late July, God woke me up out of a sound sleep and spoke so very clearly to my heart. He gave me the theme, the name, and the topics for all 31 days. The whole process has been truly extraordinary. In the midst of all of this, my daughter Brianna was also inspired to start a blog and write for 31 days. It was wonderful to share this experience with her.

One of my favorite things... is this little desk that my mother-in-law recently gave me. It had lived for many years in her parents' home and she generously passed it along to me. I had been looking for a secretary style desk to use for my work space. This one is a real treasure!

 

This week I'm reading... I Declare by Joel Osteen. 

 

I'm looking forward to... election day tomorrow! This campaign season seems to have gone on forever! At least I don't live in a battle-ground state. The annoying commercials here have mostly been concerning local and state issues. I am ready to go exercise my right to vote!

 

Simple life tip for the week... this one comes from Joel Osteen. We all make "I am..." statements several times each day. Whatever follows our "I am..." will follow after us. For example, if we say "I am tired," then we will be tired. If we say "I am frustrated," then we will continue to be frustrated. Our words have creative power. If we want to have positive things in our lives, then we need to make positive "I am..." statements. "I am energized." "I am highly favored." "I am blessed." This week, try making several positive "I am..." statements throughout each day and see what happens.