Reality and our minds’ eyes very rarely agree. Depending on the type of person we are–and the situation–we tend to see things in extremes. As either terrible or grand, though it’s really somewhere in between.
Right now we’re doing some remodeling of our old house. And as I fill trash bags with all the stuff I didn’t want to take with us when we moved, I see that old house as something like this:
Which is ironic, because in my brain, my house should look something like this:
But as I grumble and pack and strip wallpaper and scrub and carry boxes until my back screams at me, I can hear that whisper in the deep places of my heart. The one that says:
And I am shamed. And I have to pause and thank Him for providing. For always making sure what I have is sufficient. For the luxury I live in as an American. And I need to learn that what I make of those blessings is up to me. It’s mine to say no when someone offers what I don’t need, what will only clutter things up. It’s mine to say thanks for what I have. It’s mine to take care of it all and be a responsible steward.
I load all those boxes and bags into the back of our old clunker minivan that we bought for a song last year. And you know, sometimes I’m almost embarrassed to be seen in that thing. It’s not sleek and stylish. It’s not filled with cool features or storage compartments or the latest technology. It literally clunks every time we go around a turn. I often look at that old thing and see this:
when what I want to be driving is this:
have a van but no extra debt.
debt.
space.
for hauling around nieces or friends.
keep you from spending money that I knew you wouldn’t have.
with this old machine.
us for changes. I knew, when I saw Him taking burdens of debt from us, that it
was because we’d have to be free of it—which meant financial change on the
horizon. And I thank Him again for taking such tremendous care of us.
leans into the hood to fix what’s broken. My kids scrabble in with all the love
for that old clunker that they would give a shiny new car.
friend, we listened to a couple workshop MP3s from past conferences. The
amazing Susan Miesner said something that I found both hilarious and true. That
she doesn’t know why they call them “royalty reports.” Because when she opens
them up, she never feels like a princess.
books fall in the scale, and I realize I’m not at the top. I’m not a
bestseller. I’m not an award winner. In this business, it’s so, so easy to get
discouraged when we compare ourselves to others. But oh, how well I know the
whisper on this topic!
reaching My children.
stories I plant in your mind.
you.
dreams.
opportunity, and I put my nose to the grindstone and work as hard as I possibly
can to be faithful to this blessing.
times when we look in the mirror.
honestly don’t know why. I’m not a super model by any stretch, my body is far
from perfect. I can no longer fit in those size 2 clothes I still had in the
back of my closet. I’m not willing to spend hours each day exercising or give
up the foods I most love. So yeah, my figure has changed over the years. It’s
not exactly what I want it to be. I still have a bump on my nose, and my
complexion hasn’t been clear since I was 10. But I’ve always thought it’s more
about how I feel than anything. So I make sure I feel great in whatever clothes
I buy. I’ll change my outfit five times even on days I’m not leaving the house,
because I need to feel right in
whatever I’m wearing on a given day. I like to think I carry myself with
confidence that people notice more than my actual assets or flaws.
mirror. I get self-conscience when I’m stuck wearing clothes that don’t make me
feel like a million bucks. I hate it when makeup won’t cover the flaws. Or when
an adorable outfit in the store doesn’t fit.
daughter, precious in His sight. And it’s that whisper that matters most. It’s
what He sees there that is so very important.
seeks me.
call.
risks.
hungry.
are naked.
you hurt.
tempting to cling to offense.
ask you to.
children, My children, to love Me.
ask you to speak.
above man’s.
done, faithful servant.
I’ve lived a life worthwhile. And then it doesn’t matter what I wear or what I
drive or where I live. It doesn’t matter what I have or what I don’t. It doesn’t
matter what others say, though I still pray they see Him in me.
my parts. Because I have Him in me.
Masnion photo credit: Werner Kunz via photopin cc
Rusted car photo credit: GOC53 via photopin cc
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Beautiful! I am constantly reminded to look to God, not this world. I especially smile at your "clunker van" story – we have always driven old, no debt, vehicles and I am proud of that. My kids would completely destroy a new vehicle if we ever got one and then where would I be? LOL. Stay proud of that old van (our last one literally rusted away, it was fun to make jokes about it to others)! I know how hard it is not to covet and want. But God is here for us, the world isn't. 🙂 Thank you for a wonderful post!
Your blog really resonated with me today! Thank you so much for the great thoughts and reflections. That's really how it's supposed to be, isn't it? God teaches us some life lesson (if we'll listen) and then we should turn around and teach it to others. It's the whole edify and admonish one another thing. This was a great life lesson about the twins: gratitude and contentment. Loved it. Your money line was the last one: What matters is that, in His eyes, I'm more than the sum of my parts. Because I have Him in me. Good stuff. And you may not be a best seller, but your books are very good. School is out for the summer and I can finally read for fun. Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland has captured me. I've been sick this week, and it's been my comforting companion. Funny, intriguing and attention gripping. You made the characters distinct and they come alive in the witty dialogue. So even now, your books are out there touching people and making a difference. I'm older than you, but you are wise beyond your years. I'm sure you've learned, as have I, that if we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness….all these things will be added unto us. Keep up the great work!
Deep thoughts for a Thursday morning. Thank you for being willing to share.
So often we get caught up in what others have and we do not that we forget to look at what we have and others do not, even those same people we are looking at with envy. They might have nicer clothes and a bigger house, but our family may have a better family cook and eat yummier, healthier food. They may be more popular, but we may have a nicer car or phone. They might have many upfront, spotlight talents, but we might be the ones helping to keep it together in the back. I often forget to consider these things. And often times in America, most of it does not even matter. Because in the end, it's all just . . . things. Materials. Possessions. Items. Phones. Cars. Houses. Clothes. Attention. Musical ability. Good looks. We forget that we have the essentials. We forget that we and the other persons have both been blessed with a house to live in, a place that is sturdy and not uncomfortable. Plates and forks to eat off of, regardless of the brand name. We and our friends have clothes to wear, light clothes in the summer and warm coats in the winter, whether expensive or from a thrift shop. We have food to eat, water to drink, and talents and abilities given to us. They might go to a nice private school, but we still have the opportunity to learn and receive an education through school and learning on our own. Yet we forget to focus on these things that truly count and instead think on the items that have lesser value. This comes often times from a focus on ourselves. Rather we should be focusing on others, and more importantly, our Lord.