Skip to main content

{March is well under way}

February days are now gone and March has officially kicked in.   I finally purchased a new monthly focus board.  We ventured out for a day date which included a movie. I love our day dates. I will give my honest review about the movie for those interested. I wanted to see this movie as it was based on a true story. I did enjoy the movie but oh my, it was a tear jerker from the get go! It ended good but mercy! Let's just say that I am thankful that no one was sitting close enough to see my tear stained face. I am glad that I saw it but I am good for a while on sad movies, even if they do end good!   My oldest daughter, her husband and their son participated in the Spartan race which is a series of obstacle courses that challenge. They done so well. As you can see from the pictures it gets pretty muddy!  My three daughters participate each year in the Gate River Run. I love it that they do this together. They have so much support & encouragement from all the onlookers. I am just

Wednesday in the Word---How are you doing?

 Recently I ran into a lady that I haven't seen in a while  and I asked her how was she doing and her answer was, "Well, I'd like to say the same thing that everyone else says "fine" but the truth is....I'M NOT FINE and I need prayer. It sort of caught me off guard to be honest as I was expecting the same answer we get and we give a lot..."I'M FINE". Now don't misunderstand me because as I know there are certain people that we come in contact with that WE DARE NOT ASK THEM HOW THEY ARE DOING because THEY ARE NEVER DOING FINE. I hear some of you saying "Amen". 
 But what I am wondering is this....

Do we sometimes tell others we're fine because we think that others expect us to be fine? Are we afraid that if we are honest that it might make others feel uncomfortable? Do we think that by being truthful that it would cause that person to doubt us? Question our security in Christ? Reject us?
Or could it simply be that we don't want to admit that WE AREN'T FINE because WE WANT OTHERS TO THINK WE HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER?

Sometimes it's just not easy to hide the emotion of NOT being fine is it? I know for me on any given day that HORMONES is flying you will know once you get within 3 feet of me that I AIN'T fine! I get hot, ill, act like a crybaby, withdraw or may even have somewhat of a short fuse. It's called "welcome to the world of womanhood". Can I just be HONEST with you? I have to constantly work on that and give it to the Lord, and plead for His help and it is hard some days.

I might not be the brightest crayon in the box but I have learned in 18 years of being in Women's Ministries that sometimes ladies the pretending we do will lead us to isolation, hiding from people, running from the truth, and depression if we are not very careful. We think....in order to be loved and viewed as an acceptable person I must be perfect! Sometimes we think if others knows our weakness and insecurities that they will not love us or accept us. 

The truth is that GOD is perfect so we don't have to be! He never asked us to be perfect. He only asked us to accept His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal Savior and He would do the rest. 

I am not saying run to Walmart and stand in line and tell everyone that walks by that "you're not fine". What I am saying is that as Christian women we are to help bear the burdens of others. 

 Web image
 Life can be hard! God allows us to go through things at times that break us in order to define who we are in Him. To mature us and strengthen us along our walk. But...He never intended for us to carry the load alone. He gives us sisters in Christ to help us along the way. 

 Gloria Mills image

Maybe today you simply need to grab a sister and say, "I'm not fine" and I need your prayers. 

May the Lord of comfort be just that for you today...bring you comfort and healing. May we have the mindset of reaching out to those that struggle to ask for prayer.

Hugs and blessings, Cindy



 




 




Comments

  1. Oh, I'm such an emotional woman....and you can even tell what "mood" I'm in by reading my blog....I certainly can't hide it....yep, I'm THAT transparent, as you already know! But GOD...love those words....so glad He loves me anyway, in spite of myself!!! LOL....but today, I can honestly say, "I'm fine"....not ask me again in five minutes! :-) Great words of wisdom today, sweet Lady!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Deb...I am fine today too but today isn't over! LOL! Praise the Lord He does indeed love us just like we are. Happy Wednesday my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Cindy, thank you for always being real.
    Connie Royals

    ReplyDelete
  4. I always say 'I'm fine' even when I'm not. I always think, 'they don't really want to know.' It's just a nice way we greet people. Maybe I need to 'rethink' my 'thinking.' Great message. Hope your Wednesday is Wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Miss Mary for stopping by. Yes mam I agree...it is always a great way to greet. My purpose of the devotional today was hoping that it opens the eyes for women to know that it's okay Not to be fine and to hopefully reach out and ask others in the faith to pray for them. I by no means meant that it was a proper and great way to greet others. Hope you are having a great day too Miss Mary!

      Delete
  5. Really awesome message, Cindy. Sometimes we do lose sight of our need for "sharing one another's burdens". We can all benefit from having our prayer partners. I've always tried to maintain three groups of people in my life: Role models, mentors, and accountability/prayer partners. When I've had those in place it has served me well. When I get a little out of balance in my life I can usually track it to loosing one or more of these groups in my day to day life. That is especially true when I drift from interaction with my accountability/prayer partners. Thanks for the reminder of how much I need that interaction. Have a blessed week. Love ya!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tammy and what a wonderful source of groups. Have a great day!

      Delete
  6. I AM fine today! Because there are sisters helping carry the burden on my heart. I have some wonderful friends - you are one of them! - who understand when I say I'm not fine. Thank you for this good word today. And for praying.
    ~Adrienne~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad to call you friend and I am honored to pray for you as you are for me!

      Delete
  7. ugh! this is how I feel today! and I need prayer! I try very hard to keep my "hormones" in check and it is causing me to have adverse reactions. I am going right now to talk to a Sister so that I don't feel so burdened. {{Hugs}} my friend and just as always, a timely word! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awe Joy. Praying right now and asking God to give you what you need. Accept my big old hug right now! God's Word is timely for all of us. Women has shared with me through the years is that their biggest issue at times is feeling like they can be themselves and just reach out. So glad you chimed in today.

      Delete
  8. Hi Cindy, I think you wrote this for me. I so needed to read this today. We are not perfect and not always fine but sometime people place us in that category and it is impossible to live up to. I've had that kind of pressure placed on me a time or two. It's not easy but I am learning to Let Go and Let God. Not every day is fine, but they still outweigh the "not so fine" days. It's okay to be human and admit it.
    Thank you for sharing my friend.
    Hugs and Blessings, CM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awe...thank you for sharing your heart and realness today. Praise the Lord that the GOOD outweigh the BAD!

      Delete
  9. Cindy,
    Wonderful post that touched my heart. I am guilty of always being "fine" when truth be told, I am physically falling apart. I do always say "fine" because i do not want to burden others with all my health issues. I even put on a happy face for my own family.
    I won't go in to details but my knee is fast deteriorating and I am trying to go part time which seems to be a bit of an issue at work so I will ask you for your prayers today that I will be able to go part time soon which will help at improving my health!!

    Thanks so much for uplifting me today!! I needed it. Cindy!!!

    And thanks for always dropping by and brightening my days...

    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awe sweet lady. thanks for your encouragement of my posts. I am praying for you right now friend.

      Delete
  10. I can tell you I tend to be one of those ladies that is always "fine" I have certain friends that won't let me get away with that line those and they are willing to take time and pursue (not accepting the I'm fine answer) Let's be real is there any day that we don't need prayer for something, that we aren't struggling with something. I 'm thankful for those friends that are willing to ask the harder questions...it's a wonderful example to me. Great post Cindy

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

So glad you stopped by to visit.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Popular posts from this blog

Hiding the Ugly Hot Water Heater

 I shared that I wanted to hide my ugly hot water heater in my laundry room with you a few weeks ago. It just stuck out like a sore thumb. But after all it is a hot water heater right? So my man took a piece of wood (not real wood) but it worked and built a frame for me. So now to see if it would fit and it did. I painted it white and did not like the texture it had even after two coats of white. (rule of thumb...you get what you pay for and the wood was cheap) But I wasn't going to let it whip me!  Found some contact paper at Walmart in the gray and white. Covered the front with the contact paper and loved the look. The top was covered with a piece of painted wood as well and worked perfect to place this on top... And this.... Added a clothes basket in the corner and here was the top.... Yep, no longer an eye sore to me! Went perfect with my gray walls and gray and white floor. Remember the wood tray I bought at a yard

{Another Fun Filled Weekend}

I hope you all are doing well. I am trying to wind down for the night and thought I would try and get a post out. Girls, by this time I am in my fat clothes and recliner smashing that remote control!   Marty and I kicked off our weekend by having a little fun food as I call it,  "charcuterie" style out by the pond. Of course I always fix more than we need or eat but it sure was good.  Two of our granddaughters had dance recitals over the weekend so we got to watch them perform and oh my! They were just the cutest things ever.  We were blessed to be able to see them perform. Then we celebrated a birthday for this sweet grandgirl! She was excited about being double digits . And besides all the fun from the weekend I was able to see some of my pretties in bloom.  Now to enjoy a cup of coffee.... I hope that you all have a wonderful, blessed week.  Hugs and blessings, Cindy

{Happy 46th Wedding Anniversary To Us}

  Happy October everyone! I wanted to pop in today and share a few pictures. Marty and I celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary on September 23.  Oh it seems so long ago that we said "I Do". We started dating when I was 16. Married at 18 and began a family at 20. Needless to say we have surely grown up together. Praise the Lord that we are growing "Older" together.  We decided since it had been about 8-9 years since we had been to Savannah, Ga. that we would take a weekend there and just enjoy a scenic luncheon cruise.  We enjoyed walking River street and sightseeing, shopping and eating of course! It was a nice get away and perfect for us as we are simply two imperfect people that fit perfectly together.  I did spot Santa while in Savannah though! YES, I love Christmas so I had to stop at several Christmas shops! We've had outings that have kept us quite busy and we have surely been blessed to be able to attend our grands functions and our little outings toget