Okay. I've received a few e-mails so let me stress a very important point.
DEBBIE IS NOT PERFECT.......I HAVE MESSED UP MANY TIMES.......AT LEAST 20% OF MY VOCABULARY IS BASED ON DIFFERENT WAYS OF SAYING "I'M SORRY!"
No way do I do everything right. But the goal I live by is to strive to do things right. I will never be perfect. My desire is a lofty but unattainable goal. I strive to do my best and get as close as possible to perfection before I die. My life is half over and I'm not as far as I would like to be....but I'm still trying.
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." -- Matt. 5:48
There are many more verses on perfection.
There's also a contradicting verse.
"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." -- Rom. 3:23
Many people want to lean on the verses that say we are not perfect. We are only humans. I hate that saying. It's a cop out that allows us to fail. If we say or do the wrong thing all we have to do to right the wrong is to announce, "Well, I'm only human." I like what Dr. Laura Schlessinger says,
"You know the final excuse that really gets my hackles to full quivering attention? It's when callers protest that they are "only human." ONLY human? As if one's humanness were a blueprint for instinctive, reflexive reactions to situations, like the rest of the animal kingdom. I see being "human" as the unique opportunity to use our mind and will to act in ways that elevate us above the animal kingdom."
So which is it? How can we be perfect and yet know that we have all sinned? How can anyone find assurance in their decisions?
B A L A N C E
Boy, I say that word a lot don't I? Maybe I do because it is the only logical solution to any problem.
Should we discipline our child? -- yes and no! Yes at times and No at other times because the need to show compassion is greater than the need to correct.
Should we ever get angry? -- yes and no! Yes at times when we need to take a stand for what is right and no at times when we could cause more extensive problems or damage a person's spirit.
Should we lie? -- no and no and well maybe a little with compassion. WHAT??? No we shouldn't lie. But if telling Aunt Bertha the truth that her new yellow dress makes her 300 pound body look like a New York taxi -- maybe we should find nicer ways to respond.
B A L A N C E
Should we judge? No, yet there are times to analyze another person's lifestyle for application to our own.
Should we compare ourselves to others? No, not if it's with a critical eye that damages our own self-esteem. Should we compare to see if there is any way we can improve our own lives - yes.
It's all about balance.
My life is full of rules. Rules make me feel comfortable. Rules have helped me live a wonderful life and have kept me from tragedies that others have suffered. But I realize that rules are made to be broken. And there are times when breaking those rules makes our lives fuller and richer. The key is knowing when.
No running in the house......unless there's a fun new puppy to chase.
No squirt guns in the house......unless it's a hot summer and Mom is chasing you with her own super soaker.
Never break a promise to a friend.....unless it means telling someone that they are contemplating suicide.
Rules are made to be broken - but they can become dangerous if you don't know when it's right and when it's wrong.
A teen commits herself to abstinence and then feels bad when her boyfriend begs that all he wants to do is show her how much he loves her - stick to the rule or give in? Everyone else is doing it.
How can we achieve balance?
Prayer. Acquiring knowledge. Prayer. Practicing compassion. Prayer. Being an understanding person. Prayer. And more prayer for WISDOM.
(You did catch the PRAYER thing didn't you?)
"Wisdom is better than rubies; and all things that may be desired are not to be compared to it."
-- Prov. 8:11
Wisdom in my life has both protected me and led me. I pray daily for wisdom.
Looking back on my life I have made some huge mistakes. Each of my children still suffer from mistakes I've made in raising them.
I've tried to learn from each mistake, study even harder and pray that God will continually change me so that I can see his will and allow my life to light the path for others.
I hope I am doing that for you.
I love you,
God loves you,
Debbie
1 comment:
Anyone who knows Debbie, knows she is not perfect. Just ask her, she'll tell you. Ask her how many of her husbands cars she has set on fire (one), wrecked or just spun out into a ditch on a winter day. Did I mention how fast she drives? Nascar drivers go to North Canton to pick up tips from "Debbie Janson's school of pedal to the metal and get going". Though as fast as she drives, ask her she always manages to be late to almost everywhere she goes. I an speak form experience, because i was in one of her Sunday school classes and she was ALWAYS late. That being said, I have NEVER called her and not found a caring, compassionate ear to offer some advice. Debbie and Ron were the ones who prayed with me when my mother died and never left my side. Debbie is the first one to jerk a knot in my tail when she finds out I've done something dumb, which was quite often about 12 years ago. I thank God she has made many mistakes, beause that is where wisdom grows. She doesn't speak from a head full of book knowledge. If she did I wouldn't listen to her. She speaks from experience, mistakes and pain. I have learned long a go that any advice she has given to me has been carefully filtered through the Bible first. She is not perfect, she is not all knowing(she'll be the first one to tell you that) but she tries and she tries hard. Just don't let her drive your cars!!
Post a Comment