...Needs To Be Aware of Lies (And a trip to N.C. in the bed of a pickup!)

It's amazing the things we can be talked into especially when we are young. My daddy convinced my sister and I that it would be a blast to go to North Carolina in his truck. He and momma would ride in the cab, and he would put the campershell on the back. He said he would make us a bed, give us an ice chest and some chairs. We could have ourselves a nice little mobile home -- every little redneck girl's dream. He talked about how fun it would be to wave at the people as they passed by, and what crazy antics we could do on the trip up to North Carolina. We foolishly agreed that it would be a riot and a bit like the Clampitts which Lori (my sister) and I thought were hilarious at the time. (Did I mention we were young?)

Did I also mention we live in Shreveport, Louisiana?

By the time we arrived in North Carolina, our wind-whipped hair, sweatty bodies and sour dispositions had over-taken us. To add insult to injury, the dog got to ride in the airconditioned cab of the truck. THE DOG! She thought the ride was great.

We did end up having a good time on the trip, and we have laughed and shared precious memories from the events even to this day. But it got me to thinking this week as I prepare to teach Sunday's lesson that sin is a lot like that sells job daddy did...not that I'm comparing daddy to Satan by any stretch of the imagination.

Stay with me and see if you can follow my logic. Satan can make the most malignant things look benign. He can make the simplest sin look like more fun than a barrel of monkeys (Although I've never seen a barrel of monkeys before).

Sometimes he approaches us in our weakest area. Often times we are alone facing our weakness. Sometimes he exaggerates things which is a lie. Sometimes he tells "1/2 truths" or "white lies" which are, by the way, lies. A lie is anything that isn't 100% the truth, and the truth is NOT RELATIVE.

Sometimes we become complacent, and he smiles because he doesn't have to do anything. Sometimes we just get lazy, and he doesn't have to lift a finger.

Before you know it, whipped, beaten down, and defeated you realize almost any other dog is being treated better than yourself. It kind of reminds me of the parable of the Prodigle son. He bought into the lie that the world had more to offer than being under the protection of his father. The son realized once it was too late his trip had taken him to a place where the pigs were treated better than he was. THE PIGS! The son humbles himself and returns home to find his father running to him, putting the ring back on his finger and a coat on his back rejoicing at his return. Oh, how our heavenly Father wants us to return to Him once we realize the error of our ways. Forgiveness -- all we have to do is ask for it. 

Hmm, I had no clue where this blog was going, but forgiveness is a great note to end on, don't you think? He wipes the slate clean. He remembers our sin no longer. It's as far as the East is from the West. That is love. That is love.

Shouldn't Rock a Baby If It Isn't Your Baby to Rock

Who can resist a cute, round, cherub of a baby? You just want to pick that little dahlin' up, kiss those cheeks, look into those eyes, and just love on that baby. My Erin came into this world with very round cheeks, and my husband called her "Squirrel" from early on. Pearce, on the other hand, was only skin, bones and nose, but he quickly fattened up and looked like a sumo wrestler. I love round babies...they just look healthy! I love bald babies and those toothless grins they give. I could just eat them up.

But my title is NOT referring to those kind of babies. One of my favorite sayings is "If it isn't your baby to rock, don't rock it." Meaning, if the problem isn't your problem, if the situation isn't yours then DO NOT CLAIM IT. DO NOT PICK IT UP. Because in this instance, if you pick up someone else's problems they are just likely to let you handle it to fruition. You'll be paying for that baby till it graduates college. Do you need another thing on your plate? NO! So, the next time you find yourself trying to butt into someone else's situation, just back yo' tiny hiney right on out of it. Put your nose on your own face and in your own business.

As women we take on so many things that can be avoided. Sometimes we take it on because we think, "If it is going to be done right, I'd better do it myself." As if there is only one right way to do a thing. If you think your way is the only way to do it right, sista, let me tell you it's this big baby called VANITY -- let it go. Let God handle it.

Sometimes we take on something because we think we can handle it because we are strong. After all, you've heard the saying, "I am woman hear me roar." Here's the reality, when we take on too many things you can only keep those plates spinning for so long before one, then another and another will fall and break. Will it be your family you sacrifice? Your health? Something will give. I assure you. It always does. Sista, this baby is called SELF-RELIANCE, and it is not Biblical. Does the Bible say when we are strong then He is strong? NO! God tells us when we are WEAK then HE can become STRONG. His strength is perfected in our weakness. Do you really want to rely on yourself or cast your burdens on Christ?

Sometimes we pick up babies (aka problems) because we feel guilty for saying the enormous word NO. Why is it so hard for women to say "no"? We don't want to disappoint. We don't want to let someone think less of us or that we are weak. COME ON! Who cares what THEY think!? We are here to serve the One. Practice saying the word "no" out loud. Say it over and over again till you get use to saying it, that way when you hear yourself saying it out loud in a conversation you won't be surprised. Practice different ways of saying "no." "No thank you." "No, I can't be on that committee." (Do you need to give them a reason -- NO) "No, I cannot help you with organizing a bake sell." "No, I cannot keep your children." DO NOT say, "I'd like to, but..." It is okay to say "no," and then walk away. There are times when you may say, "I'm already committed elsewhere, and my primary ministry is in my home."

One more thing about the word "no." It's okay to tell your children "no." It will not kill them. It will actually prepare them for the real world.

So, ladies, if you have picked up something that isn't your baby to rock, PUT IT DOWN and RUN THE OTHER DIRECTION! It is for the health of your family and for yourself. Aren't they worth it?