Friday, April 24, 2015

Dawn & Heather Read Together: Own Your Life (Chapter 3)


This chapter discussed identifying those negative voices from within, our past, the culture, & other people so that we can learn to listen to one Voice. The one that matters. Ah, we all know those negative voices well. I've already shared some of my own struggles. I loved how Elizabeth Elliot puts it: "You are loved with an everlasting love and under that love is everlasting arms." I hear ya (me) saying "But, but..." STOP IT! Meditate on God's Word, which is truth:

"There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus... For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1a & 2)

"In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." (2 Corinthians 1:20)

I got to thinking about WHY we listen to those voices instead of the One that only matters. I think it goes back to a point Clarkson made in chapter 2- we need to know & embrace theology so it can shape our thoughts & behavior. We need to soak it in! Memorize it! Repeat it to ourselves! We have to "cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself agains the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

My favorite quote from the chapter was this one: "You have an ability to sparkle as you are in ways that no one will ever be able to match." (pg. 33) I'm going to embroider this for the girl's room! :) (I'd do it for the boys but the word "sparkle" wouldn't go over well.)

As Clarkson shared some of her struggles from childhood, it really got me thinking about how I relate to my own children. Am I building them up in the Lord? Am I coming alongside that struggling, difficult child and loving on them? Do they know they are not alone or that I do not judge them? Do they know that even on our worst days, my love isn't any less? Am I pointing my children to Christ to find their worth? Am I smiling more than I'm frowning?

Oh, Lord, help this (often mess of) daughter of the Great King help your little ones!

Be sure to check out Dawn's thoughts here!

6 comments:

dawn said...

I love this. I was thinking about it too. I know how much negativity I carry around in my head about myself from growing up; I don't want my children (particularly my girls) to grow up with such. I want to learn more about talking and shepherding them with words that correct behavior and thinking without hurting the self. I was considering writing a separate post about that sometime soon. Thanks for what you wrote here!

Tully Family said...

Oh, I'd love to see what you write on that topic!

Auntie Karen Tully said...

You could try "shine" instead of "sparkle" for the boys!

Mahers Hill Academy said...

Good thoughts, Heather. I like that sparkle quote. I wish I could see what areas I "sparkle" in. I've never felt like I was good at anything. Those negative voices again...

Tully Family said...

Oh, you sparkle, Anna! Every day as those littles mamas!!! :)

Catrina said...

Oh Anna, I can hear your pain. But Heather is right, you sparkle through being the loving mama you are to your children. I struggle(d) with the same feelings. Let's remind each other that since we were made in His image and then made His daughters through Christ, we are truly His princesses with a unique and worthy purpose. Much love to you!