Growth Spurts - left behind

Come Have Some Tea With ME!

Have you ever thought of yourself as "losing yourself?" I can relate to that, but as I pondered that statement I have not necessarily "lost myself" but become a different individual over time. Let me try to be clearer. At specific times in my life I have had harder growing spurts than others. In the midst, I have changed and had to switch my priorities. I have left behind PERFECTIONISM. I didn't really lose myself but was being taught that something I may have prioritized before the growing experience was not longer as important to me. I think we have to change in ever "growth spurt" we have. Stopping and rethinking what we might need to change about ourselves. Whether we need to change a routine that was once working, or pull back from a schedule that once seemed to work. Our seasons of life are always changing. This was really hard for me in my twenties because I went through some very massive changes in my life. Buying Houses, Having Babies, Miscarriages, New Jobs, Maturing, Marriage Woes, New Churches, etc. I think you have the picture. I had a lot of highs and lows, and here is the thing...I hated change so much! I thought if I could just stay the same I could hold it all together. Then, I learned from a very wise counselor that chaos is just change trying to happen. In love there is madness. At that time in my life I had to give a big chuckle because that is exactly what was happening. I really thought I was going to lose my mind! Now, in my later thirties different growth spurts are happening. God has never let me be stagnate. He is always pushing me, prodding me, and calling me be more like him! Let me tell you, it's tough! Then, when I don't feel like God is teaching me something, I feel like Satan is trying to distract me and cause me to fall. On this particular day (TODAY)  I have responded to several friend's comments. Some are trying to not wear make-up or are working on appearances, some are trying to work on their weight, others are trying to be more prayerful and devoted, cook better meals. Some are writing books, others are starting new businesses, talking about best friend's and helpful family... all of this is amazing. Really! My friend's are so talented and God is using them to further the Kingdom of GOD! But me personally, am feeling overwhelmed by all the things that I can't manage to do or have. Even though my talent is not what my friend's are and I should be confident in what God has given me I guess I want to be apart of that excitement of doing some thing GRAND, too! I don't want to be left out or left behind. And, I guess if I had to relate to the statement, "losing yourself!" Mine is more like, "I don't want to be "left behind" or "excluded! " So there you go! There is my heart on a platter. - Shannon

What is the hardest thing for me to remember is, God has a purpose for me! He has given me my own talents! Even if I get "left behind" by others even friend's. God won't ever let me get "left behind." He won't let you get left behind either. Here I let out a BIG, "Sigh!"

P.S. Here is another thing, maybe some of those friend's that are doing what I am calling GRAND things, are feeling the same way I am. I have seen this recently, that we all have our own battles that we are fighting!