Being “Un-friended” on Facebook Hurts

When I was growing up, there were two girls my age that lived in my neighborhood, Kim and Ashley. Sometimes the three of us got along well and played contentedly, but most often, we were fighting. Ashley and I would decide to “gang up” on Kim and we would play together and leave her out.

Being "Un-friended" on Facebook Hurts

        Lisa & Ashley

Then, Ashley and I would get in a fight and we would switch, and Kim and I would play together and leave Ashley out. What I hated the most was when Kim and Ashley would “gang up” on me and leave me out. It hurt.

I’m all grown up now but I still have the desire that people would like me. I believe that no matter how old and mature you are, you have an innate desire to be liked, loved, and accepted. I know that I do. (more…)

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We have a Savior who understands our struggles

This is a guest post by my dear friend, Elizabeth Mckenzie:

The phone rang.  It was a person very dear to me and she was upset, and had been absolutely mortified. As she explained what happened to me I began to sympathize with how she felt. She told me  she was on her way home and she stopped by a family member’s house. Before arriving she was unaware that they had a full house with company. And upon entering the the house her family member’s granddaughter said “What are you doing here? I’m tired of seeing you here!” They all laughed as the child proceeded to keep saying “What are you doing here? It’s you again?” None of the adults reprimanded the child but instead laughed and she did it more.

Something happened in my friend as she stood in that room full of people laughing at her. She felt embarrassed and rejected. Feeling hurt, she made her visit short, not because of what the child said but more so of how the adults responded. Not one person welcomed her as they snickered at the child’s rude behavior. In that moment she felt unwanted and rejected.

SadSmall

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Right now, in the presence of God, Jesus is praying for you

Let’s start with honesty.  I have a broken heart.  For weeks, my heart has hurt.  At times, literally hurt.  Looking at my life, it’s hard to see why.  My children are healthy, my marriage is sound, and the bills are paid.  But lately I have encountered a lot of conflict with people.  I’ve been the subject of gossip, I’ve been hurt by trusted friends, and treasured relationships are in tatters. My heart is in tatters, too.  Broken heart

It is hard to admit, but in defense of those who have hurt me, some of this is probably my fault.   I’ve probably made some mistakes.  But I’ve been following God’s leading to the best of my ability.  I am sure there are things I could have done and said better.  And I wish I had done it better.  I’m left with a heart that is broken and friendships that are shredded to pieces like confetti.   Jesus!

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When Your “Love Tank” has a hole in it

It seems that the older I get the more I dress like my mother: bright colors, flashy jewelry, matching shoes.   She’s a fashionable older woman who shops at Steinmart and Chico’s…you know the type!  I haven’t yet started buying animal prints, but anything can happen!  Add some “big hair” and lip gloss and I can be quite the sight!  I know that we should not put so much stock in our outward appearance, but sometimes dressing up can help us to feel better.  Here is me with some lip gloss:

love tank

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How do you face someone who doesn’t like you?

I felt like a lamb led to the slaughter.  I was going to a social event and I was aware that someone would be there who did not like me.  I know that sounds very grade school-ish, but come on, girls, be real….we all want to be liked.  But there are times when God will require us to go into situations where we are not accepted.  It is a really hard thing to do, and it takes a lot of guts.  Frankly, I was scared.

rejected

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It’s high time for us to break up with Disapproval

Recently my friend Pastor Heather Arnold taught during our Sunday morning service at Global River Church.  She taught about how about how our beliefs influence our actions and our faith.  In classic Heather Arnold style, she made a case for how we should be governed by our spirit, and not by our mind, our will and our emotions.  When she started teaching about emotions, she had my full attention.

To most of my friends, I am their stable friend.  I seem to be fairly sensible and consistent, and am not drawn in by the latest trend or teaching.  I am often sharing what I have learned with them during my morning Bible study…the teacher in me just can’t help but to offer my friends a morsel of wisdom in a situation they are facing.  On the outside, yes, I am pretty stable.  But on the inside, I am a quagmire of emotions!  I can’t tell you how often I break down in tears at the cash register of Harris Teeter or with the Toyota service advisor.  Some days, I’m just a mess.

Heather taught about how our lives should not be led by our feelings.  Then she led us in an exercise to ask God what lies we are believing that are influencing our feelings, and thus our decisions, our thoughts, and our beliefs.  When I shut my eyes and humbly asked God what lie I was believing, He spoke one word loud and clear:

DISAPPROVAL

DISAPPROVAL

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