I want to stay grounded!!

These have been a crazy few days... not because of all the "stuff" we had to do..... even though we certainly had a lot going on.... but because I came ungrounded.

There is a problem with being ungrounded, because it starts so subtly and slowly you don't know its happening... UNTIL.... you turn into an emotional yo-yo!!  I wish I could say this is the first time its ever happened.... or the last time it ever will... but it has before and may again!

It starts like this...
First everything is fine.  I am focused on what I should be focused on, spend time in God's word, sing and dance and do my daily jobs with joy and its all good!!  Things come up and I deal with them... well!!! 
and then
I get lax.  Maybe I skip my devos or stop focusing on the Lord altogether.  My daily stuff becomes overwhelming, dancing and singing slowly disappear and suddenly I'm stressed.
Because of the stress every crisis becomes a bigger deal than it needs to be.   I don't like myself and don't trust others... STOP!!!!

Walking in strength and power is what I am called to do... not my strength or power... HIS!!  Its free!
Whoo hoo!!  Sure it may look like its mine... but just because I am taking it. 

By the way... I want to be like Jesus.
ok??  Isn't that what most of us want?  I don't think so, because what we hear about Jesus and what the Bible says about Jesus do not jive... at all. 

Jesus was a strong, powerful man who did not go along with mainstream society.  He was a rebel... a zealot... and everyone noticed.  Yes, he was a teacher, gentle, good and kind EXCEPT His teachings flew in the face of the religious traditions of His day.  He argued with the religious authorities and called them a few choice names.  Not to mention the infamous day he took out a bunch of merchants with a whip and did some major damage to their kiosks in the temple.

He wasn't a wimp, or a doormat by any means.  He knew who He was and why He was on this planet and allowed no one to dissuade Him.  If there was a wrong, He often just dealt with it... either in a physical way OR a verbal way.  He was brilliant and of course knew exactly what to say to get His point across in the most clear way possible... unless He hid His point purposefully from all those except who He chose to have "in the know".

Being like Jesus does not mean lying down and letting everyone run over you.  It doesn't mean being holier than thou and looking down on those who aren't perfect.  It doesn't mean turning your back on those who are struggling... It doesn't mean taking a vow of poverty or being alone.

These days, we seem to be so afraid of how things may appear that we have lost sight of who Christ is!!!  He is the guy who spent some major alone time with a woman who had several husbands and live in boyfriends and was considered the town slut.  HE hung out with her!!!  In fact, he hung out with prostitutes and sinners.  That was what he was known for!! 

What kind of reputation was He after? 

He wasn't. 

He didn't care what people said.  He was there for everyone and anyone and to heck with anyone that  didn't care for how He did that.  There was a time to be quietly firm... but a time to be in your face as well.  I am learning to stand up for my family.... and for me.   Part of me hates that I have to put someone else out... but I am now putting my job as head of this household ahead of people who aren't in this household... and I am not sorry... nor do I feel guilty.

I will make friends and maintain them at my comfort level.... I keep in close contact with those who are uplifting and also have the guts to say... "what's your problem lately?  you are all over the place?  where is your faith?"   
I am also liking the encouragement... "I'm proud of you"  "great job"...  this goes a long way.

There are those who treat me like Jesus would who don't even know Him... and I would be happy to make that introduction... and some who know Him and certainly don't treat me (or anyone else) like Christ would.. and that is really sad.

So... thanks to my online journal... I can get all this out... and read it in a month or 2... and be able to look back and see if I remember. 

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a  future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

And then... I am grounded again!!!