Truth and Lies

I've been thinking a lot lately about what women say to themselves. My friends are taking a study at church called Me, Myself and Lies. It is about the lies that women tell themselves all the time. Recently I met a guy I thought was really interesting. For whatever reason that exists between him and God, he is not pursuing a relationship with me. In the aftermath of his obvious (initial) interest followed by his sudden departure, I began turning things over in my head, analyzing the situation to death, and blaming myself for what never happened. I was driving home from work one day last week and it hit me: I have been telling myself some lies that appeared to be truth. Satan is sneaky that way.

Lie #1: I have to reach my physical fitness goals before I can meet that person. When I'm satisfied with my body image, I will portray the type of confidence I need to attract the right person to me.
Truth: Get over it. I am beautiful just as I am. I was beautiful before I lost 80 lbs too. I am a Princess, a daughter of the Most High Living God. My Father tells me I'm beautiful every day.

Lie #2: I have to reach my financial fitness goals before I can get into a serious relationship. I am carrying a load of debt racked up while I was married. I am shedding it slowly but surely. I will be free eventually, once I learn to stop trusting in my own wisdom, and rely completely on God. Truth: No man in his right mind is going to condemn me for debt. If he is Godly, he will give me good advice.

Lie #3: I have to be pure enough. Let's be frank here. There is a lot of junk that floods over the radio, tv and internet every day. It is the responsibility of every Christian to take every thought captive. It is only through the same self discipline exercised over money and food that anyone can succeed in being pure. I have taken a vow of abstinence until I am married again. It is because I respect God, myself, and my future mate too much to give something that precious away lightly. I can satisfy my flesh very quickly -- if and when I choose -- but God has a better plan.
Truth: My past is past. I am worthy of the wait, and so is he. There will be men that I am attracted to, but if I take every thought captive, and do not act on the attraction, then I am fulfilling my vow of purity. Taking every thought captive means putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) and washing in the Word every day (Ephesians 5:25).

Lie #4: I have to finish school first. I really do want to obtain my Bachelor's degree. Somehow I had become convinced that I could not do that if I was in a serious relationship.
Truth: I will finish school. It's just a matter of time.

God's timing is always perfect. His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. He will send me the right man at the right time, but it will not be my time, it will be His. I trust Him. He is my Daddy, and He really does know best. No more lies: only His sweet, sweet truth.

What lies are YOU telling yourself?

Hear me ROAR....

When I moved here I purchased a new bed. It's my first real bed. Headboard, footboard, rails, its beautiful. Simple. I love it. Trying to cheap out, when I purchased it from my favorite Swedish based furniture company, I opted out of the wooden slats that they sell with every bed. Normally if one has a boxspring and mattress (I was told) one doesn't need the wooden slats. So I put together the bed, and my roommate and her boyfriend put the boxspring and mattress on the frame. It was awesome. A couple of weeks later, I sat on the edge of the bed, the boxspring and mattress shifted and there was a decided tilt to my sleeping space.

My roommates boyfriend helped me get it back where it was supposed to be, but last weekend after it shifted for the third time, I realized I was now climbing gingerly in and out of bed. I was holding my breath for the next drop. I went back to the famous swedish store and purchased the slats. Since I was there, I got a few other things...

Tonight I came home, mentally pooped from an afternoon of sitting through training. I needed some physical exercise. So yes, I muscled the mattress and boxspring off the bedframe, found instructions on installing the wooden slats (go google!!), and after installing, put the boxspring and mattress back on the bed.

I topped off the triumph by putting together this awesome little chair I found for $20. Now all I need is a bedside table and I'll be set...

I am WOMAN, hear me ROAR!!! I am tired.

moving stinks -- sort of

so i'm moving next week. this is a fast update:

Yesterday morning I packed my books (thanks Nicole for the smaller boxes), called the Salvation Army to arrange pickup for the furniture I am donating, and dropped off a box of smaller items at the Goodwill. I have been anxious for the last two months to clear out as much as possible as soon as possible so I will know what size storage unit to get for the stuff I cannot take with me.

I loaded more stuff for the yard sale into my car and hauled them over to Tonya's garage. I then spent the next 5 hours putting together the furniture that was delivered from Ikea. I finished the bed, desk and chair, and most of the dresser. I am still putting together the dresser drawers. YES AS A MATTER OF FACT I AM SORE AS ALL GET OUT. Thanks for asking.

Today I worked on my second essay for my midterm. It's finished except for the citations page. I have to format and cite my first essay as well. I also have approximately 100 pages to read, and a brilliant discussion post to write based on that reading. So no, I don't have to time to stop and play with you. Have fun at the park, movies, pool party, whatever it is you are doing. I will see you next week after I'm all settled in.

As a reward to all this hard work, I will be at Busch Gardens on Monday, November 2nd if you want to join me. I will be riding the outside seat on the front row of Sheik-Ra, barefoot just to terrify myself. Dare you to join me.

UPDATE: Midterm is finished and emailed. Life is good right about now. Except I'm still sore. And still have 40 scholarly pages to read. And a brilliant post to write. Carp. Talk to you next week.

UPDATE #2: Its Monday night. Today was like a day from the area of fire and brimstone. That being said, the not-so- brilliant post is completed and published. I'm wiped. My brain hurtz, but surprisingly enough, my muscles don't anymore. I totally deserve a trip to Busch Gardens. Still haven't found anyone willing to play hookey with me next week. Cowards.