Self Esteem

Self esteem has not been much of a problem for me in my life. I don't know why that is exactly. I know I'm not the best looking cat on the planet. I'm 37 and gravity is fighting me hard to physically stay in respectable shape. I am smart but there are plenty smarter than I. I came from a good family but not one that didn't have its issues. I have been pondering this issue of self esteem, however, because it seems to be attacking so many people around me. Why do I feel so self assured and others don't? I still don't know the answer to that one but I have gotten a better understanding of what goes on when someone struggles with self esteem. I think childhood plays a huge part in this and that is nothing new to anyone. What I think also plays a part is perception. In American culture sex/sexiness has become super significant. For a woman that is huge. If they don't feel pretty then that hits the self esteem hard. I think that plays a big role today. Not only that but the "housewife" title has been beat to a pulp by media. No longer is it seen as a positive. It is the butt of so many jokes in mainstream America. Couple those and no wonder self esteem in women is down. For men, we wrap so much of ourselves up in what we do for a living it's sad. I can't help but think with the economy hurting means more men are questioning their own abilities. Hence low self esteem. I will continue to explore this topic but thought I would share what I'm thinking for today. Have a good one.

And...action

I do not like manual labor all that much. The good is that you get to see results first hand. The bad is that...well I just don't like it. However, I was asked yesterday to help a fella out in laying carpet in his camper. Now for a guy that doesn't really care for manual labor I am pretty good at it. Having said that usually something stupid happens that prolongs the project when I am involved. I think it has to do with me praying for patience every day. Today, however, I was able to help this guy out and we did a real nice job with no gliches. It feels so much better helping someone out just because than to receive a paycheck for it. Now money is a necessary evil so I can't do it every moment but it sure felt good to do it for the sake of the kingdom. For love or money.....love wins in my heart every time. Well it should anyway and most of the time it does.

Give it up

What am I willing to give up for Christ? An even better question is what am I not willing to give up for Christ? Christ says "go sell all you own and follow me. " Not a big problem for me. As I've lived I find the more junk I have the more junk breaks. (just had to replace a dryer) The hard one for me is would I be bitter if I lost my kids or wife to tragedy? Would I turn my back on God? I'd like to say no I wouldn't turn on God with every degree of certainty in my body. I'd like to be like my grandma who has shown she is a rock in her faith as she has lost two husbands and two children in her life not to mention friends and other family members. Would I stand by God no matter what? I am going to go public and say yes. Now it is your job to hold me to it. I just pray that you never have to.

America

For quite some time we hear some say that we are experiencing God's punishment for the way America has turned its ear from God. What if we aren't experiencing God's punishment but his mercy? He knows that continuing down the path of riches and power will keep us on the path of hell. "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for the rich to get to heaven", Jesus said. Our lack of a dependance on God has allowed us to think we can make it on our own. We typically have all we need on any given day. We don't have to go outside every morning and pick manna off the ground. We have a fridge stocked full of goodies. Maybe the economic slow down is a good thing. Maybe, just maybe we as a county will realize we are ulitmately in control of nothing. If not the country, then at least maybe you and I.