So I actually intended to write more yesterday - but time got away from me, and emotions were a little raw... then I just called it a night and went to bed. I've made an appointment - or we're still working out the details, but I've contacted our Pastor to meet with me about working through some things. We'll be meeting most likely next week sometime.
People never cease to amaze me - sometimes good and sometimes bad... but I'll chose to focus on the good today because there is enough darkness in my life right now. I don't have a large number of people in my life that I'd call friends, BUT those that I do have are quality... and there are even some people out there that technically have never met me in person... but they are an incredible light in my life.
A friend of John's from college is engaged to a WONDERFUL woman, Tess, and though I've never met her before - she sent me an incredible email today. (or maybe last night - but I got it this morning) Along with her incredibly supportive words - she sent me two Bible verses that are so relevant to me right now.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3 KJV
I so appreciate the kind thoughts and words.
Yesterday also brought me some incredible support from a woman that I couldn't live without - Renee - she is the light in the tunnel for me everyday, and I am so thankful that God led us both to a place where we can be friends. She will tell me the truth, ask if I just want her to be a sounding board, and is willing to let me cry on her shoulder if needed. (okay, I added the last part - but I'm sure that she would if it was needed - and if John started drowning in tears!)
Our message in church (hang in there if I've already written about this - it was a profound message for me) this week was "You can't control other people's actions, but you can control how you react." My gosh - exactly! I literally got tears in my eyes when Kevin said that. Its so true - I can't control anyone else... but I can control myself, and a major factor in this whole familial drama is that I don't like the person I become when confronted with the same issues that I've been dealing with for 22 years.
I end up being negative, defensive, and a lot of other ugly things that I want to stop. So, I'm doing my best to control my own reactions. In the bit of time I've been thinking through these things - I think that having weight loss surgery has been the catalyst for this situation.
That might sound strange, but for 22 years - food was my best friend and crutch... I ate my feelings. A little over a year ago - I took that crutch away from myself and now I'm forced to deal with things in real ways... instead of stuffing them down with chocolate. So this too shall pass - but nothing will ever be the same as it was... in some ways that's a good thing - in others only time will tell.
To all of you out there lending a supportive ear... I appreciate you more than you know. I hope that the daily posts will return to happier topics soon - and that you'll all stick with me until that happens.
ATTITUDE
ReplyDeleteThe longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The Only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our ATTITUDE.
Charles Swindell
Kim, I had this article on my desk for years and still read it daily. It is so true.
I am praying for you.
awwww...shucks.
ReplyDeleteeverything will be ok...we all have growing pains from time to time :)
Gosh Kim, I don't know what is going on...but I will keep you in my prayers. I am not far if you need a shoulder to lean on or cry on!
ReplyDeleteYou know, one of the nice things about blogging is that it's almost like a form of therapy. You can "talk" about things to a world of perfect strangers and find that these strangers will pray for you and "listen" for as long as you need them. If writing about this part of your life helps you, by all means, keep doing it.
ReplyDeleteGod never promised us an easy road, but He does promise never to leave us to walk that road alone.
I'm reading a couple of great books by Max Lucado. I'm crazy about his books and the way he writes. "Facing Your Giants" and "3:16" are wonderful and inspirational. Just suggestions. I don't know that they pertain directly to what you're going through or have gone through, but I feel so uplifted after reading from them. :)
Have a great Wednesday night, my new blogging friend.
Kim,
ReplyDeleteYep, it's painful having to deal in new ways. But the beauty is that once you're through the process, you'll be able to deal with the person in ways that are nothing but HEALTHY for YOU! Chin up!