I participated in a yard sale today during which I accumulated a total of $23.00, after paying for my portion of the overpriced, but tasty, cheese pizza, I remained with $15.00 profit. I was there at the sale from 7:30 until around noon. Now, this equates to $3.33/hour. Really? Kathryn made more waiting tables for the Olive Tree when she was 15! and my reward for 4.5 hours of work...$15.00?
Let it be noted that I did not contribute a great deal to the sale, however what I did contribute was of good quality. A few shirts, skirts, sweats, etc. from Abercrombie, Aeropostale, Victoria's Secret, and the list continues. These, of course, are "toss aways" from each of my daughters. Several did not sell and I was appalled.
I considered selling some of my smaller clothing that doesn't quite fit at present and opted against it because I had an inspiration today that I'd like to share:
A very sweet, well-meaning yet blunt lady I have known for over 25 years came to the yard sale. I suppose she recognized my voice because I heard her say "Cindy! Is that you?" I turned to her, said her name, and walked towards her in a friendly way and...wait for it...wait for it...hugged her. We talked about a few things, small talk mostly, and then she dropped the bomb: "I'm glad to see you got big like I did!" WOW! I responded with a "yes, I sure did" then laughed and shortly after, we parted ways.
After she left, I had to share the story with those working in the sale because, let's face it - it was funny! And, yes, Cindy Jackson CAN laugh at herself. If my self-esteem was low, low, low...it would've devastated me, but I try to keep a positive view of myself. And people, we just have to laugh if we're going to survive!
HOWEVER...did it bother me? Heck yeah it did! And it bothers me that it bothers me. And it bothers me that it bothers me that it bothers me! and so on, and so on, and so on. After much contemplation, I have decided that I give the whole issue tooooooooo much contemplation! I'll also venture to say that the friend probably didn't give that comment one more thought. She meant it, she was glad we had both 'grown', because it's good to be on the "same team'. So, it was quite possibly a compliment that we had both arrived at the point in our lives where we realized health was important, but not so much so that we obsess over our size to the point of not being able to focus elsewhere.
I choose to take it as a compliment and keep hoping others can do the same when faced with something similar. Health matters/ Size does not. (repeat til you believe) Improve yourself but also accept the "you" that you are right now!
And my dear friend, if you are by chance reading my blog...I am not offended, just tickled, and so very thankful that you feel free to make blunt comments like that to me.
(I HOPE THIS MAKES SENSE...IT'S AFTER MIDNIGHT AND THE OLD GIRL IS EXHAUSTED!)
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
IS God really good all the time?
"God is good...all the time." Do I believe it? I would like to say "of course I do", and I will say that deep down I do believe in God's absolute perfect goodness, 100%. But, I hear this phrase most often said at "good times" in the lives of people. For instance, a baby is born healthy! God is good...all the time! An illness is cured! God is good...all the time! An accident is prevented! God is good...all the time! A job promotion! God is good...all the time!
Please don't think I am discounting God's goodness in ALL these situations because I am not. Yes, these blessings are wonderful and cause us to look to God and proclaim His goodness. But I can't help but wonder...If a baby is stillborn, is God still good? If an illness is terminal, is God still good? If a child has a terrible accident which leaves them with severe brain damage, is God still good? If a job is lost and a family is left wondering how they can possibly survive financially, is God still good?
Because my faith and my Bible tell me so, Yes, He is still good. However, in the middle of these situations, would I truly feel that? Are my friends who are facing these very situations feeling the goodness of God or are they wondering how God allows such tragedies? I think it was Job who said something like..."Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" So it seems God is allowing both good and bad to happen in our lives and whatever it may be...His goodness remains.
As I stated, I hear this proclamation almost exclusively when an obvious "good thing" or blessing has happened and I do not doubt the sincerely of the proclaimer. It just always makes me wonder of those who are facing not so many "good things" and if they make the same proclamation. You don't often hear "God is good all the time! I have three months to live." or "My child didn't make it after the terrible wreck. God is good all the time!" I don't mean to sound "glib"...it's just something I think about.
My pastor's wife left this world 3 years ago and I hear him say so often, "God does all things well." This is a testament to his true trust and belief in God's goodness, even in the midst of his deep, deep sorrow. I have seen this faith in Laura Malone, Tandy Nash, my own daughter, and so many others...if I were not a believer, their faith would stir me to become one. I do believe that God is good all the time. I only hope that when trials come my way (and I know they will), I can say that "God does all things well." To those facing what seem like unbearable circumstances, I offer my prayer that you will be able to lean on the God that IS good all the time. May you find that His strength is made perfect in your weakness. God bless.
Please don't think I am discounting God's goodness in ALL these situations because I am not. Yes, these blessings are wonderful and cause us to look to God and proclaim His goodness. But I can't help but wonder...If a baby is stillborn, is God still good? If an illness is terminal, is God still good? If a child has a terrible accident which leaves them with severe brain damage, is God still good? If a job is lost and a family is left wondering how they can possibly survive financially, is God still good?
Because my faith and my Bible tell me so, Yes, He is still good. However, in the middle of these situations, would I truly feel that? Are my friends who are facing these very situations feeling the goodness of God or are they wondering how God allows such tragedies? I think it was Job who said something like..."Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" So it seems God is allowing both good and bad to happen in our lives and whatever it may be...His goodness remains.
As I stated, I hear this proclamation almost exclusively when an obvious "good thing" or blessing has happened and I do not doubt the sincerely of the proclaimer. It just always makes me wonder of those who are facing not so many "good things" and if they make the same proclamation. You don't often hear "God is good all the time! I have three months to live." or "My child didn't make it after the terrible wreck. God is good all the time!" I don't mean to sound "glib"...it's just something I think about.
My pastor's wife left this world 3 years ago and I hear him say so often, "God does all things well." This is a testament to his true trust and belief in God's goodness, even in the midst of his deep, deep sorrow. I have seen this faith in Laura Malone, Tandy Nash, my own daughter, and so many others...if I were not a believer, their faith would stir me to become one. I do believe that God is good all the time. I only hope that when trials come my way (and I know they will), I can say that "God does all things well." To those facing what seem like unbearable circumstances, I offer my prayer that you will be able to lean on the God that IS good all the time. May you find that His strength is made perfect in your weakness. God bless.
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