Wordless Wednesday: Beauty

Image by: Heart & Soul Reflections

One thing I ask of the LORD,

this is what I seek:

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

~Psalm 24:7 (NIV)

Have a a beautiful day!

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New Book & Renewed Purpose

Image credit: cogdogblog

I’m so excited! After much searching, talking to friends and hem-hawing around, I’ve made some progress on my plan. I purchased a new Bible that includes daily devotions for women! It’s the NIV Women’s Devotional Bible from Zondervan.

I actually came across the Busy Mom’s Bible on Heart and Soul Reflections, a website by Cherie, one of the bloggers from Gather Inspirit. It sounded perfect. Yet, when I got to Borders this afternoon, I kept being drawn back to the Women’s Devotional Bible. So, that’s the one I purchased. 🙂

The Gist

This Bible offers several different reading options, and I’ve decided to start with the Reading the Bible in One-Year path. There are devotionals for every weekday and one for each weekend. Each devotional includes the daily reading, a few paragraphs of insight, reflection points and related readings.

The Plan

I will blog about the devotionals and my thoughts as frequently as I can. While I’d love to say it will be every day, we’ll have to see how it goes. (Keeping up with the Love Dare every day was definitely a challenge. A good one; I’m just not sure I can do that for an entire year!) 😉

Monday’s Devotional: God’s Image Bearers

One-year path: Genesis 1-4

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground–everything that has the breath of life in it–I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning–the sixth day.

– Genesis 1:27-31

Reflections for Today

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? My nose is too big, my eyes are too small, there are wrinkles and sags where there was once only smooth skin, my skin’s too light, my teeth aren’t white enough, and on and on and on. Sound familiar?

But what does that say about God? If we’re created in His image, how do our self-imposed imperfections reflect on His vision, His creation, His masterpiece?

We’re all unique in our own ways. Let’s reflect on that the next time we view our reflection in the mirror.

1. How do you see God’s image reflected in the lives of others you admire?
2. What factors from the past have damaged your sense of self-worth?
3. Think of three ways you can beautifully reflect the characteristics of your Creator by imitating Christ.

Feel free to share your own reflections, ideas, comments, thoughts in the comments below.

Related Readings

Psalm 139:14; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:15; Revelation 7:9

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Changing Tactics

I’ve decided that I’m going to try some positive reinforcement – consistently – with the munchkin for the next week and see what happens.

As you know, there was the visit to the principal’s office not too long ago. And I’m not sure I’ve fully explained how stubborn? determined? focused? he is on doing what he believes he should do exactly when he believes he should do it.

For example, he’d asked his gym teacher if he could get a drink of water. It was at the end of class, and they were going to be going back to the classroom in just a couple of minutes. She explained this, and told him that he could wait until then to get a drink.

He didn’t agree.

She turned around to say something to the rest of the class, and when she turned back around the munchkin was at the water fountain getting a drink. She said she was dumbfounded. That in all her years of teaching she’d never had a Kindergartner willfully disobey her just because he felt justified in doing so.

When she asked him if he’d heard her say, “No,” he said, “Yes. But, I was thirsty.”

And that pretty much sums up his philosophy. It doesn’t matter to him that he should have respected her authority, that he should have stayed with the rest of the class, that he should have waited until he got back to class to ask for a drink. He was thirsty, and he wanted a drink. At that exact moment.

Right.

Now…for me, the fear of disappointing my parents was a huge motivator. That was something I never wanted to do. I always sought their approval, which meant the world to me. I wanted them to be proud of me. So, if and when I screwed up or acted in a way that wasn’t typical of me, one look of semi-disappointment was enough to get me back on track.

I’ve tried this tact with the munchkin, and it doesn’t phase him. At all. Now, maybe it’s his age, but I’m coming to the conclusion that maybe it’s just his personality. That’s not what he responds to.

So…I’m going to change tactics. It’s time for the “You can do it. You can be nice. You can be respectful. You can listen. You can do what the teacher asks.” philosophy instead.

Will it work? I guess we’ll find out. The bigger question is can I do it? 😉 My natural instinct is the disappointment tool, and I’m going to have to really condition myself to flip-flop my technique.

Do you have a willful child? What tips/tricks have you found that work for you?

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