SOS- "Sisters of Support" check in 8/29

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-03-2003
SOS- "Sisters of Support" check in 8/29
20
Fri, 08-29-2003 - 8:41am
Good Morning Sisters,

Well, it's a brand new day, starting a brand new cycle for me. AF is here and temp has dropped. I gave an update last night on our check in thread. But, I'm ok and ready to move on and get on with it. Here's todays devotional.


Source: 15 Minute Devotions for Couples

Title: " Not Yet "

Scripture Reading: James 1:2-12

Key Verses: James 1:2-4

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

My thoughts on todays story:

Today's story begins with a beautiful teacup, and he describes how his master made him from a ball of clay--- molding and shaping him perfectly while spinning him on the clay wheel to make sure the cup was smooth. The teacup keeps telling it's master to stop the spinning, he's getting dizzy, and the master says,"Not yet!". Then the master goes through each process of placing the teacup in the oven for firing, brings it out to cool, paints it so beautifully, places it the oven again to harden it so that it's beauty and strength are captured forever. The whole time throughout the processes, the little teacup pleads with its master to stop----- "the oven is so hot, the fumes from the paint are horrible, please stop !!! " the teacup screamed. The master just kept saying," Not Yet!".

Finally when all the processes were complete, and the master pulled the little teacup from the oven to cool, the master handed it a mirror. The teacup just stared and said, "I'm so beautiful." The master then explained that is was not his intent to hurt the teacup, but to make it into something beautiful and strong that would last forever and unfortunately, he had to spin on the wheel, be put in the oven ( not once but twice) , and be painted, otherwise , he would just be a ball of clay.

How many of us have been this little teacup? A work in the process, going through the fire wondering ," Why Lord?" And I can almost chuckle to think that the Lord is just sitting back, waiting and watching saying, " Not yet Lisa". I could probably sit here all day and talk about different events that have taken place in my life that I KNOW have shaped and molded me and made such a stronger woman than I would've ever been, but I won't do that cause this post would be much longer than I'm sure any of you would care to read. If you like , maybe our "activity" for today could be for you to share your "teacup experience" with all the Sisters.

Prayer: "Father God, You are awesome, and we want You to fit into the biggest box You make in heaven- none of these little engagement-ring boxes. Sometimes we feel like You have left us to ourselves, but we know better than that. Give us the heavenly wisdom to recognize that You are doing a godly work in us. We continue to submit to Your will for our lives. When we feel like screaming and rebelling at You, may we remember that You are truly on our team. We thank You for all the good things You have given us, and may we accept the hard character-building traits that are part of our training. Amen.

Reading on:

1 Corinthians 10:13

Romans 4:20,21

Romans 8:28

John 10:10

Hope you enjoyed our devotional for today.

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-03-2003
Big HUGE ((((((Hugs)))))) Anne,

What a touching story about your Mom. She sounds like she was a very couragous woman and I'm sure you miss her terribly. I could not imagine what my life would be like without my Mom. We've become so much closer over the years but I just regret that we don't live closer together. We're about 2 1/2 hours apart.

At times, I have to keep reminding myself that the Lord isn't going to put anymore on us than what we're able to handle. But, sometimes, I feel like, ok Lord, that's enough, let me straighten this out and then you can throw something else at me ( kinda like now) , but I guess it doesn't always work that way does it?

Have a great weekend!!!! You want me maybe to do just one devotional to cover Sat. and Sun.? Whatcha think? Let me know. We're not really going anywhere except to our God Daughter's 2nd Birthday party, so we'll be around the whole weekend other than that.

~Lisa O~

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2003
Thank you Lisa!

Paulette

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2003
Guys, I just wanted to tell you that that you are all great. I loved reading your stories. I could share some of my own, but I am afraid I am not in the best of mods. You know that feeling. When you just feel like you are stuck and dont know what to do. God, of course knows, but I just wish I did to! I just wanted to say hi since I didnt check in this morning. I volunteer at the pregnancy support center in town and thats where I was this morning. I will try to catch you all over the weekend, but if not then I will see you on Tuesday. Have a nice break!

Oli

Katie


Married to highschool sweetheart since 8-12-02


Avatar for annemd03
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
Hi Oli,

I just want to send you some (((hugs)))! I'm sorry you are having such a tough time right now. Try to do something fun this weekend...you deserve it! :)

Take care,

Anne

Anne - Proud Mommy to Rachel Elizabeth!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-29-2003 - 11:07pm
What a beautiful devotional Lisa! I can't tell you how much I look forward to these each and everyday!

I am still going through my "teacup experience" everyday I wake up. Having a child with special needs while a rich blessing, does test your faith to levels that you thought weren't possible. When Daniel was born I remember thinking of all the what-if's....what if the hospital made a mistake and he really wasn't MY baby. What-if they mixed his chromosome tests with another baby that indeed had Down Syndrome. What-if his almond shape eyes, Simian Crease, flat tongue and short stubby fingers were just "normal" for him and weren't signs of Down Syndrome.

Well ladies, Daniel was born with Down Syndrome and there is no mistaking that. Has it been an easy journey so far? Nope, by far. Has it been a challenging and deeply rewarding experience? You bet! But, I have to say, that like the teacup, I asked the Lord numerous times to "please stop." After I got over the initial shock of having a child with Down Syndrome I thought MY master was finished with me. "Not yet!" I still had to go through a heart defect and open heart surgery with a 5 month old baby that didn't even weigh 9 pounds at the time. I remember pacing the CICU crying "Please Stop!" My master's response? "Not yet" I remember thinking this has got to be it, what next? What was next was a rare fluid accumulation around Daniel's heart. Again, like the teacup I screamed "Please Stop!" and like before my Master said "Not Yet." Even to this day, when I feel down because Daniel still isn't talking, or feeding himself or even close to being potty trained, I want to scream "Please Stop!".............and as always, my master says "Not Yet"

Sisters unlike the teacup, I'm not sure I'll ever be "complete." I feel that this process of becoming stronger and more beautiful through faith, adversity and perseverance is never ending. Everyday my faith is tested and everyday I go to bed a better person. The saying adversity makes us stronger has never rang truer.

Prayers and positive thoughts,

Heather

heatherfamilysig.jpg

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-29-2003 - 11:10pm
Hugs Kathy! AF is going to rear her ugly head my way too unfortunately....I just feel it. I'm supposed to start on Monday and I'm getting all the "classic" PMS signs....right on time. Oh well, we have next cycle and each other right!?

Take Care,

Heather

heatherfamilysig.jpg

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-29-2003 - 11:12pm
Hey Jen! Looks like we're on the same cycle too! I'm due to start on Monday.......we'll soon see! :o)

Take Care,

Heather

heatherfamilysig.jpg

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-29-2003 - 11:16pm
What a beautiful story Lisa........thank you for sharing your "teacup experience."

Heather

heatherfamilysig.jpg

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-29-2003 - 11:19pm
Oh Anne, your post made me cry! Darn AF, the hag is right around the corner! :o) I'm so blessed to have you ladies in my life. Thank you for sharing........

Heather

heatherfamilysig.jpg

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 08-29-2003 - 11:21pm
I'm so sorry you're not feeling well! What a bummer! I can relate to the whole PMS thing, I'm feeling the same way. I guess it wasn't our month. Oh well, we'll get em next one! :o)

Heather

heatherfamilysig.jpg

Pages