Willpower - Whose Power?

Willpower. Today is a Saturday with nothing of great consequence on the horizon. So as I looked at the clock around 6:30 this morning I stayed snuggled under the covers and thought. I love the time before the sun comes up. I love the dark. Once the first streak of light brightens the sky it's just not the same.

So God and I talked about many things. For some reason the word "willpower" flashed into my mind. Now when I think of willpower the first thing that comes to mind is food and exhibiting willpower to resist food. But this New Year I made no such resolutions. In fact this year I made no resolutions of any kind. They don't work. And you know why they don't work? Because I am not resolute about my resolutions.

"Marked by firm determination," Merriam Webster's dictionary defines resolute. I guess I've just never had that firm determination for any resolution I've ever made. Nothing I've ever come up with seemed to matter all that much to me in the long run. And aren't resolutions supposed to be about the long run? Losing weight, doing this, not doing that - who cares?

Curiously, a synonym for resolute is "faithful." I can relate to that word. As I lay in bed this morning that's what I thought about. How can I do what I'm supposed to do to stay faithful - to do what God what's me to do? Then and there is how I thought of willpower in a different light. In a different light in the dark.

Whose will are we talking about in willpower? Whose will are we attempting to assign the power? If it's our will chances are we will fail. But if it's God's will He'll give us all the power we will ever need to succeed. So tomorrow as you lie in bed ask God what His will is for you just for that one day. Don't ask Him to lay out your life in front of you. That's not showing true faith. If you knew all the answers ahead of time what would be the point? I sure don't want a crystal ball. Sometimes I may act as if I do but that's when I'm not aligned to God's will. When I get to thinking too much I get into trouble.

Whatever is going to happen is going to happen. Whatever God wants to happen will happen. His power will make it happen. Yes, we all have free will - yet another "will" word. Free will, God's will, willpower. These are connected. Use your free will to choose God's will and God will give you the willpower to carry it out. Try it tomorrow. Continue it into all your tomorrows.
~Maureen :)

Why Do We Do What We Do?

As I sit here contemplating what God wants me to do today, I am compelled to write to you. I listen to God all the time now. I never used to be able to say that. It has been a process. A process that has taken me many decades, but I'm here now and that's what counts. I read another blog today which really has me thinking. I encourage you to click over to http://momwriterslitmag.typepad.com/ to look at Dionna Sanchez's blog entitled, "All I Have to Be," from January 23, 2008.

You see, I too, am a people pleaser. I want most people to like me. Only recently have I realized that admiration by others is not one of Jesus' top tens. You won't hear that proclaimed in weeks to come in churches. You will hear the Beatitudes and "being liked" is not one of the Beatitudes. Neither is admiration which is really what we are seeking when we strive to be liked.

One of the things that struck me the most about Dionna's words was the fact that Jesus wasn't liked by everybody back in His time and likewise is not liked in the present day by many people. Jesus! I mean, c'mon, this is Jesus for crying out loud! That thought is a very freeing concept for me. That says to me, "Just do it. You have a good head on your shoulders. You've long known the difference between right and wrong. Don't care what other people think. Do it because you feel it's what God wants you to do."

"Doing" for others is the major concept in the Beatitudes but I think it bears merit to ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing? Is it for the greater glory of God or is it for your greater glory - to be liked and admired? Your motive is key here.

With the season of Lent nearly upon us (I thought we just celebrated Christmas!) I know I am going to be doing lots and lots of thinking about why I do what I do. Is it for God's glory or for mine? Hopefully I can answer that question honestly and act accordingly.

~Maureen :)

Be the Prayer

Prayer. Is this a thing or a person? Is it something you do, as in, "I said a prayer"? Or is it someone: A pray-er, one who prays? Or is it both? Did you know you can be a prayer and a pray-er all day long? Have you ever tried?

Try it. Tomorrow when you wake up, in your first conversation of the day with God, tell Him you will offer your entire day up to Him. It's way better than reciting prayers all day long. This way you are the prayer. It's a hands-on way to pray.

Every single time you do something good you have already offered it up to God as a present. Think of all the gifts God gives you every day. Don't you think He'd like to get some back every so often? So try it tomorrow. Be the prayer.

Maureen :)

Feathers Not Bricks

I guess this is the time when I put my money where my mouth is. I feel rotten. I have been sick for days now, went to the doctor only to be told I must rest for four to five days without benefit of antibiotics. So here I am - just me and my letter to God:

What is it You want of me, God? What am I supposed to be learning from this? I have gone through the poor me mentality which is so crazy because so many people are way worse off than I am. I know this, but I still feel crummy. Why am I suffering now? What good is to come of this? Patience? Am I to learn patience? Am I to realize true gratitude for my restored health once it's restored? Each day I suppose I feel a teeny bit better, but still bad.

I'm trying not to yell at those around me even though I really feel like it. Are You teaching me restraint, God? What other virtues must I learn? That's a scary thought. I'm not exactly in the most receptive mood. What else shall be coming my way? You've been known to use the power of plagues in the past. Maybe could we bypass those in this modern day; keep them buried in the past? I can be a quick study when I want to be. Throw all the feathers You want at me, but please withhold the bricks.

You know I like to write. Are you disguising this illness as a means for me to slow down and grab the opportunity to write? Is the sickness merely the wrapping paper and bow with the true gift inside the pretty box being hours of writing? Is that it? Then I really should be thanking You, so thank You.

Am I simply supposed to take the time to look around and appreciate what I already have been given by You? There is absolutely no comparison to the wonders You have bestowed upon me compared to the poverty and abuse so many of Your children must endure on a daily basis. I complain too much. Maybe not so much anymore to others, but in my head and heart I'm still a complainer. And who hears the sounds of my head and heart? Yep, just You. I'm sorry.

I will sincerely try to be better - BE better - not feel better. Only You can restore my health, so while I'm laid up I will filter my heart and mind sounds so as to not hurt Your feelings, and open up the listening avenues to hear Your wishes for me.

'Member God, feathers, not bricks - pretty please with sugar and honey on top? I'll be good.

Love,
Me :)