The Conviction of God

So, I have been reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker and WOW, is it not so true that you should be careful what you pray for!! In church this last Sunday our Pastor was talking about how he improved his marriage over the 20-something years he's been married and that was by figuring out what he needed to change about HIMSELF not his wife.

This is so true because I feel like so often in relationships we are quick to find what the other person needs to change to improve that relationship be it a marriage, friendship, coworker relationship etc.  This really hit me because I do it, I wish my husband would do this or that when really he is a fantastic husband and father but I have stuff about myself that I need to change.  So on sunday I prayed that God would make clear to me what I need to change about MYSELF, what are my faults that need improved upon.

Well, in reading this book it really convicted me and struck a cord.  I am not done yet with the book but each page I read I just cant help but feel that it was written just for me!

I see it a lot lately the pursuit of "stuff" and "things" what cute outfit can you find for your child, what cute clothes can you get for this season.  While yeah I love shopping for L and it helps that he grows so quick I have an excuse to keep buying his stuff but me? not so much.  I don't need 10 pairs of dark jeans or 10 turquoise shaded tank tops.  I have started to pare down what I do own and think twice before I go to Target or anywhere else to buy STUFF.  I love shopping I really do but I think lately it has just gotten a little out of control.

I'm learning to be content with just what I have.  Not just in regards to stuff but in life in general.  I am learning to be content with just my one baby.  L is so sweet and fun and while I want more than anything to have more apparently thats not Gods plan.  I need to just be content with NOW and cherish NOW.  Everyday I go to work I'm reminded that tomorrow is not a promise but a gift.   Things can change in an instant and I want to cherish every second I have with my sweet boy because time just blows by!!

The chapter about waste is a good one too because we are so wasteful and I often balk at the word "green" and think about hippies but really this is God's earth we need to take care of it and not be so wasteful. I don't have a green thumb but I have started to buy more local fruits and veggies.  I guess my cloth diapering is helping in this aspect too.  It really changed my perspective on the whole "green" thing!

The other chapter that really hit me was the media chapter.  Whoa do I spend a lot of time on the tv, cell phone, computer, twitter, Facebook, blogs etc the list goes on.  I have been trying to be more present for L not always with a cell phone in hand or the TV in the background.  I think I waste a LOT of time on electronic stuff and like I said before, time is precious and I can imagine how much more time I will have if I turn off the TV and put away the cell phone a little more and read a book, play with L, and even more time to spend in the word which I have been struggling with.

This  book is so fantastic I highly recommend it.  It really makes you think and realize how wasteful and overindulgent we are in this country.  It was exactly what I needed and quite a wake-up call.  Its not something I can change in a day, its certainly a process, but with lots of prayer and a few trip ups along the way I really hope to be more content with the here and now and cut down on the pursuit of more!