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Stephanie's post
Random Thoughts
Friday is the official end of school in my county and my 3rd grader will officially become a 4th grader. I can honestly say that I have cherished every moment with our daughter Bethany. We are raising an adult...not a child...and we teach her daily with our own thoughts and actions. She will be 9 on July 18th. She's quite tall for her age..already taller than her paternal grandmother :) and we frequently get comments that she looks much older than she is. I get all teary when I think of her growing up..but at the same time I'm proud cause I know what kind of parents we are. We are blessed in so many ways.
Yet very obviously there are many children who do not grow up in such loving environments and oftentimes these children grow into abusive adults. It pains me when I hear of an adult who is so out of touch with the good in life they that live to put other people in misery. I cannot judge these folks. I can hope at some point they stop hurting others and are healed from the inside out. Ok a teeny part of me hopes that they get their just rewards for being so evil but that is the 'protective' part of my nature coming into play.
I just have to believe that all things work together for the glory of God. Ultimately those that seek to encourage evil will be put in their place by the Big Man himself and will have to answer for what they've done. I believe that good will always prevail..it might take a while..longer than we want...but good will prevail and we must be good stewards with our God-given purpose and keep moving forward no matter what.
Ok..next thought..
Finished up last night with the last of my PTO duties so I am officially done..woohoo! It's been a very challenging year with my overload of volunteer duties. As I take a look at myself and WHY I continue to take on too many activities it seems clear to me that I was being selfish. Ask me any day of the week what my purpose in life is and I will respond 'to help people'...that takes many forms..usually volunteering or working behind the scenes...nothing that I ever seek or wish to receive any kind of glory for. What do I GET from doing that though?? Well I get the feeling of completing my purpose in life and I get good feelings for helping others. That's good right?? Well yes and no. I'm spending 5 nights a week helping others and exactly where does my family or even my own needs fit into this grand equation? Ahhh...there's the rub.
...in some forms my helping others was selfish in terms of what i was getting out of it...but for me now I can see that I must back off of being so overloaded with those activities so I can really focus on my personal transformation. I haven't given myself that level of focus in at least 7 years. So that may sound a bit selfish as well..but I think it is a necessary action at this point to keep myself moving forward in transformation and ultimately it will benefit my family as well allowing me to be a better wife and mother.
ayayaya..none of this probably makes sense to you but it does to me so I guess that is what matters! :)
Stephanie
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Stephanie, all those activities that you were/are involved with help not only so many others, but they help you, Don, and Bethany at the same time. And you are so amazing to be able to pull it off! There isn't a selfish bone in your body! Girl Scouts you and Bethany do together. The PTO and those fund raisers are so her and her school mates can have a better learning environment. You are active in your Home owners group because you care about your community. And I haven't even mentioned your church work! And your devotion to the TORCH BFL site and the memory of Julie Whitt, the most inspirational Champion ever, is INCREDIBLE. Organizing the Champions Weekend every October is more than enough job for any person to do. And on top of all that, you work a full time job outside the home, raise a daughter (and a husband!), and live the BFL/Transformation lifestyle. Including training for and doing your first 1/2 marathon in Nashville last month! I haven't covered any of the things that you are always doing for your friends, family, and people like me. I doubt seriously that Don and Bethany feel neglected. But, if you woke up tomorrow and said, "That's it! I'm on vacation!" nobody in this world would say a bad world about it, You deserve retirement. But knowing you, that will never happen! It is all of us that are being selfish in expecting you to give so much of your time to us and not keeping it and spending it on yourself. Love you Stephanie! -- David
You are a great Mother!!!!!
Stephanie. The last thought touched my heart deeply. I transformed to be a better husband and a better father. I transformed to be the husband and father God intends for me to be. You are not being selfish. You obviously have love for you daughter and your husband. Give them the time they deserve and treat them like the beautiful gifts from God that they are. Great job. Excellent thoughts my friend.
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