Tip of My Iceberg

When women gather, there will be conversation. Some fun and frivolous; some serious and deep.

We met together for two days, for the chance of getting to know one another better, to hear encouraging words from a speaker we’ve all come to love, and to enjoy the newness of what this transitional year means for us as women.

Our speaker, Judy, spoke of what it means to be beloved. God chooses to love us–He sees each of us He’s created as special. But owning that moniker isn’t easy. For those who have a personal relationship with Jesus, it’s a truth that is often a challenge to live into.

We’re each searching for a way to deal with our own issues, whether it be hard memories or trauma from broken relationships or loss of something or someone important to us. At our retreat, we created boards with words that were reminders of what we needed or of what particular experience was uppermost on our minds.

Some were whimsical. “Enjoy” to remind her that life was more than work. “Greetings Earthlings” which humorously pointed out that individually we’re small in comparison to all the universe.

Some were heart words, statements of what we need, like “Secure”, “Valued”, and “Treasured”. Words with deep meaning that resonated emotionally with hope.

Still others were the challenge we face, like “Wrestle” and “Get Curious”–life doesn’t come easy for anyone, yet it’s something we deal with.

All reflect an attitude of what we need or long for.

A great philosopher of our time, Dolly Parton, once said, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” Too many times, we’re looking for the beauty of that heavenly glory without the darkness of the storm.

A bad attitude can ruin a day, a week, or longer if we allow it to persist. There isn’t much we have control over in this life, but we do have authority over our own attitudes.

Paul, in writing to the church at Philippi, said,

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious–the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Philippians 4:8

We need to direct our minds and hearts to proper places of focus. If all we see is dark, dreary, and weary, our hearts will feel heavy and overwhelmed. If we choose the light, as Jesus is the light, we will experience His joy and peace.

Our choice.

Author and pastor Charles Swindoll said, “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.”

What truth and hope do you need to be reminded of?