The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.
-Alice Walker
It was the strangest thing, but the other day I was reading my emails and this came up as the Goodreads quote of the day and I really felt something when I read it, like it was meant for me. Later, I was reading a book and that same quote was used in the book. After that, I really felt like it was a message for me. It’s made me think about all the ways I give up power and how I can stop doing it. I’m not sure yet exactly how it applies or what I should do, but man, it’s still making me think and feel something. I’m not really ready to share all the ways I give up power, but I don’t think that’s the important part. I think the important part is that I’m learning about myself or, at least, opening up my eyes. I think it’s something that we should all think about. How do I give up my power? Who or what do I give it up to? When should I and when shouldn’t I? I bet if you spend even 5 minutes thinking about it, you’ll be surprised at what pops into your head.
It goes along with a topic from Dynamic Catholic’s Daily Food For Thought from this past Monday. This is another coincidence because the quote above was from the very next day.
Jesus came to set us free, but as men and women we keep putting ourselves back into slavery – food, sex, money, gluttony, debt, etc. Recognize your slavery and allow God to liberate you from it.
from The Narrow Path by Matthew Kelly
Basically, these are things that we give our power to and we become slaves to them. We need to stop giving up our power. I did a bible study on exactly that topic a few years back and it was amazing. Breaking Free by Beth Moore is the bible study. I highly recommend it! I would be very surprised if I didn’t write some posts about that bible study. I couldn’t find any that mentioned it by name, but here is one that I’m pretty sure was inspired by that bible study. I found the book downstairs and I plan to review it during Lent and hopefully be inspired and strengthened by its message.
Be free! Be strong! and quit giving away your power! When you come across a particularly moving quote or words that inspire you or move you in some way, pay attention. There just might be a message there just for you.
Have a great weekend!
Julie
Today, my bible study made me happy. Oh, not because I think I’m doing things right, or because I’m such a great person that I don’t have to change or work harder, but just the opposite. It’s about how even good people need to keep working to do God’s will and remain humble no matter the blessings they receive.
This week’s lesson is about pride. It shows the truth of the statement, ‘Pride goeth before the fall.’ It discusses how some of the kings of Judah were just bad people and bad kings and some were very good kings and faithful to God. It was the good kings who succumbed to pride, believing that they were responsible for the prosperity of their kingdoms. God had to knock them down a bit, humble them, to remind them that He allowed the successes of their reigns as long as the kings and the people honored Him.
One part that really hit home for me was realizing that nothing I have, or see, belongs to me. Everything belongs to God. He has entrusted us to take care of it for Him while we are here, including our homes and our children, not in that order.
The second part was realizing that if we don’t follow God’s guidance now, it could affect future generations, our children and grandchildren. I believe this is where children paying for the sins of the fathers comes in. God doesn’t punish our kids when we do something wrong, but our actions today have consequences, perhaps many years down the road. For example, if we throw little bits of garbage into our yard each day, 10 years from now our yard will be a garbage dump. If we teach our kids bad habits, then they will pass that on to their children.
All of this made me see that I need to take better care of God’s belongings, because they are His and not mine, my home, my yard, my pets, my children. I also prioritized to help me remember what’s important; humans first, then animals, plants and other living things, and lastly, inanimate objects such as toys, cars, homes. We need to teach our children good habits to pass on, and part of that is taking care of them and everything else around us the best we can.
Why did having my shortcomings tossed in my face make me happy? I don’t know, but it felt like a weight was taken off my shoulders when I realized that nothing is mine to keep. I just have to take care of it while it is in my possession.
Even my kids are not mine. I know I have to let them go one day, very soon for me, and I want them to have all the skills they need to make good decisions and live a good life for God. If I teach them to follow God always, then they can learn from my mistakes as well as my successes, and make better decisions for themselves.
Never let pride get in the way of admitting your mistakes and shortcomings. Own them, ask God for help with them. Let others see them so that they can learn from them.
Today I am happy because I belong to God and God will take care of me if I but ask for His help. Today, I offer all my pride to God so that I may feel His joy!
This post is part of Project Optimism. I am linking back to my friend Anka at Keeping It Real Mom, because she introduced me to the project and her post explains it well.
Have a great week! It always helps to start with a dose of happy optimism!
If you would like to participate in Project Optimism here is what you need to do: