From Where I am Coming From

For most of my life I did not understand why people reacted to my helpfulness they way they did. In my mind, I felt that I was only trying to help and that I had an outsider's prospective that could be insightful. The receivers of my helpfulness didn't always feel that way.
Marriage is an amazing institution. In God's infinite wisdom he saw fit to put two different people together and have them stick it out through good and bad. For some it can be a struggle that doesn't lead to happiness, but for me, God has given me insight into my own faults from the loving prospective of a spouse. How amazing God is. I am getting off track. The point I am trying to get to is this: if I approach my spouse (or my friend or my mom) to talk about a "subject" with an agenda, it shows and what I have to share is not well received. Why? This is where marriage comes into my learning process.
I couldn't understand why my loving honey, whom I love, didn't receive my helpful instructions and suggestions. After all, I just wanted what was best for him. Really? Is that what I really wanted? He said to me one day: "When you come at me with an agenda, I shut down." And, of course, I was flabbergasted. Why?
The answer to the "Why" lies in the real reason I wanted to share with him. Was I really just sharing or was I trying to show him how right I was, and therefore, how wrong he was. I had to admit that many conversations in my past have gone a strew, not because I was wrong in my information, but because I was wrong in my intent. Pureness of heart can greatly affect the ears of the listener. It can also greatly affect the heart of the speaker. My goal, with God's help, is to moderate my wisdom (what little there is) with humility. To curb my tongue within the bounds of love for neighbor, not love of my pride.
Looking back, I see the folly of my ways. I am determined to change. Sometimes, we don't see our own reasons clearly until someone else has the decency to point them out to us. God used my husband to help me see a great error in my communication pattern. I am thankful for the Good and the Bad, the Sickness and the Health, Til Death do us Part, because I am not sure my pride would have been small enough to get into Heaven with if it hadn't been for his frankness. There are still so many faults that I have to learn about in my life; I am hoping for 60 or 70 more years of humbling and learning with my Love.

Still Holding on to Hope

Recently, I heard a story about a person who has made some bad life choices in the past and was in the middle of a "life changing" situation. I was told that she wanted to change but, because of my experiences in the past with people like her, I felt that change was not really an option for her. I had given up hope in people's ability to change.
Today, I found out that change is really a possibility for her; at least she is making the hard choices and doing the hard things that speak to a changed heart. I was judging her on the actions of others. This, to me, is a reminder to not put others into a box that is not their's. Also, and more importantly, I am reminded that we should never stop praying, especially when we are without hope because God will do miracle when we least expect it.
The opportunity to change is like the arrival of Spring, it comes around regularily. We have the option, unlike plants, to grow or not...to change or not.
Lord, help us to all be willing to grow and change as you call us to. Also, Lord, please help us to be willing to see how others are changing and be willing to support them on their path.

To Abi & Ellie

To Abi and Ellie:
For some reason, I could not post my comment under your writing so I am adding it as a post on my own page.
I love reading your stories. I have one suggestion/criticism for you. You might try using words other than "and" to connect your thoughts. This is an example of what you could write: "...he bowed as he walked past her." instead of: "and he bowed and walked past her."
Or this: "...Anne smiled as she took her sister's arm..." instead of: "...Anne smiled and took her sister's arm..." Over using "and" makes sentences start to sound like lists: She did this and this and this...instead of she did this as she did this and then she did that.... I don't know if I am making sense.
Or this: "Liza sat up, rubbed her eyes, and got out of the carriage. I jumped out next and put my arm around my sister."
Instead of: "Liza sat up and rubbed her eyes and got out of the carriage. I jumped out and put my arm around my sister."
I tend to over use "as". There are several ways to connect thoughts. It's easy to get stuck in a "connection" rut and only use one way. I must say that even with my minor suggestions, I loved every word. You girls do a very good job keeping the characters faithful to Jane's original design. I feel that she would approve of your additions to her stories. If you keep all this writing up, I will have to go down to Wal-Mart to get your books instead of being able to read them on your blog!
Much love to you! Auntie D