Are you functional?

Have you ever wondered if you are functional? What does it even mean? "The flashlight was still functional after it was dropped." I will use this example of the word. Referring to life we have all have taken hard hits in our pasts. Those hits have an effect on us, good and bad. In our homes we are living together effected by life? Those things that have happened to us in our pasts. Maybe you have been abused, betrayed, unloved, or some other situation that affected you. Like being dropped. Are you able to treat others with respect, or are you faithful in your present relationships? Can you love others unconditionally?

God is able to use even those hurts in our lives to form positive attitudes in our lives. God is the best answer for our short comings. If you have not been loved God's love is our perfect example to help us break through the hurt. God will use your pain as part of your foundation in the transformation of your character. When God comes into your life and His fruit begins to grow in you then you will find that you are able to see with eyes of God's love. You will be able to forgive first then love others that have not been good to you. God is good and He wants us to be good. Lives around us will be affected by then seeing God's transforming power working in our lives. Shining out to show a path that can lead other to a God of love. God is amazing. Just let Him do it in your life!

Eyes of the Lord

 

Eyes

You could say that eyes are magical. Eyes can reach into one's soul, seeing things inside or even warming one's soul. Eyes do not speak, but many times seems they do speak. They can easily reflect emotions, and also detect sincerity, honesty, and feelings within someone. 

"The eyes of the Lord move throughout the land seeking hearts that are perfect towards Him." 

2 Chronicles 16:9

I am sure that you have been in a grocery line with a baby in the cart, or in the arms of someone ahead of you. It is hard to not connect with the little one, especially if there are a pair of eyes, like in the picture, staring at you. If you choose to you can easily connect with the child and begin communicating with your eyes, and maybe some words as well. In this case eyes can be very moving. They can speak powerfully. We are created in God's image. God created that power of connecting with others in very simple ways, without words or any type of movements. Have you ever felt that someone was looking at you? God is looking for connections with you and me. Take the time to soak in a God that loves you and is looking at you.  

Dysfunctional "God is Good"

God, I need your help

 I mentioned in my last blog that a dysfunctional life needs God to get involved. Taking the "DYS" from the word and we have functional. Let's turn those 3 letters into three steps. 

1. D- Done (I am done doing it my way)

2. Y- Yes (Yes, I need help me)

3. S- Steady (Stay steady on your new course)

1. Done. It just might be that I am doing things incorrectly. Let God help, and let God use others to help. Put your pride to the side and ask for help. Ask in the right place, a wise friend or profesional. 

2. Say "Yes" to God. God is the best source for help. If you do not have a relationship with God, take the steps to get connected. A Pastor or a Christian friend can help. You can talk to God directly through prayer. God does listen and will respond. Just be open to His response as it may not be in the form that you are expecting. 

3. Stay "Steady" on your renewed course. As you are walking a new path so to speak, stay on course. On this new path you will learn to react differently and respond in more positive ways. Walk with confidence trusting in God.

"We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall." Prov. 16:33 NLT

Don't be afraid to walk. God will guide where that step falls!

DYSFUNCTIONAL

 It's Broken!

I'm sure it's happened to you, when you hear the crash, then in fear look to see the pieces scattered across the floor. Someone's favorite cup, or a cherished item. Now others have appeared to see what happened! As you are picking up the pieces you think about trying to fix it with glue, or maybe just asking for forgiveness then throwing the pieces in the garbage. Whatever you decide, "You" have something to do.

A broken cup is one thing, but when it is a life that is broken it is much more complex. It's not just about you. When lives or hearts get broken what comes from that can be labeled dysfunctional. The brokenness in a home can come in many forms or ways. If help is not sought out a dysfunctional child can grow up into a dysfunctional adult. You need to do something, whether it's your child or it's you. A real relationship with God will be the most important part in piecing a life back together.

Children that are a product of dysfunctional families, either at the time, or as they grow older, may exhibit behavior that is not "normal". If you are a dysfunctional adult change the focus from you to those that are around, you. Focusing on those around you will help you to see where you are in life. We all are different. Accept that you are different and work to love and respect others. In my life I have drawn much help from those around me and knowing God's word. God has accepted me as I was, and am, so it's makes it easier for me to love and accept others. 

A family needs to spend time together, doing things as a family. A family needs to encourage, love, respect, and forgive one another. In our lives there is no greater impact on our lives than our family. Good or bad the home is where we all come from. Work at loving your family.

Today can be a new start. Your pieces can be restored to form a beautiful picture. Today make the best decision to forgive, respect, love, and encourage those in your family. 

 Unplanned times.

Often God brings to us times that become very good and refreshing, and even times that transform us. I love a walk on a trail in the woods. Many great memories of times outdoors with friends. 

Each morning I wake early and put on a pot of coffee. After I put in a piece of toast in the toaster, I sit down to prepare for doing my devotions. Keeping God's word fresh in my mind is so important in my daily walk. God's word keeps kindness, peace, joy, and love fresh in my mind creating a protection from evil influences that are all around. 

When I read God's word I love to pause and meditate on things that I read. In this way God's word grows deep roots in my heart. I have a number of times paused to imagine moments that Jesus spent with His disciples and followers. Often, they journeyed far to visit a city or place. Going on walks with others it helps me to try and imagine what those times walking with Jesus might have been like. Talks about life struggles, maybe a joke, a success in someone's life, or a new relationship, quite times, and listening to a person with some wise words. 

God's word is powerful and transforming. The words Jesus spoke to the crowds that followed him I suspect were often direct words for persons with needs and hurts. Jesus knows our needs. The bible helps us draw closer to Him, where there is healing, direction, and encouragement. Let God work in you by drawing near to Him. Have a wonderful day!