Saturday, September 19, 2009

The Truth

"Honey, why do you get all stressed out about this house? Whenever we have company, you clean for days. You rearrange. You buy things. Even when we're not expecting company, you're obsessed with everything being perfect. Why can't you be content with what you have? I don't know you any more!" Obsessed! Perfect! Doesn't know me any more! How can he say that? My husband. The one who knows me best. Loves me the best. Has my best interest in his heart. Always. But his words? Harsh. Hurtful. Fighting words. Truthful words that I need to hear. You see, my man does know me. And he loves me enough to tell me the truth even when I get upset with him about it. Because I do tend to obsess a bit. Get a little dizzy in fact. About my house. And painting. And projects. And perfection. I just love to decorate! Organize. Arrange. But some times I get into it. Way too much. Does that ever happen to you? You begin with a sense of balance and then realize you lost some perspective along the way. I'm glad that we have a God who knows us. He understands that we lose focus. That we get caught up in life. In things. And He loves us so much that He tells us the truth although we don't always want to hear what He has to say. God wants us to know the truth. He wants us to know that He doesn't condemn us for making mistakes. "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). The truth is that because we believe in Christ. We believe that He loves us. Died for us. Was resurrected. Is now preparing a room for us in His Father's house. Will come back for us. There is no condemnation. God knows us best. Loves us best. Tells the truth. Always. No condemnation. Sometimes truth hurts. Sometimes not. Sweet dreams, Deb

17 comments:

  1. Well the other option could be completely messy and I am sure he wouldn't like that lol! Happy Saturday sharefest!
    Fellow SITSta,
    Therese

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  2. What a great reminder!!! I obsess too over different things. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!

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  3. Deb,

    You and I must have been separated at birth because we sound so much alike. My hubby often asks me why I can't relax and it's because I am always looking at something that needs to be fixed, painted, rearranged or cleaned. Thankfully we have hubby to remind us of taking some time out of our days and just relax and enjoy.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  4. Timely post for me. My sister & Bro-in-law are visiting this week and I have been obsessing just a bit. Ouch! Letting it go.
    Blessings ~ Lisa

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  5. We are wise to pay attention to God's promptings along these lines, whether they come to us from someone we trust and love or via his own voice/words. God loves us and confronts us toward our perfection. If we refuse the learning, we limit our effectiveness for his kingdom. Whatever our issue is (perfectionism or otherwise), to go on with Jesus is to bend to his authority... his wisdom.

    I've got a few issues of my own he's working in, so please know you're not alone in your walk of holiness.

    Love to you this week! So good to talk with you on the phone recently.

    peace~elaine

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  6. Deb

    The old saying is so true.
    The truth hurts.
    More so when it comes from the ones we love.
    We need to remember that they do love us.
    Christ has the greatest love for us and gave so much for us. To have everlasting life and to be with Him. Oh how wonderful!!!!!!!!!

    I Love You
    Joyce

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  7. I tend to be a "Martha" too. But she gets a bad rap among Christian women. I totally understood her frustration! lol

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  8. Deb! We are kindred spirits. I am a "recovering" perfectionist and I love organization. Obsessed about organization. I'm like Pavlov's dog when I see a new organizing tool. Then the perfectionist freezes me into inaction.

    Sigh...

    So thankful for a God who always gives us a second, third, million chances to dust off ourselves and start over.

    (BTW, thank you for your kinds words.)

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  9. Hi Deb,

    I appreciate your transparency here, because the truth is, we ALL struggle to walk in balance. Though it might be in different areas, we all have areas that need to be reigned in, and other areas where we need to branch out.

    Thank GOD for HIS grace. I'm so gratful He understands our frailties, and encourages us to come up higher.

    Hugs to you!

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  10. another great, insightful post. reading your words is like refreshment for my soul.

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  11. Your words always hit spot-on! I struggle with the same things. Thanks for speaking the truth boldly!

    Come on by Blue Cotton Memory. I have something for you:)

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  12. So true and a great reminder. Thank you for sharing!

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  13. This is my first time visiting your blog. Thank you for sharing this. I can really identify. I appreciate the way you communicate God's love for us... I need that reminder.
    Thanks,
    Tea

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  14. Deb I'm the exact same way when I have company. I think women want to appear to have it all together. There is an underlying competition going on. Just know you are not alone. Great post:)

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  15. As to a tidy house, I cannot relate. I am forced to carve out tiny pockets of order in my chaotic world of men. But there are other areas where I take obsessive control and don't give God the freedom to do His work.

    Every day at noon, my alarm on my phone sends me a message that says "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" as one of my reminders on the hours. I said I would change it when I finally learned it.

    It's still very much there.

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  16. I love to keep things nice! I used to be a crazy perfectionist. She still appears sometimes and I'm secretly glad she does because she gets everything back in order and then we have to tell her to cool it again! :)

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  17. I need order in my life!! I just need to stay more focued on HIM and what it is important to HIM.

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