The Snare of Compare

How do we respond when someone else gets what we want? We compare our situation to theirs. We measure our lot against theirs—especially if we think they have it better than we do.

Why can she eat whatever she wants and stay so skinny and I just look at a piece of chocolate and gain 5 pounds?

Why does she have that gorgeous face and I look so average?

Why can she barely study and make a 4.0, and I have to work so hard for a 2.5?

Why does she have such a beautiful voice and I can’t even carry a tune?

Why can she decorate and sew and paint and do photography, and I can’t even make a pillowcase?

Why does she get pregnant without trying and I am still infertile after all these years?

Why does she get pregnant without trying and I am still infertile after all these years?

Why is she married at 20 and I am 35 with no man in sight?

Why does her husband lead their family and mine won't initiate anything spiritual?

Why does she have a big beautiful home for just the two of them when our family of seven is still crammed into this little townhouse

Ever had thoughts like these?

I knew I wasn’t alone. Whenever we face things in our lives that we don’t want but can’t change, we are tempted to sinfully compare ourselves with others.

The apostle Peter was also tempted to compare. In our new series we’ll consider what the Lord said to Him, and what He says to us.

52home

5:31 p.m.

52home

Friday Funnies

Thank you so much for all your responses about the beauty book. You've been a big help already. Keep the suggestions coming!

And we're so glad you all have been lovin' 52home. Janelle still owes us a picture today, I think; so check back soon.

Here are some funny moments two of our readers captured recently...

Anna's nephew got tired of shopping and found a perfect spot to sit down.

And this is how Nicole found her 22-month old Eli one night. "Maybe," she wondered, "this is why rails for toddler beds exist."

Help Us Write a Book

The latest news here is that Mom began work on a new book last week!

Her topic is “true beauty” from a biblical perspective. She wants to help women see through our culture’s false standard of beauty and false promises about beauty, so they might be free to pursue a beauty that is attainable, enduring, and precious in God’s sight.
 
I get to help her with this project, and we want to ask for your help too.
 
For us, book writing involves a whole lot of talking. We bat around ideas, consider all the angles, and even have a friendly debate or two.
 
And we want you to join our book conversation! We’ll post questions, and we’d be so grateful if you’d write in with your thoughts. (Please note: we may use your first name, so let us know if you want to be anonymous.)
 
So, are you ready to help us write this book?
 
Here’s our first question:
 
What questions or struggles do you have that you would like to see addressed in a book on beauty?
 
Please contact us or leave a message on our facebook page and tell us what you’re thinking.
 
And can we also ask you to pray? Our hearts desire is that God be glorified in the process and content of this book. You’ve prayed us through one book already and we’d be most grateful for those prayers again. Thank you friends!

52home

2:10 p.m. Afternoon Nap

52home

52home

11:57 a.m.

52home

The Marriage Dance

When I was a young wife, Elisabeth Elliot mentored me through the pages of her book, Let Me Be A Woman. Then, when my daughters were teenagers, I used the book to teach them about biblical womanhood. I still refer back to it often, and recently came across this little gem. May it inspire you to embrace your God-given role in marriage today:

“It is the woman’s delighted yielding to the man’s lead that gives him freedom.  It is the man’s willingness to take the lead that gives her freedom.  Acceptance of their respective positions frees them both and whirls them into joy.” (Elisabeth Elliot, Let Me Be a Woman, p.185).

52home

1:55 p.m.

52home

In Time for Easter

This informative post comes to you courtesy of my daughter MJ, who stayed in Children’s Ministry this past Sunday for the entire service! Miracles still happen.

As I was sitting in the service (all by myself!) our pastors recommended two books just in time for Easter.

The first one, which we reviewed last year, is for adults: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross by Nancy Guthrie. It’s a collection of twenty-five short readings with contributors such as Martin Lloyd-Jones, J.C. Ryle, R.C. Sproul and more. This is one to re-read every year.

They also recommended a book for kiddos: The Very First Easter by Paul Maier. I hope to order a copy for Caly by the end of the day.

And while we are on the topic of Sunday (did I mention that I got to sit through the whole meeting?), one of my favorite preachers gave the message. Yep, my dad was speaking! In a series leading up to Easter Sunday, he preached a powerful sermon on Gethsemane. You can listen to his message here.

Thanks, MJ!

52home

10:20 a.m.

52home

Praying Work

Nicole’s post from last week reminded me of what my long-time friend Nancy Loftness calls “praying work.”
 
Nancy’s a woman who loves God’s Word, loves to pray, and deeply cares for people. When she found that she didn’t have time to pray for everyone she wanted to pray for during her morning quiet time, she came up with a plan.
 
She thought about her regular chores that didn’t require any thinking or talking—such as ironing, cleaning the bathroom, or driving by herself—and she turned those into times for prayer on behalf of friends, family, members of her church and the unsaved. Praying work.
 
Just imagine how many requests Nancy has brought before the throne of grace while in her car or working around her house!
 
Consider your week: what tasks can you turn into “praying work”?
 
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers...” Ephesians 5:16
 
“No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me.” Charles Spurgeon

52home

12:23 p.m.

52home

Friday Funnies

We're signing off with further proof that "Men Can Fix Anything."

Nicole, on behalf of my mom and sisters

52home

9:45 a.m.

52home

How to Stay Awake During Prayer

Great news--Dawn’s kids aren’t in The 5 O’Clock Club anymore!

Thanks so much again for answering my mail about the 5 O’Clock Club. Things have been going better. Thanks so much for the phone under the pillow idea.  I have also worked on not stepping on the top step of our stairs and that helps a lot too. I have been able to get up and not wake the children this last week.

Yeah! We’re so glad to hear God is helping your kids sleep and you wake up.
 
But, says Dawn, “I have one remaining problem--how to stay awake during prayer. (I have tried praying aloud—well, in a whisper--but somehow I still fall asleep.) But you have encouraged me to think creatively so I am sure I will find the answer.”
 
Been there too, Dawn. Creativity is certainly called for. Here are a few things we’ve tried—
 
-       Pray while you exercise. Mom used to prop her prayer list up on the treadmill console and pray while she exercised.

-       Pray in the shower. From an idea Mom gave me, I printed my prayer list, put it in a sheet protector and taped it to the wall of my shower. I had some of my best prayer times there—although our water bill probably went up!
 
-       Pray on a walk. When Tori was a baby, I would sometimes walk around the block with her in the stroller. This idea doesn’t work with toddlers though.
 
-       Pray as you pace. This might not work with light sleepers in the house, but Janelle gets up and walks around if she feels sleepy during prayer.
 
-       Pray after you wake up. Sometimes it helps me to pray after an activity that really wakes me up—taking a shower, emptying the dishwasher, etc. My husband often goes running sometimes before his quiet time.
 
-       Pray after coffee (or caffeinated beverage of choice). The 5 O’Clock club runs on coffee.
 
-       Pray before you pray. Ask God for grace to stay awake and pray!
 
Hope those simple ideas get you started. We’re confident God is eager to help you grow in prayer!