Reflections...

Wow, what a week this has been for me mentally. I have done a lot of soul searching and reflection the last couple of weeks. 

Let's start with my first realization.  After Justin left for basic training I was realizing a lot about our relationship and making a lot of resolutions for change there. However, I realized I wasn't taking the time to draw closer to God. I was so consumed with thoughts of Justin and wanting to be a better wife for him that I was kind of ignoring my relationship with God in a sense. It wasn't until I was reading a chapter out of a marriage devotional book that I realized the only way I could truly work on my love and passion for Justin was to work on my love and passion for God.  I've allowed other things to get in the way of that.  So I have been working on being a loving and compassionate woman for God instead of just my husband.  I am noticing that if it is for God, that love overflows into all other areas of my life!

My next realization: Venting, fuming, passionate aggravation. Whatever you want to call it. I get annoyed with something, whatever it is, and start going off on a tangent about it. Whether it is a utility company screwing up my bill AGAIN, someone not doing their job, some rude comment someone made, freaking out over something I have to accomplish on my own. I work myself up into such a frenzy instead of just praying about it. How is anyone supposed to see peace in me if I live my life on this high level of stress all the time? My new motto is "Vent Less, Pray More!".  Why don't I just pray before calling AT&T for the trillionth time this month...God could already be solving the problem before I pick up the phone! Instead I am already on edge before I even make the call!  I know some of you are probably thinking...why pray over something like a utility bill. Alas, you all do NOT know my past problems with CERTAIN utility companies!  One call to them can ruin my WHOLE day!  But why do I allow them that kind of control over my life!? Why don't I ask God to keep me calm before dealing with them? I treat Him as though I can only go to Him for the very BIG problems.  My life would be so much more peaceful and stress free if I would go to him for the little things too!  So, here is to "Vent Less, Pray More"!

Third Realization: A Change in My Focus & Attitude. I'm amazed at how much my attitude and focus has changed with my new resolutions. Even in these few short weeks I can see a difference! Verses are popping into my head at the most random times! I will mentally be stressing about something and then suddenly am mentally reciting a verse or song that I heard earlier that week that pertains directly to what I was stressing about!  I don't even realize I am doing it at first! Times where my first thought would be to vent or stress, I am instead praying about it first without even thinking of venting!  God is definitely helping me to turn this self reflection time into prayer time!

I pray you have a peace filled weekend!

~ Elle

Barefoot And Beautiful

 

For those of you who are currently reading my blogs, I wanted to give you a heads up that I am changing things around here!  I've decided to give my blog a little face lift!  I wanted something that represents me and my personality.  I felt 'Barefoot And Beautiful' described my laid back, fun loving personality.  I also love being barefoot!  If shoes are not required, then I am not wearing them! I prefer weather where it is possible to always be barefoot!
The 'Beautiful' part of it reflects the beauty I strive for.  I seek to start each day with my Lord so that He can make me a more beautiful person inside.  I believe internal beauty is far more important than external beauty.  It can far outshine it, and draws others to you.  I believe it is God who makes us truly beautiful on the inside.
However, I do also enjoy externally beautiful things!  I love seeing the beauty in nature and in the things around me.  I love clothes, jewelry, makeup!  I don't think it is wrong to be drawn to those things. Why else would God have made flowers so brilliant in color, the sky so blue, the ocean so beautiful to watch?  We are naturally drawn to outward beauty.  I want to use this blog to share things that I find beautiful with others. I hope you enjoy!

~Elle