"Shave Your Legs!"

Ok, I confess… I HATE to shave!! I don’t know who- or why- ever came up with the idea that women should shave their legs! Honestly, it is a PAIN! (Oops, it sounds like I am complaining- better watch that- Father doesn’t like complaining!) I guess I should put it this way- while I don’t like to do it, I am thankful that I can.

Since it’s not one of those things I like to do, why do I do it? Surely, I am “liberated” enough that I don’t have to do what everyone else is doing? Shaving is not one of those things that I do for myself. I do it for my husband. He likes my legs shaven. He doesn’t like to be stuck by “porcupine” needles, or rub up against a “Brillo” pad, or not be able to tell if he is rubbing his own leg or mine.

The reality of it is, most of what we do we do for others- it’s not about us. (Shaving is not about me- I can live without it.) As daughters of our Heavenly Father our lives are not about us, they are about: Him and them! What we do, the way we conduct our lives, should always be putting others first- their comfort, their needs, their happiness. I know, this sounds so contradictory to what we are taught and what society tells us. But this is what the Bible teaches. Therefore, this conduct is what is pleasing to the Father.

Is shaving a big deal? Will it be the end of the world if I don’t? Can I live with unshaven legs? But will it make my husband happier if I do?

“Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.” (Romans 12:10- CEV)

"Missed Opportunity"

I just realized that I missed a good opportunity to post something here on Valentine’s Day. Who can’t write something about “LOVE”! There is always something to say like- what your honey did for you, how they treated you special, or how they “forgot” to pick up roses and candy on the way home! Oh, well, maybe next year, or maybe not, or maybe I will write something anyway???

There are three things I have learned about opportunities that come our way that we miss: some are never lost, some are lost for the moment but will present themselves again, and some are lost forever.

What do you do with the opportunities that you have missed and know they are gone forever? There are a number of things you can do. You can spend your life trying to get it to present itself again- always trying to make something happen but never succeeding. You can spend your life mourning over it- I call it “crying over spilled milk” (that’s what I usually did). You can beat yourself up about it and as a result either never take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way or wear yourself out analyzing everything so you don’t repeat the same mistake.

I have learned that the best way to handle it is by doing what Paul said- “forget those things that are behind”. (Phil 3:3) Come to grips with the fact that you missed it. Stop beating yourself up about it. Go to God with it and admit to Him that you missed it. Receive His forgiveness and peace, then let it go. . Leave it in the past so that it will not affect your present and/or your future. Use it as a stepping stone instead of a stumbling block by applying the lesson that you can learn from it.

"I Like Me"

Have you ever received one of those “surveys” that ask you about yourself: what’s your favorite food, what are you wearing at this moment, when was the last time you cried, etc. Some of the questions I have to think about because I don’t really know how to answer it- the answers are not always “cut and dry”. One question I always have trouble with is the one that asks: What do you dislike most about yourself?

That is a hard one. I really have to give some thought to it because, honestly, I like myself. I know that may sound conceded but it’s not meant to. When I say I like myself, I am not saying that I am perfect. I am not saying that I have an hour glass figure, I’m a perfect “10”, I don’t have any “character flaws”, I never say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing, or that I never mess up. I am a long way from being perfect- if you don’t believe me just ask my husband. Neither am I saying that there isn’t room for improvement in my life and that I don’t need to make some changes- physically and spiritually. I am well aware of my shortcomings.

What I am saying is that I like who I am because God likes who I am. He made me the way I am and He never makes “junk”. We are told in scripture to “love thy neighbor as thyself”. I am supposed to love myself. Not with a conceded, arrogant, prideful love, but confident in who made me and who lives within me and He is the perfect one. It is important that we find happiness with ourselves and have peace within our own skin. I didn’t make me, but God did and He designed me the way He wanted me to be, so I love what He loves… even if it is me!