Happiness Vacuum

Have you seen the commercial for an insurance company where someone is driving around, and all the sudden people are stuck to their car, and then someone says "Those are rate suckers"?  The point of the commercial is that with some insurance companies you have to pay more even if you're a good driver to make up for the bad ones.  

I was having a conversation today, and I said some people just feed on anger.  It's like it brings them happiness in some sick sort of way.  And they love to feed on people that are actually happy.  They are "happiness suckers".  

It's like they take pleasure in being miserable, and want everyone around them to be as miserable as they are.  So they try to suck the happiness out of you!

But I refuse!  I refuse to let those people bring me down!  I will not let their actions determine my reaction.  I will be in control of myself!  If they want to be mad and miserable, that's their problem.  I don't like it.  I know they could be happy if they were looking in the right places.  But I refuse to let them win.  I refuse to be brought down just b/c they are.  

So if you are have someone that tries to suck the happiness from your life like a vacuum, don't let them!  Pray for them, love them, and encourage them.  But don't give in to them.  And you might even consider letting them go from your life.  People that are always trying to bring you down, aren't true friends.  Of course, if they are family you are stuck with them.  But that doesn't mean you have to sink to their level.  And you might need to take a break from them.  Let them deal with their issues.  But don't get caught up in their cycle of anger and meanness.  

Focus on all the good in your life!  Focus on the things that bring you happiness.  And pray for them.  They need it!

HUGS!

Changes are Inevitable

Things are always changing.  We are always growing, learning, and hopefully moving forward.  So why do we get so nervous when a change comes our way?  Is it because we fear the unknown?  Probably.   

I know that's the case for me.  There are some changes that I like.  For instance this week I changed to my spring/summer purse.  Fun change!  I changed the way I organize toys in my girls' room - helpful change.  I like to change the furniture arrangements.  These are fun changes.  

But then a change comes along that is out of my control.  Something unexpected.  And I start to fear the unknown.  I start to worry about the changes.  

That's a change that also came about recently.  Things had been going along fine.  Everything was running as it should.  I was comfortable, and I knew what to expect.  

At least I thought I did...

And then my husband got called to a meeting at church...

And everything changed for us.

Now everything is going to be different.  I won't be going to the same church, serving with the same people, seeing my friends on a weekly basis, etc.  A few men decided they needed to control things that I believe are best left for God to control.  And their actions are going to cause harm to a church I had grown to love.  And we feared that their actions would hurt our family.  Not in a physical way.  But it would still hurt them just the same.

Trust me!  I was a teenage the first time I sat through an UGLY business meeting.  The kind where, as a teenager, I knew these men were acting like foolish children.   And it scarred me!  TO THIS DAY, I get knots in my stomach at the mention of business meetings.  And since that first one, I have sat through several more.  Meetings where "men of the church" act like immature, selfish, bullies!  And we wanted to spare our children that.  

So after much prayer, discussion with each other and others, my hubby and I decided it was time to move on.  God has released us from this church.  We love this church, we love it's members, but we will quietly move on to the next step in our journey.

I am scared!  I have no idea where we will end up.  Since this came out of the blue, we haven't even started thinking about where God wants us to go next.  We know He has a plan for us!  We know He will bless us!  We will trust Him to guide us in the right direction.  

We will do our best to explain all of this to our kids without hurting them or causing them to feel negative feelings towards the church.  We want them to love everyone as Christ does.  So that's what we will model for them.  

Please pray with us as we seek God's will in this journey.  Pray for us in our time of change.  I am choosing to see it as a great adventure!  I will not fear what God has for us!!  (well, I'll be nervous, but not fearful.) ;)

HUGS!!