There are several things on my mind and since I posted just to post earlier, I'll be a little more serious here.
I just perused through my list of frequented blogs and came across the LPM blog (Living Proof Ministries--Beth Moore). One topic really struck me. It's a survey about insecurity. All responses had to be anonymous, and women were really honest. Feel free to
check it out here.
What amazed me about this survey is how much women feel insecure! The ages are across the range and they are single/married--doesn't seem to matter. I read quite a few of the comments and they really hit a nerve in me.
I'm curious to see what Beth and LPM will do with this material. I imagine there will be a study at some point dealing with insecurity. But, in the meantime, I think I have to ask myself what I'm doing to help the women around me not feel insecure.
I'm not saying I'm personally to blame, but when you read through the comments, it is obvious that women are most insecure around other women. I completely understand this!
I posted previously about reading others' blogs and struggling to not compare myself or feel inadequate
(previous post here). I think those feelings of being inadequate come from an insecurity. I do it ALL the time. It's partly why I dislike Facebook and other such sites (including blogs sometimes) because everyone puts their pretty pictures on there and I just get jealous! I mean...I am not as thin and fit as I'd like to be, I don't take exciting trips very often, I don't have a lavish lifestyle, others' kids seem to be having more fun in life than mine are, .... I could go on, but there's no need. All you women already know it; you probably think the same things!
So, what can we do to help alleviate this some?
I think one way is to encourage others. Not cheesy encouragement, but real encouragement.
Yesterday I was bombarded with humbling encouragement by a dear sister of mine. She just poured God's soothing balm on me by telling me the sweetest encouraging words. They gave me courage to continue. They were unsolicited and overwhelming.
And, they were much needed.
What if we started telling the women in our life how incredible they are? Not a trite "I Love You" or "I appreciate you", but lengthy descriptions.
Another thing we need to regularly do is check ourselves to see if we have attitudes or thoughts about others that are ungodly. Am I always looking at others and measuring them up? Do I immediately find the good in others or the negative?
Finally, I want to try and reach out. I know we can't be friends with everyone. I don't want to spread myself thin and not be able to have deep friendships. But, sometimes we get so wrapped up in our established relationships that we don't even notice the sister who is lonely.
I want to help bridge that gap!
My heart is sad to hear that so many women struggle with insecurity. These are Christian women who know God and want to be known by Him. We should know our security in Christ and be confident in who we are in Him.
I still have lots of room to grow. At least I know I'm not alone in my struggle.
We went to the Dallas Christmas Parade this morning. We went early and met up with friends so we could get a good spot. After eating breakfast out on the curb, some of us headed back to the van to warm up. The kids watched part of a movie (thanks for the DVD player Uncle Paul & Aunt Heather!) until it was time to head back out.
We saw lots of neat clowns, elves, Santas, tv characters (like Curious George & Arthur), pageant queens, huge balloons, marching bands, and fire trucks (yeah for Asa).
We came home and began hanging lights outside on our freshly trimmed bushes (that was my job yesterday...and my hands/arms are incredibly sore). Our neighbors came outside to rake leaves so we got to chat a bit. It was an absolutely beautiful day to be outside...didn't even need a jacket by mid-day.
I also used this opportunity to play with our new digital camera. I've posted recently about our camcorder going kaput. And, our digital camera (purchased 4 years ago) has served us well but is only a 3.2 MP and has video but can't record sound. So, an early Christmas present arrived--a Canon PowerShot Elph 10MP that can record videos with sound. I would love to get a digital SLR or at least the new Canon G-10 at some point to work more on photography, but this new point and shoot will be a great addition to the Fletcher family. I've already shot a ton of videos because it's super easy to just pull it out and get a 30 second or one minute clip. I'll have to post the most hilarious video very soon. It stars none other than my queen of video...Jenna!
Practicing my bokeh skills with Asa as the subject (atop Joel's shoulders)
I love this shot of Jenna's profile. Not bad bokeh with a point and shoot!
