Friday, July 20, 2012

I'm sick of defending who I'm not

Footsteps in the wrong direction 
Claiming my identity
Hide my face from your expression 
While the world takes hold of me

I'm sick of pretending 
This is who I am
I'm sick of defending
Who I am not

Guide my feet 
Let my eyes see only you
Take my heart
I'm falling back on you

Consequences for my defeat 
Unmasking the one who used to be  
Now the world sees "the real me"
My creator sees "authentic beauty"

I came across this the other day.  I wrote this at a very trying time in my life.  I didn't know who I really wanted to be.  My convictions were running my life, literally.  I was such a defensive person, and I thought I was defending what I believed in, but I was really covering up my guilt and convictions.  This is just a little piece of what I've fought through and what I have overcome.  I know that I'm not even close to being who God wants me to be, but I'm a work in progress.  

I want to encourage you today, to let God lead.  It's scary, and usually not where you feel like you want to be, but once you're in it...you won't want to leave.  For me it meant making some changes and realizing the world didn't revolve around Jody!  I was completely humbled!  Trust me to whoever is reading, it isn't always going to be easy, but it's worth it!  People will see your different, your actions will speak for themselves!  My defensiveness usually came from being "preached at", you shouldn't wear that, you shouldn't do that, you shouldn't be there...but once you let God lead your life, you'll know what to do!  

Thursday, July 12, 2012

bucket list part 1

I realize it has been a couple of months since I've posted.  I have received some feedback from people I don't know who have read my blog, and how my life experiences have impacted them in some way.  I figure if God can work through me somewhat through this, I'm open!


Have you written a bucket list?  I have, here's what I want to accomplish before God takes me home:


  • Continue to better my faith. It's simply that, faith, not religion.  
  • Keep a strong Godly marriage.  One of my greatest passions is to have a marriage like my parents have, a marriage that our future kids would attain to.  Choose to stay in love forever. 
  • Have a family - I have always wanted 4 kids. 
  • Overcome my fear of failure
  • Overcome my emetophobia 
  • Learn to sew & knit
  • To love the way Jesus loves
  • Skydive and/or bungee jump
  • To become friends with as many non-Christians as I can
  • Be on the Price is Right
  • Catch fireflies in a jar
  • Ride on a gondola through the canals of Venice
  • Visit the Grand Canyon 
  • Go on an Alaskan Cruise
  • Finish our basement 
  • Leave my hand prints in wet cement
  • Learn how to snowboard
  • Go to a drive-in with my hubby
  • Continue to have 1 date night a week, even after we have kids
  • Live in the country somewhere with a wraparound porch
  • To smile everyday
  • Always give people the benefit of the doubt
  • Make someone's day
  • Pay for someone's groceries
  • Live a life, I would want my kids to live
  • Be nice to someone who is being rude
  • Pay off all our debt
  • Ride in a hot air balloon 
  • Have my hubby teach me how to ride a motorcycle 
  • To ALWAYS stand up for what I believe - even when it's hard.  Still working on this one.
  • Lead someone to Christ
These are just some of the things I have accumulated throughout the years from my journal.  Maybe I'll do a Part 2.