Role Models

Who is your role model?  And why do you look up to this person?

Is it because they are organized and you aspire to be organized?

Do they have a lot of money, a good career, an awesome education....a beautiful family?

Do they have an amazing talent?

Webster.Com defines a role model as this:

a person whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others.

IMITATED by others.  Who do you "imitate"?  Usually what you imitate is based on who or what influences you.  This is tricky. Some people spend most of their adult lives battling what influenced their childhood.  You have to be careful when deciding if the role model(s) you look up to are healthy-for-you influences or not-so-spiritually-healthy-for-you influences.

I have been thinking a lot about what not only influences me, but how I influence others.

In Titus 2, the Bible states:

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.  Instead, they should teach others what is good. These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

I hope that when people think of me-they see a woman of God that they can look up to (not perfect, but someone who works hard at doing her personal best and loves God no matter what).   I aspire to share my love for God with others and show how He has changed my life.  I continually seek and pray for relationships in my life that glorify God.  I pray for friendships with Godly women I can look up to.  

After all, even "role models" need role models-"Godly models."  I choose that healthy-for-you type influence for my life.

Some days, I feel I have to "battle" Satan-he loves to poke around with my emotions.  At these times, I refuse to let him make me feel less than I am!  I look to God for direction-pour myself into scripture, pray for continual forgiveness, seek opportunities for spiritual growth, and do the very best that I can for HIM.  

My prayer for my readers today is that you seek God AND a Godly role model in your life...not necessarily an idol (there is a difference)-and that you continually work on being the role model others can look to.  Even when its hard.

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:9  

  

Confirmation

Hey dear friends!  My last post was all about stepping out in FAITH.  And I am just sitting here reflecting-with a smile on my face-at how the last month God has shown me that by trusting in HIS plan, everything will work out even better than I could have imagined for myself.  
In my post I mentioned that I could not confirm what decisions I was trying to make-but now I can tell you...although you may have guessed...

I got a new job!  

Not just ANY job.  A job that provides more for my family, a job in which I feel appreciated and WANTED, a job that I am excited about!
And I will admit I was worried about the transition.  This isn't an easy time for switching jobs.
I stayed in scripture, poured myself into His word, and prayed deeply.

Some things that happened within this transition that confirmed God's plan for me:
1. Interview went REALLY well.  I prayed that God would help me not to stumble!
2. Offered job right away.  No waiting, worrying.  
3. A co-worker I had put on my resume actually had worked for this administrator (surprise)!
4. Administrator is a woman of God, who has children (and a love for children)!

These aren't the only indicators of God's loving hands spread over me, there were a lot more things that happened in this process that had me thinking "ONLY GOD COULD DO THIS!"  I am so thankful!  What a breath of fresh air! 

For the Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With His love, He will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Zephaniah 3:17