Mama's Wings

n my quiet time the other day, I was reading a little book called Today is Your Best Day by Roy Lessin. He was talking about how God uses the term "wings" as a way of demonstrating his presence, protection, covering, and strength. I was struck by the similarities to how we feel about our mama wings. The summer after my divorce, when my oldest two were going off to college and my youngest and I were moving to another state, I convinced them to give me a week - just us - no schedule, phones, friends, or distractions. I am pretty sure I said something like, "I need my chicks about me, under my wings, before we all scatter." I am using some of Mr. Lessin's word pictures - they are lovely and as moms we are an extension of God's love to our kids.

We use our wings to shield and provide relief. We can't hide them from every trial (nor would we want to) but we can be a buffer and a safe haven for them to come home to when we open our wings.

Our wings pull our kids close to our heart and into our care. When they are close we can hear their cry, get in touch with their need, and feel their heartbeat. It is there that we are close enough to whisper to each other. Just this afternoon I was snuggling my 1 year old grandson. As he closed his eyes I whispered, "Your grandma is utterly, wildly, crazy, head-over-heels in love with you." He didn't open his eyes, but he smiled around his pacifier.

Read the rest of the article and post your memories of your own Mama's wings and how you protect, cover and strengthen your chicks.
Blessings,
Beth

Yes to Stress - NO to DIStress

We’ve all heard the term “stress management”. Stress comes from many sources and takes many forms and it DOES impact us. No matter how organized, flexible, or laid back we are, sooner or later we get stressed. Life happens - but we can learn some effective ways to cope with the stressors in our lives.

Stress is both good and bad. Good stress can excite and motivate us. It keeps us engaged in the world. We know we get bored when stress levels are too low and nothing much is required of us. A task or an event can cause some anxiety, that jumpy feeling in our stomach, and keep us awake at night – but it can also sharpen our thinking and boost our energy. We get fired up! We love the challenge!

The bad stress is the kind that causes distress and includes three components: the things that cause distress, like danger or illness; the internal negative feelings, such as worry, anger, depression; and the physical or biological changes, including increased heart and respiration rates, headaches, or stomach upset. When stress levels are too high for too long it becomes distress and emotional and physical damage begins to occur. Our goal is to find the right level of energizing stress and avoid disabling distress. A place to begin is to see distress as a signal to change our thinking or behavior – to realize that our responses are not serving us.

Have you heard the phrase “Change your thinking, change your life”? It contains much truth. No circumstance or event has meaning until we make an interpretation and attach meaning. Stress does not exist outside of you. It happens inside your mind and body and you are completely in charge of your stress level. We can’t choose our circumstances, but we can choose our response to them and prevent becoming distressed. Remember, circumstances change and this, too, shall pass.

We will talk more about stress next week. In the meantime ask yourself:
- What perceptions/interpretations do I have that increase stress levels?
- Where do I experience distress in my body?
- What negative coping mechanisms do I use?

Try experimenting with your self talk. Instead of saying, “When ________ happens I get furious!” try saying, “When _________ happens I feel mildly annoyed.” Notice what happens inside yourself when you change the level of stress with your language. Observe your responses this week and let me know what happens.

If you are experiencing distress and feel overwhelmed, call or e-mail. Let’s talk about it. Check out the website for more information and a free Stress Assessment

TAKE THE STAGE!

Some of life's very best gifts come to us in the midst of the most difficult circumstances. My divorce, which was on my list of the worst things that could happen, created the space and opportunity for me to examine myself and to learn and grow in amazing ways. It will forever be a great sadness and loss in my life AND one of the finest blessings of my life. Aren't trials and challenges often like that? And do you notice how the things that we are sure are the worst possible - when they happen - are not as bad as we had imagined? The fear of the thing is worse than the reality of the thing.

I once read a story about the brilliant Italian violinist, Paganini. One evening, as he stepped on stage to thunderous applause, he realized there was something wrong with his violin. At first he thought it was just not his best instrument, but soon discovered it was not his at all. He was frozen for a moment, then turned to the audience and told them there had been a mistake and he did not have the right violin. He quickly went back stage and his worst fears were affirmed. His violin had been taken and the one he held in his hands, a significantly inferior instrument, had been left in its place.
Paganini dropped his head and closed his eyes. After a moment of silence he returned to the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen", he said, "I will now demonstrate to you that the music is not in the instrument but in the soul." What flowed from that violin, via Paganini's soul, held the audience captive in its depth and beauty. It was later reported that it had been one of his finest performances.

What music is filling your soul? What longing floats to the surface, gets stuck, then floats back down to remain unsettled for another day? What fear keeps you from stepping out in faith and confidence?

I am fairly certain that if I had been in Paganini's situation; renowned as one of the most accomplished violinists in the world, expected to perform as such, without my beloved and familiar instrument, shocked and furious that mine had been stolen (an extremely expensive one at that) - I would not have responded as he did. I would not have risen to the occasion with one of the best performances of my life. As I write that, I also am fairly certain that I could have. There IS music in my soul. I AM a woman of strength. I CAN visualize myself feeling the fear and doing it anyway. I can SENSE a stellar outcome. Can't you too? Don't you KNOW, somewhere deep inside, that you are MEANT to?

My invitation to you, and to myself, is to stop and take a deep breath, find that centered place of trust and courage, of faith and confidence and step onto the stage. TAKE THE STAGE knowing that your circumstances are meaningless. They don't define or confine you. They are present to grow you. They are here now to draw you higher. Don't stop. Beauty and God's glory lay waiting in your soul. Take the stage and let your music flow.

Blessings,
Beth
p.s. It is my honor and privilege to coach you to that place where your soul lets loose the melody it is holding.
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