Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Small bites

When I was a little girl I had a difficult time cutting up my meat. In the world of etiquette it is not proper to cut more than two pieces of meat at a time. At least that's what I was taught. But as a child it was easier for my Mom to cut up my entire piece of meat or chicken so I could enjoy my meal and she could enjoy hers. Last night I had a delicious ribeye for dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, Texas Roadhouse. I feel so blessed to have one less than a mile from my home. We love their food! So last night as I spent time cutting into my delicious medium cooked ribeye, I thought back to how much I hated steak as a child. It was hard to chew, hard to cut and even hard for me to swallow. But when my Mom cut it into small pieces for me, it sure made it a lot easier and much more enjoyable. Small bites!

God is teaching me a lot right now. He is teaching me about myself, about others and most important He is teaching me about Him. I am overwhelmed quite often. I stress way too easily, my feelings are hurt over ridiculous things and I analyze the crud out of too much. The hardest part is the way I feel about myself at times. It's easier for me to give others a break but very difficult for me to look at my own life and have patience. Just this morning a sweet friend sent me an email that said a lot. "Oh Jesus is doing amazing things in you-can you feel it? Don't be so hard on yourself. You are a normal woman. You don't have to be a Proverbs 31 woman all in five minutes. That woman's bio was a lifetime. I am sure that there were days of being overwhelmed- but in those times you just learn to run not walk to the "ROCK". " She had no idea how those words freed me up! It's so much easier if I take it one thing at a time. The Proverbs 31 woman did not wake up one day and have her home totally spotless, breakfast on the table, quiet time already completed before anyone else was awake, and I doubt she was making fine clothes out of fine linen either. It was a process. I am sure she had days where she grumbled about her husband and I bet she had a sharp tongue at times too. But later on, she began to "get it". She understood that Jesus was her guide and with Him, she would become all that He wanted her to be. But throughout her process, I am sure she took small bites. The small bites eventually fill our tummies.

May I be a woman to write about. May I be all that God wants me to be and may I understand that this is a process. I must give myself a break and realize that this journey is a lifetime and will never be completed until I stand before Jesus. Until then...Small bites.

7 comments:

Sonya Terrell said...

once again you "wow" me Amanda. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed too lately. I am always looking into the future and it makes me lose my breath. I need to learn to take it one day at a time or in your words one "small bite" at a time.

I'm with Karen, I like it!

Christy said...

It is just amazing at the things God gives to you! I have read your posts this past week and related to each one. I am having to pray about a prayer partner for my womens bible study and I was struggling with who I wanted it to be and what God was dealing with me about it --- I wanted the easy way out. Someone who already knew things about me, not someone I was going to have to open up to and actually get rid of Pride... that is when I read what you wrote about faith and having those pray who have FAITH pray for you.. I was so convicted! Then came the "out of season" post --- God has been dealing with me that some times things are for seasons and not everything last forever... I could go into that but I'd be here forever! I hate change! Today your post hit home (AGAIN)! Thank you for being so transparent... I feel such peace knowing the things I deal with are common and I am not alone!

Dionna said...

I enjoyed finding your blog today. Great post - I too, try to be a Proverbs 31 woman in all 5 minutes. Wonderful - thought-provoking quote. I'll remember it.

Anonymous said...

*sigh* Amanda, I love this.
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

*sigh* Amanda, I love this.
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

yes, yes, yes,... Put Phil.1:6 in your heart. He is always at work. I thank Him for the process. Sometimes it gets hot as we sit at the refiner's feet. But soon we will come out shining like silver.
Love you .Keep warm this weekend.

Anonymous said...

Oh yes! I love this one (like all the rest). But, your so right, we need to take those "small bites". I know sometimes I may stumble or go about something the wrong way, and it makes me feel like a complete failure. I just need to remember to take those "small bites" and when I fail or stumble, I know He's always there to pick me up and help me along the way. Thanks!