April 1st means more to me than April Fools Day. It's the kick off of my annual Birthday Month. And just in case I'm not clear, let me clarify......it's MY birthday month, celebrating ME! No, it's not just ONE day, like my husband gets for his birthday (which is ten days after mine), it's a WHOLE month.
Now if you don't know me well, let me just say that I am the baby of seven children and any stereotypes that one would generally associate with the youngest child all apply to me. Yep, I'm the baby...even at the age of 43, (I mean 29) it still is very evident (at least that's what my family says.) Now....back to me and my birthday month.... (you see, youngest child syndrome). Another characteristic about me that some people find surprising is that I am extremely shy, introverted and really struggle with a bit a social anxiety. Going out of the house and into social settings is terrifying for me. I hesitate too admit the amount of events I have ducked out of, left early from, or just all out avoided because of the anxiety of being around people. I think this is hard for people to understand since what I do for a vocation calls me to be in front of people, on a stage, talking, sharing and ministering to people. Yet, here I stand, touched with a bit of anxiety. What does this have to do with my birthday. EVERYTHING! Like I said before, my birthday month is all about me. It's all about me getting outside of me, all about me loving, all about me serving, all about me reaching out to others even when every ounce of me wants to hide in my home where it is safe and stress free. So, just a heads up...someone check in with me in 20 years and make sure I have not turned into a hermit! Is my social anxiety rational?...NO, yet, it is something that I have to battle consistently. So there it is. Birthday month IS all about me, not thinking about what holds me back...making the steps to be social...socially awkward all be it, but still social. It's all about me celebrating the life God has given me and the joy that overflows so that I can fellowship with the amazing people God has put in my life. This is that month that it's all about me catching up on the "Let's do coffee sometime" conversations and actually make a date to do coffee! This is the month that it's all about me giving of myself until it hurts. This is the month that it's all about me loving the way God has called me to love. This is the month that it's all about me going to that party I was invited to and not making excuses. Yes, friends. This is my birthday month. This is the month that it's all about me! Sometimes we need a pivotal month to remind us how God calls us to live each day. Maybe it's just me, but I have a feeling others may struggle with the same thing! So Happy Birthday Year to all of us! Love you in the Lord! Mia
0 Comments
I have two elbows and chances are that you do to. Let me tell you a little about my elbows...... Recently I was on a photo shoot with a friend and brother in Christ that I admire. No matter what, I can always count on him. For instance, I was suppose to meet with a photographer early one morning and because of certain circumstances he had to cancel 60 minutes after we were suppose to start. Well, I was showered, dressed, make up on and hair done. I was still good to go! Naturally, not wanting to waste a good hair day, I called my buddy, Randy, and he packed up his gear, scouted out areas with me and we shot at four locations. At the last location he asked if I had any CD's to give to the people whose space and property we LITERALLY invaded (in fact we did that at all three sites, but that's how we roll) and I said "No, I don't have any, I normally have them, but....." As I continued to explain to him the reason He said "Mia, those are just excuses. Excuses are like elbows everybody's got two of 'em." That shut me up. He was right. I was unprepared. For all the times I pack my CD's just in case I have an opportunity to share them with someone, I failed. I was NOT prepared and what I needed to do was NOT make excuses. But, now, every-time I walk out of the house I think a bit more quickly to myself about grabbing some spare CD's in case the lady at the grocery store tells me she likes music and I am able to just give her a CD. When people speak the truth to me, I may pout my lip for a moment, but my heart hears, receives and becomes all the wiser and more aware. Some people thrive on affirmation, I thrive on loving reproof. I thrive on people pointing out my weaknesses so I can be better. Several years ago I was at a place in my life, music and ministry where I desired so deeply to have someone who would just tell me the truth and stop telling me that everything I did was good. By the grace of God, He sent those people in my life...... people that recognized I needed help, guidance, direction, honest feedback and a swift kick in the butt.
Some of it came from my friend, Mark, who is a gifted songwriter. He saw that I needed stronger songs to sing. And so He allowed me to sing my heart through his music. He offered to work with me on the songs I was writing so we could make them better. My ministry needed someone like him and I am so grateful. Some of it came from my producer who worked with me on the last two Tree Hill Collective Recordings. OK, he may have made me cry, but that's mostly because He speaks so much truth, pushes me harder than I have ever been pushed, challenges me on the words and notes that I sing and does not let me slack. He tells me to deal and accept certain things and face others things head on. He does not let me cower. I thrive on that. Last week as I was leading worship at a church. I could hear His voice in my head "Why are you singing that song" "What does that mean" "Who are you singing to" "You sound like you don't care" "Did you just belch in the microphone?" Having him speak truth in my life challenges me everyday to stay focused on why I do what I do and who I am doing it for. It keeps my eyes fixed on Jesus the author and perfector. I am a better worship leader, piano player, singer, writer and leader because of what the people in my life have dared to do for me....speaking truth in love, the hard not so fun truth. I love it. I need it. Do I accept it easily all the time? No, sometimes I pout my lip, sometimes I walk out, sometimes I cry, (my husband, Bob, knows this best as He is my biggest truth-giver) but just about every time, I come back a whole lot stronger and a whole lot wiser than I was when I first started. For that I thank these brothers in Christ. I could not walk this road without them! So it leads me to this. If I appreciate truth so much and the fact that people dare to give it to me, am I loving people the same way by speaking truth to them? For me the answer lately has been yes, but it has been hard. And when it is difficult, I just remember how much I desire truth and desire to do the same for others as God leads me. #LoveGodLoveOthers Who loves you in truth and who are you loving the same way? ![]() I just finished speaking and singing at a Women's event in New York. It was amazing. The hospitality, the love and the whole day were so well thought out, prayed over and executed. I was able to share my story, encourage others to tell theirs, sing, fellowship and pray with several women. In response, I got to hear many stories of how God was working in their hearts and I love that. People often feel comfortable sharing with me at these events especially since I have just bared my soul in front of the masses and I honor that. I pray and as God directs me I speak truth. It's a joy to walk along side women in that moment as God peels away layers of hurt, bitterness and shame. Today, because of the boldness the Spirit gave me and probably also a bit of jet lag and lack of filter, my response to someones sharing of all the things they were doing that were out of God's will was a simple....."STOP IT!" Every situation that was explained to me, the response was the same "STOP IT!" As I think about it, it may seem harsh, but I know that the greatest gift my husband gave me when I was doing things that were clearly out of God's will was "Stop it!" From there, it's on me. I was told. So, I felt like sharing that same gift (along with other counsel...accountability partners, the Word of God, prayer) with my new neighbor. Situations are different...addictions are tough, I know. BUT, sometimes, there are are situations where we just need to stop it and stop acting a fool! *DISCLAIMER~ There is a good chance after I sleep for a few days, that I might re-think this post, but what's the fun in that. #SayItLikeYouMeanIt "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 #Truth I'm not sure, but the fact that I was watching this video the other week, may have contributed to my new counseling tips. Enjoy, have a laugh! and if you are doing something you shouldn't.... #StopIt We live in an age of auto-correct. We type, we do not proof and then we hit post, just to find out the Auto-Correct Genie has struck again (at least this is the story of my life.) The good thing is that we can normally figure out what people meant to say and simply blame it on the auto correct genie.
I find it funny that my phone changes God to good and good to god. The word Instagram got changed to undrafted on Facebook the other day, but I think Facebook did that one on purpose. I have to admit I have had some very embarrassing attacks from the AC-genie that I won't share here (hence, the word embarrassing.) But, sometimes I find the irony of the AC-genie quite inspiring. She makes me look at things differently. One of my favorites was when I was emailing a friend of mine discussing the fact that someone threw the verse about women are to "remain silent" in church at me regarding me sharing and "teaching" (NOT going to go into that now, because that's not the point, so don't get me started.) However, it auto corrected/spell checked itself to: women are to "Remain SENT." When I replied to my friend about what I meant to type, he pointed out that the truth was that we ARE to remain SENT! So thank you to the AC-genie for reminding me that I am to remain sent to do God's will, to answer His call. Hard to do that with my mouth shut and without the Word of God. Now, what really got me rolling on this today was the latest AC-genie attack. My friend commented on Facebook about the fact that I was so excited to see her last night that I (literally) picked her up. She said it was "do special." I'm guessing what she meant was that it was "SO special." I like DO SPECIAL! My motto for this day is DO SPECIAL. Special is as special does. Special moments are created when we act, when we love, when we do. That, my friend, is pretty special. So as it says in James 1:22 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." Let's go DO Special! Do Love! Do what it says! God Bless! |
The BlogA collection of writings from a life based on the truth that about midnight anything can happen. AuthorAs an imperfect servant of the Lord, I often feel I am fumbling my way through life, looking upward for guidance and outward to love. So, I write about it, to break up the noise in my head. Categories
All
Archives
May 2024
|