It's almost St. Patrick's Day. And I am, eh-hem, decidedly Irish. Ask my husband. Ask my kids. They will tell you I am, indeed, undoubtedly, very Irish.
I fight against it. It's my bane in so many ways. Being a "typical" Irish woman (if there is such a thing) and being a submissive, godly Christian woman seem to war against each other. They don't jibe well, if you know what I mean. That whole idea of taming the tongue? Well if it weren't for the Holy Spirit, I think my tongue would run non-stop and demolish everyone and everything in it's path. I'm not making light of the situation here - I am very serious. Thank God for His Spirit, and the rescue He has provided time and time again from the snares of my Irish bent!
My husband will tell you I am Irish - but he also tells me I need to embrace the aspects of my personality that are there for God's purposes and His glory. Don't-throw-the-baby-out-with-the-bath-water sort of advice. That's hard! Which parts of my Irish self do I embrace and which ones do I cast aside?
I cannot answer that question. But the Lord can, and the more I yield my life fully to Him, the more I see Him "pick and choose" which parts of my temperament to use on any give day. Does it vary from one situation to the next? Yea, surprisingly, it often does. But I'm learning that He is trustworthy and faithful to show me when I'm doing His will His way and when I'm doing His will my way. He's good like that. If He will teach me how to live in His grace and follow His leading moment by moment, He will most certainly teach you, too. Ask Him, see for yourself.
So this St. Patrick's Day I am, in many ways less Irish than I've ever been, and also more myself than ever before. One of God's amazing dichotomies. One more way He is truly awesome and hands-on involved in my life. One more way for me to be newly amazed by Him.
Be blessed as you embrace the you He wants you to be!
Day 307 done :)
Jan L. Burt
author of The Homeschooling Mothers Bible Study
I fight against it. It's my bane in so many ways. Being a "typical" Irish woman (if there is such a thing) and being a submissive, godly Christian woman seem to war against each other. They don't jibe well, if you know what I mean. That whole idea of taming the tongue? Well if it weren't for the Holy Spirit, I think my tongue would run non-stop and demolish everyone and everything in it's path. I'm not making light of the situation here - I am very serious. Thank God for His Spirit, and the rescue He has provided time and time again from the snares of my Irish bent!
My husband will tell you I am Irish - but he also tells me I need to embrace the aspects of my personality that are there for God's purposes and His glory. Don't-throw-the-baby-out-with-the-bath-water sort of advice. That's hard! Which parts of my Irish self do I embrace and which ones do I cast aside?
I cannot answer that question. But the Lord can, and the more I yield my life fully to Him, the more I see Him "pick and choose" which parts of my temperament to use on any give day. Does it vary from one situation to the next? Yea, surprisingly, it often does. But I'm learning that He is trustworthy and faithful to show me when I'm doing His will His way and when I'm doing His will my way. He's good like that. If He will teach me how to live in His grace and follow His leading moment by moment, He will most certainly teach you, too. Ask Him, see for yourself.
So this St. Patrick's Day I am, in many ways less Irish than I've ever been, and also more myself than ever before. One of God's amazing dichotomies. One more way He is truly awesome and hands-on involved in my life. One more way for me to be newly amazed by Him.
Be blessed as you embrace the you He wants you to be!
Day 307 done :)
Jan L. Burt
author of The Homeschooling Mothers Bible Study
Hi Jan! My name is Heather and I was hoping you could answer a question I have about your blog! My email is Lifesabanquet1(at)gmail(dot)com :-)
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