Advice, anyone?

I've shared this site with family and friends. I also know there are people who read this who have never met me or that I don't see in person very often. The way my personality is and why I do things is individual to how God made me. As a result some people may understand/ agree with choices I make and some will not. That's where satan can get a foothold with gossip, labeling and stereotyping. As an introvert, these outcomes are my worst case scenario. I believe if you come here you are somewhere on the curiosity and care spectrum in regard to me and my life. It may be the journey to have a child and your own experiences with that, the celiac, being young(it's my blog, I can call me that) and married for just a few years.

What ever the case may be, I know I read other people's and at times worry about what I read. Wondering in regard with what ever they are going if they are all right. I may also be sad that they may be hurting by what concerns, fears of adversity is in their life. In the end I know God has them in His hand. If I know them well enough I would approach with love and truth. This would occur after a couple of events had occurred. First and foremost pray that God's words come out of my mouth and not my own agenda. I would then ask many questions so I more fully understand what they are going through. Approach someone with courage and sensitivity that I could still be wrong.

What this outlet allows me to do is delve in to my own heart, write it out until I've got nothing else to say and then walk away. I can then lead the life God leads me to with maybe my burden a bit lighter because I feel like I've gotten something that might have been weighing on my heart out of my system. I don't share here for sympathy, pity or drama. I try to portray the truth of what I'm feeling in a responsible mature way refraining from exaggerations and drama to the best of my abilities. When I share something painful and that's the only glimpse in to my life you receive for that day/ week I would think it's natural for you to believe I stay in that state. I do not, God has placed in all of us an incredible resiliency due to His hope and joy through the Holy Spirit.

I've watched my family hurt and react to the multiple losses in our family with varying degrees of concern and hurt for them, ranging from the worry to shaking my head. Neither is supportive or positive and doesn't help me or the person struggling. I can't lead their life for them and I haven't made all the right choices or decisions either, so I believe the best thing I can do is love and support them. I should not judge their pain and reaction because it's not mine. Maybe it does look different than what I think I would do. I have sought counseling in the past for various hurtful circumstances that have occurred in my past. I have the utmost respect for counseling services. Should I wish to seek some one's professional unbiased opinion for assistance to guide me through a difficult situation I would do it without shame. I am not at this time. Not because I am superwoman or am afraid of admitting help. The Lord has not placed that on my heart at this time. My first counselor is Christ and the peace and guidance I receive from having a relationship with Him.

Everyone has external stresses in their life. We all live on earth and it will never be perfect and as we wish it would be. I have always had the philosophy to make the best of what ever life has handed me. I don't want to spend the precious time on earth complaining and wishing things were different. Unsolicited advice is a touchy area, isn't it? What if you really believe I'm not seeing something that you do in my life? I am very free with my opinion, when asked it may be some time before the other person has a chance to speak again. When not asked??? I believe there has to be love and trust in a relationship so that the truth doesn't come across as judgmental or condemning. Done in a way to really help the person can be incredibly effective. Done via email, phone or through a third person or someone I don't have that ground work laid and I risk coming across as self-righteous. Truth without love is too hard and yet love without truth is too soft.

I can handle the truth even if it says something I'm not doing something right, I don't pretend I am perfect. I welcome feedback and comments. If you don't want to place it here for public view, please feel free to email, call or talk with me. We are going through stressful situations, that's just a fact and if I didn't think other people had something helpful, genuine, and Godly to say, I wouldn't share it at all. These situations are opportunities to glorify God, to learn more about ourselves and other people. We know our lives will never be completely free of tough decisions. These times not only test character but reveal it as well.