Work It Out, Girl !

It has been a long time since I have posted. It has been a tough few months. It has taken all my time and energy to survive. You know what I am talking about. I know you have been there. Only God's grace and mercy has brought me through.

Now, I know you are curious about the title of this post. I have two forms of therapy that are very useful to me when I am feeling like a failure as a mom or a housekeeper (which has been quite a bit lately). This is very spiritual so listen closely. As I heard on some commercial, I hope you have an unbrella cause it is about to rain some cold, hard facts up in here. When I begin to think that I am a terrible mom, I watch "Toddlers & Tiaras" or "Dance Moms". When I begin to feel like a failure at keeping a moderately cleanish house, I watch "Hoarders". Afterwards, I feel refreshed and encouraged. Everything is not relative, but if it were, I could watch these shows and walk away feeling like a cross between Ruth Graham and Martha Stewart. Of course, it doesn't take long for me to fall (literally) off of that pedestal.

Anyway, if you have ever watched "Toddlers & Tiaras", you have heard that phrase shouted a million times - "Work It Out, Girl !". It is shouted by a worldly, mis-guided, prideful mother to the selfish, conceited, but beautiful brat that she created who is on stage. The phrase is an order.....encouragement for her daughter to shake her hiney, display as many of her fake teeth as possible, and to flirt with the judges. It is hilarious and yet tragically sad that these are real people.

That phrase made me think of some verses. Philippians 2:12b-13 says "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose". Verse 14 is a whole different blog. Verse 12 is not saying that we work to earn our salvation. It is a free gift. There is nothing we can do to earn it. It is totally a God-thing. I love the way my favorite preacher explained it. "Let what is inside of you work it's way to the outside". In fact, if the Holy Spirit is living inside of you, then He will work His way to the outside. People will see by the way you talk, live, love, and serve. Too often, though, we get so wrapped up in things that have no eternal value that we do not consciously work out our salvation. It is tragic to see women who are so wrapped up in how they look, what kind of car they drive, the house they live in and how it is decorated, how their children are dressed, what everyone thinks about them that they don't seem to give any time or even any thought to growing in their walk with God, ministering to other people, giving to those who need it instead of spending extra money on a nicer car or more things, and on and on.

I am not saying I've got it all together. I challenge myself in this area as I challenge you and when I say this, rest assured that I am not telling you to have pretty feet and flash your flipper.

Work It Out, Girl ! Work out your salvation. Let everyone see it and want what you have.