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Saturday, November 15, 2008

Proverbs 31 or Type A?


Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.(Jeremiah 1:5)


If I were to name something that most clearly demonstrates God's greatest creative abilities, I'd have to choose: the human personality! The differences in personality traits around us abound. We are truly "set apart" and different from one another. I am amazed at just how many different types we can encounter in a single day. If you're a parent, you probably deal with several very different personalities even before breakfast. And, at the office, you'll likely engage a few 'lively" ones before your coffee kicks in.

Oh Lord, how many and varied are Your works! (Psalm 104:24)


The one personality type that I am most familiar with, of course, is my own . . . the ever lovely, insanity producing, "Type A" variety. (And just for fun, add a little "first born female" to the brew.) 'Type A's' can be production machines. They check off the lists, make little children march in straight lines, and watch the clock so as not to waste even a single moment. (Just the thought of it makes husbands everywhere begin to twitch . . . with good reason.)

The interesting thing is that many women, regardless of the actual personality type they were born with, will begin to morph into "Type A's" after a few years of marriage and/or motherhood. No one understands the actual science behind this transformation, and for the most part, it's not a problem. In fact, a woman with this personality type can sometimes multi-task on so many levels that she is able to keep not only her own family in working order, but it is suspected that her excess energy somehow aids the planets in maintaining their orbits. (The jury is still out on that, but I believe it.)

There is, however, one downfall to being a person who posseses this 'bring-home-the-bacon-fry-it-up-in-a-pan, Type-A', "Who needs rest?" ' personality. She can become so driven, so single-minded in serving the people in her life that she forgets that she needs to be nurtured herself. She can forget that in order to maintain her high-octane life, she needs a fill-up now and then. She dutifully and joyfully tends to the daily details of the needs around her. And if her family reaches the end of the day clean, not naked, not starving, and smiling and/or happy . . . she feels good about her performance and job security. That feeling of a job-well-done can motivate us for quite a while. I think that's a good thing.

The dilemma, however, is that, Type-A, over-achieving women, tend to forget that they still need to carve out time to sit at the Savior's feet. The fact that they are able to work on and on - day after day - fueled by sheer will power and devotion . . . doesn't mean that they should or that it's good for them.

So, as the worst offender and poster child for the "I am woman, hear me roar!" crowd, I would like to issue a challenge. Before the end of the day, let's all agree to find a quiet spot (a locked bathroom or minivan will do) and sit for a few quiet minutes with the One who longs to fill us. Let's agree to wait and hear from the One Who applauds our daily marathon, and would like to tell us so. No laundry list of needs and prayers and rambling thoughts (that might just be me). Just quietly, peacefully, enjoying the presence of God.

Be still and know that I AM God.

We can do it ladies! (and gentlemen!) Of all the things that really matter to our Father, being alone and intimate with His children, hits the very top of His list. And as an added bonus, being in the presence of Almighty God, will change us, mold us, calm us, adjust our perspective, purify us and make us more like . . . Him!

And since He doesn't have to worry so much about the planets and their orbits these days, He's got a little extra time. Can He pencil you in?

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
(Psalm 62:5)


Father, more than anything, we want to meet with You. We want to see Your face. We want to hear your words. We want to be changed in your presence. We know it's what we were created for. So we ask You, God of all creation, to meet with us, strengthen us, change us and equip us for this day You have placed before us. May all of it bring glory to You and may it please you. We ask these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus.

Love,
Your Girls


In Him...


Visit Darnelle at her personal blog: All Things Work Together...

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9 Comments:

Blogger Denise said...

Bless you dear one.

November 15, 2008 at 1:07 AM  
Blogger Lori said...

Oh that was such a timely post! I'm going nuts here with to-do lists and the such. What a blessing this was!! Thank you for sharing it!!!

November 15, 2008 at 7:48 AM  
Blogger lori said...

WHERE do you hide...you really MUST be lurking behind some shower curtain.

"the ever lovely, insanity producing, "Type A" variety. (And just for fun, add a little "first born female" to the brew.) 'Type A's' can be production machines. They check off the lists, make little children march in straight lines, and watch the clock so as not to waste even a single moment."

The good news is that I HAVE learned to BE STILL everyday and MEET HIM....US type A's need it even more, huh...

This is fabulous Darnelle...I gotcha...especially adding in the "first born" stuff...:)

Thank YOU for the reminder...I'm printing this one out!

Hugs!
lori

November 15, 2008 at 6:24 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for the reminder...

November 16, 2008 at 5:36 AM  
Blogger Lori said...

SO timely and always a great reminder!
Thanks, Darnelle!
God bless ~
Lori

November 16, 2008 at 5:55 AM  
Blogger Joanne Sher said...

Oh, AMEN! That time alone with the Father does more than anything to get us through those crazy days and nights. Thank you for this!

November 16, 2008 at 6:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just came upon this sight recently. God is at work- If I might say...
What a reminder. It is amazing how God comes calling at just the right time. I have set aside 3:00 as my time with God and recently told a friend that I have been cheating and finding myself coming earlier. It is amazing how us type A's always run around constantly thinking it needs to be done now and guess what? I still seem to get it all done -even spending time with God!!!:)
Many Blessings-Angela

November 16, 2008 at 8:12 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

Hey friend, I loved this.. I used to be Type A and then Papa got ahold of me.... I have no idea what type I am now...but thankfully He does.

The stillness is unlike anything I have ever experienced before...there's just nothing like it. I went kicking and screaming though..."Put aside my lists?" "How do I do that?" I don't even have a grocery list anymore, just a piece of paper with things we are out of... It's amazing this transformation!

Love ya,
Julie

November 16, 2008 at 2:03 PM  
Blogger Christi S said...

This reminds me of a song we're singing in our cantata that says,"Come make a place/the shape of your love alone/Come make a place/Come make my heart Your home/Jesus, I'm empty without You/And You're everything I need...

He does long to meet us! Thanks for the reminder!

November 17, 2008 at 6:35 AM  

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