Brigette Wagner Ministries

  

I remember as a teenager being an extreme perfectionist.  The high school I attended was only 2 blocks away from our house, but I was late almost everyday.  I wasn’t late because I overslept or “dilly-dallied” around.  I was late because it took me over 3 hours everyday to style my hair and put on my make-up.  I would get up at 5:00am, shower, style my hair, and put my make-up on.  Then, I would do it all over again(always a minimum of twice, sometimes three times) before going to school.

As the years went by, my “morning frenzy” settled down a little, my need to be “perfect” didn’t.  I NEVER went out of my house without makeup (for the record, I still don’t); I was always dressed to perfection (my motto being “it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed); and I always strived for people’s approval (I didn’t just want it….I NEEDED it!).

Thankfully, God is patient and merciful!  Through the years, He has helped me overcome in this area of my life.  I finally understand that I am “marvelously and wonderfully made” with a unique plan and purpose.  I believe His Word that tells me I am an overcomer by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony(Revelation 12:11).  I understand the Scripture in Proverbs that says, “The power of life and death are in the tongue.”

I also understand that the ONLY approval I need is HIS!

Each one of us has a choice:  To be a victim or a victor.  Some practical steps to overcoming self-image issues are:

• Renew Your Mind:  Find Scripture that supports God’s awesome plan and purpose for your life.
• Make a List:  List at least 5 things you like about yourself.  You CAN do this!  These things can be related to your personality, your looks, your talents, your giftings, etc.
• Affirm Yourself:  Look in the mirror every day for the next six weeks and tell yourself (aloud) the things that you wrote on your list.  Speak forth God’s Word over yourself and your family.
• Be You:  Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.  God didn’t clone you….He created you!  You are beautiful in His sight!

You may feel a little foolish when you first begin following these steps.  But if you’ll follow them diligently, over time, it will change your life!

You have a lot to be thankful for!  You were created to be victorous!

**Photo above taken from www.freefoto.com

  “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts my head”.  ~Psalm 3:3 

I love the commercial that has the tag-line “Wanta Get Away?”.  There was another one , years ago, with the tag line, “Calgon, Take Me Away!”.  Ever felt like that?

As a wife and mother of two girls (13 & 10 years old), I am a cook, a server, a housekeeper, a chauffeur, a doctor, a chaperone, a teacher (we homeschool), a preacher, a friend, a counselor, a fashion coordinator, a hair stylist, and a drill sargeant!

Many of you can relate to what I’m saying.  We go and do all the time and - as mothers should do – most often take care of everyone else before being concerned with our own needs or desires.  That’s not a bad thing, in and of itself; however, if we don’t take time to “stop and smell the roses” each and every day, we can easily get so caught up in “the doings” that we miss the beautiful gifts God gives us. 

I looked at my children this morning, sleeping peacefully, and thought to myself, “I wish I could take today and simply stay in my pj’s, turn the phones off, cuddle with my kids all day, and take a “mini-vacation” without ever leaving my home.  Truthfully, today is filled with so many commitments that I’m unable to that.  But it’s important to take those “mini-vacations” every once in a while. 

The great thing about those days – they cost you nothing but you gain so much!

As our children grow older, it’s not the money we spend on them that they’ll remember….It’s the time we spend with them that they’ll never forget!  As our marriages mature, it’s not the big house or the expensive cars that hold them together….It’s the time invested in becoming each other’s best friend that keeps us together “’til death do us part”.

Friends, it’s easy to pile too many things on your plate.  I am “the master piler”, so I completely understand how it happens.  But I want to encourage you today to “set the tone in your home”.  Teach your children the importance of family time by giving them your time.  Teach them the importance of forever marriages by investing time in yours.