Free to be Me

January 1st, 2012
This morning my alarm went off at 6am just like every other day, but this time, the music played.  I must have inadvertently hit the “music” button instead of the “alarm” button the night before.   As I was straining to open my eyes, a song came on the radio and somehow, I had a whole new outlook.  As I listened to the lyrics of the song, I found myself substituting words to fit my life….  I added my own “lyrics” in parenthesis:     

Free to be me by Francesca Battistelli:

At twenty [fifty] years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender [Single Parenthood, Divorce]
Got a couple rips in my jeans [Job loss, Bankruptcy, ]
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me [BLESSED]

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender [Obesity, Extreme weight loss]
Got a couple rips in my jeans [Anemia; Cancer]
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me [FAITH-FILLED]

And you’re free to be you

Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though…

I got a couple dents in my fender  [Depression, Low Self-Esteem]
Got a couple rips in my jeans [Loss of Friends; Grief-stricken]
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me [HAPPY]

What would your lyrics look like?  I will be listening to music from now on………

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6

Peace to you in this New Year,         Lauren

Prayers for Financial Wisdom

Where your Treasure is, there wil your heart be also."  ~Matthew 28:6

PRAYERS FOR FINANCIAL WISDOM - JANUARY 2012
SUNDAY	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY
1  God, I pray for your guidance and wisdom as I manage my finances.  Psalm 25:4-5	2  God, help me to plan ahead and establish sensible goals for my future. Luke 12:7	3  God, help me reconsider my definition of success. Proverbs 30:8	4  God, guide my family to establish a budget, and in it set a regular plan for giving. Luke 6:38	5  God, remind me that everything I have comes from you and that I am only a steward of your gifts. Proverbs 3:9-10	6  God, support my efforts to give ten percent or more of my income to the church. Genesis 14:20	7  God, teach me to distinguish between needs and wants and to spend my time and money accordingly. Hebrews 13:5
8  God, guide my efforts to plan for my future without hoarding for my future. Matthew  6:34	9  God, help me never make decisions motivated by fear and financial insecurity. Malachi 3:10	10  God, do not let me be fooled into thinking wealth brings happiness. Ecclesiastes 5:11	11  God, help me to follow John Wesley’s advice:  Make all I can, save all I can, and give all I can. 2 Corinthians 9:11	12  God, never allow me to gain money at the expense of others.  Proverbs 10:2	13  God, teach me to be frugal and careful in my spending, even on the necessities.  Philippians 4:19	14  God, inspire and enable business owners to pay employees a fair salary. Ecclesiastes 3:13
15  God, help me consider all options deeply and prayerfully before choosing to take on debt. Romans 13:8	16  God, enable my church to find a balance between money spent on our place of worship and money spent on our mission. Malachi  3:10	17  God, help me to remember that when I fail to tithe, it is a spiritual problem, and not a financial problem. Job 31:24-28	18  God, as I fulfill my pledge to our church, help me remember the gifts the church has given me and will give others. Exodus 36:3-5	19  God, remind me that how I spend money is a powerful indicator of my values. Matthew 6:21	20  God, may my spending and giving habits set a good example to my children. Psalm 41:1	21  God, thank you for the hands that put my monetary giving into action! Hebrews 6:10
22  God, remind me of all the people who grow the food I eat, sew the clothes I wear and deliver the products I consume. Ephesians 5:20	23  God, teach me to be satisfied and fulfilled by my life, regardless of my income. Isaiah 58:10	24  God, provide a way for those on limited budgets and fixed incomes to be comfortable and secure. Psalm 12:5	25  God, see past my excuses and lead me to be gracious and generous and giving. 1 Timothy 6:7	26  God, help me to realize that the only way to gain true financial security is by trusting in you. Proverbs 3:5-6	27  God, help me to make meaningful career choices rather than frantically pursuing wealth.  1 Timothy 6:6	28  God, help me see the contrast between the barrage of ads and marketing with the silent, poor and needy around me. 1 John 3:17
29  God, help me apply your principals of stewardship in every aspect of my life. Luke 21:3-4	30  God, teach us that tithing is not a painful chore, but is a very rewarding practice. Genesis 28:22	31  God, stop me from judging others based on my perception of their income, possessions, or wealth. Matthew 6:3	790 Minnesota Ave, Suite 500         Big Lake, MN  55309              763-242-5321   www.NewDay-Umc.org