One Wee Spark

"Setting Boundaries" is the topic of many discussions I've had with people over the last year. Lots of people ask me how I've come to set boundaries. They want to know if it is easy, how to do it, what to expect in response, etc. It seems, from what I hear, that no one is practicing healthy boundaries and limits in their relationships. If everyone is asking me how I do it and what it's like, it would appear that I'm the only person do this. But I know I'm not. In every interpersonal relationship, a boundary exists. Some boundaries are healthy, some are lax, and some seem invisible. We "set" boundaries in those relationships where the lines are too lax, too harsh, or invisible. It's easy to think that we don't set them in other relationships, but they are there. In healthy relationships, a line exists that marks what is safe and acceptable, and what isn't; both parties know where the line is. That's not to say that we don't ha...

I have spent many hours, days, weeks, months Oh, probably even years Errantly believing that the problem was me That the heartache was my creation that the stress was my divination that the guilt was my possession that the shame was my obsession But I did not create the problem It was conceived and birthed long before I had even drawn a single breath Before I even knew who you were, let alone I The weight of the world was not my masterpiece Slaved over at the cost of your happiness I am not that big or powerful I cannot even control me Your conviction was not in my court For I would have held you even more accountable Your sentence would have likely born less leniency And the parole you enjoy now would have been banished Your badge of dishonor hung proudly upon my lapel For years and hours that time cannot recount But I have disowned it as I tried to disown your problem I was powerless to do either for so long But I own today my problems Not yours I have e...

Did you know that the most used phrase in the Bible is "Do not be afraid"? It is. And I'm only beginning to understand why. The past year has brought me to a point where I've had no choice but to face my fears. And you know what? God is always with me. He's always good. And most of my fears weren't real, and none of them were as big as I feared they were. So whatever it is you are facing right now--broken relationships, financial issues, health problems, I encourage you: "Do not be afraid!" God is with you and will be beside you. And there is nothing so sweet as the recognition of this and lounging in that blessing.