tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post5704087739636877954..comments2024-02-02T23:18:20.621-05:00Comments on Baby Bangs: Looking for Thicker SkinAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777762608528843328noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-4574350165668277792011-03-05T13:11:32.869-05:002011-03-05T13:11:32.869-05:00Guuurrrrrrl! I love how you came fill circle and ...Guuurrrrrrl! I love how you came fill circle and figured out was God wanted you to learn. That's good stuff right there. I don't know what is wrong with people or what they are thinking when they say things sometimes. I like to think they know not what they do, but eh, I really wonder. I specifically noticed in both of my pregnancies how opinionated people are about things that are quite personal and private to me but somehow they feel they have a RIGHT to not only form an opinion but to actually share that opinion OUTLOUD to ME. PLUS, although I must admit I'm pretty thick skinned...you can talk about me and say what you want, but talk about my KIDS and there'll me some serious wrath of the Mama Bear. :)Laura SanchezQuanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02430088059695794878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-63499684192066784122011-03-04T23:43:35.613-05:002011-03-04T23:43:35.613-05:00From one thin-skinned blogger sister to another! ...From one thin-skinned blogger sister to another! My other theme verse for this is : "It is to a man's honor to overlook an offense." Prov.19:11 So sorry about your experience. I'm reminded that our first earthly ministry is to our families......kristagilbert.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13868337889276546600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-5499815114008931192011-03-04T15:56:22.787-05:002011-03-04T15:56:22.787-05:00Ouch...thanks for sharing this. I'm the wife o...Ouch...thanks for sharing this. I'm the wife of a pastor & have often been in your shoes. I've never thought of it that way...going to struggle, wrestle & grapple with this Word!Jennihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06008191928708411338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-37023599701719838542011-03-03T00:23:48.001-05:002011-03-03T00:23:48.001-05:00I too do not have thick skin and often stew for da...I too do not have thick skin and often stew for days/weeks over comments others make to my kids. Will & I try to pray together for kids who have been cruel. I hadn't thought about my anger and resentment towards them for their comments being a result of an inability (or unwillingness) to forgive. <br />This was a very convicting post!Katie - a Blessed Mommy!https://www.blogger.com/profile/16044504759538226337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-70972435814837750142011-03-01T21:38:15.076-05:002011-03-01T21:38:15.076-05:00Beautiful. Thank you.Beautiful. Thank you.Monicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12262011597245504512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-7298344111502025142011-03-01T15:13:43.545-05:002011-03-01T15:13:43.545-05:00I have a thin skin too. On top of that, I'm a ...I have a thin skin too. On top of that, I'm a 'replayer' who chews on situations with others(good or bad) and analyzes them way too much. I hadn't thought it might be a heart issue, but you're right. Thank you for being so honest!Ceciliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06295293307771882688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-32078545645745501852011-03-01T15:01:16.636-05:002011-03-01T15:01:16.636-05:00This makes me think, and I have been really thinki...This makes me think, and I have been really thinking about what ministries I'm in right now, and the fact that I have a little one, and how much time should I spend in ministry vs. taking care of little one, and I remember Priscilla Shirer saying something like all the success in the world in ministry pales in comparison to if you were a good parent or not. Yet, I hear from others that our highest devotions should be to the Lord, and what do we do with Matt. 10:37? Am I thinking about this verse correctly? I don't think those ladies should have said that and you are totally blessed to forgive freely from the heart. This post opens up ques to address for me, thankyou for sharing.<br />Blessings to you.katiegfromtennesseehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02703849303062043642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-47174465714827865442011-02-28T15:50:59.771-05:002011-02-28T15:50:59.771-05:00Wow, that was a great post! ThanksWow, that was a great post! ThanksAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08578410499158281097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-24404634674657236142011-02-28T11:47:14.054-05:002011-02-28T11:47:14.054-05:00Girl, I completely relate. But thank you from tak...Girl, I completely relate. But thank you from taking me from my selfish (I'm too sensitive)thinking to realizing I may not be able to change the attitude of others but I can strive to forgiveness and letting go. Thanks.Grumpy Pantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14326507066477330404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-83730253148153626172011-02-28T02:23:06.953-05:002011-02-28T02:23:06.953-05:00Amanda,
Your words are a wake up call for women o...Amanda,<br /><br />Your words are a wake up call for women of the faith. I have had to work on thick skin myself. The tongue can either bring joy or pain ~ life or death. <br />Prayer is the first thing I do when a crisis arises. It is also the second,third, and fourth thing I do. :)<br />Learning to memorize scripture has helped me through my sensitive personality trait and difficult moments. <br />I lean on it daily!!!<br />ABOVE ALL, GUARD YOUR HEART, FOR IT AFFECTS EVERYTHING YOU DO.<br /> PROVERBS 4:23<br />My brother shared this with me.<br />"Everything you let in through your heart's gate affects who you are and what you do. If you are a spiritually maturing person, you will post a guard that says, "Stop! Who goes there?" to the infotainment (information and entertainment) knocking relentlessly at your hearts door. Someone has to be the gatekeeper. Someone has to screen out the toxic waste and regulate the flow. <br />I learned that my "Denny's restaurant" heart was always open.<br />Amanda, I learned to be a gatekeeper to my heart. never let my guard down.<br />I have been hurt by words and comments more than I want to remember. <br />FAMILY IS NUMBER 1!!!!!!<br />NEVER EVER ALLOW ANYONE TO TELL YOU OTHERWISE.<br /><br />You are loved!Kim Safinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15759482054630964543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-18853982829457380472011-02-27T23:15:49.691-05:002011-02-27T23:15:49.691-05:00Without you and your family, where would your mom ...Without you and your family, where would your mom get all of those great illustrations for the Bible studies?<br /><br />Thanks for sharing. I have never thought of lack of forgiveness as the real issue for when we can't let go of a hurtful comment. Thank you for sharing. This one is going to take some soul searching!<br /><br />Blessings!<br />TracyWonder Womanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13006664232594287625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-91221571709560017172011-02-27T22:38:18.476-05:002011-02-27T22:38:18.476-05:00Bless her little heart for saying such a dumb thin...Bless her little heart for saying such a dumb thing.Lara G Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01948245605474728234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-9546841870644907162011-02-27T21:47:33.196-05:002011-02-27T21:47:33.196-05:00You are such a sweet sister in Christ and I can...You are such a sweet sister in Christ and I can't wait to meet you, even if it is not on this side of heaven. I have always been a tad thin skinned, so to speak. When I read your post I had let the IT guy at work RUIN my day because he was very rude and I was sensitive, so I thought. Really I was unforgiving. Your post opened my eyes. I am incredibly thankful for this. Thank you for your honesty and your openess to share.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10830824497983919404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-61794688008923817492011-02-27T21:09:42.874-05:002011-02-27T21:09:42.874-05:00I know I'm late to the party, but I just wante...I know I'm late to the party, but I just wanted to say that I think the thing I admire most about your mother is how much she loves her daughters. When I was in the Loving Well study, I sat on the back row and literally cried as she told about the experience of finding out that you were pregnant with Jackson. <br /><br />You know how everyone plays that game of who would you most like to have dinner with? Anytime I pick your mom, it's because I'd like to be mothered by her for 30 minutes, not because I'd like to spend 30 minutes picking her brain on spiritual stuff. That's great, but no, I'd want a good dose of her mothering.<br /><br />I think your mother will be remembered one day for many, many things but I think the most amazing one will be the way she loved her family.Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous!https://www.blogger.com/profile/09165074851194770660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-14809463658998149342011-02-27T09:31:27.265-05:002011-02-27T09:31:27.265-05:00Thanks, Amanda! As a family in ministry I so need...Thanks, Amanda! As a family in ministry I so needed to hear this. My husband and I jealously guard the time we have with our precious girls and it's so frustrating when someone says something so heartless! When we first came back to the states for our 10 months here, I wrote several blog posts in my head about my reactions to the rude things people would say- it made me feel better but it's probably good those things never made it to my blog! Jason and I just went to a marriage conference and one of the things we did was compare two of the passages in Matthew where God tells us how to deal with conflicts with fellow believers. ONe thing we noticed from those passages (which I can't recall the referencees off the top of my head and it's Sunday morning and I'm already almost late to church and can't go look...)- anyway, we noticed that no matter who is "at fault"in a conflict, the ball is always in our personal court as far as going and addressing the hurt. This applies to so much more than marriage I think! Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and for letting me ramble. Praying for you and your entire family and the challenges you face in ministry!Kellihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050745605541035282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-6424044312235678492011-02-27T09:15:50.754-05:002011-02-27T09:15:50.754-05:00Amanda,
I believe that when you first tweeted that...Amanda,<br />I believe that when you first tweeted that you needed thicker skin-- that I responded and said that I could feel your pain.<br />Since there are 152 comments on this post, surely some other folks in ministry have commented. Being a PW - I know that struggle of family being family and the insensitive things people say and how I wish I could have my husbands thick skin (these things never seem to bother him)....<br /><br /><br />What an amazing post though. That's for the reminder to me and everyone else that forgivness is what we need!!! To forgive others and to be forgiven. <br />THANKS AGAIN!<br />MindyMindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03592627780339395321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-61501017639358869942011-02-26T23:03:11.392-05:002011-02-26T23:03:11.392-05:00It's so hard not to focus on the negative comm...It's so hard not to focus on the negative comments. I'm with you. But, please know you are so loved and admired by so many. (Just read your blog comments!)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08400427028201975373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-80065771122117342712011-02-26T22:48:34.696-05:002011-02-26T22:48:34.696-05:00Oh girl. This post is truth. I've learned th...Oh girl. This post is truth. I've learned that forgiveness is the #1 most important thing in every.single.one of my relationships/acquaintances. If I want them to be healthy relationships anyway. God has been very stern with me. Sometimes I try to hold onto something - expressing "I just need more time, Lord." But He won't have it. And He certainly won't let it go until I take care of it right then.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your heart. You're always an encouragement to this child of God, wife of a pastor, and new mother.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02624579268277066653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-35015863890002713972011-02-26T21:34:31.109-05:002011-02-26T21:34:31.109-05:00Amanda - this may well be one of my most favorite ...Amanda - this may well be one of my most favorite posts of yours. I truly believe your sensitive skin is why you heard so quickly from the Holy Spirit. As a pastor's wife of 33 years, I've had to learn the harder way that forgiving is so divine. The times that I have bitten back with sharp words have wounded ME more than the person. It is always so much better when I've quietly forgiven and left everything to God to take care of on my behalf. <br /><br />I adore your Mom and sister and have always been so proud of the way she cherishes y'all. I know it's doggone hard to balance family and ministry - I've lived it for almost 34 years now. <br /><br />I'm so sorry for that women's selfish words and for the pain it caused your heart. There are many lessons from the book of James on the tongue...those lessons will be good for ALL of us :) <br /><br />Love you girl,<br />Mrs. JanGran Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01510575841672130803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-2920259593958642872011-02-26T16:26:43.637-05:002011-02-26T16:26:43.637-05:00Amanda, I'm so glad you like the journal. I u...Amanda, I'm so glad you like the journal. I use travel journals all the time for everyday life because you're right it is a journey and it is so interesting to come back and read things years later. This week has been full of those kind of moments along with, what an idiot I was. More good than idiot moments though. I know how to save memories that I might like to review some day. :)Nancy Monhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07643177474590843817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-15531163355167552552011-02-26T15:19:22.398-05:002011-02-26T15:19:22.398-05:00I know how you feel. I have a hard time letting th...I know how you feel. I have a hard time letting things go as well. People can be selfish and cruel. But I'm glad you've realized that you need to forgive even if it's true that that was mean and untrue. It isn't about them. It's about God and what He's called your mom to do, and He's called her to be a MOM and a GRANDMA before she serves everyone else!Shellie Paparazzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14048917024582193047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-2275109481746769062011-02-26T14:35:55.269-05:002011-02-26T14:35:55.269-05:00Sweet Amanda, I'm a Pastor's wife and have...Sweet Amanda, I'm a Pastor's wife and have had to learn to maintain what I call the "skin of an alligator and the heart of a lamb." People can say some of the most hurtful things simply because they do not think before they speak. I try to always remember that my priority is to always please God rather than men and if my decisions are pleasing to him then even the most well meaning person cannot distract me. I know my purpose. Sweet girl, you are in an even larger spotlight and so are your children. Above all, let them be children, just like anybody else. Let them make mistakes and teach them just what you've learned to forgive those who do not think before they speak. It will teach them to be sensitive to others and tenderhearted like our Jesus with words like apples of gold in settings of silver. Press on my sweet sister. You are dearly loved.<br />KristyKristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01841010439264773728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-49727428782487774152011-02-26T14:17:40.035-05:002011-02-26T14:17:40.035-05:00Goodness! Having twins has given me a small does ...Goodness! Having twins has given me a small does of the completely strange, weird, uncalled for things complete strangers will say to a person. I can only imagine how much more crazy stuff you hear. You and the grandkids are allowed to be a (big)part of your mom's life...don't let their careless words make you feel guilty about it! Love you!Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01588038501425458974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-70959607913636067852011-02-26T10:47:09.263-05:002011-02-26T10:47:09.263-05:00I live in thin skin too. Sometimes I ask God, why...I live in thin skin too. Sometimes I ask God, why do I have to feel SO much?! Thanks for sharingKatiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13081650201777664560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24028336.post-89682284929677818512011-02-26T08:01:17.035-05:002011-02-26T08:01:17.035-05:00I've often thought about what sacrifices you a...I've often thought about what sacrifices you and your family have made because of the nature of your mom's ministry. And it is not wrong to be the focus/joy of your mother's eyes. She adores you and your beautiful children and I would feel terrible if you missed out on the blessing of having your mother when you would like and the blessing you are to her. The woman had no idea what she said--but it's definitely not your problem, sweet girl. And your mama would hate that you gave it any thought at all. I used to do that, too--everything anyone said I wore. If it helps you to know, I've gotten better with age to not take on that stuff so much. I pray for your skin not to be thicker because that is one of the wonderful things about you-your sensitivity and compassion--but I pray for you to be able to sort through what is yours and what is just somebody else's stuff. Okay, I'll hop off my "mom" soapbox now and send you a little virtual hug.annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12993065518117027383noreply@blogger.com