Terri Lynn Murphy
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P.U.S.H.

8/13/2014

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My husband has worked out of town for four years.  Most of the time I cope.  But today is not one of those days.  My friend told me, "Maybe it's time for you to P.U.S.H."

I asked her, "What's P.U.S.H.?"  She said, "Pray Until Something Happens."  I thought about it for a few seconds and responded, "I think you're right."

As an adult, I have learned the hard way that life is difficult.  Yes, there are good times.  But the bad comes too.  I am so grateful that I have a relationship with God who teaches me what to do.  He says, "Pray without ceasing."  Wow, that's a lot of prayer.  Can I do that?  I'd rather whine.  I'd rather fantasize about the many things I could do to make life go my way.  Better still, I'd like to run out my front door and scream, "Life's unfair" as I pull out my hair and sob loudly for all my neighbors to hear.  But what kind of example would that be for my 17-year-old daughter?  Would the neighbors hurry to their windows and comment, "My, she is such a wise woman." 

I
t's time for the fallback position. I've got to Let Go. 

I know the most powerful thing I can do is pray.  I know prayer works.  I know God cares about the details of my life.  He cares about what I am feeling.  I also know He wants the very best for you, me and my family.  So, why don't I just do it? 

Because I'm more afraid of His answer.
 

Now that I have admitted that I am afraid, I feel better.  Now that I see once more my ego is keeping me from being happy, it's time to buckle down.  Here goes. 

"God, I would really, really like my husband to come home and our family be together every day.  I trust You.  Thy will be done."
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Inside or Outside?

6/25/2014

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Are my problems coming from inside me ... or outside?  This is a question I ask myself often.  To find the answer, I stop.  Search. Then feel. 

When life is proceeding at breakneck pace, I tell myself there's no time for self-examination.  But I have learned from experience, that if I don't take the time, my happiness goes out the window. 

When I stop, pain comes in.  Sometimes it's a tidal wave -- like the time right after my mother died.  Other times, it's so subtle that I have to make a decision to listen to my heart.  It can be as simple as I feel ugly today.

It is my responsibility to take care of me.  It's my job to take the time I need to find out what's going on inside of me.  If I address it, I can get back on track and have a good day.  If I ignore it, very likely it will grow and I will make my molehill into a mountain.

So here's what I do.  I check in with Me.  I say, "How you doin'" I answer as truthfully as I can.  I say, "I woke up mad."  I say, "About what?"  I answer, "I'm mad at my daughter for not folding the towels."  I say, "Oh."  Then I pray, "God, I can't let go of my daughter not folding the towels.  Will you help me?"  I sit quietly for a few seconds.  Then I proceed about my day.  Much later, I realize I have not thought about towels."

It works if I act.  When I face the problems inside me first, the problems outside of me shrink in size.
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Justifying Everything I Do

4/29/2014

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I have an old habit that haunts me.  It usually raises its ugly head when I am angry or lonely or tired.  It's justifying or giving excuses for everything I do.  And it defeats me.  Every time.

I do have a solution.  A solution that works each time I use it.  It's this:  Look at me.
What am I doing that causes difficulties?  What am I doing to make things worse?  Could it be that I am trying to fix my problems by finding fault with others?

Here's how I tap into the solution.  First, I pray and ask God for help.  Second, I honestly examine my motives, actions and words.  I write down on paper what I see, including the Good and the Bad.  If I can't see myself clearly, I talk it over with a trusted friend or mentor.  Third, I make myself practice tenderness, courtesy and a genuine interest in others.  When I do this, miracles happen.   
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    Author

    Terri Lynn Murphy stumbled into Texas from Oklahoma and fell in love with the hero attitude and her soon-to-be husband. Terri worked many years in Dallas as a advertising agency copywriter and broadcast producer, winning over 500 awards, before turning her attention to writing books. She is the author and creator of the Longing to be Loved© Book Series. Terri lives with her husband and daughter in San Antonio, Texas.

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