Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear

Like some people might, kinda, in a way know... I'm a book worm.  I love to learn and I love to study about certain topics.  The one thing I do regret though is reading so many child raising theories.  I think it can really mess with your brain.  From now on, I'm picking a book from my favorite and most respected author and following his plan.  He's Godly, he speaks from the bible and quotes from it often, he has stood strong and unwavering all these years, faithful to his wife, and raised two great kids.  No more "shopping around" for different ideas on raising kids.  Can make your brain do twirlies after awhile.  I used to feel so strong in what I believed as far as having a method of raising children.  Now, I feel like everything is gray. Never just black and white, at least some of the time.  I think also it's from listening to too many people that tell me what I'm doing wrong and how it needs to be done.  Don't take me wrong though.  I totally believe in watching your elders and learning from those you respect.  From now on though, I'm gonna have to let a good amount of opinions roll off my back and take it careful where I do receive it.  I actually like some criticism.  Even if it's done in a harsh way but not viscious.  I think its a sad day when we can't ever let anyone tell us how they really feel or how we may have offended them.  It's so easy to take the defense.  My pastor's wife told me once that sometimes, just sometimes when we hear something negative about ourself, we should stop and think if there can be any truth to it.  Since she told me that, I can't tell you how much it's helped me to grow.  Gosh, I have so much more growing to do it's outta this world but I want to keep my heart open to learn.  I must be careful though which ones I learn from and let soak in.  Some are just vicious though.  Don't worry, when someone comes up to me and yells at me, I don't karate chop them.  I'm a lady and a Christian.  I don't cuss them out.  I don't tell them to go back where they came from.  I just smile and tell them that Jesus loves them.  :)  Besides, I have much more construction on my own life to do.  The only time it should ever stop is when I die.  Then my gravestone will read.  "End of Construction".  For now, I'll keep my hard hat on.