From the Inside Out

Today was a monumental day-the crib is gone. For over two years, my sweet little girl has spent just about every sleeping moment in that crib. I finished cleaning out her room, and getting her "big girl bed" made with her freshly laundered linens. She tried out her new bed at nap time. It took her forever to settle down, but finally she drifted off and I snuck out of the room. A couple hours later, I heard her stirring and jabbering. I wondered what she would do, since it was the first time she had the ability to get out of bed herself. After about five minutes, I sent my middle son (who was dying to go in and see what his sister was doing) in to her room. To my surprise, she wasn't even out of the bed. With all the toys in her room, and stuffed animals to pretend with, she decided to stay right there in her bed. It was as though there were still crib walls surrounding her, and she didn't even attempt to get out. In her mind, I guess she was still the little baby who needed someone to lift her out of the crib.

When Luis and I moved to Arizona, we physically picked up everything and left. We didn't just change our surroundings, but also the way we viewed our marriage. We left all the defeated labels back in Beaufort, all the nay saying remarks that doomed our relationship, all the misguided words that did nothing to build up. We realized that true change meant that we had to change from the inside out. Only then, would the change be long lasting. Only then would we be an invincible team, and with God, a three strand cord that is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

On the contrary, there are so many people who live just like my sweet girl in her bed. They change their hair style, wardrobe, zip code...sometimes even their spouse, but they still look at everything with the same eyes as before. Consequently, even when freedom is well within their grip, the imaginary walls of pride, stagnant status quo attitudes and preconceived notions are their mental jail. Even though everything has changed all around them, they themselves are still just the same. All the effort expelled to make the gigantic life alterations only amounted to wasted energy, time and money. Same old attitudes. Same old problems. Same old everything.

Thank you Lord, that you desire to change us from the inside out. You are more concerned with our heart, and its condition than what we wear, where we live or what our net worth amounts to. The funny thing is, when the change comes from the inside, all the other external areas change with time for the better. Two for the price of one-I'll take it!

Just had to add this picture from tonight. Lily fell asleep right away! (Looks like Barney is enjoying his new bed as well!)