There is a cosmetic company that has the slogan “because I’m worth it.” They are talking about pampering yourself. Women have really fallen for that hook line and sinker. We have become a selfish gender. We have somehow bought the lie that showing acts of kindness toward men or anyone else for that matter has made us some sort of lower class servant. Letting someone else go first or take the last item means we are being stepped on. We want the biggest and the best. What has happened here? How have we become so greedy and selfish and it is praised to be so?? I know a woman who will not leave the house if her nails are not perfectly done. It doesn’t matter who has to wait on her or anything else – as long as she is perfect. I’m at fault myself… I think that as much as I do around here, Ron can get up with the baby or he can change that diaper – he’s his baby too!!! He can make the coffee today! I can misuse money because I “deserve” a new dress or to be pampered a bit. I deserve hell – that’s what I deserve. Today, I will try to show acts of kindness. I will “wait” on my husband. I will let someone else have the last thing. I will be on time even if I’m not pulled together. They may get the “thing” I wanted, but I will get JOY and be able to walk away knowing that I have put others ahead of myself and therefore have put Jesus ahead of myself too.
Posted by jonishank at March 11, 2004 10:58 AM | TrackBack

I am shocked (and maybe I shouldn’t be) at the spewing of hatred for Mel Gibson and The Passion that I have been hearing. These liberal elite defend all these gruesome, violent, sexually perverse, etc. films as free speech or the “nobleness” of freedom of expression and yet they are going bonkers over the death of Jesus. It just proves to me that Jesus is who He says He is and people who see themselves as gods don’t want to accept it. I once had a friend who said he couldn’t be a Christian because of all the hypocrites. Who is the hypocrite now?
Posted by jonishank at February 24, 2004 09:38 PM | TrackBack

Jon Garrett’s baptism was Sunday, Feb. 22. Here is a picture of Bro. Will Wells, Jon Garrett, Ron and me. Jon Garrett’s outfit was one I ordered from London for Caleb’s baptism, but it didn’t get here in time due to 9/11. I emailed the owner of the company and he told me to keep the outfit and he would refund me, but to send a donation to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund. He sent another outfit as well for us to auction and donate to the Orphan Fund as well. The letter he wrote of his support for America was beautiful. I still have it and will preserve it with the outfit so, that we can pass it down from generation to generation.

This is one of Jon Garrett, Cory and Carli (his cousins), JB and Caleb.

JB graduated from pre-school Sunday. He had to stand up and say his name and his memory verse. He stood up and said, “Hi! I’m JB Smith… uh, I mean Shank.” Ron leaned over and said, “Danny has some explaining to do!” 🙂 I’ve decided that he can put JB through college and pay his car insurance!
Posted by jonishank at May 21, 2003 05:00 PM | TrackBack

God gave me a Mother’s Day gift today.

My house is aways a mess! There are always toys to step over, videos out of cases, an endless mound of laundry, juice boxes under beds …. and I could go on. I’ll be honest with you – it drives me crazy sometimes! However, cleaning is not anything I enjoy. It is pointless anyway with all these boys around. I do what I can, but if the boys want to do something – I go. If Jon Garrett just wants to be rocked all day, I rock and think how fleeting this moment is. If we have a Church function, social function, etc – I go. My house will always be there with something waiting to be done. I have a few (very sick in the head) friends who always seem to have a clean and organized house. I feel less of a woman when I visit them. However, during Children’s Sermon, Bro. Will said, “What does your mother do for you?” Many children said things like laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. JB looked up and said, “My mama just loves everybody.” YES, THAT’S IT! If he can walk out of his childhood knowing that loving is so much more important than cleaning then I haven’t failed after all!

Be careful with perfectionism. Having things look nice is of value, but if you ignore the people around you to create the perfect picture, then you only have a nice photo album and nothing else. The pages may be full, but the hearts are empty.