Nice Girls and Camping

Well, we’re back from our little camping trip to North Eastern Oklahoma. It was beautiful, but there was a bit too much nature for me; flies, ticks, mosquitoes and the like. We won’t be camping for 6 weeks until our Colorado trip the third week in July. It will probably take me that long to get over the mosquitoes bites.

Seriously, mosquitoes have no respect for the DEET that I spray all over my body, often. I must have 50 mosquito bites, AGAIN!

I have 4 to 5 days of scratching, bathing in Aveeno, slathering myself in Benadryl Cream while being in a stupor from taking the oral variety. Oh Joy!

Here is a photo of all of us, and yes that is my husband being a dork and ruining the nice family photo. My family of 6 (dh, myself, 2 boys and 2 girls; all the blondies in the photo, except me, I'm the only one in the family with dark hair.) and my dh's brother, his wife and his 2 girls (the brown headed girls) and we took dh's other brother's youngest daughter. (the darkest hair)



We took this photo before we went on a hike to Robbers Cave, where some notorious outlaws like Jesse James were reported to have hidden out. It was cool!

Now, the reason for this post. This book.



I don’t even know where to begin with this little book. It is called Nice Girls Don't Change The World. It is a quick read. I think I read it in 30 min. My sister in law told me I HAD to read it and handed it to me. She said it is life changing. Well, I have to admit, I’m a skeptic. I’m not a faddish person (okay except for those leggings, but who didn’t fall for that one?) I didn’t like the Secret of the Vine or Prayer of Jabez books. Not that I think they’re bad, I guess I just feel like If something is going to change my life, I’d just as soon it be the Bible itself.

But I read this little book because, well, honestly, I was in the hammock and forgot to bring my book with me and my SIL walked by and told me I HAD to read this book and put it in my hand and it was easier to read that book then walk all the way back to the camper and get mine. I am lazy like that.

I have to say that this book was stunning. It really blew be away. There were some powerful thoughts in this little book.

If anyone has read it I’d love to hear their opinion. I am a nice girl. I like being a nice girl. I think the idea that being a nice girl (hear people pleaser) may not be God’s best for me was hard to swallow. The idea that doing what others have asked, required, cajoled or guilted me into doing may not be what GOD wants for me, is a bitter pill to swallow.

Now, of course the author is not suggesting that we be selfish and just do what feels good, to throw off our roles and mothers and wives because nurturing is not our gift. I think she is suggesting that sometimes it is easier to hide behind what others require of us and not listen to what GOD is requiring of us.

I don’t have the book with me right now, but there was a passage about fear that hit me hard. That fear is one of the things that keep us from being obedient to God with the gifts he has given us. She made a comment about how she’d rather face her fear than have to face God and tell Him she didn’t have the courage to do what He asked.

There was another passage about low self esteem. The idea that God made us the way we are and we have something to offer to the world. I am the only one like Me. My perspective is unique. What I have to say, paint, do, sing, or offer in any way up to God, is something he created me for. It is a gift He gave me. What does it say to God when I think I’m not good enough to use the gift He gave me? Ouch! That one hurt. Others’ judgment should not be the thing that stops me from using the unique gift God gave me. Easier said then done!

This little book had some big thoughts in it. I hardly know what to think about it. I am praying that God leads me to His truth on this issue of being a Nice Girl.

Honestly, I’m not sure I want to change the world. I just want to be a Mom and Wife. Is that hiding, or can I change the world, not be judged, not face my fears, and be nice doing it? Hummm, thoughts to ponder.

I want my cake and eat it too!

***If you are Jewls, or are coming her by way of my comment on her blog. You might also find this post on fear interesting.