check your life for white elephants they take up time and space and are pretty useless

As expatriates, we have found that our traditions have blended not only with Hungarian traditions, but they have also merged with those of other expats. In our small expat community, we have English, Irish, American and Finnish people. Other Brits may be horrified to learn that we have even celebrated the 4th of July!

We have also adopted other traditions such as the white elephant gift exchange. It is amazing how much fun it is to watch people open worthless and unwanted gifts at Christmas time. Our children are very creative and are able to find really undesirable gifts! I didn’t know the origin of the game however until I received my UCB Word For Today notes via email.

How a White Elephant Causes Problems

‘When the King of Siam wanted to destroy an enemy, he supposedly gave them a white elephant. In those days white elephants were considered sacred, and nobody dared refuse a king’s gift. The trouble was, white elephants couldn’t be put to work, but they had to be fed – a lot! So the king’s ‘gift’ ended up causing his enemy’s downfall.’

When I think about the last year, it is easy to identify many white elephants in our lives. They are the things that have distracted us from our purpose in being here. They have drained our energy, our time and our passion for life. Often these things in our lives are not necessarily ‘undesirable’ however, if they take us off track and off purpose they become our downfall.

Get Rid of White Elephants in Your Lives

We are now more observant and are trying to identify the ‘white elephants’ in our lives. We want to remove the things that waste our time. Roy recently downloaded a programme called Rescue Time. It is a time management programme designed to increase productivity and identify where time is being lost.

The Bible encourages us to get rid of distractions. What are the white elephants in your lives?

Hebrews 12:1-3 (ESV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Bringing Worlds Together Book

Many couples struggle to get on the same page in marriage. Whether you are newlyweds or have been married for years Bringing Worlds Together will help you blend together. Expect to learn more about your spouse, gain insight and be challenged.

Are you ready to move closer rather than drift apart?

Available in print and ebook formats.

Adjusting Expectations Book

No-one enters marriage expectation free. Adjusting Expectations helps identify how expectations were formed and whether or not they were realistic. Most expectations need some adjustment; they are often too high but can also be set too low. The good news is expectations can be reset!

Find out what you should expect and what God expects from you.

Available in print and ebook formats.

Improving Communication Book

Most couples would willingly admit that their communication could do with some improvement; although many people also point the finger of blame squarely at their spouse for communication failures. Whether you believe it’s your fault, their fault or that you’re both to blame, this book is for you! There is always room for improvement.

Available in print and ebook formats.

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