Learning Along The Way

How Pinballs, Tandem Bicycles and Lent Hold Hands

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I’ve been reflecting on one verse of scripture today. Well truth be told I’ve been thinking about this for almost 2 years. It’s been bouncing around in my head, bumping up against my to do list of laundry, dishes, email, responsibilities and deadlines; you know the list.

 

Every time it bumps into something in my head it feels like a light goes on. One thing has stood out over and over: God is the initiator. He started this whole change process. Let me back up and explain.

The verse I’ve been reflecting on is Romans 12:1

I urge you therefore brethren by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship.

For a long time (like 20 years long time) I’ve looked at this verse as part of what I’m supposed to do as a Christian. The focus has been on me. But that perspective is changing.

By the mercies of God…

Five little words that have been bouncing around in my head like the silver ball in a pinball machine (do you know what a pinball machine is?)

14676208819_e10b521715photo credit: Williams Expo via photopin (license)

lighting up the objects it bumps into before it drops through the hole at the bottom; these 5 words all rolled together as one phrase.

By the mercies of God.

Any thing I do regarding the rest of this verse happens by the mercies of God. So then I want to know: What are the mercies of God?

Earlier in Romans we’re told that while we were still sinners, still enemies of God, He sent His only Son Jesus to pay the required sin sacrifice to buy us back from the enemy of our souls. (Rom. 5:8)

Telling you this much information without context is like walking into the family room in the middle of a movie that everyone else is focused on and you don’t know what’s going on. The point?

God is the Initiator.

He is the Creator, Sustainer, Equipper, Comforter, Provider, and the list goes on.

So by the mercies of God I am able to present my body, my whole self, as a living and holy sacrifice which is acceptable to God … do you see it? By God and to God. God is the Initiator.

 But what are His mercies?

So many places in the Bible speak of the mercy or mercies of God. And like so many words that get said over and over I had to stop and remind myself exactly what the word mercy means.

 Mercy–compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.

God, Who created, ex nihilo (out of nothing) has within His power the right to punish or harm us for falling short of His perfect Law. But from the very beginning of humanity’s rebellion, God initiated a Way back to Him. He promised to send a Savior for humanity. (Gen. 3)

God is the Initiator.

By His mercies we are objects of Love not objects of wrath. By His mercies we can be forgiven for our fallen nature and every act or thought of rebellion against His Way. (Eph. 2:3; Col.1:21)

By His mercies we are invited close, called sons & daughters, co-inheritors with His Son. (Eph 2:13; Heb. 9:15; 1 Pet. 1:4)

By His mercies we are transformed, changed into the likeness, into the family resemblance of Christ. (Eph. 4:24)

Bottom line here: it is God Who is at work in us and through us. He is the Initiator.

Our responsibility is to live life in tandem with Him. A tandem bicycle is not designed side by side but one in front of the other. A captain and a stoker.

5037863006_d1712dfe0aphoto credit: Tandem bike from 1904 via photopin (license)

He’s the One in front, steering, braking, shifting, guiding.  He invites us to join Him.

All we have to do is stay on the bike, on the saddle and peddle in sync with His power, His direction, His will.

As we begin this season of Lent I encourage you to ponder, to reflect, to listen, to let go. Let a portion of God’s Word bounce around in your head like your own pinball machine.  Think about what it would take to be on a tandem bike with God the Initiator.  Let these images and ideas hold hands during this season.

We have been given the gift of responding to His love, to His plan, to His sacrifice for us.

This adventure is amazing!

 

 

 

 

3 Common Traps that Hold us Back

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It has been far too long since I’ve written…

ever start a long overdue letter or email with that phrase?

You may have thought to write many times but just haven’t sat down to actually follow through.

That’s been me.  Here.  And other places too.

I’ve been wrestling and waiting…with myself mostly and for what exactly?  I’m not sure.

But I decided I wanted to get some of this out of my head and onto the page.

I’ve been wrestling the thoughts of ‘not good enough’ and ‘you don’t matter’ for several months now.  And I was actually getting ready to give into those lies.

But God had a different plan.

I listened to the IF:Gathering this weekend. And I was reminded why I write. Why I can’t help but write.

For far too long you and I have allowed three traps to catch hold of us and hinder us from being all that we truly are in this with God life. We compare, we criticize and we compartmentalize.

Trap #1: We Compare

We look out at the world and then look at ourselves.  Most of the time we believe we’re not enough. Not good enough. Not smart enough, or talented enough or cute enough or…fill in the blank.  The world doesn’t love you.  It doesn’t love me. The world gives messages through media that reinforce our doubts and fears.  So what’s a girl to do?

love

Instead of compare, LOVE. Allow love to come into your heart. The world doesn’t love you but God does.  He knows your faults, limitations and loves you because you’re you.  Not in spite of those things but because of them.  The hard work is to believe God.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I call you Friend.

You are My Beloved.

Let those seep into the cracks of your broken heart; You are LOVED as you are. No need to compare.

Trap #2: We Criticize

I know we’re unique people but in talking with many women I have heard similar patterns that match up with my own thoughts and this second trap is common.  We criticize ourselves and others.  We tear down with hurtful words; sometimes only we hear them as we speak to our own thoughts. But the result is the same…not good enough. We get caught up in the critical trap and suddenly lash out and start using our words to tear down others too. Maybe to make ourselves feel better? Maybe to “help” someone grow? Neither reason fits with how God sees our words.

A harsh word stirs up anger…but a gentle answer turns away wrath.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in setting of silver.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice.

street love gift session 3 

Instead of being caught in the Trap of Criticism, look for the good in the imperfection of life.

Trap #3 We Compartmentalize

Too often I find myself saying the words “if only” or “should” “ought” or “must”. I put myself and my circumstances into a box.  It’s often the box labeled Perfectionism. All these words keep me from taking action. Keep me on the sidelines rather than actively in the game of Life.  And while I’m compartmentalizing myself I do the same to others; putting them in a box of my own design.  Too old. Too young. Too … (fill in the blank)  And again, this trap is just that; a way of hindering my with -God life from being all that He offers me.

For freedom has Christ set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

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At the end of the IF Gathering we were asked what our next step of faith is.

Mine is to step forward with Courage…sharing gifts that He gives daily.

So in this step of courage, what Trap do you find yourself caught by most often?  What step will you take to keep from being caught in the trap next time?

 

Does This Happen to You?

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Do you ever feel like you’re falling behind in your day before it really gets started?

You have a reasonable list of things to work through; it’s not over full but getting through to the bottom will keep you busy all day.

And then a curve ball gets thrown your way and you’re just not ready for it.

That happened this morning.  I really desire to show the Fruit of the Spirit wherever I go and with whom I interact.  Well today I, well, failed miserably.

All before 9 am.

Now mind you I had already had my coffee with Jesus and read Jesus Calling and my daily Scripture reading and my Mornings with Tozer devotional.  I had chatted with my hubster.  I had taken photos in the garden.  It was all glorious.

Then a text came in that jarred my serene countenance and the old self showed up in a big way.

What happened to applying all that I had just encountered?  Where did that peace go?  How did I so quickly dive head long into the depths of a yucky attitude?

I don’t know is the short answer.  I missed the choice point.  The place where I got to choose a slow, deliberate, patient response or the quick-tempered off the top of my head reaction.  I chose unwisely.

We always have them.  Choice Points.  My sweet mentor used that phrase so many times to remind me at each encounter God was giving me opportunity to learn discretion, discernment, wisdom.  Those characteristics aren’t ones we’re born with; they are earned from making the wise choice time and again.

What happens when we don’t choose wisely? Like this morning?  Is the whole day ruined by this one poor choice?  Do we just give up and figure we’ll start over tomorrow?

The short answer? NO

Start again. As soon as possible.

Admit your poor choice and ask for forgiveness; first to the Lord, then to the person (or people) who need to hear you ask for forgiveness.  You are forgiven because Christ paid for that poor choice already.  (that doesn’t mean you get a free pass to sin all the more! see Romans 6:1)

I have no promise that your asking for forgiveness from the one(s) you wronged will turn out great or even ok.  But taking the time to admit what happened and ask forgiveness is a demonstration of the inner work of the Spirit of God in your life.  Don’t just gloss over what happened as if it didn’t.  I know it’s tempting.  I’ve done it too.  It’s no good because you just end up feeling yucky all day long.  So get real as gently and as quickly as possible.

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Jesus told us if your eye is clear your whole body will be full of light.  Basically, when you know you’re forgiven and you live out that forgiveness, you see life clearly.  You see glimpses of God everywhere.  (see the bit of rainbow?)

I know sometimes you feel as if you’re all alone shining your light

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but God has promised He will never leave you or forget you.

Never.  In fact Paul tells us in his second letter to the church at Corinth: “But thanks be to God who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.”

Even when you choose unwisely.

Forgiveness isn’t to be taken lightly.  Our relationship with Christ isn’t to be taken lightly either.  He calls us Friends.  His grace to us cost Him everything.  But accepting His forgiveness and grace brand new can feel like the discovery of new life when it’s not the season

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Strawberries in September?

Reminding myself this morning of how vital forgiveness is helped get me back on track with the day.  Even when it was temporarily derailed so early.

We are called to live differently in this world.  Do the unexpected.  Ask for forgiveness.

And be forgiving.

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He is always with you, shining Light on your next step toward His home…

4 Words to Tell Yourself (again & again)

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Have you ever thought much about your self-talk?  The words you tell yourself in your head? They may come out of your mouth when you think no one else is listening.

Are they kind words?  Are you nice to yourself?  Or do you have the voice of “the Bad Girlfriend” as my coach calls it?

I hadn’t thought about how I treat myself until one day I overheard my little boy say something to himself when he dropped something.

“That was stupid.”

ouch.

My eavesdropping became an awareness to change something I hadn’t had on my radar.

Maybe that is something you need to be aware of too.

Change is hard.  But the good news about change?  It’s constantly going on all around you. You might as well join in!

I’ve worked on that self-talk change for almost 20 years.  I have learned a four word phrase that I’ll share with you that you can tell yourself too.

You Can Do This.

These 4 words have helped me again and again.

We sent one son off to college. You Can Do This.

My mom and dad passed away in the same year. You Can Do This.

My husband and I trained for 6 months to ride our tandem bike around Lake Tahoe.

You Can Do This.

We’ve watched one son get married and move away. You Can Do This.

We launched our youngest to college all the way across the country! You Can Do This.

We emptied our home of 15 years and moved away from our community.  You Can Do This.

See what I mean?

A very helpful phrase.  But it’s really a shortened version of the first Bible verse I memorized when I came to faith in Jesus Christ at 23 years old.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13

If you follow Christ, You Can Do This.  Whatever He calls you to, He will be with you in it.  His strength is yours to rely on, to sustain you through the change.  God doesn’t change.

Everything around us may change but God remains the same.  Yesterday, Today and Forever.

You Can Do This.

My recent challenge?

Food changes.

This guy has had hidden health issues. A change in what he eats will improve the issues.

Colin at Apple

So we became vegan.  Not just a change like “eat less fats” or “cut out sweets”.

A plant based diet will reduce the scary numbers that say bad things could happen.

I had to change how I cook, what I buy and just about everything I knew about food prep.

Tempeh Tacos

You Can DO This!  (these are tempeh tacos)

You might be a passionate cook who looks at a challenge like this with great enthusiasm.  That’s not me.

I have to talk to myself. Daily.  I had to find new sources of inspiration (check out my Pinterest boards for proof!)

Here is a new favorite book

French Market

Remy would be proud (ratatouille)

Your change challenge may be much different than food changes.  Believe me, I know change is hard.

But change can be good.

You Can Do This!

I’d love to hear your changes so we can encourage one another!

Also, I’m linking up today over at Sue’s blog:

Tasting on Tuesdays

Do You Wonder?

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Do you wonder?

prefumo canyon dirt

How life can get so tangled up sometimes, how so many decisions, choices and deadlines can block your sense of Light on your path?

I do.

Sometimes I wonder how all the little ‘yes I’d be happy to’ and ‘yes I can help’ and yes I can do that’ end up in the same week as a sick child with a science fair project due.

prefumo canyon road and fog

Do you ever wonder about where all this is leading?

I do.

I’ve wondered if all the busy-ness is really valuable or if it is a disease of America (or addiction) that we over-commit ourselves right out of a peaceful present and into a frantic pace that leads to an empty soul.

We have other choices.  They’re hard to make at first.  To say ‘No’ takes courage.  To say ‘No’ takes purpose. We can make different choices. They may not make us popular with the moms at school or with our bosses when they want to add more to an overflowing inbox or with our children who come to us with the bottomless pit of ‘but I need…’ It’s time to press the pause button on this pace of life.

Stop. Breathe.

Take a moment and look around you.  Inside.  Outside.  Find one thing that you hadn’t noticed.

spring flower

Whatever that one thing is, take this moment to give God thanks for that one thing.

We can be so busy running from this to that we neglect the Most Important task on our list: prayer.

Be still and know that I am God.

He is here, He is with you in your dashing about, He has promised NEVER to leave you or forget you.

We forget.  He doesn’t.

But He does forgive…

as far as

and we are free to begin anew.  Make a new choice. Take the time to breathe. To be renewed. To fill your soul with His encouragement of peace and joy in your present moments.

To wonder at a big audacious God who loves, forgives, equips and abides with us…because of LOVE.

Now that is something worth wonder!

I’m joining in with Holley Gerth today; won’t you stop by?

 

Musings on Monday

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Does the thought of Monday make your breathing shallow and your heart rate increase?

Another week packed with appointments, an over filled schedule that requires teleportation to fit it all in?

What if you tried something new, something that just might slow your heart rate and allow you to breathe in deeply?

Want to try?

Take a moment and gaze at this picture.

Hills of Ben Lomond

Now slowly read these words:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

Imagine you’re walking on this shore…

shore of Ben Lomond

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

Slow down. Spend time musing over these words. Allow them to seep into your soul.

Make time for musing.

Mondays are good. So is every day. A coffee break at work or at lunch or during your child’s nap. You pick.

Allow yourself a few moments to slow down…

Reflect on what you’re thankful for, what you’re looking forward to, what in this present moment is relaxing you.

I’d love to hear how your musing goes.

 

 

#1 Investment Strategy for Parents

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Our economy is based on investments.  Short term vs long term; high vs low yield. Where is the best place to put your money? The answers vary; they depend on who you’re talking to, who you’re listening to. With so many voices it’s hard to know what is truly best.  That can be scary when you’re a young family saving for college, or an individual trying to make wise investments for the future.  So many variables; so many ideas.

Financial investment strategies are valuable but don’t have the long term pay off parents truly need.  You are wise to plan and save; there is no doubt about that.  But what legacy will you leave your family beyond the material?  What is the #1 investment strategy for parents?

I heard a great message on Tuesday from Sue Donaldson.  She spoke to a group of moms about A Mother’s Legacy.  Sue spoke with humor and wit but also interjected thoughts to ponder.

It caused me to reflect on my own sons and wondered what I have left for them.  Interestingly, within an hour of driving away from the event, each of my sons called me to touch base and ask me for something.  Prayer.

baby Matthew

It dawned on me that God was showing me what my legacy will be for them…that I was a praying momma.

baby Mark

What a humbling thing, to be shown how one is seen.

I wasn’t always a woman of prayer.  I was a woman of worry, fear and mistrust.  I lived by ‘if it’s to be it’s up to me’ for so many years.

But God…

gave me sweet opportunities to learn from His Word as I sat rocking these baby boys. He taught me to lift up my worries to Him.  To ask Him for favor, for their salvation, physical safety, development of their minds.  He gave me words to pray back to Him like those at the end of

Psalm 91:14-16. I have prayed with each of their names inserted where the pronouns are:

“Because (he) has loved Me, therefore I will deliver (him); I will set (him) securely on high, because (he) has known My name. 

(He) will call upon Me, and I will answer (him); I will be with (him) in trouble; I will rescue (him), and honor (him).

With a long life I will satisfy (him) and let (him) behold My salvation.”

He gave me a sense of purpose to spend the quiet times like those lifting up my dreams of who these babies would one day be, of the men they would grow into many years in the future.  I developed the practice of using my laundry time to pray for the 10 year old feet who wore the once white socks; to pray for the arms that would go stronger over time, that they would become the men God desires them to be.

Now they are men.  One is married to a beautiful, Christ-following woman.  She was prayed for long before he met her.  They serve God in His kingdom building purposes as church planters in Utah.  The other son is in college, a sophomore Gator at UF, 3000 miles away.

I miss them. A lot. But God…

is with them, in them and guiding them in the lives He has planned for them.

Just as this simple momma asked Him again and again.

My prayers are not my prayers alone.  The One Who answers is also the One Who leads us to come be with Him in the quiet place where our soul can breathe out the burdens and worries and breathe in His peace in return.

God has taught me to rest in Him.  He has got these babies/boys/men.

Trusting God. Talking with Him about everything.  What a gift that He gave me years ago; the gift of prayer.

A gift of investment. Of time, of heart, of hope.  You deposit your meager prayers like I did.

Ask Him.  He longs to hear your words, pleas, worries and fears.  He will transform those investments (and you!) over time.

It is your #1 investment strategy that will pay huge dividends both now and eternity future!

5 Messages I’ve Learned from Spiritual Whitespace

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The words and ideas in Bonnie Gray’s new book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace have worked their way into spaces inside me I didn’t realize were there.  In the working I’ve learned a few messages (so far). 5 messages at this point that I am able to share.

1) Whitespace is vital

Look at this picture. It’s a classic example of the vital nature of whitespace in photography. If the clouds weren’t there and all you saw was a big blue sky you might miss the details in the photo.  Whitespace provides contrast.  Bonnie uses this vital idea in art in terms of our spiritual landscape as well.  The contrast of whitespace to the over full landscape of our day can allow space for our soul to breathe.  Whitespace is vital.

dad's car

2) Spiritual Whitespace is playful

Right in the middle of this classic photo surrounded by lots of lighter space is my cat Tartar. Named for my high school mascot because he was born in the art teacher’s kiln (warm space right?) I brought the tiny kitten home at the end of summer school before my freshman year. He was playful and creative. Allowing whitespace in our lives gives us room to be playful and creative too.  If we are only about the “to do list” and getting things done, there isn’t room for spontaneity and fun. Hanging out with Jesus outdoors, or with colored pencils, pens or paint can be an opportunity to connect with the imago dei that you bear.  Considering ways to find spiritual whitespace for creativity is so often pushed away as frivolous. Is it?

tartar as adult

3) Spiritual Whitespace is hope-filled

The path in this photo leads off into the distance…I know where it leads because I’ve been there, but you might not. Spiritual Whitespace allows the hope of Jesus to seep into your weary soul just like the fog is seeping over the edge of the mountains. Fog might not seem like a hope-filled thing but it actually provides a lot of moisture for coastal plants and a respite from too much heat. Our souls need to know that in rest from too much heat, of feeling burned out from too many demands, of feeling fried at the edges from too much busy-ness, there can be a renewal of our souls from weariness.

prefumo

4) Finding Spiritual Whitespace is Daily

Reading Bonnie’s book is not a quick summer beach or vacation reading experience. It is not a light, frivolous read. That being said, it is however a beautiful invitation to care for your soul-Daily. Bonnie has created a set of actions; invitations, to pull up a chair and share. Her writing is so personal and transparent that it makes it easy just to be yourself with Jesus, if you make the time available.

river to the sea

God gives rhythms in His Creation that we often ignore in our contrived electronic filled beyond the margins existence. He created us with a need to come away with Him and rest. Do we hear and accept? Or dismiss and reject?

Finding Spiritual Whitespace is an invitation to choose…

5) Finding Spiritual Whitespace is a Journey

Jesus knew what His life was about: the redemption of humanity. His one goal was met at the Cross. He died the death each of us deserves because of our natural opposition to the holiness of God; opposition of allowing anyone but ourselves to be in charge of our lives.  When we recognize that it is us, not the Jews of 2000 years ago that put Jesus on that Cross; when we feel the weight of our own life burdens without His help and influence; when we consider what our options are apart from Him in the very real present and future; we come face to face with why Jesus journeyed to the Cross.

Finding Spiritual Whitespace is a journey. Realigning our priorities and putting our calendars, our past, our present into an alignment of a with-God life is a journey.  It is not a one and done event; finding spiritual whitespace is a daily journey to the heart of God who made your soul, and mine, to need rest. To need space for Him.

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The most beautiful thing about Bonnie’s book? She is authentic and transparent with her journey; a beautiful model for each of us as we journey through this world. Are you on a journey toward God and rest for your soul on a daily basis? Or are you journeying on your own, worn down, bearing untold burdens from your past, pain in the present, without space to rest?

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Join us, won’t you? Community is the place to share and grow.

21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

3 Subtle Changes as You Rest

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green hydrangeaChange in our souls can be subtle. So subtle that we may not even take notice for some time.

Come to think of it, change is often subtle with things like our weight loss or strength training or distance we can run/walk or gardening.

Hmmm…

blooming hydrangeaWe don’t see the changes even from one day to the next.  Change can be so slow we forget to stay in the process.  Or we give up because we don’t see any progress.

It’s counter intuitive to think that change happens when we rest.

We’ve been conditioned to believe that activity, action, production, achievement, progress are all gained by constant motion.

That’s a lie from the pit of Hell.

There. I said it.

So what is the opposite of constant motion and production?

Rest.

I’ve been reading a new book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace, by Bonnie Gray of FaithBarista. That I am reading a new book is not surprising; I’m known for reading.  And doing. And producing.

Not known for resting.

But I have gleaned 3 subtle changes (so far!) that happen when we rest.

1) Your trust level is challenged

Trust that whatever you are saying ‘No’ to will not cause the end of the world as you know it.  I know that may sound ridiculous but what are the reasons you don’t say No more?  For me it’s Fear. Fear of missing out. Fear of not being thought well of by others. Fear of being called lazy. Fear of letting someone down.  All because of saying ‘No’ and taking care of my soul.

My trust level is challenged every time I choose soul rest over a task.  It helps me to plan gaps of discretionary time in the day but schedules don’t always allow that luxury.  Trusting that pushing the pause button won’t cause the end of the world is BIG. But so worth it.  It’s getting easier over time, but the change is subtle.

2) Your ability to let go is called into question

We’ve all seen the bumper stickers ahead of us, “Let Go and Let God”. They may be so familiar that we respond with ‘yeah right’ because we believe “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.” This is the place where prioritizing rest, spiritual whitespace, really started poking me.  Who else will go to the store for groceries? Who else will get _________ done if I don’t?

What if getting __________ done isn’t as important in the big scheme of things? (where God’s priorities are)  What if I take the risk of letting that task go…for now…to allow my soul to listen to the still small voice for even a few moments?  What if?

3) Your willingness to listen to Jesus’ invitation to rest is also brought out of the dusty recesses of your mind & heart

You may know this verse by heart, “Come to Me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 

Knowing a verse by heart and living out the Truth are two very different things.  I have been dusting off this memory verse and putting it into action.

All the doing in the world doesn’t give your soul much needed whitespace to breathe.

Whitespace comes when we push the pause button on activity and give our souls a chance to SLOW DOWN.

Change happens subtly…

flood of blooms hydrangea
one pause at a time to give your soul a chance to breathe…

Who knows?  You might be grown into a beautiful picture of Jesus at work in you and through you, to His creation, His children who need to know Him through you.

This book, Finding Spiritual Whitespace, is challenging, encouraging, hopeful and personal. Bonnie has shared her story courageously; that we may step forward in our stories as well.  She invites us to pull up a chair and share…won’t you join the conversation?

Linking up today with FaithBarista over here:

21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

How Do You Like to Enjoy a Quiet Moment?

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It’s day 2 of 21 Days of Rest.  I love Bonnie’s question for today: How do like to enjoy a quiet moment?  

predawn beach walk

It’s been here. At low tide. In the mornings. Alone with Jesus.

 

Now it’s here

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Reflecting with Him on all that He has been doing in me this past year.

It has been a hard journey of letting go.

But my quiet, soul rest moments, below the surface of my circumstances, have been sweet and renewing.

He makes all things new.

A verse that He gave me to cling to in the quiet is Isaiah 43:19 : ” Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”

There have been many wilderness moments this past year. Many times I cried out to Him ‘I do believe! Help me in my unbelief!’ like the father in Mark 9. I wanted to see with eyes of faith that He was doing something new in our lives and especially in my heart.

I have kept bumping up against old tapes telling me I have no value since I am not producing anything. My worth was always tied to my achievement. And then once achieved, the bar was raised to new heights, always just beyond the grasp of loved for who I am.

Jesus whispers to me: You are my beloved. AS you ARE. You are enough because you are Mine.

The clash of internals.

His Words of love, encouragement and acceptance. The voice of the one supposed to love me telling me not good enough.

This 21 Days of Rest is a beautiful capstone to the year of letting go and looking forward to the roadway in the wilderness of my heart, the river of Life in the desert of my soul.

Join in and share or simply read others’ words of rest.

21 Days of Rest: Finding Spiritual Whitespace

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