My heart sunk as I pulled the laundry from the washer. I had stuck a pen in my back pocket the day before and completely forgotten about it. Now, there it sat in the bottom of the washer, taunting me, making me wonder how many pieces of clothing had been affected. I looked quickly through the clothing, and much to my relief found no proof that the pen had leaked. Later however, as I folded the laundry, I pulled out one of my husband’s favorite shirts. One of his favorite shirts that now had a large purple ink stain on the very front. I had ruined his shirt. I felt horrible.

Have you ever done something that made you feel horrible or had a day when it seemed everything was going wrong and you couldn’t do anything right? Have you ever had a day when you wished you were a better mom, a better wife, or perhaps better at checking the pockets of your jeans before tossing them in the wash? I think we all have days when we feel like we fall short. We feel we fall short not only of meeting the expectations of others, but the expectations we have for ourselves as well. Expectations that we often allow to define us as moms, wives, coworkers, or friends. If the expectations are not met, we then label ourselves as a failure. Have you ever done that? 

I read a blogpost the other day that had a list of what the author called “universal truths of motherhood”. “Universal truths” that she feels are true for every single mom on the planet. Now, as I first read over them, I was anxiously checking off those truths that I felt were true for me as a mom because I wanted to see how I measured up to the rest of the world. As you read over them, I’d like you to do the same. Ask yourself if these “universal truths” apply to you as well. *Please note that I’ve only included only a portion of those truths listed in her post. 

1. No matter how much you love your kids, there will be times when they annoy you.
2. By the time you get everyone settled for dinner, yours will be cold, and they will be done.
3. Any quiet time you get will only occur during screen time, which you will spend feeling guilty about letting them have screen time.
4. If you choose to use glitter in your home, you have made a lifetime commitment. There will now almost certainly be glitter either on you or your dependents at any given time.
5. There will never be a time where there is no laundry left to wash.
6. This also holds true for your home. There will never be a time when every room is clean at the same time.
7. Any extra money you have will go straight to your children. I hope you like your clothing. I am still wearing underwear from college.
8. Sleeping in is a phenomenon left behind in your 20s. Welcome to 6 a.m., ladies.
9. Just because you managed to potty train your children does not mean you’re done wiping (butts). That will likely last until age 5, maybe 6. 
10. You will grow to hate the sound of your own name, and the word “why,” and “no,” and “snack.”
11. You will scream. As much as you like to think you’re a good parent and you got it all figured out, you will scream. And then you will cry about it.
12. You will feel like a success. You will feel like a failure. You’ll feel like running away. And you’ll feel like never letting them go. Probably all on same day.
13. You will learn to answer questions that have no answers, like, “Why is that a truck?” or “When did the air start?”
14. You will love more than you knew you could. You will also develop anxieties you never knew existed.
15. You will have to address topics you dread with no advance warning, like when your kids ask when you’re going to die. My older one asked this for the first time while I was going from entrance ramp to highway. Seriously.
16. You’ll lecture them on the dangers of too much sugar, then eat all their Halloween candy after they go to bed. Don’t feel bad — I’m pretty sure your parents did it to you.
17. You will find boogers in places where boogers should not be.
18. At some point, you’re gonna have to catch some vomit in your bare hands. Spoiler alert: It won’t be yours

Other “truths” that I’ve heard that could be added to this list are: moms who have all boys have their hands full, every mom bonds instantly with her baby, once a mom has a baby she can’t remember anything, and moms can’t function without coffee. I’ve also heard that moms do nothing but worry all of the time, moms are always running late, and moms are usually a hot mess. And then there is one that I hear most often and have believed from time to time. The only way moms can get a break is to hide from their children in the bathroom (preferably with chocolate). What would you add to the list?

Some of these “truths” we can laugh at. There are others though that we probably more true about us than we’d like to admit. However, when it comes down to it, are all of these so called “truths” true for every mom? Are all of them true for you?

It seems like everywhere we turn someone or something is defining what motherhood should look like. It’s in the theaters, on Netflix, and in our latest podcast. It’s found on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. It even comes from family members, friends, and well-meaning little old ladies in the grocery store. Every day we are bombarded by ideas of what mothering should look like. For example: a good mom breast feeds, a good mom prepares nutritious, organic food for her family each day, a good mom stays home to raise her babies, a good mom keeps a tidy house, a good mom has kids that never throw a temper tantrum in public. A good mom . . . you fill in the blank. Everywhere we turn, we find the world attempting to define what motherhood should look like. And, if we are not careful, it can become  the dominant voice we hear. The dominant voice that can determine our thoughts, our actions, and how we see ourselves as a mom. The world sets a high standard for us as moms, a standard that is often unrealistic, unattainable, and leaves those who strive for it feeling discouraged or defeated. Would you not agree?

In the book of Romans, Paul writes:

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” 

Romans 12:2 (MSG)

Don’t become so well-adjust to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking . . . In her book, Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday, Valerie Woerners says, “That’s exactly the danger – that we accept the world’s subpar cliched version of motherhood without even realizing we could be living something better. It becomes second nature for us to stay in the pigeonhole the world puts us in. We think we have no choice but to live up to the stereotype of moms as worriers and hot messes. The life we live is often far below what God has graciously gifted to us.” “The life we live . . . is often far below what God has graciously gifted to us.” Think about that for a moment. Have you ever wondered if there was more to life than what you are currently living? Has your heart ever yearned to do more or to be more than you currently are?

Valerie goes on to say, “The cliche of motherhood is that we are either perfect or an absolute mess – there is nothing in between. But, maybe the reality looks more like this: we’re sometimes messy-mommas who are being refined into God’s image.” We all want to be that perfect mom, don’t we? But, is that really what our kids need? Do our kids need perfect moms? Think about your own mom. If she had been perfect, what lessons would you have learned from her life? I think in reality, our kids need to see messy-mommas in the process of being refined. Our kids need to see that we make mistakes and what to do when you’ve wronged someone else. Our kids need to see that we have bad days and how we handle ourselves when things aren’t going our way. Our kids need to learn that bad decisions and hard circumstances don’t define who we are. That’s what our kids need. They need a real life example. A real life example in you. 

Lara Casey, author of the book Cultivate says this: “We dismiss the dirt and the mess as bad, trying to keep it off our hands and out of our homes. But dirt holds a certain magic, cradling new life. Your past mistakes, your heartache, your circumstances, and the tension you feel right now in your season- every bit of it is part of your growing ground” Your growing ground . . . You need a little dirt for something beautiful to grow. Philippians says,

 “I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work among you, will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you until the day Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, returns to redeem the world.”

Philippians 1:6  (VOICE)

If you are frustrated that you yell at your kids every day, that you’ve served peanut butter and jelly for dinner for the fourth time this week, that you spend way more time on your phone than you should, that you spend more time cleaning your house than playing with your kids, or that you don’t measure up as a mom, take courage. God is still working in your growing ground. 

It’s time to let go of the idea that there is a perfect mom. It’s time to let go of the idea that someone besides you could do a better job raising your kids. It’s time to remember that God is always working. He’s given you a beautiful life, and He wants to you to live it to the full. 

 

References:

Casey, Lara. Cultivate. Harper Collins, 2017.

https://www.scarymommy.com/truths-of-motherhood/ 

https://twitter.com/hashtag/dontfitinstandout?src=hash

Woerner, Valerie. Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday, Say Goodbye to Stressed, Tired, and Anxious and Say Hello to Renewed Joy in  Motherhood. Tyndale, 2019.

 

Just a few weeks ago, our family was standing in our kitchen laughing. I can’t even remember what was so funny, but I remember looking at each face in that room and savoring the sound of their laughter. It was what happened in the next moment that caught me by surprise, however. My oldest looked at me and said, “You don’t laugh very much.” His observation hit me in the gut. I was quick to defend myself, but as I thought about it later, I realized that he was right. I don’t laugh as much as I used to. Why is it that I don’t laugh very much anymore?

I just finished reading a book called, Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday. The author, Valerie Woerner, talks about how we need a change of perspective. She shares that being a mom at any stage isn’t easy, and I think we can all agree that life in general isn’t always easy.  Yet, how often do we allow this knowledge that life isn’t always easy consume us? How often do we allow the stresses of each day, our fatigue, or our fears sew discontentment into our hearts? How often do we allow the disappointments that life can bring cloud our vision and rob us of our joy? What if there was a better way to live our lives? What if instead of just trying to survive our life, we chose to savor it? What if we chose joy?

In the book of John, Jesus says these words:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10 NIV 

Jesus came so that we could have life and have it to the full. That is the life that I want; that is the life that I’m after. I want to enjoy my life even when the circumstances surrounding me are hard. I want to trust that God is in control all of the time and that His plan is always good. I no longer want  to allow my fears to rob me of the joy that comes with each morning. I want to love my people more deeply, enjoy their presence, and I want to laugh. I want to laugh more.

What about you? Are you surviving life or are you savoring it? Are you living a life to the full? If not, what is holding you back?

 

References:

http://blog.jacquelynvansant.com/2018/07/his-encouragement-john-10-10/.

Woerner, Valerie. Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday, Say Goodbye to Stressed, Tired, and Anxious and Say Hello to Renewed Joy in Motherhood. Tyndale, 2019.

Grief has a way of catching us off guard at times, doesn’t it? Sometimes it seems to come upon us slowly and other times, it seems to hit us like a freight train. Whether it’s through the loss of a loved one, a marriage that is struggling, or a child making poor decisions, we sometimes find ourselves in places that we didn’t expect. Places of discouragement. Places of hurt. Places of heartache. Places that cause us to grieve for what might have been. Have you ever been there?

When I find myself in the midst of grief, I am reminded that the path before me is not one that I walk alone. Isaiah reminds me,

“Don’t be afraid: I’m with you.” On those days that you grieve for what was or for what might have been, be reminded that you are not alone. When you find yourself in the midst of a day that leaves you feeling discouraged, be reminded that you are not alone. When fear of the future and what might be threatens to take hold, be reminded that you are not alone. Turn your gaze towards Him, lean into His strength, and press on. God promises to be there. 

 

“Your letter made me cry.”

I had just emailed a letter of recommendation for a dear friend; a letter for a potential employer that shared many of the things I love about her. As I read her text, I felt God whispering into my heart, and I began to think about something.

How often am I using the time He has given me throughout my day to encourage and build others up?  What words am I choosing to use with my husband, my kids, or even the customer service representative on the other end of the line? Am I allowing the stress I am feeling to spill out through my words? How are my actions affecting those around me? Are my actions revealing my frustrations of the day? Intentional or unintentional, are my words and actions building others up or tearing them down?

Her words made me think.

How often do I lift my eyes from myself, my troubles, my stress, my frustrations and see the others in my life that need a little encouragement? How often do I remind my husband that I love him and that I am so proud of him? How often do I point out the strengths I see in my kids to build their confidence? How often do I tell someone that I believe in them?

I recently read a quote that said, “Your words of encouragement could be the spark that pushes someone forward.” Our words could be a spark . . .

Who can you encourage today? Who can you build up today? Use your words and actions wisely. Often, they have more of an impact than we realize.

 

 

http://favanti.com/your-words-of-encouragement-could-be-the-spark-that-pushes-a-person-forward.html 

https://www.azquotes.com/quote/715561

Many might describe her as quiet, perhaps even unsure of herself. But, this picture tells a different story. This picture captures the heart of my girl. And I wish, I was more like her.

My girl. She loves rollercoasters and barrel racing. She loves deeply and will fiercely defend those she holds close. Her laughter is contagious, and she fully embraces the joy that comes from living life. She loves who she is, and it shows. And . . . I wish I was more like her. I wish that I was more confident in who God created me to be. Have you ever struggled with that? Have you ever felt that you don’t quiet measure up?

I read an article, this morning, by Diana Spalding. In it, she talks about how many women, moms in particular, are feeling burnt out.  They are burnt out from striving to meet the standards set by society. Standards that dictate what a perfect woman, wife, and mother looks like.

These standards surround us at every turn. They are found in the books we read, the movies we watch, and in our Facebook feed. We see pictures of the perfect birthday parties on Pinterest, the perfect vacations on Instagram, the perfect bodies on the covers of magazines in the check-out line. Everywhere we look, we are faced with an image of what a perfect woman looks like, and we are faced with the reality that we fail on so many levels. Have you ever been there? I have. Far too often.

But, I think it is really important that we remember a couple of things when we begin to compare ourselves to this standard the world has set. First, many of the images and ideas that our society gives us of the perfect woman are unrealistic and unattainable: plain and simple. We see pictures that have been edited and feeds that only share the good things that happen. We strive for perfection and find ourselves disappointed every time. 

Secondly, when it comes down to it, it doesn’t matter what the world thinks. The only opinion that should matter is that of our Father. And you know what? In His eyes, you are beautiful. In His eyes, you are precious. In His eyes, you are worthy.

Diana goes on to share a quote from Brene Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, who has spent more than a decade studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity and shame. Ms. Brown says,

“Vulnerability is about showing up and being seen. It’s tough to do that when we’re terrified about what people might see or think. When we’re fueled by the fear of what other people think or that gremlin that’s constantly whispering ‘You’re not good enough’ in our ear, it’s tough to show up. We end up hustling for our worthiness rather than standing in it.”

“We end up hustling for our worthiness rather than standing in it.” That’s a powerful statement and she’s right. We strive to find our worthiness in this world when our worthiness is already found in Jesus. Matthew 10:29-31 says,

“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.”

Matthew 10:29-31 (MSG)

You are worth more than a million canaries. Cling to that today friend, and stand tall as the beautiful woman God created you to be.

 

 

https://www.ted.com/speakers/brene_brown

https://www.mother.ly/life/self-care-is-not-enough-to-fix-how-much-moms-are-burnt-out?xrs=RebelMouse_fb&fbclid=IwAR3ZI-s1I37ZeWi6hyCF9KsBgSLpVTt9nbiTaehju3OpQDaXmaX5ZwfqOQQ

I couldn’t help, but laugh at what I found.

I had just had a conversation with a friend about how quickly our kids grow, and here I sat looking at a wall outlet in my daughter’s room. A wall outlet neatly plugged with covers. Covers meant to keep my daughter from inserting foreign objects into the outlet: covers meant to protect her from harm.

But, here’s the thing. My girl . . . she’s ten.  She’s  old enough now to know how to safely use outlets. She’s old enough now that she no longer needs those covers to protect her. But yet, they are still there.

As I struggled to remove the covers, I found myself expressing my thanks that our family has reached this stage in life where we no longer need outlet covers. But, at the same time, I found the task bittersweet.

Much of mothering is like that isn’t it? We spend our days caring for the needs of our kids, setting boundaries, implementing consequences, and trying to speak truth into their hearts. We do this day in and day out and often ask ourselves if we are doing this mothering thing right. Have we’ve done too little? Have we done too much? Or have we done exactly what was needed?

I think it is normal to ask yourself those questions, but I think it is also important to remember one thing. God doesn’t make mistakes. Those kids of yours? God knew you were the mother they needed, and each day He gives you an opportunity to help them grow into the people He created them to be. How will you make the most of that opportunity today?

Choose today to show patience and kindness. Choose today to use words that build others up instead of tearing them down. Choose today to extend grace, to help others without complaining, to do the right thing even when it’s hard. Choose to make the most of today with not only your kids, but with everyone God brings across your path today.

Today is a gift. Hold tightly to it and joyfully make the most of it.

 

 

 

https://images.app.goo.gl/VgJxJV2ocspxprvQ7 

As I looked around the room, I couldn’t even begin to stop the tears that ran down my cheeks. Each person in that room I loved so deeply. And . . . in that moment, each person in that room was hurting so deeply. My heart ached.

It was not the weekend we had expected. A late night phone call brought us all together to this tiny hospital conference room. This room where hard decisions had to be made. Hard decisions that no one should ever have to make on their own. Yet, as my gaze settled upon each face in that room, God made one thing very clear.

In the midst of our grief . . . our tribe was there.

In the following days, I found milk in my fridge and bread on my counter. Meals were dropped off, messages of love and support sent, and prayers lifted up.

In the midst of my grief . . . my tribe was there.

My tribe.

Some are connected to me by blood. Others, through the work to which God has called me. But regardless of how they fit into my life, I am certain of one thing. God doesn’t make mistakes. Each person in my life is there because God saw fit to put them there.  And, as part of my tribe, I am to love them. I’m to love them just as Jesus loves them.

In the book of John, Jesus spoke these words . . .

“Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you.”

John 15:12 (CEV)

Love as I have loved you . . .

Loving others isn’t always easy. Sometimes it is hard to love those in our tribe. But, loving those God has placed in our lives is exactly what He wants us to do. Think about those whom God has placed in your life. Think about those who make up your tribe and who God has asked you to love. What would loving them well look like? Would your life look any different if you started loving others as He loves you?

 

 

 

 

 

https://me.me/i/our-job-is-to-love-others-without-stopping-to-inquire-4505108 

 

 

 

I sat down beside him and pulled him close. As I wrapped my arms around him, huge tears began to roll down his cheeks. My heart ached as he leaned in and quietly began to sob. What could have possibly happened to my youngest to hurt him so deeply? And then, the words began to tumble out in between his sobs. He had tried so hard. He had practiced and practiced but, despite his hard work, he still wasn’t good enough. It didn’t take long for me to remember that today he had had gym class. And today was the day that the entire class would be timed on how fast they could run. Today was the day that the two fastest boys and the two fastest girls would be chosen, to represent their class during track and field day, which was to be held in just a few weeks. 

Now, my boy knows that he isn’t one of the fastest boys in his class. Two of his best friends always beat him. No, my boy hadn’t set his sights on being chosen to actually run in the race. His goal . . . was to serve as an alternate. More than anything else, he wanted to be chosen as an alternate. An alternate is the one who is called upon to run if the need arises. And  that . . .  was his dream. It’s been his dream for the past three years. But, today . . . he got beat, and my heart broke for him. 

My heart broke further as he then went on to ask me if I thought he was good at anything. I pulled him closer and spent the next few minutes reminding him of the many ways he is gifted, the many ways he is special, and that God created him perfectly just as he is. As I finished speaking truth into his little heart, he threw his arms around me, and said, “I love you, mom.” And in that moment, I heard God tell me, “This! This is your ‘Best Yes’. This time you just spent pouring truth into his heart . . .  it was one of the  assignments I had for you today. Taking the time to speak into him as only a mama can . . . it was part of your purpose for today. This was a ‘Best Yes’”

“Best Yes” assignments. God has them for each and every one of us. But, can I ask you something? Do you ever find it difficult to see the assignments He has for you? Are you like me and wish that God would make it just a bit easier to see His plan? Sometimes I wish that He would just post signs that read “Meghan, go this way” or “Meghan, do this.” Or, perhaps, He could just send Jesus right back down here to lead me by the hand. It doesn’t quite work that way, does it? It isn’t always that easy to see where God is leading us. But, there are a few things that we can do, to help us see the “Best Yes” assignments He has for us more clearly. 

First, be present. To be present is to be available or to be in a particular place.  To be present is to completely focus your attention on either the person you are with or the task that is at hand. I recently read an article, “8 Ways to Be Present” by Tom Stuart, leader of Ignited2Pray Ministries, that expanded on this definition. He said, “Being present requires a focused engagement of every aspect of our being including the physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual.” Being present is turning our focus away from those things in this world that can distract us: those things that can keep us from seeing the assignments God has for us. It’s turning our focus away from those things and towards God and His presence in our lives.  To be fully present, is to do as Psalms tells us. It says to,

“Shut up . . . Shut off . . . Shut out . . . and in the silence . . . sense God: connect!”  Psalm 46:10 (STREET)

We need to shut up. Now, I know as women that we have like 20,000 words we need to get out in a day. But, when it comes to the conversations we are having with God, we need to do less talking and more listening. So often, I find myself telling God that He needs to do this or He needs to do that. So often, I find myself acting as though I am the one in control of a situation. Guess what? News Flash! I’m not. I am not in control. God is. We need to spend more time quieting our own voices so that we can better hear His. We need to shut up.

Shut off. In his article, Tom Stuart talks about how we live in a world where the technology is getting more sophisticated by the day. Technology not only makes our lives easier, but it can help us to multitask more efficiently.  And as a mom, we feel that having the ability to multitask is essential, right? However, he makes one point that is worth mentioning. The very same technology that we feel makes our lives easier is the very same technology that easily distracts us and demands our presence. Think about that for a moment. How distracting is technology for you? Think about your phone for example. How often do you check it? I always have mine with me, and if I can’t locate it, I admit that I start to panic just a bit. I’ll also admit to you that I have answered it in the middle of eating dinner with my family, and I have replied to emails or returned a quick text as one of my kids was talking to me.  Technology: though it can make our lives easier,  it’s turning our focus away from the people or tasks that need our attention. It’s distracting us, and it’s demanding our presence. Set some limits for yourself, and shut it off.

Next, we need to shut out. Just like technology can so easily distract me, so can the opinions and the expectations of this world: opinions and expectations that are rarely truthful. It’s important that we learn to shut out what the world says and focus instead on the truth we find in God’s Word. It’s His truth that gives us freedom. In the book of John, Jesus says,

“If you hear My voice and abide in My word, you are truly My disciples;  you will know the truth, and that truth will give you freedom.”

John 8:31-32 (VOICE)

It’s His truth that gives us freedom, not what the world tries to speak into our hearts. We need to shut out the world and open our hearts to hear His Truth.  

After we shut up, shut off, and shut out, we then can sense God’s presence and truly connect with Him. With our focus solely on Him, it will be easier to discern which of those assignments before us are ours. With our focus on Him, the path that we are to take will be more clear. Being fully present in His presence, we will following His leading. And, as we following His leading, we will be fulfilling the purposes He has for us. We will be living out our Best Yes. 

Another way we can see our “Best Yes” assignments more clearly is to pay attention.  Like I mentioned before, there are times that I wish God would very directly point out the direction He would like me to go. But, think about this. What if He already is? What if He has been clearly pointing where I am to go, and I’m not seeing it simply because I’m failing to pay attention? What if my “Best Yes” assignments are right before me, but I’m too busy doing life to see them? 

Lysa Terkeurst says, “We will have a very hard time paying attention to (our) Best Yes (assignments) if we live lives that are completely spent. Instead, why not completely spend yourself on the assignments that are yours, those moments you shouldn’t dare miss, the calling that pulses in your soul, the love you and only you can offer?” 

What it we intentionally chose to cut back on our commitments: the commitments we make for ourselves and for our kids? What if we chose to put down our phones, turn off our tv and spent quality time with those people we love? What if we spent our days doing those things that really matter? What if we dared to explore that spark God placed deep within our souls? What if we dared to ask God to open our eyes to the brokenness that surrounds us? How different would our lives look?

In Colossians, Paul says,

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.”

Colossians 3:2 (MSG)

We are living in a world that is broken and hurting. What is it that God wants you to do?Think about it. What is it that God wants you to do?  Sometimes we get our minds fixed into a way of thinking that Lysa Terkeurst calls a fixed mind-set. We see our abilities, our talents, our skills, our relationships, and our intelligence as limited and lacking. We feel that where we are today is where we always will be. We feel . . . stuck. But, God doesn’t want us to remain stuck. He wants us to have a growth mind-set. He wants us to see our abilities, our talents, our skills, our relationships, and our intelligence with potential. He wants us to see ourselves like He does: as beautiful, unique, and created with purpose.

Where we are today is only our starting place. It is not our finish line. God has a precious plan for your life. He cannot be limited in what He does, and if He choses to use you, He will. Have the courage to take that first step in the plan He has for you. Have the courage to be engulfed by that fire that He set ablaze in your soul. 

I’ll close with these words from Lysa. “Indeed, in God’s plan, you and I have a part to play. If we know it and believe it, we’ll live it. We’ll live our lives making decisions with the Best Yes as our filter. We’ll be a grand display of God’s Word lived out. Out undistracted love will make our faith ring true. Our wisdom will help us make decision that will still be good tomorrow. And we’ll be alive and present for all of it. Now let’s go and live the Best Yes life.” 

The “Best Yes” life. Live it. Live the life to which God has called you. That fire within you . . .  find it. Find Your Fire, tend to it, and let it shine brightly. May it shine so brightly that others can’t help, but see Jesus when they look at you. 

 

 

References:

Biblegateway. www.biblegateway.com. Accessed 30 Apr. 2019.

“8 Ways to Be Present.” Stuart, Tom. Ignited2Pray Ministries. https://tomstuart.org/2012/01/04/8-ways-to-be-present/. Accessed 30 Apr. 2019. 

Terkeurst, Lysa. The Best Yes, Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands. Nashville, Nelson Books, 2014.

I’ve felt out of sorts this week. I’ve not been myself.

It’s been a busy week. A week in between commitments that I’ve used to catch up on some things. There have been appointments, trips to restock the pantry, completion of paperwork that should have been done a couple of weeks ago, and spending time with dear friends before they leave for a mission trip. It’s been a week of good things. A productive week. And yet, this morning, I feel a bit empty.  Can you relate to that feeling at all?

As I’ve been reflecting on that this morning,  I realized that in my busyness to accomplish everything on my to-do-list this week, I have neglected to do one very important thing. I have not taken the time to “be still”.

Psalms tells us to,

“Shut up . . . Shut off . . . Shut out . . . and in the silence . . . sense God: connect!” Pslam 46:10 (STREET)

How often this week did I intentionally take the time to be still? How often did I sit in silence, close my mouth and quiet my thoughts? How often did I shift my focus from all I hoped to accomplish and look into the face of the One who has planned my days from the very beginning?  How often this week, did I shut out the world, turn off my phone, turn down the music, and sit in the presence of the One who loves me above all else? How often did I sit . . . in the silence?

Silence. My heart longs for it. It longs for it because it is in the silence that I can clearly hear the voice of the One who calls me by name. In the silence,  He reminds me of who He is and of the call He has placed on my life. A call to things greater than simply completing my to-do-list.

The silence. It is what my heart longs for . . .

God longs for us to be still. He longs for us to spend time with Him, to understand who He is, and who He created us to be. Have you been taking the time to “be still”? Have you been taking the time to quietly sit in His presence?

 

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I sat directly between the two and couldn’t help, but marvel at this meeting. You see . . . there was a past here. To my left, sat my daughter, and to my right, sat a teacher that our family loves and respects so deeply.

School has always been a place where my daughter feels she has to be guarded; a place where she is unwilling to let her true light shine. And, for an entire year, my daughter sat quietly in this teacher’s classroom. And, for an entire year,  this teacher gently and  persistently worked to earn my daughter’s trust. For an entire year, she worked to help tear down those walls my daughter had so carefully built to guard her heart.

And here we sat three years later. My daughter is chattering nonstop. She throws herself into fits of giggles as she uses different voices, and at one point is laughing so hard she is actually snorting. This girl beside me? This . . .  is my daughter in her truest form. This is who she really is; a girl who loves life, who passionately loves and defends her people, and is one of the funniest people I know.

Yet, she only lets her guard down for a few. Only a few get to fully experience my daughter’s true self. And . . . it’s a gift.

And that got me to thinking . . .

What do others see when they look at me? When others look at my life, do they see me in my truest form? Do they see a woman who’s life has been transformed by the love of Jesus and whose heart is completely captivated by Him? Or, do they just see the outer shell of the wall I have built to guard my heart?

In Matthew, we are told this:

 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:12-16 (MSG)

Can others see Jesus through my life? Do others see Him through my actions or hear Him through my words? What about you? Do others see a picture of Jesus when they look at your life?

Each of us was created uniquely by God, and we were created to shine brightly for Him. Let your light shine. Let your light shine so that others may see Him.