Invitation

Weekly Recap

Good Morning! It's the weekend which means it's a chance to rest, relax, and remember all that happened this week.

On Monday, we discussed how the words of God will bring us back from wherever our minds have taken us that might not be the best place to reside. You can find that post HERE.

On Tuesday, we talked about the call on our lives to be compassionate not critical and the ways a critical spirit might manifest itself in our lives. You can find that post HERE.

On Wednesday we learned that the things that have hurt us are rarely done with malicious intent. You can find that post HERE.

On Thursday we were reminded that while change is not always welcome, despite what might be shifting in our circumstances, God remains the same. You can find that post HERE.

Finally, yesterday we saw that sometimes God speaks to us in ways we might not anticipate or expect and that it's important to make sure we are listening for His voice and looking for Him to move. You can find that post HERE.

Have a fantastic weekend and stay warm!

Awake and Aware

A little while ago, I saw a sponsored ad on facebook for a book. I know, shocking. I decided to apply for the book launch but didn't get a reply. Needless to say, I thought the book was worth purchasing anyway so I ordered it. Just before it came, I had seen another book on a similar topic that seemed much more relevant and determined that I would not keep the first book. Once it came, I returned it and thought that was the end of that. But God.......

Appparently, God had already decided that this was a book I need to read because the book launch copy arrived from UPS yesterday. Almost fell over because I was not expecting it at all. Believe me, if I know there is a book on its way, I am worse than a kid staring out the window waiting for the thunder and lightning to stop to get back in the pool.

When I started opening the envelope, I had no idea what was inside. When I saw the cover, my heart soared. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Now two things happened immediately. First, I told my kids exactly what had happened. Teachable moments must be siezed. Second, I acknowledged to them and myself that God clearly had a reason behind this and that it must be important for Him to go to this kind of trouble.

I share this because I read something in Job this morning that really caught my attention.

For God speaks time and again but a person may not notice it.

In a dream, a vision in the night, when deep sleep comes over

people as they slumber in their beds, He uncovers their ears

and terrifies them with warnings, in order to turn a person from

his actions and suppress the pride of a person. God spares his soul

from the Pit, his life from crossing the river of death.

Job 33:14-17

I know, a pretty ominous reading and certainly not as upbeat as all the things we can do through Christ who gives us strength.

But the point is, I have been given a choice. God clearly put this in my hands for a reason and I either take it seriously or dismiss it as just a random blessing. I am assuming you know which I am going to choose.

What frightens me though is the possibility, although more likely probability, that things like this have happened before and I have either missed them or dismissed them. The God who formed me and knows my needs, and I have the potential to ignore what He's trying to show and tell me.

As we get ready to head into our day, let's be intentional about watching for God's hand and anything He might be trying to tell us. Afterall, if He loves us enough to wow us with simple things like a book, I'm willing to bet He's wowing us way more than we realize the whole time.

White Knuckles

One of the great challenges we face is the fact that the good we want to do, we don't do, and that evil that we don't want to do, we do. We know the right thing but often fail to follow through while the option to do what brings immediate satisfaction we tend to grab with both hands for fear it will slip away. We can certainly get better and improve as we mature in Christ, but this battle in our hearts will not stop until we are at home with God.

But I think there is another great challenge we face that seems to be at odds with the truth of what we know. And right now, I am in the middle of trying to reconcile this in my heart and mind.

I am nothing if not a creature of habit. I am resistant to change to the very end. I will white-knuckle grip anything that is familiar in an effort to stop what is unknown, unfamiliar, and appears to be scary. That said, I am being forced to accept a few changes I did not ask for and am currently struggling to welcome.

It should be said that the changes are proactively seeking to address a problem. The changes could infact make a large enough difference that some rather unpleasant circumstances can be avoided. However, because of the way they will impact my preferences, the struggle is very real.

As I was reading my Bible this morning, not coincidentally in Job, I realized one very startling fact: God never changes.

The thing is, regardless of how my circumstances might shift, God doesn't shift. Despite the fact that what is happening will cause me to alter my schedule and routine, God does not change. And even though it might feel scary and I am undeniably a bit afraid of the impact, I know that God is good.

We will probably all face some changes this year. Some might be welcomed from the outset and some, like mine, might appear to be unpleasant company. But perhaps instead of focusing on what is changing that is beyond our control, we can focus on what never changes, our faithful, loving Father in heaven that has a plan we can not see and a purpose that is for our good.

Intentions

A while back I shared a resource I discover on Sara Hagerty's website. When I found it, I thought it would be a good idea to write out the verses with a prayer. At the time I had no idea how critical this new practice would end up being.

As I am currently reading She is Free by Andi Andrew, the chapter I am finishing up, Freedom From Unforgiveness, specifically addresses why forgiving is so necessary for our healing. I am not going to go into the reasons she lists simply because you've heard them all. Her points are the same points we've been hearing for years. She does however offer the explanation that it must come from the heart, that it is an act of free will, and that even if we don't feel a change, through our prayers to forgive, God is given permission to give us the grace and compassion to actually do it. It might not be immediate, but it will happen.

As you might suspect, she mentions that we all likely have people that pop into our minds and that sometimes the number one person we need to forgive is ourselves. Realizing how true this was of me, I listed out in my journal my biggest regrets. (no, I am not going to share them) It was not a fun or enjoyable experience but something I knew that needed to be done.

Then came this morning. And the verse I was going to write out on the January Adoration plan from Sara Hagerty.

As I wrote out this verse, I kept thinking about Joseph's situation. This is what I journaled.

Joseph's brothers were malicious in their intent; they had hatred, envy, and malice in their

hearts when they devised the wicked scheme that ultimately saved them all. But no person

in my live that has ever hurt me has ever done so with willful intent to cause great harm. Have

selfish, thoughtless things been done and said that left wounds and scars? Undoubtedly. But none

of them were done with the goal of inflicting pain. This also helps me see my sins, destructive

choices, and ungodly actions the same way. Not knowing better, not knowing how to turn to 

God for help, not understanding the truly selfish motives that lived deep inside didn't help me at all.

I am without excuse, but can see now where I must be compassionate with myself in my 

ignorance and lack of understanding. Help me to heal from the choices I made that haunt

me to this day knowing full well that the worst of anything I have ever done is not beyond

your redemption and restoration.

And I can tell you that realizing this is not only a great comfort for anything that I have done or was done to me, but also in the harm that was done to anyone I love. I can tell you hands down that I have held on to unforgiveness in my heart to those who caused harm to those I love. I'm not proud of this, I'm just being honest about it.

I don't know who we all need to forgive. What I do know is that understanding there is a difference between willful intent and selfish behavior that has consequences, makes the process a bit better. If you were in a situation like Joseph all I can offer you is the knowledge that God will use it some way. I know that doesn't make it better, but it also doesn't make it less true.

I pray that this has been as freeing to you as it has been to me to not only see others differently, but to see ourselves differently as well. More than that, I hope it helps us all to realize how desperately we need God and the grace and mercy He lavishly pours out on us every day.

Gentle and Quiet

A couple of days ago a friend of mine posted this in facebook:

"I wrote this morning about trying to eliminate a critical spirit. Then I totally 

failed by this evening! I am disappointed in myself tonight."

Now, if you knew my friend, you would realize how shocking this was to read. Any time I have ever had the privelage of being in her company, the last thing you would ever think is that she has a critical spirit in any way, shape, or form, or that she was in fact capable of having a critical thought. I mean, it just isn't possible. I have seen her endure things that would have killed me and flooded me with judgement that she has handled with grace, elegance, and unbelievable poise. And, because of my experiences with her, I replied with this comment.

"On the other hand you can rejoice that you are aware of it so that you can acknowledge

that you are sturggling in this area (so am I), you are wise enough to pray about it, 

mature enough to recognize that you passed an opportunity to succeed when given a chance,

and now know that Satan, who knows you want to improve, found a way to trip you up

so that you can battle again tomorrow. Personally, I think you did a smashing job."

I share this because if my sweet friend is dealing with a critical spirit, and I know how I have been dealing with it, I have to suspect that there is something in the air that means perhaps more of us are dealing with it and aren't talking about it because it's embarrassing. As godly women, the last thing we should be is critical. But my fear, isn't just in the fact that we have this battle raging in our hearts right now, my fear is in what we are being critical about.

I don't know her personal struggle in this area, but I am hyper-aware of mine. 

1 Peter 3:4 teaches ust hat the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God's sight. And because of Jesus, we know that He is the ultimate example of a gentle and quiet spirit. He loved, He spoke in love, He lead by example, He sought God every step of the way, and He allowed the light of God to lead others not anything about His physical appearance. 

That is not what I do.

My critical spirit has been focusing on decisions, outward appearances, and my perceptions and then taking them as truth.

Decisions that disagree with the way I think things should go.

Outward appearances that I assume are a 'look at me and all I can do" attitude.

Perceptions that open the door for me to judge intentions.

And while some of that may be coming from things that just aren't sitting right with me for one reason or another, there is a much bigger reality to accept here. 

Regardless of how different others may be, or as opposite as their behaviors and forward movement may be from mine, the truth remains that God can still use all of it for His glory whether He is actually the one leading it or planning to redeem it.

Examples: 

If someone in a position of leadership makes changes that I believe oppose the DNA of what they are leading and are in essence making a genetic modification, I have no business questioning what I don't know if God actually placed in their heart for a reason. 

If someone with a platform uses their platform to draw people in one way but then waits for a back-door opportunity to present Christ, I have no business questioning the media they use to draw people closer in relationship.

Both of those are the very harsh and honest reality of what is going on in my heart. And my friends post, brave, vulnerable, and raw, gave me the permission I needed to admit my problem to more than just my husband. Why? Because if she's dealing with it and I'm dealing with it, on the off chance that someone else might be dealing with it, we have to be willing to talk about it, examine it, realize its source, and pray against it independently, together, and for each other.

It's not just that we aren't given a spirit of fear, we are in no way given a critical spirit either. Rather, we were given the Spirit of God, meant to empower, strengthen, and cry out to Him on our behalf. And if anything else is in us, we have to be willing to acknowledge it didn't come from God and it has a much different, darker source that needs to be addressed. It's high time we realized just how deceptive that source is, the lies he is whispering in our ears to instigate our attitudes, and by the authority of Jesus, kick him out of our thoughts every time he tries to creep back in.

Lord, you did not call us to be critical, but compassionate. You didn't call us to judge, but to pray for Your eyes to see. If there is anything in us that is critical, remind us that regardless of our perception of what we are seeing, it is not beyond your leading or redemption. Above all else we know that Your ways are not our ways and that You can use anything to achieve Your purposes. Help us to trust You more than what we perceive. We ask all this in the mighty, powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Words

I don't know a lot about cars, but I learned two interesting things recently. First, they don't like cold weather and it causes them to make funny noises and do weird things. Second, alloy wheels tend to lose air more frequently because the seal around the tire needs to be re-done. This in turn causes the tire sensor light to come on. A lot. And sometimes brings out the best in you. (Please read that with the appropriate amount of sarcasm.)

Because the car I drive has alloy wheels, I learned how to put air in tires when I got it. Sad, but true. Before that my husband always took the car when the light came on because I didn't feel a need to learn until I was forced to. Last week with the unbelievably frigid temperatures which affect tire pressure anyway, I found myself needing to get them resealed immediately because they were going way down. The worst day, one of them reached 15. Needless to say, I drove to my husband's job, switched cars, took the kids to school, drove back, took my car to the tire place, walked by down the hill to his car, and kept it until my car was done.

All of this sounds okay except that when I got in my husband's car while trying to take the kids to school, it was practically on E, I had errands to run, wanted to be someplace by 9:15, it was already going on 8:00, and now I needed to add a trip to the gas station in blistering winds with a real feel of about 0℉. Happy I was not. Needless to say with one kid beside me and the other kid behind me, it was a quiet drive to school. My mood was obvious and no one said a word. Until we got to the sidewalk to drop-off.

Upon exiting the car, both kids said I love you, and the oldest one reminded me that it was going to be okay. My heart crashed. Wisdom from a 14 year-old that is typically screaming at a tv over a video game death or loss of supplies. Won't lie....it was pretty humbling.

Once both kids began walking into school I immediately began praying. Probably should have done that once I read the gas gauge, but I didn't because I was too stuck in my own head. I continued on my way and was thinking of how I might need to rearrange a few things for my morning. But once I ran my two errands and got home before needing to head back out again, I stopped. I opened the book I planned to read, and gained just a bit of perspective. Why? Because I knew I needed to take the time to breathe.

When I picked my word for the year, I had no idea that within a day that it would be made evident that it was clearly assigned (so much for me thinking I had any part in it) and within three days I had been presented with an unexpected opportunity to apply the reason why I picked it. I knew I needed to slow down, I knew I needed to gain God's perspective more often, and I knew that if I didn't do this, I would continue to run around with my hair on fire all the time. And while I am not well versed in fire safety beyond stop, drop, and roll, I do know that running around, fueling fire with oxygen, will only make it grow more wild and uncontrollable.

The day that all of this happened, I read my planned reading from Nourish by Katie Farrell. These were my takeaways either from what she directly wrote or what God showed me through her story.

* Scarcity mentality leads to fear, leads to anxiety, leads to a false sense of control, leads to death

* Only God can exchange your fears and need of control for freedom, balance, and joy

Not a coincidence at all.

If I am learning anything at all, it's that breathing is more essential to our living than any of us realize, and I don't mean what our lungs do to oxygenate our blood, brain, and heart.

Proverbs 4:20-22 reads:

My son, pay attention to my words;

listen closely to my sayings.

Don't lose sight of them;

keep them within your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,

and health to one's whole body.

God's living, breathing, active word, whether in His book or the book of another written to tell of His faithfulness, can breathe life into our dry bones faster than a piece of pick me up chocolate or temper tantrum to manipulate our circumstances ever will. Am I proud of the way I acted? No. Am I happy all of it happened? Without a doubt. I learned some pretty valuable lessons that morning. Ones I am truly praying settle deep into my heart.

I don't know what everyone's scarcity mentality looks like. But I do know that whatever we think we don't have enough of, God has in abundant supply. Our responsibility is to seek Him and ask Him for it. He gives generously because He loves us and knows that it's in moments like these that our faith is built. Why? Because if He meets our need once, we start to believe and trust He will meet it again.

If you haven't picked a word yet for this year, it's not too late. The year is only 7 days old because today isn't over. And who knows, perhaps the one word you've been mulling around was placed there by the hand of God Himself just like He did for me. And wouldn't it be exciting to come to December 31st together and recount all that God did to show us about ourselves and Him through one tiny little word.