dropping the rope
There are days when words just don’t come. I’ve had a string of about twenty-one of them. That nagging feeling of “I should write” playing tug-o-war with the futility of “I have nothing to say”—a constant pulling back and forth that most recently seems to end with me back in bed, covers askew and cats aplenty as I burrow deeper under both. I do not like the constant pulling and tugging—the relentless tension in the line, the way each side digs in their feet and sets their weight in opposition to the other, the rope burns on my hands. I despise the taunting and...
Read Moreit’s about time
Timing is everything. I sat down this past Monday with one of my best friends to finally listen to a Beth Moore series I intended to listen to, oh, about *cough* six months ago, and was reminded, yet again, of this small but irrefutable fact. Timing. Is. Everything. I have alluded to the beginning of this year having been rough—physically, logistically, financially, parentally, maritally, professionally, creatively, emotionally, spiritually. Rough. What I’ve not shared—for a number of reasons—is how a rough winter went into a difficult spring then lapsed into a challenging...
Read Moremore than ideas or sentiment
The morning of June 13th dawned early—much too early. But it wasn’t just the hour that came too quickly—though that certainly was a factor, as we were bone-weary tired from seven jam-packed days of sweating and service. It was more that the week, which had once stretched out before us full of hope and promise, was now drawing to a close and within hours we would lift off from this land that had become dear to us, not knowing when we might return. We came to breakfast tired. Hungry. Heavy-hearted. Reluctant to leave. And as we did every morning...
Read Moreyou tell me: shortcuts
What shortcuts enjoyment for you and steals your enjoyment of the moment? Why is it hard to be IN the season you’re in? How do you practice trusting God with tomorrow so as to enjoy today? If you sat down with a blank piece of paper, how long would it take to fill it with things you are thankful for? Are you willing to try it and see? What might you need to surrender to the Lord in order to enjoy the life you have been...
Read Morebecoming a better me: enjoy
We are rounding the corner into the home stretch now, Friends! Our focus for the beginning of this New Year has been on “Becoming a (Biblically) BETTER Me,” and we are down to our last two points to consider. But before we forge ahead, let’s review what we’ve learned so far. We are over halfway through our acronym, now, and so far have discussed our need to: Begin by breaking the power of inertia Embrace the work of Grace Trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty Turn from that which is sinful toward God This week? This week, friends, we learn to Enjoy. Did you hear...
Read Moreperfectionism: the enemy of grace
I awake in the morning heavy and heart-achey, not wanting to leave the warmth of my bed. But I do—because I have to—and I hit the ground running at a breakneck pace. I transport kids to school on my days off, and , most days of the week, spend the next seven hours of my “free time” sitting at the computer writing feverishly until I have to transport the children back home. Once home, I clock in to my third job and begin diving in to the management of the household. Paying bills. Checking homework. Making dinner. Reading stories. Tucking children in. I fall in to bed,...
Read Moreembracing what’s already begun
So, friends, what is YOUR motivation to begin—one that is big enough to create an equal and opposite force to set things into motion? Is it your kids? Your spouse? An important family member? Are you sick of the way things are? Has someone has given you an ultimatum? Are you pushed against the wall by a deadline or a doctor’s orders? Perhaps you feel a calling on your life? Something you feel God wants you to do but you just haven’t done it yet? What is going to give you the hope and courage necessary to take that first step and Become a Better You? Whatever your reason for...
Read Morewhen inertia sabotoges a great beginning
I learned last winter, under the tutelage of “Professor Ray” at the Hands On Museum in Ann Arbor, that inertia causes something to resist a change in motion. Just to be certain Professor Ray wasn’t making this up, I went straight to the source of all truth and knowledge: Wikipedia. The experts at Wikipedia state: Inertia is the resistance of any physical object to a change in its state of motion or rest, or the tendancy of an object to resist any change in its motion. This is interesting to me as one who strives to create change, both in myself and others. See, I always thought...
Read Moreword of the day: begin
be·gin v. be·gan v.intr. 1. To take the first step in performing or carrying out an action; start. 2. To come or bring into being: when life began. 3. To do or accomplish in the least degree: Those measures do not even begin to address the problem. v.tr. 1. To take the first step in doing; start: began work. 2. To cause to come into being; originate. 3. To come first in: The numeral 1 begins the sequence. [Middle English biginnen, from Old English beginnan.] Synonyms: begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate These verbs denote coming into being or taking the first step, as in a...
Read Morethe world’s better versus god’s better
A word of warning, friends: this is not going to be your typical self-help schtick. When we talking about becoming better—more useful, suitable, or desirable—we’re not going to talk about secular self-improvement. This isn’t a series on becoming: more productive more efficient more organized more consistent more positive more effective We’re not going to talk about resolutions aimed at changing surface behaviors or attitudes: Get up early to exercise Only touch each piece of mail once Say five positive things for every one negative Schedule personal time on your calendar Stop...
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