Unplugged Update

I have been VERY intentional to my commitment to unplug.  I've had far less screen time and much more face time.  For a few weeks, I removed Facebook from my phone.  I knew it would be tempting to get caught in the trap of looking for a bit and staying on too long.  I purposefully became present in life.  It's been a constant goal, but I am a bit more focused on living "BEING" here completely.
I've struggled in some areas, and am realizing sometimes I look at the screens of life to avoid some painful realities God is prompting my heart to see.  But, I'm okay with that.  I know my Father is big enough to help me overcome.

It's really cool how that oBEdience thing works.....following those promptings even when they seem challenging, and seeing a nice fruitful harvest.  And truth is, it usually is not as hard as the enemy tries to make us believe.  The anticipation of being obedient is actually the hardest part, and that's our flesh screaming to hold on to something we'd be better off without.  Another truth is I already have what it takes to succeed, I just have to BElieve it.
I'm not sure of a lot, but I am sure that God has our best interests at heart, always. 

BE courageous. BE strong.

Something really unfamiliar, but exciting, is happening.  

The spirit of fear and timidity is dissipating within me.  

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

The Lord called me down a road of seeking Him only.  To choose to tune out all other voices.  To trust that I can come to His throne.  

                                                       Hebrews 4:16

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

It has not felt comfortable.  It has felt unfamiliar.  I have had bad days! I have felt panicked! But I have always felt Him right there, soothing my insecurities.

Deuteronomy 31:6

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the L ord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."

I trust the Lord's voice above man.  No one else can tell me "when I am ready" to follow the Lord's voice.  I am aware of the obstacles the enemy will throw in my path.  Most of the time it's through something posing as the Lord's wisdom.  But I can BE courageous.  I can BE strong.  I can stand firm.  

1 Corinthians 16:13

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

The Love of My LIfe

I am blessed with a wonderful husband.  He definitely makes life fun!  His energy is contagious and has carried me through many times when I've had none!

But my husband also has an amazing heart.  I want to share something that he did recently that made me really proud to be his wife.

One of the managers he works under was recently diagnosed with cancer.  He is really young.  He is really sick and has been in the hospital for a while.  

A couple of weeks ago, Jason went to speak to a group of new salesmen.  He is really successful at work, and has encouraged and helped many others to have success in their job.  His heart is always looking to offer advice to anyone who reaches out to him.  I love that about him!  

He was in the area, so he went by to visit his friend in the hospital.  But he went above just visiting.  He took his ukelele in and played for him. He mentioned that it must be hard to just lay in a hospital bed all the time, so he was hoping to lift his spirits.  

As he was playing, a lady about my age walked by.  She asked the nurse to ask Jason to come play for her as well.  So he did.  He played for a complete stranger.  And it made her day.

Not only did he play for them, he played his ukelele walking down the halls of the hospital and in the elevator.  He said people were smiling and giving him thumbs up.  And he did this in his work uniform, which made me laugh.  A really tall, handsome Orkin man, walking around the halls of a hospital playing a little ukelele.

After I got off the phone with him, I actually cried.  It touched my heart so deeply.  One of the things I love most about my husband is that he doesn't think about what other people think about him.  He is genuine.  Sometimes people, really uptight people, don't know how to take this freedom he expresses.  But I LOVE IT!  I know God blessed me in the most amazing way when he brought Jason into my life.  I actually was one of those uptight people who didn't like him so much when I first met him.  But I'm glad I gave him a chance because he has helped me to overcome so much.  I couldn't ask for a better life partner.  

I love you Jason.  I couldn't ask for a better husband.  I am thankful that God paired us together in this life.  I know eternity is going to be even better.  And I know you worry that you won't be able to kiss me in heaven, but I have a feeling God won't mind if we do.  

Enjoy the Ride

This year, I felt God calling me to discover the "basics".  Sounds vague doesn't it!

 Sometimes life gets so overcomplicated.  I sometimes find myself digging into a deep hole of trying to find the "best way" to carry out my days on this Earth. I want to know how my Father intended me to live out this fleeting moment.  I don't want to get caught up in the rapid flow of the world.  Instead, I want to be carried in the flow by my Creator.  I think that means, doing things differently. 

Sometimes I don't even think I know who "I" am so much.   But I do know I want to be AUTHENTIC! I want meaningful relationships.  I want to LOVE this journey! The ups and the downs....because it's all GOD!

I want to live in the moment.  Cliche', yes, but to really notice the beauty of the place of the stream I'm on, not looking ahead to see where the other fish are! I think all too often we miss Him because we focus too much on what others have that we don't.  

I want to be genuinely happy in the moment with an attitude of THANKS!  When I am thinking about who I can tell about my happiness, I'm probably not really "getting" it.  I'm still trying to please people. But when I'm loving life and giving thanks is enough, that's authentic.  

I want genuine relationships, where authentic is sometimes ugly!  I don't want to have to pretend I'm working the "formula" to have friends.  I want my life to be super intwined with my Daddy, so that I am not looking to others to verify my actions!  

So what does this "basic" mean?

So far, I've figured out it means being still.  Really listening and trusting God.  Not trying to fix things or people, but learning to love and forgive.  Recognizing old patterns and knowing that even though they arise, they do not define me.  Learning from the hard stuff!  Sitting with the hard stuff when I don't know what else to do.  Somewhere, there's the key to the next door.  This is basics.  

I don't have to know any formulas really.  Being really really present and open to learn from experiences is the only formula I need.  Jesus solved them all.  I just have to rest in Him.  I feel like for the first time in my life, I'm learning what my identity in Christ means.  And it has by no means been "normal".  God has led me in some new streams, but I'm enjoying this ride.  After all, isn't the one who created us the best Captain to choose!