Fits and Starts, Being Stuck and being true to who you are

I absolutely love Phil Ressler's "40 Things to Give up for Lent and Beyond." I'm super excited to be working through it this Lent. But something happened, I got stuck. Week 1 Saturday, Lesson number 10: Giving up Over-commitment. Whoa, that hit home big time.

Part of being steadfast, isn't just hanging on when things are hard, it is also being steady, consistent.

Ephesians 4: 3 The Message reads   And mark that you do this with humility and discipline - not in fits and starts, but steadily pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love.

At first I was angry at myself for getting stuck, for not finishing what I started, for getting days behind. But in the back of my mind I knew there was a reason for it and there was a big lesson coming. I was being tossed around in the sea of over commitment.

None of what I was trying to do were bad things within themselves. They are all good things on their own but it was too much for me all at once. I had started to experience fits and starts. The inability to take it all in and keep up. Ups and downs of energy levels. Not just incomplete tasks, but incomplete comprehension of all this awesome material I was learning. My brain was struggling to understand and remember what I was reading in 40 Things, Stephen Ministry and daily Lenten Gospel readings. I did not feel steady at all.

I actually tried to skip over Day 10 in order to catch up! But, I knew I couldn't move forward until I went back to it. While avoiding it I started to hyper focus on all the undone things in our home. I needed to complete this project or clean out this closet. It was like I was grasping at clarifying my environment in order to feel control in chaos.

In Day 10, Phil Ressler points out that if we don't have a portion of our lives that is NOT committed to something, we create an unsustainable situation. We aren't steady. We work in fits and starts. We become overwhelmed and stuck, with no freedom to move forward.

Learning to be true to who we are, to find joy in this amazing life God has given us, is learning to be present, slow down, absorb what He is showing you. Allow quiet unscheduled time in your life and mind to hear what He is saying. To discern what He wants you to pursue. To have peace in those pursuits. And allowing God to accomplish that peace and healing in you.

All this came about among prayers to learn simplicity. When I feel most myself is when I'm not bogged down by tasks and clutter. But trying to control those external things in order to feel peace doesn't produce peace. It's like it works backwards. You have to let go of those things and their control over you in order to have freedom. It is knowing peace and then modifying those things around me in order that they no longer act as an obstacle to helping make the world better.

1 Timothy 6:11 The Message reads  Pursue a righteous life - a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. 

Breathe that in for a minute and allow your heart to be in awe of every one of those words. That is what God desires for us. That is the life only He can give us. He doesn't ask us to produce it. He invites us to participate in it. He is telling us that He has already given it. If you aren't sure how, ask God to show you.

When Your Worlds Collide

To say there is a lot on my plate is an understatement, but I have been praying for guidance and practicing saying "NO." Tonight something really cool happened. With all the projects on my plate, I have been doing tons of reading. I have homework for Stephen Ministry Training (if you don't know what that is, Google it, it is amazing), Lesson plan prep for teaching the training, some Saint John's Bible visio divina on 1 Corinthians 13 (Google that, too) and my personal Lenten journey using Phil Ressler's "40 Things to Give up for Lent and Beyond." ALL these readings and I mean all, collided into one message tonight, that Love is patient. And it is Valentine's Day eve as I type this. Phew, that's a lot to bring all together. Only God could do that.

I spent almost all my day preparing my lesson on "The Art of Listening" to teach tomorrow at Stephen Ministry Training. Which is all about active listening in building a caring relationship that requires patience. Then there was sneaking in the time to do today's lesson in my Lent devotion, "40 Things to Give up for Lent and Beyond" by Phil Ressler. Today for the Saturday after Ash Wednesday, Giving Up Impatience. Which started with being still and quiet with God and then turned into having patience with yourself. Enjoying the journey. Also, being patient with others because we have forgiveness. Patience comes when we are not selfish. Both lessons reference James 1, to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Or as The Message puts it, "to lead with your ears."

Slowing down and taking time to be steady speaks volumes to me, hence the word steadfast. So, along with my Lent devotion, I drew an hour glass. Taking time to listen to God and others is what builds relationships. Patience gives us life. Time and life and people are precious, that is the story I tell people is the reason I have my great grandfather's pocket watch tattooed on the back of my neck, hence the word unconventional.

And finally, early this week I visited our local art museum, The Biggs. They are currently hosting The Saint John's Bible. An amazing, breath taking work of art. I was taking some photos and decided to use the illuminated text of the "Love Chapter" of 1 Corinthians as my social media post for Valentine's Day. Which of course, starts off with 'Love is patient.."

I may not know exactly where all this is leading right now, but I was thoroughly taken aback by how it all connected. Maybe my plate isn't too full. Instead it is a well thought out culinary work of art designed by my Creator.

To see the Saint John's Bible Valentine's Day post, click on my Instagram link to the right. There you will also find the drawings for my 40 things to give up for Lent devotion.

Turning a Task List into a Love List

We have an extraordinary ability in our house to take the simplest of activity and turn it into a burdensome task. Let's face it, 'To-Do' lists are not that fun. And it always seems that as soon as you sit down to make small one, it quickly turns into a GIANT one.

I know my kids have been feeling this stress lately. We have daily tasks and chores. Even down to the tiny detail of check off you remembered your belt with your uniform for school. This can become very heavy very fast. I know I hate huge lists hanging over my head but at the same time I like to rest knowing it's written down and I don't have to have it all memorized.

It is easy to take the graces of our God and turn them into a list of accomplishments, for ourselves. Heck, it feels good when we can say; I prayed check, I read the bible check. Not to mention the complete and utter satisfaction that comes with a conquered To-Do list! That one feels awesome. With my recent use of a faith planner and taking the time to enjoy my daily schedule and see God in it, I have learned a valuable lesson; make planning what you have to do pleasant. Not a pass or fail test.

Every morning after the kids had gone to school and I get my peace and quiet, I would start noticing all the things left undone. All the tasks forgotten. And it would irritate me to no end. Even more so as I resisted the urge to do it for them. Sooooo, on a whim of divine inspiration, I started to doodle out their daily to do lists. I added little encouraging sayings and sketches. I was completely taken aback at how uplifting and more positive this was, for all of us. It was a simple change that took something that was cumbersome and made it lighthearted. I love the process of putting love and care into teaching my kids how to care for themselves.

As for my faith planner, it is extremely meditative. I have stickers, stamps, pens, washi tape and they all find a way to connect me to Christ and what He is doing in my life. I pray. I ask for His help. I ask Him to guide my hand and inspire my heart. I feel His presence and am encouraged in my tasks.

Being Steadfast vs Being Prepared

After a week away in Orlando for Stephen Ministry Leader Training, I was looking forward to returning back to "normal". For me, that meant the routine I had been enjoying since the kids returned to school after break. I'd enjoy a morning cup of coffee, listening to Rend Collective, looking over my new inspirational planner and connecting to God in some creative way; bible journaling, praying in color, my Solo devotion, etc...

Well, needless to say, that has not been my week. It has been one crisis to the next. First there was dealing with a common childhood infestation of sorts, which includes lots of cleaning and washing, and strict hygiene practices. Then came preparing for a blizzard, winter storm Jonas, that was about to dump large amounts of snow in a place where that is not the norm. 

This has been a very hard adjustment for me. Orlando was a lot of work and strain on my system. I needed days to recover, not shop for various supplies and scrubbing down my house. I have been a very cranky person. I am very grateful for my understanding and compassionate family. 

As I prepared for one of those crazy days of running errands and making storm emergency plans, I had a thought. I realized that being steadfast has pulled me through my pains and sufferings but has not necessarily made me prepared to handle a crisis. Clinging to God is good but how you do it can make a huge difference. That comes from a different kind of strength. As I made my supply list, I noticed that it was an intentional planning activity that took practice and disciple. 

The strength needed to pull through stressful events comes from what you do prior to the crisis. This will help you survive through it. It prepares you and builds a foundation to draw on. For me, God is steadfast to us through it all but if I am not prepared I find myself freaking out during the hard times. I can hold tight to God but what gets me through is the fact that I had been reading scripture the weeks before and had been feeling His presence. So, even though I was in a hurry and didn't have the time to sit down and soak in His grace, I could know that He was still there. I could pray and let Him through just enough to be reminded of His promise and His steadfastness. I could tap into the reserves that had been created in the last month. So now, instead of loathing where I am at, I can make it until the crisis is over. I still long to get back to my quiet place but can rest in the reassurance that God and I will reconnect on a deeper level again soon. 

A New Year, New Family Faith Choices

My kids love to have choices. Life isn't as boring that way. Of course, on the other hand routine is good, especially when you are learning something new. Before, when we were all getting used to adding to our faith routines, we kept it simple. We did what we call Bible Journaling. That would be finding a verse in your print copy of the Bible and marking it up. We'd circle, underline and draw little pictures. We also all have prayer journals for drawing out, in doodle style, our prayers. Since this had become somewhat part of a daily practice, I've started hearing things like, "I don't know what verse to journal." and "what should I pray for." I realized at this point it was time to shake things up a bit. To offer a few options to guide them and keep them engaged.

   

Pray for Yourself

It is very important to teach a child, young and old, how to pray for themselves. How to ask God to change you and grow you. To be aware of the ways God works in ourselves and the world. Here is a photo of a printable for Ann Voskamp's www.aholyexperience.com Here she gives you prompts to write out for the new year how you want God to work in you. Instead of Resolutions, you have SOULutions, change through prayer. We worked on our petitions as a family, wrote, colored and framed one for each member. We are to look at them daily for pray for each one for ourselves.

 Coloring and Praying

Everyone loves to color! Matter of fact, it is the latest craze. I found these gems and Walmart and Michael's. They were pretty inexpensive, too. I taped them to foam board and stuck them up on our craft closet door in our dining room. The idea behind the posters is to color while you talk with God. What is on your heart and mind. It is relaxing and spiritual at the same time. Sometimes you can even feel the tug of His Spirit as you just let go and be. The kids may not have lots to say (or who knows, a lot goes on those little heads) but the practice helps you to remain in a prayerful state and hopefully carry that out into the rest of your day.

Scripture Prompts and Going Digital

Here is a simple list from Concordia Publishing House, www.cph.org that suggests bible readings for each day of January and has a reflection question, too. No more, I don't know what to read in the bible. Although my tech savvy kids already do some creating and journaling on their electronic devices, I did add a specific digital element. It isn't faith centered, but it can be based on how you reflect on it. There are simple prompts to photograph in your day. I love capturing my day and wanted to share that option with my kids. I found this list on Pinterest. Look on my Family Faith board for both links.

The Saint John's Bible

If you want to experience the ultimate in Bible Journaling and Illuminating the Scriptures, check out the Saint John's Bible. The story behind it is amazing and the artwork is breathtaking. In short, it is the first hand written and illustrated bible in over 500 years. It is from the Saint John's University in Collegeville, MN. Definitely google this gem. We gifted our selves the printed copies for our home library. The kids can grab one and page through it for inspiration.

I really hope that through these options my kids will learn a variety of ways to build their relationship with Christ and grow spiritually. Now, I just need to find a way to remind them of their options.

Under the Weather and Overwhelmed

As we approach New Year's Eve, we are in week two of Christmas vacation. Only 5 more days until back to school. The kids are getting restless and to make it even more challenging we have 3 out of 5 family members sick. So, there is no going anywhere that takes lots of walking. Although we are out of sorts, we'll all be very soon back into our routines. The ordinary everyday schedule will return. I won't lie, I love time with my family but I am looking forward to getting back into the groove of things.

I was thinking about this Holiday season today while accomplishing a few small goals and something dawned on me. The timing of our celebration of the birth of Christ and when we ring in the New Year is quite fitting, although centuries apart in their establishments. We spend about four weeks in preparation for the birth of our savior. We anticipate a great joyous occasion. We recall why we need a savior and the promises God proclaimed for the coming messiah. We recognize we humans needed a new start with our creator.

Then how appropriate that we spend the next week after celebrating this new birth thinking about the new beginning of the upcoming year. We reflect on all the good and bad of the past year and resolve to make the next one even better. So, this is what happens after all the advent preparations for Jesus' birth are over and fulfilled. We start anew!

Even though I'm looking forward to getting back into the groove of normal life, I am excited to start something new. I look forward to a new year filled with new experiences, lessons and memories. Given the opportunity to start new is not something to take lightly. Looking forward to something new is what gives us hope in those day to day routines. God gave us the greatest hope of all. We continue to hope because He will come again.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Handmade Inspirational Christmas Gifts

If you want to have some fun with your kids and make gifts at the same time, here are some ideas.

Kids love to color, draw and write. These gifts are inexpensive and personal and easy to make.

1. Uplifting Ornaments

Simply pick up some fancy looking gift tags from a local craft store. These work perfectly because they are already beautifully decorated and have strings attached to hang on a tree. For the back, you can either print out your favorite bible verses or quotes and glue them to the back, or you can cut plain white paper to fit and have your young ones write out verses or draw pictures of the nativity to glue to the back.

2. Faithful Photos

With the same idea of bible verses, quotes or drawings, fill an inexpensive album or ornament frames. The album pictured above fits wallet or business card size 2 x 3. Again, you can either print from the computer or hand draw. If you have old business cards you aren't using, consider gluing to those for some weight. The ornament frames are easy to get the right size for the insert. Just trace the paper that is already inside it. The ornament frames can either be used as tree decorations or hung in special places to see easily, like with a suction cup hook to the bathroom mirror. The small travel size album could be carried anywhere with the gift receiver.

3. Buckets of Love

Print out, color, draw, write things that have to do with God's great love and your love for the person receiving the gift. They can place their bucket anywhere in their home and pluck out a paper every time they need a pick me up. You can use any cute container from the craft store and dress it up with some ribbon. Tell them to set it next to their coffee maker and have it be a positive way to start their day or have them place it on their night stand to close their day with love.

These are great gifts for anyone, especially for grandparents or even your own children young or old.