Takeaways From Chapter Four
Hello Friends!
Okay, so I LOVE the way God works.
Last time, I wrote about all the little things that drive me crazy in life, and just how easy it is to trip over those little details and hit the wall.
Well... Since I often struggle with taking my own advice, I found myself... well, hitting the wall again. I managed to escape the monotony of my daily chores at home and the normal chaos that lives there to a public library where all of the middle schoolers from next door apparently hang out. So swell.
Once I got over myself, a friend texted me to ask if I needed any help with meal prep and cleaning, which she had graciously offered before. I, in my total "I am going to ignore my personal needs at all costs" mindset thought she was asking me to come help her clean and chop veggies. Haha, that was an awkward misunderstanding... And, since she is a great friend who totally rolls with the punches, I was able to feel back at ease and realize just how thin I had been stretching myself lately.
You know, it is so easy to know the right thing to do for yourself, your family, etc. Like, deep, deep down inside I know that I am tired and need a change of pace. All of my symptoms have been showing up. Cranky. Blowing up at people because I feel like I am living such a season of lack of purpose. I mean honestly, dishes are not the most life-enriching pastime for most of us.
But as I slid to the back, back end of the library toward the quiet zone, I turned off my phone and dug my nose into a book that I have been reading called The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst. It was a gift from the RA staff at my university as a summer read to help us prepare to be the best RA we could be. (Shout-out to them for investing in us!)
I cracked the book open to Chapter Four. And you know when you finally slow down and God surprises you? Good ole God, always wanting to spend a little time with us to help us out from driving our selves crazy! Well, as you might guess, it was just what I needed to hear.
In that chapter, Lysa writes about how we make things so much more complicated than they need to be. One of her illustrations was about the mundane things. (BOOM RIGHT THERE.) She warns her readers not to "despise the daily stuff" because it is in the ordinary, dish-washing, tax-paying, appointment-setting things in life that we need to practice leveraging the wisdom and insight we glean from reading and applying God's word.
Her words evoked in me so many times that God had spoken to me before. So many ordinary things found in nature or everyday life that the Holy Spirit would use to bring His truth into greater understanding.
She goes on to say how when we do our part; i.e. reading the Word, applying the Word, and surrounding ourselves with people of the Words; we can gain that wisdom, knowledge, insight, and discernment.
So while I have heard most of these things before, the timing in my current situation (and yes, current attitude) needed to be challenged in this way. I just needed to be reminded again!
Next time, I will be singin' to Jesus as I do dishes! Even if it is a little obnoxious and loud!
Until next time, stay challenged, encouraged, and grateful!
XOXO,
Mel
Okay, so I LOVE the way God works.
Last time, I wrote about all the little things that drive me crazy in life, and just how easy it is to trip over those little details and hit the wall.
Well... Since I often struggle with taking my own advice, I found myself... well, hitting the wall again. I managed to escape the monotony of my daily chores at home and the normal chaos that lives there to a public library where all of the middle schoolers from next door apparently hang out. So swell.
Once I got over myself, a friend texted me to ask if I needed any help with meal prep and cleaning, which she had graciously offered before. I, in my total "I am going to ignore my personal needs at all costs" mindset thought she was asking me to come help her clean and chop veggies. Haha, that was an awkward misunderstanding... And, since she is a great friend who totally rolls with the punches, I was able to feel back at ease and realize just how thin I had been stretching myself lately.
You know, it is so easy to know the right thing to do for yourself, your family, etc. Like, deep, deep down inside I know that I am tired and need a change of pace. All of my symptoms have been showing up. Cranky. Blowing up at people because I feel like I am living such a season of lack of purpose. I mean honestly, dishes are not the most life-enriching pastime for most of us.
But as I slid to the back, back end of the library toward the quiet zone, I turned off my phone and dug my nose into a book that I have been reading called The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst. It was a gift from the RA staff at my university as a summer read to help us prepare to be the best RA we could be. (Shout-out to them for investing in us!)
I cracked the book open to Chapter Four. And you know when you finally slow down and God surprises you? Good ole God, always wanting to spend a little time with us to help us out from driving our selves crazy! Well, as you might guess, it was just what I needed to hear.
In that chapter, Lysa writes about how we make things so much more complicated than they need to be. One of her illustrations was about the mundane things. (BOOM RIGHT THERE.) She warns her readers not to "despise the daily stuff" because it is in the ordinary, dish-washing, tax-paying, appointment-setting things in life that we need to practice leveraging the wisdom and insight we glean from reading and applying God's word.
Her words evoked in me so many times that God had spoken to me before. So many ordinary things found in nature or everyday life that the Holy Spirit would use to bring His truth into greater understanding.
She goes on to say how when we do our part; i.e. reading the Word, applying the Word, and surrounding ourselves with people of the Words; we can gain that wisdom, knowledge, insight, and discernment.
So while I have heard most of these things before, the timing in my current situation (and yes, current attitude) needed to be challenged in this way. I just needed to be reminded again!
Next time, I will be singin' to Jesus as I do dishes! Even if it is a little obnoxious and loud!
Until next time, stay challenged, encouraged, and grateful!
XOXO,
Mel
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