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Busyness

My calendar filled up all the sudden. The older kids are in a play this spring and practice has begun. We’ve added voice lessons to our weekly routine. Homeschool PE moves to the pool at the college for a swimming unit. What was manageable last week suddenly got nuts.

Times like this are especially challenging for me. It seems if the pressure mounts to get everything done, I start having trouble getting anything done. I lose perspective. I lose focus and I end up spinning my wheels.

Jesus says “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest… Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)

This is what I’m working on for the next few weeks.

BIC040 Just a quick post today. My calendar filled up all the sudden. The older kids are in a play this spring and practice has begun. We’ve added voice lessons to our weekly routine. Homeschool PE moves to the pool at the college for a swimming unit. What was manageable last week suddenly got nuts.

Freely and lightly. Yes!

Praise & Thanks

By Paula

“We will show forth Your praise to all generations” Psalms 79:13

Some days you just have to praise God…

I was in a praise service Sunday evening with my whole family. Jon and I sang. Lauren played the piano and Alan gave his testimony. I’m sure Rachel will take her part soon enough. What a blessing to sit in church as a family! We received word today in the morning service about a family torn apart by suicide, about a family touched by the uncertainty of job loss, about another family devastated by catastrophic illness.

God doesn’t owe me anything, but yet He pours out blessings upon blessings. Friends, family, life and health… I don’t know why except that that’s just the way He is. Here’s an exercise I’ve done with the kids on occasion- Thank God right now for ten things you’ve never thanked Him for.

In no particular order:

1. Corrective lenses so I can see without getting a headache

2. Chocolate milk (the store-bought kind AND Nestle’s Quik)

3. Toothbrush (Could you imagine NOT having a toothbrush?)

4. Being able to read

5. Hearing my children laugh

6. An alarm clock, really. It means I’ve got something to do.

7. Medication (otherwise that tachycardia might just take off on me)

8. Getting to choose at the grocery store (Not only is there food there to buy, that’s safe, but I can get just about anything I can imagine.)

9. Leisure time (Jon and I – and the kids too – don’t have to work every waking moment just to eat.)

10. An office full of books

“We will show forth Your praise to all generations” Psalms 79:13

Some days you just have to praise God…

In no particular order:

1. Corrective lenses so I can see without getting a headache

2. Chocolate milk (the store-bought kind AND Nestle’s Quik)

3. Toothbrush (Could you imagine NOT having a toothbrush?)

4. Being able to read

5. Hearing my children laugh

6. An alarm clock, really. It means I’ve got something to do.

7. Medication (otherwise that tachycardia might just take off on me)

8. Getting to choose at the grocery store (Not only is there food there to buy, that’s safe, but I can get just about anything I can imagine.)

9. Leisure time (Jon and I – and the kids too – don’t have to work every waking moment just to eat.)

10. An office full of books

Waiting

By Paula

CB004899 One of my jobs each week is getting the bulletin ready. It’s less of a program for the worship service and more like a newsletter. In trying to find something substantive for the back page, I ran across an email with a piece reprinted from Rick Warren. He quotes Habakkuk (which is one of my favorite little books) and makes the statement, “Even as you make a decision to follow the dream God places in your heart, you can expect a delay.”

When God does that, every bit of faith I mustered to take that step, to follow that dream, gets pitched right out the window. If God would tell me up front, “Now it’s going to take five years (or ten or twenty) before this all comes to pass,” I’d be all set. He never does that though. He expects me to trust Him. From beginning to end. Without constant reassurance.

I don’t have to be reassured that Jesus is really giving me eternity in heaven. I don’t have to be reminded that God is omnipotent. So what’s the difference? Me. That dream, that assignment began in God’s mind and is a part of His plan which cannot fail. However, I often fall into believing the success rests solely with me now. The pressure mounts to make it happen.

God never tells me I have to bring His plans to fruition. One reason for the delay is to make sure I understand that it isn’t about what I can do for God. It’s about seeing God’s purposes fulfilled, getting to be there when it happens.

The other thing I need to grasp- quoting Rick Warren again- “A delay is not a denial.” If things don’t fall in place after what I think is a reasonable time, I take that as a sign I’ve done something wrong, God is displeased, and I’m being benched. God has a timetable and His purposes will always be accomplished. Always. A promise is a promise.

If I trust God with my eternal soul… surely I can trust Him when it seems things aren’t working out the way I thought they were going to. It sounds so simple when I type it out. I’ll keep working on it.

Running

By Paula

I’m watching an indoor track meet from Madison Square Garden, hoping to catch sight of my nephew, Josh. He’s a collegiate runner and also competes in the race walk. I’m just barely a runner, and his walk time of just over 6 minutes is almost half my run time for a mile. Ah well.

Watching the meet, I understand why Paul used running a race as a metaphor for the Christian life. I have teammates, coaches and trainers, but ultimately, it’s my personal race. It’s my responsibility to train, to condition myself, and to work through injuries. Most of that preparation is done alone, depending on my own self-discipline. If I slack off even a day, it may cost me. It’s critical that I eat right and strength-train. I need to be equipped with the right shoes. I have a course laid out before me, and it’s critical that I stay on track. My finish depends on it. I can’t get distracted by what other runners are doing. I can only run my race well.

Josh runs cross-country, too and in some ways that’s a better picture of this race we’re in. The runners get individual times but the team does better when each runner performs well. As we run our races well, we encourage those around us to finish strong.

In 2009, I only ran a few months before it got too cold for me, so I have yet to reach that point real runners talk about when they feel like they could go forever. (I had no trouble getting to the ‘I hope this is not a heart attack’ point.) This Christian race, though, I’m running to the very end.

I’m watching an indoor track meet from Madison Square Garden, hoping to catch sight of my nephew, Josh. Josh CDU Track He’s a collegiate runner and also competes in the race walk. I’m just barely a runner, mind you, but his walk time of just over 6 minutes is almost half my run time for a mile. Ah well.

Watching the meet, I understand why Paul used running a race as a metaphor for the Christian life. I have teammates, coaches and trainers, but ultimately, it’s my personal race. It’s my responsibility to train, to condition myself, and to work through injuries. Most of that preparation is done alone, depending on my own self-discipline. If I slack off even a day, it may cost me. It’s important that I eat right and strength-train. I need to be equipped with the right shoes. I have a course laid out before me, and it’s critical that I stay on track. My finish depends on it. I can’t get distracted by what other runners are doing. I can only run my race well.

Exhaustion

By Paula

We have a running ‘joke’ at my house- If I’m awake, I’m sleepy. It comes from perpetually getting up too early and staying up too late. I honestly try to get eight hours of sleep and most nights I hit it pretty close, but I think my body needs nine or so. My alarm is set for 4:40 (yeah, I know) so I’m right there with my littlest one, ready for bed at, oh, 8:30. Ah 8:30. It’s usually 10 or so before I get to sleep. So I operate at constant sleep deficit.

I get spiritually exhausted too. There’s so much stuff to do in order to ‘do’ church, it’s easy to forego rest. If you forego rest long enough, you burn out. Believe me, I’ve been there.

Here’s what I learned and changed.

1. If it doesn’t bring joy, I avoid it. Jesus promised His yoke was easy and His burden light. If I’m dreading some activity or if a ministry is sucking the life out of me, it needs to go.

2. There is no limit to what could or even should be done, but I am limited.

3. I need to minister, but I also need be ministered to, although not necessarily in equal measure. We had a fellowship not long ago, and I just had to show up. I hadn’t helped plan it or put it together. I just got to enjoy it. That was so refreshing. One of those every now and then is a real boost!

4. Two words – “Good enough”. This is freedom from perfectionism. I try to do the best I can with everything, but sometimes you have to cut yourself some slack.

Back to physical rest- Tomorrow’s my day to sleep in. Maybe I can catch up.

too tired We have a running ‘joke’ at my house- If I’m awake, I’m sleepy. It comes from perpetually getting up too early and staying up too late. I honestly try to get eight hours of sleep and most nights I hit it pretty close, but I think my body needs nine or so. My alarm is set for 4:40 (yeah, I know) so I’m right there with my littlest one, ready for bed at, oh, 8:30. Ah 8:30. I wish. It’s usually 10 or so before I get to sleep, so I operate at constant sleep deficit.

I get spiritually exhausted too. There’s so much stuff to do in order to ‘do’ church, it’s easy to forgo spiritual rest. If you forgo rest long enough, you burn out. Believe me, I’ve been there. I don’t think that’s what God ever intends for us.

Here’s what I’m learning and changing.

1. If it doesn’t bring joy, I avoid it. Jesus promised His yoke was easy and His burden light. If I’m dreading some activity or if a ministry is sucking the life out of me, it needs to go.

2. There is no limit to what could or even should be done, but I am limited.

4. Two words – “Good enough”. This is freedom from perfectionism. I try to do the best I can with everything, but sometimes you have to cut yourself some slack.

Purpose

By Paula

God didn’t save us for nothing. He saved us for a purpose, a unique kingdom work that we alone can accomplish. If we don’t fulfill it, it doesn’t get done. (No pressure.) God doesn’t leave out there floundering, or spinning our wheels. He equips us for that purpose.

Jesus says in John 15:16 hours before his arrest, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

Here’s my paraphrase: I am specifically, individually chosen by Jesus Christ to fulfill a particular kingdom work of eternal significance, and the Father will supply whatever I need to accomplish that task.

This means I have worth. I have purpose and I cannot fail.

Two disclaimers- 1. I am not special. That verse applies to you as well. 2. My failure is not necessarily a ‘purpose’ failure.

How do you find your purpose? Ask God.

Now ask yourself some questions to bring His answer into sharper focus.

1. What Scriptures really touch your heart? Is there a common theme? A purpose could be in there somewhere.

2. What excites you? Makes you angry? Makes you cry? These are the things you’re passionate about. Purpose doesn’t come without passion.

3. Are you doing anything now that you can’t imagine NOT doing? If I had to give up writing… my sanity would be next to go.

I’ve said ‘a’ purpose more than once, but here’s where I weasel out of it. Our Purpose (with a capital P) is to be conformed to Christ. However, I believe God gives shorter term purposes (little p) that help us get there. Those purposes grow and change as we do. I don’t think writing was my purpose in college. I’m not really sure what it was. I’m pretty sure I missed out on it, though. These days I write all the time. I also teach at church and here at home.

Finally…

There are no BIG purposes and little purposes with God. They’re all equal.

This is not meant to cause stress. If you have peace about what you’re doing, you’re probably fulfilling what God intends. Restlessness and dissatisfaction may be a nudge in another direction.

207291_multi_purpose_knife God didn’t save us for nothing. He saved us for a purpose, a unique kingdom work that we alone can accomplish. God doesn’t leave out there floundering, or spinning our wheels. He equips us for that purpose.

Jesus says in John 15:16 hours before his arrest, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

This means I have worth. I have purpose and I cannot fail.

Two disclaimers- 1. I am not special. That verse applies to you as well. 2. My failure is not necessarily a ‘purpose’ failure.

How do you find your purpose? Ask God. You can ask yourself some questions to bring His answer into sharper focus.

1. What Scriptures really touch your heart? Is there a common theme? A purpose could be in there somewhere.

2. What excites you? Makes you angry? Makes you cry? These are the things you’re passionate about. Purpose doesn’t come without passion.

3. Are you doing anything now that you can’t imagine NOT doing? If I had to give up writing… my sanity would be next to go.

I’ve said ‘a’ purpose more than once, but here’s where I weasel out of it. Our Purpose (with a capital P) is to be conformed to Christ. However, I believe God gives shorter term purposes (little p) that help us get there. Those purposes grow and change as we do. For instance, I don’t think writing was my purpose in college. It’s hard to say what it was then. I’m pretty sure I missed out on it, though. But these days, I write all the time.

Finally…

There are no BIG purposes and little purposes with God. They’re all equal.

This is not meant to cause stress. If you have peace about what you’re doing, you’re probably fulfilling what God intends. Restlessness and dissatisfaction may be a nudge in another direction.