Tag: Change

This Moment

by 4letsgetrealtogetherLeave a Comment on This Moment
This Moment

Because we arrive late (again), I scan the general area where we used to sit. “Used to” is important since our invisible “reserved” marker is no longer observed. Our sporadic attendance of late, due to a variety of reasons, brings momentary panic as we proceed forward.

What if there aren’t any available seats near the aisle? Would we be able to settle in somewhere with minimal disruption? How am I to navigate through without making a complete spectacle of myself on crutches? Thankfully, we find a “suitable” location and join in the service during one of the last worship songs before the sermon begins.

I look up at my husband, who jumps right in singing the words on the screen. He seems content and focused on worship. My lips join in, however, my mind requires a bit of acclimation. Taking in my surroundings, I begin noticing all the things.

The person behind us is coughing, which is equivalent to the plague these days. Are they directly behind me? Do they seem “sick” or just have a tickle? Movement catches my eye, and I see someone I recognize, though he’s not sitting where he usually does. I wonder why? Was his “assigned seat” taken? Then the lighting bounces off the lead guitar with a flash, and I’m redirected toward the front by the beautiful melody offered in praise.

Pleadingly, I will my mind to focus on the purpose of our attendance: worship. Forgive me, Lord. I am a waif, easily distracted. My noticings should be of your glory and goodness, yet I find myself easily flustered by all that vies for my attention. Misled by meaningless noise.

Whom shall I follow? Let it be YOU Lord. Draw all of me to you. Remove all that fruitlessly clamors. Fashion an unbreakable strand upon my heart that only you control.

“Do not forget the agreement I made with you. And do not worship other gods. Instead worship the Lord your God. He will save you from all your enemies.”

2 Kings 17:38-39 ICB

I sat ashamed with the realization I had allowed the world governance over me. I deeply valued my ability to “notice things,” prided myself as an observer, placed undo importance on this; meanwhile, all this internal commotion caused confused misdirection away from things that truly matter. I’d relinquished power over my mind to the enemy, who rapidly fired flares beaconing for more attention, luring me further away from the most sovereign God.

I repent, and plead for forgiveness, knowing all the while it is already mine.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 NIV

Friends, I would be lying if I said it wasn’t a daily battle weeding out the false gods in my life. Things that I give pointless priority. And like most weeds, plucking does nothing when the roots remain intact—simply a temporary reprieve. Only complete removal, digging deep to eradicate all traces, will allow something more delightful to take up residence.

“We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect.”

Hebrews 12:1c-2a NCV

*sigh*

Maybe one day I’ll be strong enough to stop this battle once and for all, giving Him total dominion over me. There I go again, thinking this is about me—my strength, my ability. I can only offer this moment, fortified with the power of His Spirit, and rest with certainty that He will bridge the gap to the next on my journey closer to Him.

Let’s get REA/L together.

IMprove

by 4letsgetrealtogetherLeave a Comment on IMprove
IMprove

When I pry my eyes open to see what time it is, my head begins to pound. I’m not sure if it’s just rebelling against the thought of getting out of bed or an actual headache. Well, let’s see…

I throw the covers off and swing my legs over the edge of the bed, eyes still closed. Once my feet hit the floor, I forcibly pry my lids open. So. Very. Bright. This sends an immediate signal to my head—thump, thump. I hesitate briefly, seriously considering crawling back into bed.

Not gonna do it (said in my best Dana Carvey as George Bush voice), and I open the doors to our bathroom. So. Very. Very. Bright. The brilliant morning sunlight fills the entire room. *Sigh* Ok, lemme see how I feel after I get dressed. Maybe it’s not a headache…

The chilly air necessitates long sleeves and pants. “Alexa, what is the current tempurature” I mumble—part of my daily ritual. “Currently, it’s 41 degrees,” she replies. Burr! Bright AND cold! Ugh, why did I say I’d go for a walk this morning?

Dressed, I walk into the living room and open the blinds. My eyes acquiesce to the additional blazing assault, calibrating as they continue to focus. My head decides it’s just unhappy I’ve ignored the multiple protests and falls in line as well.

Coffee. Must have coffee.

I sink into the couch with my favorite mug and let the warmth radiate into my hands. My mouth welcomes the smooth blend of beans with perfectly frothed milk. Can I simply sit here all morning? What if my waking partner cancels? Surely that would be my green light to stay comfortably situated and take the morning off.

As if on cue, my phone dings. Message reads: not feeling great and not ready to get up. *Sigh* Well, there’s my sign. Question is how should I read it?

As I consider, I continue sipping my coffee and start strolling. Lots of #10yearsChallenge and #21DaysOfFasting posts. Seriously? Ugh! FINE! I’ll get up and go on the stupid walk. “I’m taking you with me, let’s go” I say to our pup and grab the necessities for us both. She seems much happier about this than me, tail excitedly wagging.

I step outside. Did I mention it was 41 degrees? Burr! This Texas girl does not like the cold! Neither do my lungs, as they instantly protest the intrusion of blustery winter air. It’ll be fine, just a quick twenty minute walk I tell myself. I tuck the end of leash inside my pockets along with my freezing hands.

Once I got about halfway through my trek, my mind revisited those previous posts. What did I want to see in myself ten years down the road? For my husband and family? While I full well realize I cannot control their actions, I certainly have the power to influence them! Which got me thinking, instead of fasting, maybe I should consider incorporating.

January is the token month for resolutions started and usually dismissed, present company included in this faulty process. How many times have I said “this year will be different” and talked myself right out of any resolution or motivation? Usually in less than 21 days. Yes, pitifully, I’ll own it. *OUCH*

Improve, the voice inside me speaks with conviction. Improve! I think about the word, and because my mind works in acronyms, this revelation sobers me: I Must Prove to IMprove.

I must prove to myself I’m worth the work.

I must prove to my family that it’s possible.

I must hold tighter to my vision than vices.

Truly, what is twenty minutes (or more) of scrolling every day going to net me in 10 years? Will I look back and wish I’d wasted more of my time watching others live their lives? Does that actually benefit me in any positive way? I think not!

I want to write. I want to be healthier. I want to grow as a person. I want to do aerial yoga, like I saw some one post. I want to connect in real life with my friends. I want to pick an activity and have someone join me once a month. I want to travel.

I want more—for myself and my family—without the addition of useless stuff that I probably won’t remember, much less care about, come next January. Wow, this walk is proving to be of far greater value than I realized! As they say, “The proof is in the pudding.”

My steps become lighter, breathing easier, and body warmer. Despite my initial reticence to doing something so simple for myself, the Lord blessed me with this significant revelation.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:8 NIV

Lord, thank you for helping me resist the temptation to give up on myself and you today. You desire so much more for my life. I know in my heart you immeasurably bless me when I seek and listen to you. Hold me accountable, Lord, to improving and turning from my slothful ways—not just this month but well beyond. It scares me to offer myself up to your correction for any missteps ; however, I know you are a loving God and will make all things good.

That was difficult to put into writing and share. Now, as I conclude this attempt to capture my morning, I leave you with this REA/L thought: whatever time it is, however busy you may think you are, consider what your actions are proving and to whom.

Extraordinary

by 4letsgetrealtogether2 Comments on Extraordinary
Extraordinary

Can we all agree there are some touchy, hot topics that make us cringey? You know the saying, “never talk politics or religion in polite company,” because all too often, what ensues is anything but polite. We are deeply passionate about our convictions, which means, these types of conversations can result in a messy blood bath of hurt feelings. Ok, I think I’ve correctly set it up.

Here we go…

While around the dinner table the other night, one of “those” topics came up. As soon as the conversation started, I suddenly had the overwhelming urge to get up and do the dishes, which I despise. I wanted to hear how the exchange unfolded but definitely didn’t want to participate, because it was one of those “no win” subjects. Been there, done that—not fun.

This time, what I witnessed was a tremendous victory, for both participants. No one raised their voice, there were several “in my opinions,” and even a few “I can see your point.” The result? A completely civil dialogue of polar positions. What a rare gem and teachable moment, prompting me to say “I’m really proud of you!”

I should have added “thank you.” Thank you for showing me it’s absolutely possible: positively navigating a conversation that could have spiraled wildly wrong. Thank you for displaying unbelievable empathy: collaborating, so neither felt compromised.

I am proud of the good human we raised and the patience my husband provided. When you work together, genuinely listening instead of mentally listing potential rebuttals, you allow space to consider and come away less crushed. Speaking with conviction, in lieu of condemnation, grants the continuation of a civil conversation and takes courage. Loving each other well means conventional “compliance” looks different as you cultivate a gracefully evolved relationship. This is TRUE connection that extends well beyond the years spent under one roof.

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

James 1:19-20 ESV

“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Colossians 4:6 ESV

So in my REA/L moment with you today, no matter the situation or topic, take heed of His words. Saving face is infinitely more valuable than a temporary victory; because in any relationship, when this wisdom in applied, the reward is mutually persued longevity. An extraordinary and precious gift.

Wealth Worth

by 4letsgetrealtogetherLeave a Comment on Wealth Worth
Wealth Worth

Sometimes I wake up thinking, what am I doing with my life? I’m X years old, what do I have to show for it? As if I didn’t already have my own purpose anxieties, I’ve even heard “your children have long past primary schooling, when are going back to work?” That one still stings.

Even as I write this, I feel compelled to tell you that I ran a successful business for twelve years, then proceed to walk you through the rest of my resume in attempts to validate my worth. Sad really. But as I exhale this venomous thought process, I am reminded of this verse:

“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6 AMP

The Bible doesn’t have a cutoff timeframe for this. Why should I allow any devaluation of my work? The Bible also does not delineate one type of work as better than another. The only “job matrix” of any value is laid out here:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 22:36-40

Need a simplified pretty pin worthy version?

Find one right thing and do it. Then repeat. Serve with an altruistic purpose. Then search for the next opportunity to do so. A job title doesn’t define your purpose. Worth isn’t confined to the walls of an office, held hostage by digits in an account, or sourced within social media clicks. Please, let’s stop perpetually feeding that lie.

Whether you are changing the world or changing a diaper. Changing your community’s landscape or changing the laundry. Changing lives inside a classroom or changing the emotional climate within the framework of your own home. Serve with the pure purpose of God’s Greatest Commandment. THAT, my friend, is why we’re here and holds tremendous value. Plain and simple.

I may not always get it right. But as long as I find one right thing and do it, I can rest with assurance that I’m on the right path. Truly worthy wealth worth.

Unstuck

by 4letsgetrealtogetherLeave a Comment on Unstuck
Unstuck

Do you find yourself saying tomorrow, soon, or someday in relation to realizing a positive change in your life? I do. Quite frequently, if I’m honest. I think about it, whether it be fleetingly or obsessively. Sometimes I’ll go so far as making elaborate plans or rigid schedules in search of change but no amount of talk or thought provides measurable forward momentum.

This leaves me feeling stuck, which sucks. Think we’ve all been there. But what do I usually do next? I pick apart all the why’s this always happens and round we go. A vicious cycle. Stuck.

Today, I had a revelation. The best part of being stuck is this: getting unstuck. Seriously. While completely obvious, it’s the undeniable solution to my problem. It’s actually my unvocalized yet ultimate goal— removal from an undesirable place and onto a better one. All it requires is one small change to get the ball rolling.

But here’s the thing: we have to actually remove ourselves from the undesirable place. Again, obvious; however, it’s far easier to stay planted somewhere familiar than uproot ourselves. While we may despise our current position, at least we know what to expect.

Isaiah 43:18 tells us “Do not cling to events of the past or dwell on what happened long ago.” Ie we don’t have to take up residence where we don’t want to be. God can transition us, if only we’d stop looking down the road of our past. By simply shifting our eyes, we are able to “Watch for the new thing [God is] going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now! [He] will make a road through the wilderness and give you streams of water there” (Isaiah 43:19 GNT). That’s incredibly good news friends! Truths we need to repeat to ourselves daily and share with others. All we need is one small change: where our eyes are focused.

“So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us. Let us keep looking to Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a NIRV).

God does not want to see us stuck! It pains Him when we are tethered to anything that separates us from Him. We were created to be in relationship with Him. Keep our eyes on Him. Run toward Him. That’s how we win!

“He is the one who started this journey of faith. [God sent His Son] And He is the one who completes the journey of faith [Jesus’ death and resurrection]” (Hebrews 12:2b-c NIRV). “So think about Him. Then you won’t get tired. You won’t lose hope” (3b NIRV).

So in my REA/L moment with you today, let’s pray this together: Lord, I’ve allowed myself to be stuck far too long. Thank you for revealing these strongholds today. I submit to you my stubborn ways and seek to shed them. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, grant me strength to lay these at your feet so I may be untethered. Turn my eyes toward you, Lord. I desire to run along side you. My hope is in you and you alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.