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Wake Up to Everyday Joys

I believe we can find joy in our everyday life. To experience this everyday joy we must be present in our lives.

What do I mean by, “present in our lives” you may ask? Well, allow me to explain.

Frequently I find myself asleep to my everyday life. Asleep in the aspect of going through the motions of life without truly being alive in the moment. Letting the colors dull, the conversations slip by without engaging, and seeking the distraction of entertainment. All of this mutes my experience of life.

When I find myself in this place I have to intentionally re-engage. Stop and take in the sights of what’s happing around me, truly allow myself to SEE the colors around me.

Focus on the conversation happening in the moment. Listen for the sake of hearing and understanding. From this place your able to have deeper conversations and relationships.

One thing that needs to be addressed in this awakening. Is the role of entertainment in our lives- specifically electronic media. Electronic books, social media, online streaming, etc.

Ah- my friend and foe – entertainment. I will admit to loving a good book or tv series and don’t get me wrong here.

BUT there needs to be a conversation about falling down the proverbial rabbit hole. You must create boundaries in your own psyche.

I encourage you to think about what is appropriate time spent on these activities and what is overindulgence. Everyone will be different, but this is important for you to figure out.

Additionally, I feel I should add a note about this time of self isolation because of Covid-19. It can be even more difficult to not to seeking out entertainment for undefined hours with no end precisely because you have so many hours stuck at home.

But I would say that makes intentionality that much more important for your mental health. You still need to connect with other people (even virtually); need to enjoy your favorite hobbies or start new ones; and need to maintain some semblance of routine with meals and cleaning the space your spending so much time in.

From creating your own boundaries you can intentionally be present in your own life. Personally I am constantly working towards this goal. And when I am “awake” in my life I find SO much more Joy!

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Growth in Weakness

As many of you may know I am a runner. I enjoy putting all my efforts and energy into running hard towards goals. This sport has served me well in this utilizing my drive, focus, and passion. It has also developed a strengthening of my resolve when going after goals. On the flip side of my strength lies my weakness.

 Impatience.

I find it very difficult to wait on the Lord once He has given me a goal. I want to drop everything and go after the goal. This focus and passion are things I see as my largest strengths. BUT in those strengths my largest weakness hides. Our Lord is so good at knowing us; what we need to grow and develop. I lived out a season of growing into my strengths for many years and now feel I have entered into a season of growing in my weakness. Because the Lord is too good of a father to allow me to live in this weakness. His will is to see me lean into him, rely on his strength. The strength of His timing, His provision, and His plan.

The thing I have realized is that my impatience is quite arrogant. Its like I’m saying “Thanks for the heads up Lord I got it from here.” When in reality I may know the general direction the Lord wants me to go, but I need Him daily to understand His plan. I need to listen for His timing, when to move, when to wait, when rest, and when to recklessly jump in trusting Him. And when those reckless moves happen trust His provision. So often I try to orchestrate all the financial, relational, and logistical pieces to be just right. The problem is when I jump I can not possibly foresee all the possible issues and end up stressing myself out. Listening to the Lord- Waiting on the Lord is so vital to being able to walk in confidence and power.

When we know we are in the Will of God there is a confidence that we walk in because we are getting our authority from the power of the Lord God, the Creator of the Universe! When you are able to see the greater picture of how our role plays into the plan of the Creator of the Universe it makes sense that we get excited about the goals the Lord gives us; but we must be willing to wait on His timing, His provision, and His Plan! Because no matter what part you play in the Plan of the Lord, His greater plan is the most important part. Its The GOAL. The Kingdom of God is what we are all working under and towards bringing here on earth.

“Our Father, who are in heaven. Hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us of our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever, amen.” – Matthew 6:9-13