Tag: no excuses

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom

Dealing with Detours

Last week, I had a bit of a detour on my drive to work. I was in my own thoughts and minding my own business šŸ˜‰ when a semi pulled out into the passing lane where I was.

So, there were vehicles in each of the three lanes ahead of me. At that moment, I mistook where I was and missed my exit! I started to worry about being late, but then I decided to turn around at an upcoming exit. Luckily, there was one closer than the exit I was thinking of.

I recognized it from a couple of work trips last year, but I couldnā€™t quite recall how to get to work. At a stop light, I quickly entered the VA into my navigation. Whew!

I was the third vehicle traveling on that two-way road. It got a little confusing at one point because one car turned, and the other started to veer off like they were turning in the other direction. I kept going straight according to the GPS when that car suddenly came back into my lane. Praise God, I saw them, and we avoided a collision.

A few minutes later, I arrived and found a parking space. It took me longer that day, but I made it on time. Thankfully, I usually leave a few minutes early!

Free Clouds Mountains photo and picture

Yesterday, I talked with a coworker about her life story as we worked together on a project. She had quite a few losses and many ups and downs. But she was grateful for how God had brought her through it all.

Something she said stuck with me: We may have a vision, but God has re-vision. We may have a plan, but God takes it and makes it what He wants it to be.

Detours are not really a matter of IF, but WHEN.Ā  Sometimes we can see them coming, but most often, they surprise us. What do you do when you then?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, ā€œTrust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.ā€

When a life detour comes, you may wonder how you got there and what happened. But you donā€™t have to worry or live in fear. This detour is not the end; it is merely a side trip. Perhaps it is totally unexpected, but that doesnā€™t necessarily mean it is bad.

God is with you in the confusion. Rest in His love.

Today, if you are in the middle of a detour, take delight in the Lord. When you donā€™t see the path, praise Him and trust Him to lead you. Look for Godā€™s grace and goodness along the way. Have a good attitude and trust Him to do what is best for you!

**********

God, thanks for all the good things You do for us. Thanks for leading us through the twists and turns of life. Help us to trust You more. In Jesusā€™ Name, Amen

Questions: When did you last have a real detour in life? How did it turn out? What did you learn about yourself and God?

Task: When you find yourself in the middle of a detour, delight in what God is doing and where He is taking you. Read this throwback from 2018!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Jehovah Jireh, My Provider

ā€œJehovah Jireh, My Provider, His grace is sufficient for me, for me, for meā€¦ā€

This is just one of the songs thatā€™s been running through my mind lately.

It is a good reminder, amid a world of uncertainty that God is reliable. His grace covers me! He does not sleep nor slumber. He has never lost a battle. He is always victorious! He loves me, He is for me, He protects me, He brings me peace, and yes, He provides for me!

Hebrews 13:8, says, ā€œĀ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.ā€Ā God is unchanging, always full of grace and truth. He is not surprised by anything.

One of my favorite verses is Ephesians 2:10 (NIV), which says, ā€œFor we are Godā€™s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.ā€

Free Winter Pine Tree photo and picture

All I have to do is trust in Jesus, and do what He says. He has a good plan for me, and I just need to walk it out. Everything I need is in Him.

What is for me, is for me. If it is in Godā€™s plan for me, nothing can stop it (except my own lack of faith). As long as I seek Him first, it will all work out. Looking back, some of our greatest trials bring our greatest triumphs!

Remember, God is not only your Provider, He is your Source. He has ways of providing for you that you donā€™t even know! As Dennis Rainey once said, ā€œHe owns the cattle on a thousand hillsā€¦ and He owns the hills, too.ā€

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) says, ā€œYou keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.ā€ If you need peace today, think about the Lord. Meditate on Jesusā€™ sacrificial love. Consider His goodness toward you. Remember His faithfulness and all the ways He has come through for you in the past!

So, instead of chasing chaos today, remember Godā€™s goodness and mercy are chasing you! His grace is sufficient for all you are going through.

**********

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus! Thanks for giving us all we need to live a godly life. You are so good and faithful. Help us trust You to provide for us. In Jesusā€™ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you an avid news reader or not? Do you notice how it affects your sense of peace and security? What are the positives? What are the negatives?

Task: Praise God for all the ways He provides for you! If something is causing fear or anxiety, cut it out so you can focus on the Truth of Godā€™s love. There is no fear in love.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

I have written a lot about choosing faith over fear and moving forward despite obstacles that inevitably arise. But what does that look like?Ā 

Recently, I had a decision to make but was waffling a bit, thinking about the pros and cons. I am at peace now and have taken the first step. But, to get me there, it took prayer, research, and discussion. However, the biggest thing for me was recognizing fear in the background. Yes, it is always a factor, even still!

I quickly saw that the right decision was one that included faith. Faith is not about seeing the answer but the vision of what is possible. Fear and uncertainty cloud our sight and always like to hold us back!

Free Mountain Rock photo and picture

On Sunday, my churchā€™s worship session helped me focus on God. A lot of this blog post came to me then, so I raced home to put down my thoughts. It has evolved a little, but hereā€™s what I wrote on the back of my church notes! šŸ™‚

When you are between a rock and a hard place, lean into the Rock. God is our refuge. He is safe and secure, solidā€¦ but donā€™t try to control Him or restrict His power.

Nothing is impossible for God. Believe He wants to do big things. Take a stand. Be bold and step out in faith! Do the brave thing. Keep an open heart and mind. Keep hope alive.

Be humble and trust that God knows all the details.Ā Give Him the glory for doing what only He can do!Ā He is the ā€œWay Maker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness.ā€

Free Landscape Cape photo and picture

As I move forward, I need these reminders from time to time. Iā€™m grateful God is there to help us make good choices. I hope this encourages you to make faith-filled decisions today. The alternative, fear, is a miserable way to live!

If you have put your faith in Jesus, you have personal access to the God of the Universe. He is with you and for you! You are covered with grace and forgiveness.Ā  You are loved beyond measure. God has chosen you for His infinite purposes!

So, donā€™t try to limit God. Give Him the space to move and see what He does for you! His power cannot be contained. All He does is GOOD. Nothing can stand against Him!

**********

God, thanks for always coming through for us. Give us wisdom and help us make faith-filled decisions. May we honor You in all we do. In Jesusā€™ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you like to make decisions? Do you have a hard time trusting God?

Task: As you make decisions, weigh out the pros and cons. Ask for input from those in your inner circle. Choose wisely, and most of all, donā€™t let fear or uncertainty hold you back. The right choices come with peace, even when you canā€™t see how all the details fit into place!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

Shoeprints in the Snow

On Monday afternoon, I left work early for a dentist appointment. I was walking to my car and was watching my step while looking out for ice. We got a few inches of snow over the weekend, so now everything is white again, and the snow helps cover the ice.

Since then, weā€™ve had a few days of below-zero temperatures, and this is my favorite kind of winter weather. The bitter cold brings bright blue, sunny skies, no wind, and crunchy snow. I love the sound of the snow when walking and driving!

That day, I noticed all the footprints and, even more so, all the shoe tread patterns. I stopped a few times to look a little closer. I took a picture of my shoeprint since it was a cool pattern. Then I had a good laugh.

I probably looked silly if anyone was looking out their window! Maybe noticing snowy shoeprints is the winter equivalent of ā€œstopping and smelling the rosesā€ or noticing footprints in the sand for all my beach lovers!

What are you noticing this season? How are you spending your time? Itā€™s so easy to hurry about and miss what makes life special.

The next morning, I took a picture of a pretty street on my drive to work. I like it so much I intentionally to that way! Each season is so pretty and winter is a unique time. That day was -10 degrees (F)! But, it was calm and perfect!

As I walked back into my office, I noticed all the other shoe prints in the snow. There were all sorts of shapes, sizes, and patterns representing many people. Some veered off to cross the street, and some turned right or left.

And it struck meā€¦ I cannot see my footprints ahead of time, and I canā€™t always predict the path I will take. But God already knows! He is walking with me, but also ahead of me and behind me! He surrounds me with His favor as with a shield! (Psalm 5:12).

God is directing your path, too. Whatever your next steps are, He already knows. So, you can trust Him to lead you and prepare you. Take heart that He sees you and is guiding you!

Sometimes, looking back and seeing where weā€™ve been is fun. Itā€™s good to reflect, but donā€™t let that stop you. Donā€™t give up. Keep moving forward with Jesus!

**********

God, thanks for leading us and guiding our path! Thanks for all You do to provide for us and protect us. Help us trust You for all we cannot see. In Jesusā€™ Name, Amen

Question: Do you prefer to consider where you are going or where you have been?

Task: Take a few minutes to look around as you walk. Notice the beauty of the season, wherever you are! Thank God and praise Him for how He is leading you! You may not see it yet, but He already has a plan for you to walk out!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Pivot, Wisdom

Shopping Our Shelves

Here we are a week into the new year. How are you doing?!

This year, I am trying something a little different. Well, I have been meaning to do it for awhile, but just decided to go for it now, thanks to a little godly conviction. šŸ˜‰

ā€œGodliness with contentment is great gain.ā€ ā€” 1 Timothy 6:6

I will probably never be a minimalist, as I have many interests and like to have options! Yet, the reality is that I have plenty of stuff, possibly bordering on too much. Ahem.

Over time, I have realized it is much easier to organize my stuff if there is less of it. I donā€™t need more hangers or baskets; I need to use what I have and be content. Having stuff is not bad, but I want to use my resources, not just collect them. Trying to maintain ā€œall the stuffā€ takes time and mental effort, so in this case, less is more.

Last week, Lydia and I spent a little time organizing around the house. Hereā€™s the problem: I like trying new things but donā€™t always go through them quickly enough. I might buy a few extras to save money (buy one, get one!) and then donā€™t have room to store them. So, things tend to accumulate or get wasted. On top of that, sometimes I forget whatā€™s in my pantryā€¦ so I may buy things again. (Now you know why this blog is about grace, not homemaking!)

So, this year, we are challenging ourselves to ā€œSOSā€ or ā€œshop our shelvesā€ (or stockpiles?!) before buying more. That applies to our food, toiletries, and, yes, even my books! If there is something we donā€™t truly need or wonā€™t use, we will donate it to others. The main goal is to check our storage first and see if we can make do.

Hopefully, weā€™ll save a little money since I have already paid for the items on my shelves. I have already paid some bills and bought gas for my car, though it feels good to save time not going to the store or shopping online. Iā€™m running low on milk and Q-tips, and they donā€™t have great substitutes. Still, Iā€™ll likely hold off a little longer and start a list.

While my budgeting has been more manageable, itā€™s not about the money but the principle. Iā€™m seeing Godā€™s provision in a new way and creating space for Him to move in my life. We cannot experience His goodness without putting our faith in Him!

Weā€™ll have to be creative as our experiment progresses and we run out of our favorites. However, I probably already have a perfectly good swap in storage. That said, we donā€™t want to leave ALL the beans for the end! So far, we have been using them for dips, salads, burritos, and chili.

Ultimately, God doesnā€™t want our stuff; He wants our hearts. I donā€™t know how long the experiment will last, but I am excited to see God move in our hearts. I feel grateful for His provision. It has been freeing not to be focused on ā€œgettingā€ and just relaxing and using what we already have. Iā€™ll keep you posted!

**********

God, thanks for all You do to provide for me! All I have is from You and belongs to You. Help me be a good and wise steward. In Jesusā€™ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have any big plans for the new year?

Task: Watch Madame Blueberry by VeggieTales and pray about your next steps.

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Don’t Fall Prey to Fear

Last week, I talked about seeking peace and avoiding distractions, largely regarding busyness. But I also recognize that fear, anxiety, and worry are a triple threat to maintaining our peace.

This season brings many emotions, such as joy, gratitude, sadness, grief, and stress. While there is so much to enjoy, it is okay to have mixed emotions. Letā€™s be alert for those, like fear, that would drive us away from Godā€™s infinite LOVE.

You know I must have very specific reasons for living in a state with around six months of winter! Often, I donā€™t mind, but the amount of snow can sometimes be a little much at times. It becomes even more nerve-wracking if thereā€™s ice involved. Combined with winterā€™s darker, early nights, I must be on guard and protect my peace.

Thankfully, God has taught me a lot about dealing with fear! I can pray for His help, reframe the situation, apply the Truth of Scripture, and switch my focus outward in service to others. Fear threatens to trap us, but we donā€™t have to fall prey to fear!

In practical terms, I can also dress warm, have a good attitude, go slow when needed, and thank God for all-wheel drive. I can listen to the radio, especially the Christmas carols at this time of year! I can stop and run errands nearby to wait out the traffic, if needed.

Free Nature Winter photo and picture

Another way to guard my peace is to monitor what is going into and coming out of my heart and mind. The radio can be encouraging, but often, listening to the news is not. I can read the details instead and monitor it as I go. What goes in must come out eventually, and speaking the Truth with grace and kindness is a better alternative to gossip.

Monitoring energy levels may also be helpful at this time of year! If something is draining my peace, I might be giving in fear. If it brings rejuvenation, Iā€™m more likely to be on the right path! Faith is a stretch, but God rewards and encourages us along the way.

During the holidays, it is easy to do things without always connecting with why. Traditions are great, but sometimes we lose the intention. We cannot allow holiday traditions or daily activities to take our eyes off Jesus. Ideally, these joyous events should point us to Him!

If you are not ā€œintoā€ something this year, have the courage to skip it or change it. Itā€™s okay to do something different that is more meaningful! Instead of feeling stuck, at least discuss it with your family. Perhaps you can take a step of faith and connect with Jesus in a new way while building memories together!

**********

God, thanks for giving us Jesus, the Reason for the Season. Help us keep our focus on You. Give us wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it. In Jesusā€™ Name, Amen.

Questions: What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Do you do them every year or rotate between them? I like to make certain foods but donā€™t necessarily have a strict timeline!

Tasks: Make a list of the activities you want to do this holiday season. Match each one to your energy levels, which may ebb and flow. Choose the best and let go of the rest. Or, do some of them in January! šŸ˜‰

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Personality, Prayer, Wisdom, Words

A Letter to Lydia

Lydiaā€™s having another birthday this week! As we enter the teenage years, I am grateful for God bringing us this far. When she was little, I wondered how Iā€™d be able to parent her as a single mom. I knew I needed Godā€™s help and prayed for just that. He has been such a faithful Father and provider!

Lydia is kind and thoughtful, funny and intelligent. She is a good listener and friend. She is growing in responsibility and learning to handle tough topics with wisdom. She is the perfect blend of Daveā€™s strengths and mine. Watching her grow into a young lady who loves Jesus has been an honor. If I could only have one child, I am so glad it is Lydia!

I was recently reminded of some of the fantastic prayers in the Bible. The prayers consist of many things, including praises to God, blessings, deep anguish, repentance, wisdom, and encouragement, among various requests.

Did you know you can personalize certain prayers by adding your own name? We pray to God, but we can use them for our benefit, too. In essence, we are applying Godā€™s Word of Truth, agreeing with Him, and taking it to heart. I will use Lydiaā€™s name below as an example in a birthday letter. But feel free to use your own name in the Scriptures!

Here are just a few of the verses I am drawing from today:

2 Thessalonians 1:11 says, ā€œWith this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.ā€

Ephesians 1:17-19 says, ā€œI keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,Ā may give you the Spirit of wisdomĀ and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightenedĀ in order that you may know the hope to which he has calledĀ you, the richesĀ of his glorious inheritanceĀ in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believeā€¦ā€

Numbers 6:24-26 says, ā€œTheĀ Lord bless you and keep you; theĀ Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; theĀ Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.ā€

Dear Lydia,

I am so proud of you! I am grateful God gave me you. I love who He made you to be.

I pray you will always choose faith and pray first thing. You donā€™t ā€˜have toā€™ be afraid or settle for ā€˜safe.ā€™ Instead, you can have confidence in trials, knowing God will never leave you nor forsake you. God is with you and for you! Seek Him first in all you do, and everything else will fall into place.

Lydia, I pray God enables you to live worthy of your calling. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then Godā€™s name will be honored in the way you live. All this is possible because of His grace working in your life.

May you rely on the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people,Ā and His incomparably great power for us who believe.

Lydia, the Lord bless you andĀ keep you; theĀ Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; theĀ Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Draw close to Jesus, for He is your life, strength, and joy. He who began this work in you will be faithful in completing it. Therefore, Lydia, never grow tired of doing what is right and good. Keep moving forward! XOĀ 

**********

Heavenly Father, thanks for all Your many blessings. Help Lydia as she continues to grow. May she always feel your love. In Jesusā€™ Name, Amen

Questions: What are you reading about in the Bible this week? What is the best birthday gift you have ever received?

Task: Add your name, where applicable, to Bible verses and prayers of encouragement. We are not trying to elevate ourselves or take the focus off Jesusā€¦ but I hope it helps you apply His word and move forward in your faith!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom

Goals Are Only a Guide

Yesterday, we had our annual goals meeting at work. We do this every year, focusing on national and departmental VA goals. The funny thing is, I never really have any goals that match my managerā€™s expectations. Itā€™s almost a running joke at this point!

This level of goal setting is above and beyond our normal work duties, which are already immense!Ā So, itā€™s good to challenge ourselves but itā€™s not the end of the world. I usually offer to help others with their goals, and that is good enough.

Itā€™s not that I donā€™t have goals ā€“ I have lots! I love learning, but not all of my interests are transferrable at work or a good fit for my patients. For instance, I am interested in plant-based diets and would love to promote them more often. Yet, itā€™s not for everyone, especially a population that is often rural, mostly male, and meat-loving. These guys tend to rely on microwave meals or let their wives do all the cooking.

Also, focusing on my own mobility exercises has been key for me lately, but thatā€™s a bit out of my current scope of practice. Even if I decide to train in this area (a fitness or pain certification to complement my foodie side), I may not be able to apply it as well as I would like. But itā€™s something I am considering!

Free goal target success illustration

For me, itā€™s a good sign I donā€™t want to set excessive goals. I want to do exactly what God is calling me to do. No more and no less. I donā€™t have to be perfect or overachieve. My top goals are to stay close to Jesus, listen to the Holy Spirit, and bring my Heavenly Father glory through serving and loving others. Everything else is just a bonus!Ā 

God is good at showing me when I need to make a change, personally or professionally. He leads me and is patient with me until I get where I need to be. Therefore, if God Himself is not telling me anything different, I can be at peace. I donā€™t need to apologize or explain anything. I trust I am on track!

Goals are good, but they are only a guide. They donā€™t override Godā€™s plan for me!

I always aim to go above and beyond to meet the needs of my patients, even when it is inconvenient. I donā€™t see that changing any time soon! But, God has given me a lot to do outside of work, too! As a single mom, I need to use my energy wisely.

Free Road Curve photo and picture

Prayerfully, my long-term work goals are fairly simple and have worked well so far!

  1. Eat a good breakfast since I donā€™t know when I will get to eat my lunch. I always manage to eat, but itā€™s not always predictable due to patient care.

  2. Show up. There are gonna be days I just donā€™t ā€œfeelā€ like going to work. Do it anyway. (As it is, I find I am always happier when I go and see people. I hate to miss something important!)

  3. Have a good attitude. Be a team player. Smile! I can encourage those around me, and not complain or drag them down.

  4. Have patience with my patients. Every day is different, and I work with a wide variety of personalities and problems. There are similarities, but there are still so many nuances. I have to bust myths and break through barriers daily!

  5. Do my best and minimize ā€œlate notes.ā€ This is more of a behind-the-scenes billing thing, but I can only do my best!

I am beyond grateful for where God has me right now. This time, this space, this routine. My coworkers and family and responsibilities. I know things will change someday, but I am content going at His pace and walking in His peace.

**********

Heavenly Father, thanks for taking such good care of me. You are so gracious and kind to provide for me and lead me. Help me stay close to You so I can move when You do! In Jesusā€™ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you like setting goals? What goals are you working toward right now?

Task: When setting goals, pray first, then make them SMART! That stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #451

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as Godā€™s Riches At Christā€™s Expense. Grace is also Godā€™s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with Godā€™s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Bridge Park photo and picture

Where did I find Godā€™s love and favorā€”His abundant graceā€”this week?!

This was a good week! It was fairly quiet but busy all the same.Ā 

We served at church on Sunday, and it is always fun to stand on the balcony where we greet the kids coming to Sunday School. I like to watch families and friends connect with each other. Later, I went to a vision and planning meeting, and it is exciting to see all God is doing in our church and community!

The weather has been beautiful this season. I am still watching the trees turn, though more leaves are starting to fall now. I have not needed to break out my jacket yet, so I am grateful for every day that goes by without snow. When it comes, that will be fine, but Iā€™m in no rush! In fact, I mowed one last time this week, just the parts that needed it, since much of the grass has stopped growing.

Today, Lydia and I joined several my coworkers in helping a friend on our team. After an unfortunate event last year, she needed to inventory her entire house for insurance to determine replacement costs. It would take months for her and her husband to do it independently, as they have three little kids and full-time jobs. It has turned their lives upside down, as they have been displaced this whole time. Having them jump through all these hoops is unrealistic when it was not their fault. So, today was huge. Nine of us put in about 26 hours of effort (combined) in a few short hours working together. There is still more to do, and I hope this expedites things since the legal matters are also adding up! I was missing Dave today, as he loved to serve in practical ways!

**********

These are only a few examples, but Godā€™s grace never runs out!

Thereā€™s grace in every situationā€”we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom, Worship

On Going Down Rabbit Holes

If you know me well, you will know I go ALL IN when I get into a topic. I enjoy diving deep and learning everything there is to know about it. The history, the pros, the cons, the practical application, who is involved, if I can do anything with it personally, and so on. You could say I like to go down rabbit holes of knowledge!

I have a ton of tabs open on my phone, my home laptop, and my work laptop. It may sound chaotic, but they are not distractions for me. They are simply things I am not finished with yet! I hope to get back to them, but it might take some time. When I have the day off, I love to catch up and clear out my tabs to move onto other topics!

Recent topics at work and home have included many concepts, such as muscles in the hip (to understand my pain there); exercises to help said hip; cooking all sorts of foods; the electron transport chain; how to reinforce a shelf in my garage; how post-it notes are made; types of maple trees; Bible maps and archaeology; various podcasts; biographies of people involved with the Protestant Reformation; and more.

Free Books Bookshelves photo and picture

As you may guess, itā€™s a family thing. I am just like my dad in this, though I doubt he has as many tabs as me. Iā€™m thankful my mom always encouraged us to cultivate curiosity. Probably explains also have an ever growing ā€œto be readā€ book listā€¦

One year, we went to several Civil War battlefields. We trekked all over the South to see them. We went to Corinth, Mississippi as well as Shiloh, Tennessee, among others. It was a lot of car time together, but we had fun!

Another time, we were in North Carolina for a family reunion. Dad and his brother, Charlie, took eight hours to tour a battleshipā€¦ twice. Iā€™m fairly certain they read every single placard on repeat! I had to be patient because they were my ride!

Last spring, I was talking with my dad at my auntā€™s funeral. I asked if he and Mom planned to stop at a Civil War site on their way home. He said something that surprised me. ā€œWell, I used to be into that, and while it is good to know history, I have decided it is less important to me now.ā€

The closer he gets to Jesus, things of this world fade away. Yes, it has been implied if we donā€™t learn from history, we are destined to repeat it. But, all the books and knowledge he had on the topic donā€™t matter all that much in light of who Jesus is and what He is doing. The past is the past, and we live in the presentā€¦ but Eternity is our future.

Since then, I have been re-evaluating some of my rabbit holes. Even if they are benign (stuffed cabbage recipe, anyone?!). But, if they distract me from Godā€™s purposes, I should delete them.

This idea also applies to television shows, political topics, shopping for the latest trend, following your favorite celebrity, etc. If they distractĀ us from Jesus, they have to go!

Iā€™m grateful God knows our tendencies, preferences, and limitations. None of that surprises Him, and He can use it all for His glory, if we are willing to let it all go for something greater!Ā Yes, letā€™s dive deep into knowing Jesus and go all in for Him!

**********

God, You are higher and greater than anything in this world. Help us lay down any distractions so we may pivot and focus on You. We want to know You more! In Jesusā€™ Name, Amen

Questions: Is there something that is distracting you from Jesus today? What are you going to do about it?

Tasks: Be willing to lay aside all your passions, dreams, and stuff to follow Jesus. He may use some of those things for His purposes, but ultimately, He wants your trust and obedience. Donā€™t hold onto temporary things at the cost of losing the eternal.