Status Update

I know you have been on the edge of your seat wondering what happened to my clutter (Clutter) and if I found more time (Enough Time.)

Before I dive into those answers, it’s currently 9 hours past when I normally post.

The books haven’t gone to the library but some things did go to Goodwill.

I spent 15 minutes or more searching for the leftover dip I made last night. I texted Tim and he said he didn’t take it. I knew I put it in the fridge. I even looked in my closet. (Tim actually took it with him. We were not communicating clearly.)

Do you know the answers now?

I kept a list of distractions that I chose to give attention to. It has many things on it. Keeping the list did cause me to make some good choices too. I turned my phone over when the group texts started coming in. I spent time reading instead of watching television.

However, I just chose to eat dinner instead of finishing this blog.

The struggle is real. 🙂

Enough Time

I have enough time to do what the Lord has called me to do.

You have enough time to do what the Lord has called you to do.

So why am I posting so very late in the day? Because I allowed distractions to become my priority. Sigh.

It’s an ongoing battle for sure! Sometimes the distractions are not my choice – the electricity is out, I become ill or injured.

Most of the time, I choose the distractions. My choices keep me from doing what God has called me to do.

Ugh. That one hits hard.

I usually write my blog on the Thursday morning it posts. I’ve tried writing earlier and sometimes I keep a draft but it has never been what I post that day.

Today I made some choices. I made an appointment at a car dealer. I could have made it any other time. But I chose to do it today.

I chose to scroll mindlessly this morning. There was no posting for the business (http://goGoddesigns.myshopify.com) or commenting on someone else’s post. Just looking at the prettiness that is social media.

Then I needed to rush to take a shower and eat and drive across town. My choices.

I’m going to keep track of my chosen distractions for a day. I think the number will shock me. Hopefully, it will shock me back to doing what God has called me to do.

What about you? Do you allow things to distract you? What kind of things?

Clutter

I look around my office and am amazed at what I see.

Books, papers, packing tape, drop cloth, empty boxes, candles, deposited checks and a recipe guide for my NutriBullet. That’s just to name a few.

When I had a housekeeper (oh, what a blessing she was), she never cleaned my office. How could she?

I started going through the books on the shelves and took many to the library. That is a job I haven’t finished. (Hence, the empty boxes.)

I have had it cleaned and neat and orderly. I loved it when it was clean and neat and orderly. But, the clutter returns.

This happens in my mind too. I sweep out the unnecessary thoughts – the ‘what if’ scenarios which lead to sad places. I take control of the comparison thief and think on things that are lovely and worthwhile.

But, the clutter returns. I must regularly (continuously) sweep my mind and get it in order. Otherwise, I learn to maneuver around the junk effortlessly. I don’t realize how storing that trash becomes like a pet that I feed and am comfortable with.

Father God, please renew my mind. Spirit, show me where my thoughts are impure, full of comparison and general yuckiness. Help me to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely.

Now, I’m going to set a timer and get rid of some physical clutter too.

Sixty-two Days

Believe it or not, in 62 days, 2026 will begin.

That doesn’t seem like that long of a time and yet, many things will happen.

Many will celebrate joyously and others through tears. Others will plan for the new year meticulously and some will throw up their hands in disgust.

There is always so much striving, it seems. “I need to…I have to… I must….”

When do we rest? When do we attain this mountain top of peace we hear about?

Psalm 62:5 – “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.” (NLT)

When my mind overwhelms my body, I quiet my spirit and think on purpose of things I know to be true.

God loves me. He created me and Spirit is with me. I am never alone. He hears me as I cry, question, reason, scream at Him. (He’s a big God and NEVER tells me I am too much.)

He is for me. My hope is in Him. There is tremendous sadness and hardship in this world. He grieves with us. I have to believe that He allows things to happen so His glory will be revealed. (If I understood that, I would be God and I am NOT.)

He is for me. He will guide and teach me. He directs my steps.

As I have said before, thinking on purpose is not always easy. But it can be done. Remind yourself of who you are and Whose you are. Rest in Him.

It is Well

I did something totally outside my comfort zone last night.

I attended a community prayer vigil for a family I did not know. I was to serve at this event but, I was the one who was blessed.

A local wife and mother tragically lost her husband and two daughters at the same time. I can’t even imagine the grief and pain. It hasn’t even been a week.

Our city wanted to do something and people made it happen. Hundreds gathered at a local stadium to remember those lost and to support one another.

I learned about the family and how they loved each other and their friends. I also learned how they loved God.

Young people stood and read Bible verses and prayed. They all testified to the FACT that these three were now safe in the arms of Jesus. They were sure they were going to see them again in heaven. They spoke with confidence through tears.

People acknowledged their pain, their anger, their questions. But they also acknowledged God and His authority and the surety of salvation.

My heart was full. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.

The pain, anger and questions are still there. But Jesus is too. Thank you, young people of Huntsville, for preaching the truth and spreading the gospel.

Short and Simple

Today is the day the LORD has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Actually, the verse states it this way: This is the day the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. I made it singular.

I’ve been awake since 1 something and out of bed since 3:00. I don’t know why I couldn’t sleep. Tim couldn’t either.

Now, not even three hours later, Tim is already at the office and I’m searching for words.

Mostly, the ones that are coming are questions. Why…? How am I going to…? What does this…?

I know He is listening. But telling me to wait. Or am I not listening.

Regardless, today – (all 94.5 hours of it) – I will (on purpose and continuously) – rejoice (be thankful and find delight) – be glad (keep a good attitude and smile.)

How is your morning?

Waiting

Do you wait well? What does that even mean?

Waiting for clothes to dry. For traffic to clear. For your order at Chick-fil-a.

Waiting in the waiting room. Waiting in the smaller and more private room. Waiting for your dog to find her ‘perfect spot.’

Waiting for an answer. Waiting for payment. Waiting for a promotion.

Waiting for a spouse. Waiting on others. Waiting on the Lord.

But those who wait upon the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

Waiting for the Lord and His timing and His acting is not passive. The verse states that ‘they will soar’ and ‘they will run’ which means ‘they’ need to be moving.

It’s a promise of strength restored and renewed.

We know that we need to continue to work, pray, and be faithful. But sometimes we grow tired and want to take a break.

God wants His people to be faithful. Even in the desert. Even when we don’t know what is going on or how it will all work out.

We keep waiting. Keep praying. Actively speak to the One Who knows. Who is always working. Who is always faithful.

He waits too. He waits for us to come to Him. He waits for people to surrender to Him and to confess that He is Lord. He waits and is so very patient. But He is always working.

Thank you, Jesus!

Think on Purpose

Anyone an over thinker? Both of my hands are raised.

Anyone run down various rabbit trails in your mind? Again, both hands are raised.

I started my card business on September 1 (http://goGoddesigns.myshopify.com) and was very focused for about 10 days.

But then life happened – nationally, locally, within family – and I became distracted and quite sullen.

I found myself escaping to the lure of the scroll. I told myself I was learning. But I was actually escaping and avoiding.

I was asking the big questions – why, how, what, who…. But I wasn’t talking to the One who knows the answers. I was avoiding Him too.

I was invited to a worship night. I didn’t want to go. I had enough of people. But I knew I needed to.

I reminded myself that worship wasn’t about how I was feeling. Worship was about who my God is.

And He is worthy.

After making my joyful noises and listening to others speak of Jesus, I was refreshed. I spent time in His presence. He held my hand.

A couple of nights later, it was small group time. Again, I didn’t want to go. But I knew I needed to.

Being around people who are like minded and who are discussing Jesus is exactly what I needed. Time and time again, we said we need to focus our thoughts (think on purpose), determine what lies we are believing, and replace those with God’s truth.

How many times have I believed the lie that I can do things alone. I’m better off without people. I don’t need anyone. Or, I’m not good enough for God to love me so why talk with Him?

Stupid defeated enemy. He knows he can’t keep me out of heaven. His goal, however, is to make me ineffective here on earth.

When you find yourself escaping or avoiding, stop! Think on purpose! What lies are you believing? What truth do you need to remind yourself of?

Run TO Him – not away from Him. He is the Comforter. He is the Truth.

Choices lead and feelings follow. Choose to read, hear and accept His Word and His Truth.

Think on purpose!

Lord, help me

Why am I in such a mood?

Why is everything annoying me?

Why is everyone annoying me?

I know I have not been sleeping well. That doesn’t help.

When I wake up, I’ve got a worship song in my head. I don’t feel like my mind is racing.

I go to sleep quickly. It just doesn’t last.

What to do? Pray. Worship. Move on.

Some days it’s easier said than done.

Thankful

I don’t believe Thanksgiving is just a season. We should constantly be in a mind of giving thanks.

We all have an abundance of opportunities each day to be grateful. It could be the kind clerk behind the counter. It could be the honest mechanic who will fix the actual problem with your vehicle. It could also be the teacher who enjoys his pupils. Or it could be the nurse who enjoys taking care of her patients.

There are many reasons to be thankful for people. There are many reasons to be thankful for situations also.

Our youngest son was involved in a head on vehicle accident yesterday morning. We have much to be thankful for.

‘Somehow’ the paramedics and state troopers were notified. There was special equipment to extricate everyone from the vehicle. There were plenty of emergency vehicles to transport people to multiple facilities.

They were able to contact his fiancé and she contacted his dad. Tim was already in town and only had a 15 minute drive to the hospital instead of 30 minutes. After multiple nights of little sleep, the night before the accident, Tim and I both slept soundly.

Tim was able to witness the love his fiancé has for our son. She wouldn’t leave his side. The hospital was conducting a mass casualty drill during this time so there were many employees available to help assess the injuries. Ben’s head, chest and abdomen were clear. He has a cast on his arm and a splint on his finger.

Many lives changed yesterday morning because of the accident – most I will never know of. We have much to be thankful for. God, you are good. All the time. I don’t understand but I trust You. Help us to be grateful even in the hard times.