Spared

Even when I didn't yet know it

Recently I went through an experience that left me impatient, confused, frustrated, and even discouraged. When it ended, I was grateful and eager to move on. There was no way I wanted to deal with that again. 

Then time does its thing. As I would reflect on that recent experience, I’d find myself convicted of my attitude and my failure to walk through it with grace. 

Today I was again searching my heart, and I came upon the root of my frustration with the situation. And then the Lord spoke. 

“Now you know what I spared you from.” 

And instantly there was peace. He didn’t excuse my impatience or my lack of grace. But He showed me what my life would have looked like had He not stepped in. He showed me that another chaotic season of my life from years ago was actually *His* grace and mercy in removing me/us from a situation that would have destroyed me on every level. 

There are times we fully see the Father’s hand and easily praise Him. But many times He moves in a way we weren’t expecting and we’re left reeling in the sudden change of direction. May we also find a way to praise Him in those times. Because down the road, He may choose to let you see what that other path would have cost you. 

Today I am so thankful for His forgiveness in my recent circumstance, as well as His gracious protection from years ago.

Believe Them

 About the good stuff too!

This is one of my favorite quotes. It was originally said in reference to paying attention to the negative attributes and attitudes that we see in those around us. But it can be also refer to the positive attributes and attitudes that we should be noticing. We spend a lot of time excusing poor behavior and ignoring amazing behavior. I guarantee there are people in your life who are showing you how much you are loved. Believe them! 

♥️ When someone checks in on you, believe them. 

♥️ When someone decides you’re worth their time, believe them. 

♥️ When someone treats you with respect, believe them. 

♥️ When someone shows up for you, believe them. 

♥️ When someone remembers something about you, believe them. 

♥️ When someone proves that you can trust them, believe them. 

 ♥️ When someone sincerely compliments you, believe them. 

♥️ When someone is genuinely interested in what you have to say, believe them. 

♥️ When someone invites you to be a part of something, believe them. 

♥️ When someone shows you who they really are, believe them.

Sliver

It’s been a long week… 

Sickness 

Appointments 

Exhaustion 

Appointments 

Stress 

Appointments 

Poor sleep 

Provision 

Protection 

Help from friends 

Patience from my husband 

Peace in my soul 

It’ll be a long weekend… 

Driving 

Hotel 

Dogs’ anxiety 

Packed schedule 

Time with family 

Celebrating blessings 

Making memories 

Lots of laughter 

Sharing the love 

Merging families

 

These bullets are just a sliver of what’s going on in my life. But just past the edge, you can make out the bigger picture. The sliver only covers a small part of some very big things. Some of those things aren’t so great. Others are amazing. We forget that a sliver is only a glimpse. Of a situation. Of a person. Of a life. There’s so much more going on than most realize. But a few will look closer. Deeper. With the right lens…and see that there’s more. And they’ll either carry the burden with you or celebrate with you, whatever the moment calls for. I encourage you to look past the sliver.

Different Growths

Still succeeding

 

A lot more young people who are struggling with belonging should see this. All the “popular and beautiful” people I saw in my teens and 20s were so shallow. But it seemed their value was found in the parts you could see. With maturity and discernment, I began to see the truth of their roots. And that’s helped me so much.

Give It Away

 You are made for others

What's your best feature? You immediately have an answer, right? What if I said, "What's your gift or talent?" What is that one intangible thing that you do - that creative niche that doesn't exist until you do it? Maybe you're an amazing cook or an organized OCD housekeeper. Maybe you're an awesome driver or a great bookkeeper or painter or writer or speaker. Maybe you are athletic or patient or studious. Anything come to mind? 

Now, how can you use that personal attribute as a passion? How can you use that unique skill as an outreach? I challenge you to first identify your intangible specialty and then stretch it into a way to minister to someone else. Or several someones. Many times we use what we're given to meet our own desires. A lot of times we use what we're given to meet the needs of those we like or love. What if you used your individual passion to meet the need of someone truly in need. I know I've been in need before. In need of a meal or a ride. In need of patience or tutoring or financial organization. In need of feeling alive or useful or appreciated. How amazing would it be to take what we have been freely gifted with and give it away? Who's with me?

Are You Where You Belong?

“Penguins can’t fly - until they’re underwater.”

Sometimes we try to spread our wings in a space too small for us. Sometimes we try to take off with too much headwind coming at us. Sometimes we try to fly for distances too long for us. Sometimes we try to fly in areas designed for something else. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be flying. It means you haven’t yet found the environment your wings were made for.

Green Flags

 It's not all rose colored glasses

In my young adult years, I overlooked or excused abusive behaviors and patterns because I am an optimist. I look for the silver lining - and that made me tolerate a relationship that was toxic for too many years. In other relationships, my self esteem was so low, I had trouble believing in genuinely healthy behaviors. I was effectively “colorblind” to the hazards and safeties of my environment.

 

With distance and healing and practice, I am now able to see the difference between those who harm and those who help. I have also learned that I am not responsible for someone’s toxicity any more than I am responsible for another’s thoughtfulness. Others are who they are - may we learn to see them that way.