To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Simple Thoughts Sunday

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Operating from a place of full trust

When we operate out of a place of knowing and believing that God will provide, we can breathe easier.

When we know we will never truly lack, and that there will be the right words to say, the right resources to do whatever it is we need to do and a never-ending supply of grace to cover our misgivings we are truly free.

The opposite of that is operating out of a perception of lack and worry. That path leads us to be selfish with our resources and our full self.

If today you find yourself at times not believing that you are fully “covered,” then pray that God will give you a spirit of trust and abundance. Like the Fall harvest each year, there are seasons of bounty and seasons of “not so much,” but there is ALWAYS a harvest that provides exactly what we need.

Have an amazing week!

 

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Spiritual stamina

So love this. Stamina, endurance, staying power, fortitude, strength, energy, toughness, determination, tenacity, perseverance, GRIT.

How is your stamina today? How about your spiritual stamina? (Spiritual: “relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul…” Thank you, Google.)

When we go through our days, there is no doubt we encounter obstacles. We are all flawed people and most of us work, go to school or somehow interact with other flawed people daily. That fact alone makes it 100 percent likely that we will encounter challenging events, conversations etc. and will need to respond out of wisdom instead of emotion.

One of my absolute favorite stories in the Bible is found in 2 Chronicles where Solomon when he became king, asked God for wisdom above all things. We can and should all ask for wisdom. Wisdom allows us to take a deep breath and not allow ourselves to be caught up in an emotional reaction that we didn’t really intend or hope to have. Wisdom is healing.  Wisdom makes us better.

I for one am asking for wisdom right now. I pray your week is absolutely everything you want it to be!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Staying in the spiritual gym

Happy Sunday!

Just like our bodies need us to focus on building muscles, exercising our cardiovascular systems and eating healthy, our spiritual growth needs a game plan to ensure we are operating optimally. I loved this concept and thought it was worth sharing.

The three key ideas I captured were…

  1. Staying disciplined.
  2. Lifting the word of God.
  3. Understanding that “resistance” is what makes us stronger (exercising faith).

A simple thought really, but powerful nonetheless.

If we are able to stay disciplined in our spiritual life we will be stronger. We will be able to better handle what comes our way and perhaps be more grateful along the path.

If we focus on the truth we find in the word of God, we can be sure our minds don’t get off track and run down a rabbit hole that isn’t speaking life into us. If we can understand that challenges and resistance can help us stretch and grow we will be less frustrated and make meaningful strides. I believe that takes faith and exercising this is a daily grind. It is a constant commitment to change our thoughts and recognize that God’s plan has us right where we are supposed to be… if we listen, we will know how that plan is supposed to unfold.

Cheering you on this week!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: The difference between your social circle and inner circle

Happy Sunday night. So, I heard this recently and it really spoke to me.

The truth is, from our school years onward we encounter a myriad of people. Some become our closest allies and friends, and some that are better left for a different group. Here is what was powerful to me:

If they don’t believe God’s best for your life, then they don’t get to have access to speak into you or be in your inner life/circle. 

I had to stop and think if I have anyone in that category. I think I do. People I have allowed in perhaps a bit too much. Perhaps I have spent too much energy with a few of those, and not enough with those true cheerleaders that do have God’s best at the top of their minds for me, and I for them.

The final thought from this conversation was equally significant to me, and perhaps for you as well…

Draw your strength from men and women of God that are headed in the same direction (eternal) direction as you. 

I am praying your week is beyond wonderful.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: When I’m in over my head… God has me right where I’m supposed to be

Even when I’m in over my head… God is “over my head.”

Sarah Jakes Roberts shared a message that made this powerful statement. It’s a great reminder for us all today. It doesn’t matter how awesome our lives may be, there are moments when we all feel not capable, not “up for the next level,” not able to come up with the “right words” to coach a friend, or support our child. The list goes on. When I was younger, how would we even pay the bills comes to mind…

The feeling  of being “In over your head,” happens and it’s a part of life we need to learn to master. This is a good time to place front and center in our minds that God is the ultimate “play caller.” He is not only there with us, but has walked ahead of us and will provide us with just what we need at the right time.

*For those that want to go deeper, there are so many scriptures that support this, but my go-to is always Psalm 23. 

Emotionally exhale this Labor Day weekend

(Photo Creds: Canva)

How are you making this Labor Day weekend count? I like to think that this holiday isn’t just about taking a break, but rather about emotionally exhaling.

This weekend used to wind down the summer before school started. Alas, that isn’t the case anymore. August’s onslaught of obligations, activities, etc. are in full force for most of us. But wait, didn’t summer just start? So obviously, Labor Day weekend is a really good time to take a breather.

“Emotionally exhaling” doesn’t take much. (That’s sort of the point.)

Reading, life planning, sharing a meal or two with friends or family, a visit to the farmer’s market, and  a chance to take in the last days of poolside bliss. Those work for me, but for others it’s about rock climbing, marathons and shopping extravaganzas. Reflect on what this weekend should look like for you based on the season of your life. Be a little selfish – you deserve it.

There is a great book that came out a few years ago called “The Best Yes” by Lysa Terkeurst. It calls out to us to make the best decision for ourselves at that given moment and season. So, what does your soul need this weekend? There is still time to make it happen.

Whatever you do with the rest of your long weekend, I hope that you will emotionally exhale.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: History repeats itself

Tucked into Alex Seeley’s summer book debut, “Tailormade,” there is a sweet little chapter with this title.

The focus is on generational patterns and how they subtlety creep into our lives, even when we promise ourselves that we will or won’t “handle” life like those that went before us. It’s interesting that this behavior is exactly how the patterns continue. We must get to a place where we actually work through whatever caused us to proclaim that anyway, and where we can identify why we felt how we did. In a more simple statement: We need freedom so that we can actually stop the pattern.

I love the simplicity of the Psalms, and this one in particular: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (147:3)  (His promises on this topic are covered in quite a few other verses, so if you like to look up references, check out Isaiah 61:1 and 61:3.)

The verse is a little strong, so please recognize that not all generational patterns create a broken heart but to me, the idea that he “heals” us at all levels is comforting. I have found that both God’s word and being in a strong community of close friends with faith are essential to working through issues. I would also say a good counselor can be a game changer. When we are forced to ask the right questions we can all of a sudden seem to understand more. That clarity, mixed with taking action to recognize and deal with the answers brings us to freedom and the ability to actually stop the pattern.

Without a good plan, history will indeed repeat itself.

This week, let’s repeat the good, the healthy and the flat out awesome. If we have anything we need to better understand about ourselves, let’s look at our generational history and claim the outcome we desire. (For me, it seems like there will always be something I want to work on to be the best version of myself. Truly, it’s one of the favorite parts of  life… the sheer ability as a human to get better and stronger and help others in the process is as good as it gets.) 

Simple Thoughts Sunday – Power in the waiting

I am hopeful that this hits someone else as hard as it did me personally. What an incredible thought… It wasn’t mine, but it is is worthy of sound thinking around the idea. So many times in my life and as I interact with my boys and close friends and family, the topic of praying and what we are hoping for in our lives comes up.

What are those dreams you pray for? How about just a prayer to make it through the next conversation? Through the test? The interview? The next day?

Does it ever come to mind that we may not be prepared for exactly what we are asking? That our patience and in our waiting is where we are becoming prepared. Or perhaps, we will never be prepared, and God knows that and takes us in another direction. Waiting is where we are strengthened, equipped and prepared.

I am thankful that God hasn’t always given me what I wanted when I asked for it the first time. At times, it has been many, many seasons of wondering where He is at in my prayer. I now know that it is because I wasn’t fully prepared. Does that resonate with anyone?

As you go into the week, I hope that you will find renewed hope in your prayers. I have found that God gives me peace when He has prepared me. In other words, that conversation may not need to happen until I get that peace – that “go ahead,” so to speak. I firmly believe that God is with us at all times and is actively preparing us for all that we are supposed to do in this life.

Have a powerful week.

Immense, deep, fierce, profound… Beyond measure

Beyond compare

Beyond dispute

Beyond doubt

BEYOND MEASURE

Beyond number

Beyond one’s depth

Beyond Price

Immense, deeply, fiercely, profoundly.

(Thanks to Coopers dictionary for these incredible terms…perfect for today’s message)

What areas of your life have you been blessed beyond measure? This is the perfect day and week to dive into this idea.

Sunrises, sunsets, pets, a healthy and able body, the ability to help others, intelligence, teachers, counselors, friends, family… All of those are surely on the list.

What about the not so obvious? Hard times, loss, trouble, stress… To me, those belong in this category, too. Without the mire, I wouldn’t be where I am – I wouldn’t be so blessed. I wouldn’t be able to serve well, and to use my story to encourage others. The best place we can be today is in the pure gratitude of the adventure we are on.

The road that are straight, the roads that fork with no obvious direction, the unpaved roads, even the road that flatten your tires… They all come together to form a life that is blessed beyond our understanding – beyond measure.

Have a crazy great week. Many prayers and positive energy to you, your family and friends.

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Yep, there is a way…

Happy Sunday! I have some new followers, so just a friendly reminder that my posts on Sundays are focused on faith primarily.

I am so thankful for my grandparents for their focus on faith and family, and rooting us deeply in knowing that God truly does have this world under control and that we can place our trust in that truth.

I have so many people in my life right now who are struggling. (We can’t forget to look up and reach out to those in need during the crazy summer days, too.) Friends who want to leave their partner, friends who are fighting anxiety and depression, friends who are not loving their career and are not sure where they are supposed to be, friends who have children going away to college for the first time and are truly sad, and friends who have families with serious illnesses.

Life can be hard. Some days it seems unexplainable — like there isn’t a path. But if we  take a deep breath and step outside of our thoughts, we see that we are assured in the Bible that God is indeed making a way for each of us and those we love. We all have a life’s adventure that includes pure joy and pure pain.

As we go into the week, remember that everyone we encounter is struggling likely with something and maybe spend a bit of extra time this week encouraging one another. Often, if someone comes to mind, they may be just the person God is nudging you to reach out to!

As always, I’m cheering you all on! Many prayers and much love.