Porch #127⛄ What's Saving My Life
good riddance to perfection, obsessions, and being a know-it-all (+ lots of pretty pictures)
You’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse … do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
- Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message)
God's unexpected blessings are strewn right and left throughout each day, offering us a refreshing oasis in a world gone stark raving mad. A life-giving wellspring, that yearned for invitation to something deeper. These gems are our ah-ha moments, the lifesavers we didn’t even realize we were craving.
HERE’S WHAT’S SAVING MY LIFE RIGHT NOW . . .
1. Embracing the reality that the older I get, the less I know for sure.
What freedom to admit you don't have all the answers and your responsibility isn't to save the world and give your opinion every five minutes. I'm long past being a know-it-all ... and more likely to be still and listen quietly. Just because you've got a few letters sprinkled after your name doesn't mean you're some kind of genius.
Saying 'I just don't know' works fine for me.
2. Agreeing with what God is doing.
In stilling myself and my schedule, I'm better able to listen for the Holy Spirit's nudges to pray for someone. Chances are I've already told Him (more than once) how I feel about a situation and what I hope He will do. More and more I'm abandoning my laundry list of things He should be aware of (like He doesn't know?) and my tendency to want to control outcomes. These prayers are turning out to be more like yielding to what He’s allowing, praying that His will be done, and offering up praise for His holy character and awesome faithfulness. Especially when things absolutely make no sense and I'm not able to understand His mysterious plans.
3. Listening to my body.
Paying attention to what she’s yearning for. A glass of cold water. A short afternoon snooze. A healthy-ish snack. A brisk walk. A soul level conversation. An evening with absolutely no screens. A jumbo mug of steaming Earl Grey laced with honey. A great big hug. One hefty piece of chocolate.
4. Acknowledging that perfectionistic 'all or nothing at all' thinking is an albatross.
No, I don't have to walk for hours on end. 20 minutes might suit me just fine today, thank you very much.
No, my devotional time doesn't have to be an endless marathon with a burdensome checklist of chapters or prayers that must be completed. There are days when a few minutes here and a few more over there are my soul's delight.
Not every to-do on the list has to be completed today. I'm much happier puttering and going with the flow. Our home, our tasks, our lives are a work in progress. It’s all good.
5. Refusing to be obsessed with the news (or anything else for that matter).
The unsettling drama and trauma of recent election cycles plus Covid’s long run raised my anxiety level to unimagined heights. Back then I gave up my beloved evening TV news marathons, the opinionated talking heads, the pundits and prophets and politicians with their not so hidden agendas and axes to grind.
These days a morning update comes in my inbox and I'm good to go. Yep, I’ll turn on the news occasionally. And after about 10 minutes I’m pressing the OFF button. Enough already. I know the One who wins in the end. And His name is Jesus.
MORE MID-WINTER LIFESAVERS . . .
The Christmas tree morphed into a serendipitous coastal wintertime sparkler. Off came all the ornaments except for those in blue. I added some random seashells. And the lights continue to twinkle bright. Tucked into a living room corner, this makes evenings kind of magical. Especially if there’s quiet conversation and hot chocolate (with extra whipped cream) in the picture.
*
Here’s a shot of one of my dozen + grandchickens. I am madly in love with these feathered ladies. And nothing beats fresh from the nest eggs.
MORE SNAPSHOTS THAT BRING A SMILE . . .
What's saving your life? How do you put your creative energies to work to defeat the blues, the news, the isolation, the fear that so easily comes to call these days?
And what's God inviting you to in the process?
Linda
THE LISTENING LIFE ONLINE BOOK CLUB starts Thursday, February 1st
Adam McHugh’s award winning book will upend much of what you perceive about your own ability to listen. In your relationship with God and with those closest to you. Those experiencing deep pain or with your church family. And as you begin to pay attention to your body, your emotions, and those ongoing 'scripts' you believe.
3 online Book Club sessions, 3 chapters each week. Come and go whenever, no sign-up, no commitment, no secret handshake needed.
If you aren’t able to read the book, jump right on in to the discussion anyway … or drop by and see where the conversation is going.
I'm wondering if next year I dare leave up the Christmas tree a bit longer after January 6, following your example! I could just use the less-Christmasy ornaments--maybe have our granddaughters make us a few more to fill the empty spaces. The extra glow would certainly help cast away the gloom! (We do leave the fairy lights on top of the hutch till spring--that helps some.) As we drive here and there through the city I still see the occasional tree peeking through a window. Looks like others have the same idea! / As for long/short quiet times, In one of her books Anne Graham Lotz admits that some days it's impossible to linger in her Bible and pray. She just makes up for it on a less hectic day. You're in good company, Linda!
This really can be a cozy time of year. Thankful for the wood stove!
I am loving the hymnal that has found its way into my devotional pile. I am tracing all the different ways the hymn writers refer to God.