#229 - Cut Yourself Some Slack!

Proverbs 31:10 - A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

Let me just be honest, is that OK with you? This morning as my alarm went off at 6:30, I hit snooze. At 6:35 I hit snooze again, then again at 6:40, 6:45.... and so on until after 7:00 I heard Tyler downstairs and jumped out of bed just because I didn't want him to leave with my Bible still in the car (I accidentally left it at church Sunday so I had to pick it up yesterday.) 


Why do I say all of that? Well, to be transparent, because I've felt as of lately I've been in a bit of a funk. As I sat down this morning to begin journaling and talking to the Lord... the first 10 lines or so of my journal was equivalent to a whining session to the Lord. Really just telling Him all the areas I feel I've maybe dropped the ball, or felt 'dry' in certain areas, lacked motivation in others. One clue that quickly revealed my state to myself has been the 'snooze' button. Where at one time, even not too long ago, my alarm went off, and I looked forward to jumping up, getting out of bed, beginning my morning routine of writing in one of my books, spending time with the Lord, talking, fellow-shipping, then writing a daily devotion from the insights the Lord gave me. I enjoyed delighting in getting up. I enjoyed the fact that I looked forward to getting up to spend time with the Lord. I anticipated that I would hear from Him. I looked forward to what He was going to say to me. Would He direct me in a certain way? Give me insight into something? Reveal a break-through revelation in the Word? Or maybe just pour hope & belief into my heart?

After my brief whining session, the Holy Spirit cut in. Well... I actually took a brief moment to stop whining and decided I would focus on listening. What did He have to say? Was I off-base in my frustration? My failed attempts to be the super woman of productivity, would He give me some insight into how, why & where I failed? Would He give me a 3-step solution to being better, more productive, more accomplished in my days? Being a stay-at home mom, I am the one in control of my daily calendar. "If only I was a 'female version' of Tyler," I've often thought, "I'm sure I would get more done. Have a system of execution. Be better. Be more. Be SUPER!" You see, I am married to a 'self-starter,' someone who constantly is working on improving himself. When he is not diligently (& consistently) reading in one of the 3-4 books he's reading at the current moment, he is planning, watching some amazing leader or minister on-line, listening to a pod-cast or audio about 'improvement'.... since he was 17, he has been a walking, living, breathing reflection of someone always getting better. Indeed, amazing! You may also be able to see where it COULD be easy to compare myself to him? :) Praise the Lord I'm married to such an amazing man.

Well... as I stopped this morning, and chose to stop & listen to give the Holy Spirit a moment to maybe give me some insight, He did. Praise the Lord. Here are just a few of the nuggets He shared with me in the 3 pages that I journaled....

You will have seasons of what seem like great productivity. You will also have seasons of rest, preparation. During this time, don't get discouraged or be despaired. Take this time to enjoy Me. To sit & drink in from My well, from living waters, to get refreshed daily in My communion. Amy, I don't want you to feel pressure from Tyler about being "productive." I don't even want you to feel "pressure" from Me. My intentions are not to push. My intentions Amy, are to mold & make you, through TIME, into the woman I have created you to become. The key is - TIME. It's a process to develop & does not, can not be done overnight! Trying to do it overnight causes burnout & frustration. 

His Words led me to flipping open to Proverbs 31, verse 10, like I have done countless mornings. What more could be hidden in this Word? What more could He have here? As I read the first verse that talks about this amazing godly woman, I realized, like it jumped off the page to me, it coincided exactly with what the Holy Spirit said to me. One word, TIME.

I decided to check into how long it takes a precious gem to form. You'll notice some of my "inserts" in parenthesis. Here is what I found (www.SmithsonianMag.com):

There have been attempts to try to date inclusions in different parts of diamonds, and those have largely been unsuccessful. It may be that diamonds (Godly Women) form over periods as short a time as days, weeks, months to millions of years. Typically, as with many crystals that grow on the Earth, it's not a continuous process. The diamonds (godly woman) may start to grow and then there may be an interruption for some reason – a change in conditions (marriage), temperature  (job change), pressure (having a baby), source of carbon (moving), whatever—and they could sit for millions, hundreds of million of years, and then start growing again. That's part of the problem of trying to put some sort of a growth period on them; things don't always occur continuously...

I found similar information about the formation of a pearl. The one common thread between diamonds and pearls is this, TIME. It takes TIME.

What can we conclude? We are a work in progress. We take time to develop. This woman of God, this Proverbs 31 woman, is said to be more valuable than rubies or pearls. We can conclude, she does not become this woman overnight. She isn't just born with all of these qualities & attributes. It has taken her time. And maybe, just maybe, like the formation of the diamond, there are interruptions at times. The growth process is halted, or may even temporarily stop for a season of rest or change. Ultimately though, it is ALL part of the creation of this beautiful gem. Ultimately the pressure, the pauses, the time, the growth, is all part of the process of this rare & beautiful woman forming into who we know as the Proverbs 31 woman.

So.... today.... cut yourself some slack! Allow time to be on your side. Allow time to do it's work. Relax in the TIME. Relax in the process of becoming. Let God do His work in you! Because we know according to Philippians 1:6, I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.


God is not going to leave you! He is going to COMPLETE the work that He has begun in you! So... cut yourself some slack! Rest in the Lord. Enjoy the process. But mostly, cut yourself slack! You are becoming. You are in the process. Love yourself where you are. You are a process!

Xoxo! Have a blessed day! :) 

Amy

#219 - Feel Confident with Your Decision!

Proverbs 16:33 - The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord [even the events that seem accidental are really ordered by Him].

Proverbs 31:16a - She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]...

Have you ever had an important decision to make, a decision that is a pretty big deal, that will affect the next several years of your life? Maybe the rest of your life? It's important, you really want to make sure you make the right decision. It's going to affect everything.


As you begin your decision making process, you begin to weigh the options. Maybe you are a list person, so you write out all the pro's & con's on a piece of paper. You may fold your paper in 3 sections, use a ruler to make a straight line and begin to neatly bullet things out. Or, maybe you're the type that just gets out a sticky note, and scribbles a few things down. You may be the thinker. The person who sits on it for awhile, days, thinks it over and over. Quietly & to yourself, but you just think. Then, there are those of you who are talkers. You just have to talk to enough people, hear yourself think outloud, hear the ideas come out, get the opinions of others to help narrow down your decision.


Whichever type of person you are when you make decisions, hopefully you do pray or take a minute to just bounce it off the Holy Spirit.


Whenever I read Proverbs 16, I think of it as a "Power Chapter" when it comes to making plans & deciding things. Verse after verse it talks about "plans." Something that I found comforting this morning was the very last verse, "The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord [even the events that seem accidental are really ordered by Him]." Since the term "lot" isn't something that we commonly use today, I decided to get a bit more clarity and check how the original Hebrew defined "lot." The definition that made the most sense to me was this: a systematic way for making decisions. 


So here you are.... the big decision on the table. Maybe it's a job, moving to a different city, getting married, buying a house, changing churches, starting a business, closing a business, beginning to have kids... whatever the "big decision," it's on the table. Whatever your "lot," your "systematic way for making decisions," you begin the process. What I like, as a Christian, is the latter part of the verse. Though we plan, we systematically sketch out our thoughts, pro's and con's, at the end of the day, the Lord is going to ultimately direct us. Especially when we are seeking Him, acknowledging Him, considering Him, we are going to be led the right way. We are going to choose the "right spouse," the "right house," the "right city to move to." God is not in the business of leading us awry, but leading us down the path of life, godliness & favor. 


Our Proverbs 31 woman, follows the same process as we do. She "considers." The Hebrew breaks the word "consider" down as this: to fix thoughts upon, devise, plan, consider, to purpose. In the case of Proverbs 31:16, she is considering buying a field, basically jumping into a new business venture. She takes time to fix her thoughts, her undivided attention upon weighing her options. Is this a wise business decision for her?  


Friend, take comfort. God will not lead you astray. If you need one last "check" in finalizing your decision, a rule of thumb I always use is this: Let PEACE be your umpire.  In the natural, if I am not sure which way to go, I follow peace. With which decision do I have the most peace? The Holy Spirit is peace. I allow peace to direct me. I also heard Tyler say this recently, which is extremely helpful, "The Holy Spirit always pulls, the enemy, Satan always pushes. There is pressure with the enemy." If I feel pressure, I typically stray away from that decision.


As you acknowledge the Lord, take peace. Whatever the decision you make, it is not accidental. Take confidence in knowing, since you acknowledged the Lord, He will not lead you astray!

#16 - Pursing your Purpose in Peace

Good morning. :) Sometimes I am curious when I wake up.... "What is the Lord going to teach me this morning." In my own knowledge, I have no idea what it's going to be. I don't even know the direction He is going to take. I keep waiting on Him to have a devotional on fitness (see the latter part of Proverbs 31:17).... but as of yet, He just hasn't led that way. That would be something easy for ME, because of the knowledge "I" have.... but can anyone say, "PRAISE THE LORD"... when we get before the Lord, it is not about what WE know, but about what HE knows and how HE directs us. This morning was good & HE had a lot to say about the subject we are going to talk about, so let's dive in. 

Proverbs 14:30 - A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body...

Proverbs 31:17 - She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]...

Before we really jump into things...let me make mention of a couple of areas in regards to your time with the Lord. There have been seasons of my life when my quiet time consisted of 15 minutes in the morning, or when it did seem a little rushed, I was running out the door to get to a meeting on time, to see a client, to help a banker. I have not always enjoyed a nice morning, just me, the Lord, my Bible & a cup of coffee. I want to encourage you, wherever you are & whatever the time constraints you have, do not feel pressure. Whatever you can give God as far as "time", he can bless it. I was reminded of this at church yesterday as Pastor Jenkins mentioned, "Even if it's just on the way to work, turn the radio off & just spend time with the Lord." Beginning last June, that is what I was doing. My "quiet time" consisted of my 20 minute drive to work.... this is what I did. I had Proverbs 31:10-31 saved in the "Memo Pad" of my blackberry. Each morning, I would pull up the "Memo Pad" choose a scripture, copy it, make a "memo" just for that scripture, and I would drive to work meditating on the verse. I would read it, several times over, I would say it out loud, I would ask the Lord: "What is it you would have me to know about this verse?", I would pray, and thoughts and ideas would just come to me. I would jot these thoughts and ideas in the "memo pad". Sometimes the Holy Spirit would bring a story to my mind that related to the verse. Sometimes just ONE word would jump out at me. But, I can tell you this, the 20 minutes that I spent meditating on the Word, the Lord DID have things to say. He DID show up! So, whatever time you may or may not have, don't feel pressure, just use your time wisely. Give God some part of the beginning of your day, even if it's just 5 minutes. The time will compound & you will truly be blessed. 


Ok, let's jump in. 
The "undisturbed mind", "mental strength".... that's what I want to talk about today. The thought or picture that comes to my mind, which I'm sure has been a picture of me at times, is this: A person, a lady, frazzled, hair a bit disheveled, a look of partly frustration, partly fear & partly like tears are getting ready to burst forth. She even yells at herself as she puts her hands on her head, fingers in her hair and says outloud, "Get it TOGETHER! Get it TOGETHER!" She is definitely a bit on the "stressed out" side. 


Tangent....that reminds me of a quick funny story... my little nephew Karson who is 4 years old was walking down the hall looking for my sister, his mom... as he walked down the hall he was yelling (like most 4 year olds may), "Mom! Mommy! Mom! Mom! MOMMY!" He continued down the hall in search of "mom". In the meantime, my sister stood in her dark closet, no light on, not answering the call of her boy. "Mom! MOMMY! MOM! MOM!" As she stood there she thought, "Can I just get five minutes of quiet by myself? Just 5 minutes to change out of my work clothes & not have to cater to someone?!" She stood in her closet, still remaining in silence. The bedroom door opened, "Mom! MOMMY! MOM! MOM!" Karson didn't see her in the bed, walked to her bathroom, no mom there either. Didn't bother the closet, since the light was out. So, Karson leaves the room and heads back down the hallway, "MOM", hands flailing out in frustration, "MOMMY", hands flailing out bigger, "MOM! YOU'RE STRESSING ME OUT! WHERE ARE YOU!??" LOL. 


Stress. It's a bit obvious, Karson had heard that before. But, I'm sure a lot of mom's can relate, "Can I just get ONE minute to myself?" 


Our Proverbs 31 woman is mentally stable, and she works on it! The dictionary spoke of "gird" as the following: to encircle or bind with a belt or band, to surround, enclose, hem in, to prepare oneself for action, to provide, to equip, to invest. Our Proverbs 31 woman is INVESTING in mental stability. She is PREPARING HERSELF FOR ACTION in regards to mental stability, she is STRAPPING mental stability on as with a belt. She is EQUIPPED with mental stability. 


What are some signs, or red flags that you may NOT be mentally stable...or at least that it is something you may want to work on? 

1. Do you snap at people when they ask you a question? 
2. Do you cry often?
3. Do you feel like you can not get a handle on yourself? Your schedule? Your life?
4. Do you lack peace & often feel pressure or stress? 
5. Do you feel like sometimes you don't know which way you are going? You don't know heads from tails? 
6. Can you sometimes not see the forest through the trees. You feel surrounded, but don't see the light to know the direction to get out?

Did you answer "yes" to any of those questions? Mental stability may be something you want to work on. 
This is what the Holy Spirit said to me on the subject: 

I want you to enjoy the "now" as you pursue what I have designed for you to do. YES, your GOD-GIVEN TASK. You can pursue in peace. Pursue with passion but without being "frazzled" without being "caught up", without letting stress or pressure be the leader. Satan will try to "help" as you pursue your calling. It will look like a form of help, but in all reality he will try to pressure you into making premature decisions. His help will come in the form of pressure, stress & urgency to do it NOW. It will push you with deadlines versus the ease of following peace. DEFY Satan when pressure comes, DEFY Satan by walking slowly, by not being in a hurry. When pressure comes, "Cook an egg" as Pastor Jenkins says. Show him you will not be RUSHED, and just to prove your point, move slower than normal. Mental stability while pursing your purpose. 

A calm & undisturbed mind is LIFE & HEALTH to the Body. Have you ever almost felt sick when you have been stressed or running or too busy. Has your body ever almost started shutting down in areas causing you to be more tired than normal, more touchy than normal, light-headed, headaches, almost sick? In whatever area, arena, or decision... the biggest thing that I keep in mind is keeping PEACE as my Umpire. Peace comes from God, Pressure comes from Satan. Even if I'm having a hard time listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, I can still listen to whatever or wherever the "Peace" is deep down inside. I can be led in the direction that gives me peace & have faith that I am being led by my Father. 

Your GOD-GIVEN Task. Do you realize you were created for a purpose? You were created to complete an assignment. You were made for a very specific task. If you are not sure what that is in your life, here are some bullet points given to me by the Holy Spirit to figure it out:

• Your purpose is what you were born for & created to do.
• Your purpose has always been in you.
• In the back of your mind, you have always thought it would be cool to do or accomplish your purpose. 
• At one point, you may have even included your purpose in a list of goals for your life. 

Instructions: 

• Get the LISTS back out.
• Put them on PLAIN TABLETS, in front of you. Write them on paper. 
• RE-AWAKEN to your dreams. 
• PURSUE your PASSIONS!
• Many of those thoughts on YOUR LIST are GOD-GIVEN ASSIGNMENTS and YOU are needed to complete them!
• Too many people have brushed them off. It is simple. If they would begin to get quiet before Me, meditate on MY Word, Listen to MY Voice, I, I AM, will lead them. I will bring them to a place where they will NEVER "work" a day again in their life. When people are operating in their "GOD-GIVEN" assignment, it is as if time stands still because they are enjoying pursuing their assignment. It brings them alive. It is their passion.

So, today.... I encourage you to seek it out. Get out your LIST! If you don't have one, MAKE ONE! What is your passion? What makes you come alive? What have you swept under the rug but know with all your heart that you were MADE to do this very thing? It is what you are good at, it is what makes you happy. I encourage you to get before the Lord, seek Him, follow the instructions above. He will guide you. And who knows this, you can't loose with the Lord! :) 

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Additional helpful resources: 

If you are searching out your purpose, check out a few video's that discuss "Finding your Purpose" & "Seasons of your Purpose", I believe they will be very helpful to you. http://www.youtube.com/tylerhmccart 

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