Something's Gotta Give...

Lately, I've been finding myself saying, "Something's gotta give."

My life is very, very full these days - filled with many wonderful blessings, but I am finding that instead of enjoying these blessings, I'm feeling anxious and stressed.  

I'm rushing from one activity to the next...  This pace continues from the moment I wake up until around 10 o'clock in the evening.

Something's gotta give...

I currently wear many wonderful hats...

Wife, grandmother, homemaker, part-time secretary, and blogger.  

The only time I have free for myself is Sunday afternoons, and even then, at some point, I usually end up catching up on responding to post comments and blog interactions through social media.

Something's gotta give...

I am, by nature, a very structured and organized person.  I'm focused, and always seem to accomplish what needs to get done in the time alotted.  

My problem is that I don't like having things "hanging over my head".  I've been like this since I was in high school.  I remember I would be weeks ahead in my steno homework.  I'm always striving to get ahead, but in the striving, I'm not living in the moment, let alone hearing the promptings of the Lord...

Cease striving and know that I am God

Psalm 46:10

The Lord used Sarah Koontz most recent post Why I Take a Summer Blogging Break to minister to my heart and redirect my summer path.  Whether you are a blogger or are just very busy in general, I encourage you to read her post.  I promise you will be edified.

The following words from Sarah's post struck me...

"Every summer, I choose to set aside time to fill up my spiritual storehouses.

Because I must minister from a place of abundance."

You see, in this season of my life, I find blogging to be a meaningful way to serve the Lord -  a way to minister to a far reach, even though my life's work is mostly from home.   Not to mention my own personal growth in the Lord through blogging, and the beautiful friendships and kindred fellowship I have found among the blogging community. 

Anytime I've pondered not to blog, this would come to mind and spur me on to keep on keeping on.

But Sarah reminded me that to minister well, I need to "minister from a place of abundance".

Sarah's post really gave me the nudge that my heart was already convicting me of.  {I love when the Holy Spirit uses fellow bloggers to confirm His promptings.}  So I will be taking a break from blogging for the month of July.  My husband and I have plans to do some traveling and to spend time with friends and family.  I also have several "mentoring books" that I'm looking forward to reading during my downtime to help fill my storehouse.  But most especially, I want to spend this time to be still, and to allow myself to be able to hear the promptings of the Lord as I seek to apply in a consistent manner all that I have learned these past few months through my reading of Guarded by Christ: Knowing the God who Rescues and Keeps Us, and my study of the book of Colossians through the Walk in Grace Bible Study.  

They say 30 days helps to develop a habit!  My hope is that during the month of July, I will develop a habit of living in the moment while seeking God and His grace in a meaningful way, and allowing that grace to overflow to others.

I'd like to close this blog post by sharing pictures that I took recently when I found myself living in the moment - moments I hope will become a spiritual habit going forward.

In the way of righteousness there is life; 

along that path is immortality. 

Proverbs 12:28

You provide a broad path for my feet, 

so that my ankles do not give way.

2 Samuel 22:37

Listen, my son, and be wise,

and set your heart on the right path

Proverbs 23:19

Teach me your way, LORD; 

lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

Psalm 27:11

The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.

Isaiah 26:7

Direct me in the path of your commands,

 for there I find delight.

Psalm 119:35

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, 

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Proverbs 4:18

You make known to me the path of life; 

you will fill me with joy in your presence,

 with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble,

 because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. 

Jeremiah 31:9

I run in the path of your commands, 

for you have set my heart free.

Psalm 119:32

My granddaughter has been a constant reminder of what it means to live in the moment.  Her fearlessness is inspiring, and her absolute joy in everything that crosses her path is contagious!

And her spontaneous decision to lay down in the middle of the path, looking as comfy as if she were laying on her own bed, serves as a perfect illustration that I need to rest in the path that the Lord has ordained for me with total trust in His loving care.

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer.  I'll see you in August with all new posts!

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