Spiritual Discipline for Busy People
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
2 months of Georgia
Monday, May 23, 2022
Today marks 2 entire months we've moved to Georgia. God has been great to us. I keep thinking about my first 2 months in Mississippi, North Carolina, Southwest Houston, and East Texas.
I had completely different experiences in all of those places. I am completely thankful to God for taking us to all of those places. We gained so much experience. We made so many friends. We learned so much about God and our own lives.Today I am grateful for so many things. I'm grateful that Georgia feels like home already. Having family closer to us has been the icing on the cake. Knowing your people will be there for you gives us that deep sense of calmness and belonging. Acceptance with love becomes the norm, which brings peace to the spirit.
I'm grateful for how resilient my children are. They did so well with this transition. One more reason to be grateful. Where God leads, He truly provides and paves the way for us.
I'm grateful for new hope. Hope has always been my word of choice. The tagline of this blog is "spreading hope online one word at a time." I can honestly say that my hope tank got really low in the past 3 years. God in His infinite wisdom has given me His word, Himself, and His children to remind me to keep hoping against hope, so I did.
The name of our new church is "New Hope," which is just what I needed.
I'm grateful for a little downtime. Our pace is different. I'm also forcing myself to slow down and accept the different pace of life I now have. It is not worse or better than before: it is simply unique. I believe that when I partake in this downtime, I am refreshed and renewed.
Discovering our new home state has been so nice. I had been here before but the last time I was in college (I think). Georgia is a blessing and I am blessed to be here with my family.
Change and mindset
Friday, May 13, 2022
We are familiar with our least favorite parts of change.
Today, I want to encourage you to think about the good.
When I got married to Zeke, we had to change our clothes.
We went to the mall and we bought Indian shirts.
Mine was green, his was orange.
We were thrilled about changing into our wedding clothes.
That simple change of outfits signified the joy we share for the past 16 and a half years.
Six months later, when we had the blessing of our marriage, we changed outfits again. He had on a suit, I had on a wedding dress.
We change clothes to fit the occasion and so the occasion can fit us.
It's getting warmer in the southern part of the U.S. where I live.
I decided to change clothes so my workouts can be more comfortable.
I retired my long sleeve shirts. Tanktops and shorts are more appropriate.
I don't want to overheat so I changed clothes.
Change is what you make it.
Change is action.
I've fought change before.
I hate to admit that I never win such fights.
Acceptance with joy brings blessed results.
I am learning to 'dress' for such occasions too.
How do I "dress" my mind for change?
I take off dread and put on gratitude.
I take off frustration and put on curiosity.
I take off negativity and put on positivity.
Change can be good. It all depends on your mindset.
"So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world." 1 Peter 1:13 (NLT)
Reflective questions
Thursday, May 12, 2022
I enjoy taking time to think about what was so what will be can be better. Here are a few reflective questions. You may use them both now, in the middle of the year, or at the end. Enjoy! Credit for the questions at the end of the post. Have a great day!
Over the previous 12 months... quick-fire responses:
What did you get curious about?
What did you get over?
What did you good at?
What did you embrace?
What did you rediscover?
What did you surrender to?
What did you sacrifice?
What did you sideline?
What did you survive?
What did you celebrate?
Contemplate. Take time to ponder:
What did this year teach you about your capacity for courage?
What risks did you take? How did they work out?
What did this year teach you about relationships? love? your capacity for forgiveness?
What particular synchronicities did you notice?
Where did you bring light to the darkness for someone?
When were you generous? How did that serve you?
Did you neglect yourself in any way? was there a time when you did not allow yourself something you needed? If a similar situation arises this year, what will you tell yourself?
Of all the places where you spent time, which environment made you the most calm? where did you have your best ideas?
What changes did you notice in your loved ones?
What went on in the world that really affected you? what did that teach you in your role in wider society?
What did this year teach you about the preciousness of life?
Practical:
What did you create or made happen this year?
What brought you the most satisfaction?
What was money well spent and when did you waste money?
What was the best use of your time and energy? Where did you waste time and energy?
What was a real success for you and why? What did you learn from that?
What didn't work out as you hoped? Why? What did you learn from that?
What or who was a challenge? Why? What did you learn from that?
What was the single most important thing you did for your physical health?
What was the single most important thing you did for your mental health?
If you could sum up the year in a single word, what would it be?
Letting go:
Write down things you want to let go.
Moving forward:
When did you allow yourself to be vulnerable over the past 12 months? What did you learn in the process?
What do you want to carry with you in the new year?
What truths are you ready to start believing?
What are you ready to receive?
Time to make a plan.
* from "Calm Christmas and a Happy New Year" by Beth Kempton.