Robin's Nest

Nurturing hearts and minds to live an Abundant Life

Be Strong When You are Weak

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Through Christmas and into this new year, a word …  one word … kept coming to mind.

 Strong. 

As this gem repeated from various sources, I realized it was a love note from God. So I tucked it away in my heart. Not too far, because I had an inkling I’d need it.

And oh my friend do I need it. As I grow from being an author to booking speaking engagements … I whisper it a lot.

Strong.

God often tosses us into new things before we feel ready, doesn’t He?  One reason we don’t feel ready is because we have these darn human limitations telling us, “Nope. Can’t do it. It’s too hard.”

In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul has a “thorn in the flesh.”  We don’t know his limitation, but three times he begs the Lord to take it away. Each time, God says:

“My grace [presence, unmerited divine assistance] is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

And here’s Paul’s response:

 “Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness.” ~ 2 Cor. 12:10

I love this paradox. How God flips the script on our human reasoning. What we see as weakness, He sees as the perfect place to show up strong ~ in us, for us, and through us.

Where do you need God to show up strong? May we let it happen and find that sweet spot where our human limitations meet His limitless power.

 

                   “When I am weak, then I am strong.” ~ 2 Cor. 12:10

Do you have a word or promise that helps you in this new year? I’d love to hear about it. 😊

 

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☮💗

 

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Having an Un-Traditional Christmas?

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“…Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made…Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better …” ~ Luke 10:40-42

Our military moves kept us far from family. For seven years, we packed our two little boys into or Honda Civic and traveled home for Christmas. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we’d dash to see all the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

We returned home with a trunk stuffed with gifts but our Christmas cheer was lost somewhere between Grandma’s house and exit 145. We were exhausted amid mountains of laundry and sugared up kids.

It felt like we missed Christmas. So the next year we stayed home and started our own family traditions.

In this season made for celebrating Jesus, what’s depleting your energy and Christmas cheer? 

Gift-buying? Decorating? Maybe you dread being with people who, year after year, are just plain difficult. Maybe you’re grieving someone who won’t be there. Maybe you’re exhausted trying to keep up with traditions.

I want to share a bit of encouragement from Lori Ann Wood, a friend who was forced into a difficult holiday season.

“I’ve learned to give myself grace to live the holiday season that is placed in my hands right now. To let go of the should-be’s and the ideals [of traditions.] To grasp the unique joy that only this season of life can offer.”

“If you’re having an untraditional Christmas this year, it may be the perfect time to start making some new memory moments. Whether you’re missing someone or somewhere or something that used to form traditions, your unusual holiday can be fertile ground for planting some brand-new memories. And maybe by letting go of some traditions, we are leaving more space for what’s coming—the Ultimate Gift.”

Read Lori Ann’s “Help to Survive An Untraditional Christmas”

 

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☮💗 Robin

Find Your Rhythm of Rest

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My grandson, Braden, was nine when he taught me a new color.


“Come on Meema, you gotta see this! But hurry or we’re gonna miss it!” Grabbing my hand, he led me around a row of pine trees and pointed to the sky beyond the cornfields.

The sunset was spectacular. So, we spoke in whispers.

 “Braden, what color is that?

“Oh, that’s porange. You know, pink and orange.”

 We were quiet. The world was quiet.

And the huge, fluorescent porange ball floated through gray-blue sky and sank behind a black tree line.

Did  you know the Jewish Sabbath begins at sunset Friday and ends sunset Saturday? Jesus grew up observing this invitation to stop and enter God’s rest.

What if our daily rhythm is backwards? What if we started tomorrow, tonight? What if, instead of going to bed with a head full of worry, we start a new day?

An hour or so before bedtime, I disconnect from screens. I find a quiet space away from phone, TV, computer, and people. Separated from noise, I center in. I slow my brain and breathe deep.

Sometimes I read. Sometimes I pray. Sometimes all I can do is whisper Jesus’ name. This nightly rhythm of rest saves my sanity.

When we’re exhausted, it’s easy for worry and anxiety to overwhelm us. Work, finances, family, this crazy spinning world.  

So, we intentionally interrupt our thoughts and center them on our truest source of peace.

When noise, demands, and distractions are gone ~ there’s just you and Jesus.

Wrapped in His compassion, you have courage to review the day ~ to see where you rocked it and where it rocked you. 

Soaking in grace, God reminds you that you’re doing better than you think. You are human. You are held. You are forgiven.

And it’s a brand new day.

So when the sun rises, before our heads even leave the pillow, we hold on to this Rest. Yes, the world is still bonkers. It didn’t stop its frantic pace and our problems didn’t get erased. But staying in God’s presence, we rise above it all.

Though the world is loud, God is not silent. He often speaks in whispers.

From sunset to sunset, we’re invited to watch and listen for the sacred to descend. And we stand in awe. Hushed in holy moments.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace … Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” ~ Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-30

How will you protect your Rest? I’d love to hear from you. ☮💗

Book News:

 📚 Uncover Your Divine Design is reaching far & wide!! From Canada to Florida & everywhere in between!

🎄 And as much as I detest rushing ahead of holidays …

Have you thought about that Christmas gift for the book lover on your list? Do you know someone who wants to grow his or her relationship with God & others? 

If so, Check out the links below. On CrossRiver Media’s site, you can still read the 1st chapter free, if you’d like. How cool is that? 😎

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Slay Your Giant

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MY BOOK BABY IS FINALLY HERE!!

 

Three times in three days, I heard about David. You know, the dude who killed Goliath. When we hear things  repeat like that, it’s good to slow down and give  it extra attention. Okay God, I’m listening. 😁

In David’s story, we see his Faith in action.

💥Confidence in God. David trusts God to help him kill his giant enemy. It’s not the first time they slayed a gnarly beast together. David relies fully on God, his ever-present help in times of trouble.

💥Confidence in Victory. David knows he will not lose to this enemy who defies God and taunts Israel’s army.

💥Confidence in Authority. Though Israel’s army flees, David runs full-on toward the nasty giant with a sling and a stone. He is confident in the authority of the Lord’s powerful Spirit in him. (1 Sam. 16:13)

Lately, the giant I’m slaying is fear. Learning how to market my book’s message is straight up daunting. When I focus on the giant to-do list, I’m overwhelmed.

But our giants give us the opportunity to put our Faith into action. To trust a little more. To flip our focus away from what we see and remember what we know and Who we know. The Creator of the universe is on our side. He is our defender, our “refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.” ~ Psalm 46:1

Fear makes our giants freakishly huge. But “the size of our God determines the size of our giant.” *

What overwhelms you? That is your giant.

I pray it shrinks in the shadow of Almighty God. Like David, run straight at it, confident in knowing Who fights for you.

 

Grace and Peace for you journey ☮

Check out Uncover Your Divine Design. Try before you buy it!! Read the 1st Chapter FREE click –> CrossRiver Media 

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*Erwin Luetzer, Moody Radio