I have a knack for complicating things.

Like last week, when I had three writing deadlines and I spilled water on my computer’s keyboard. Or that time I grabbed a bag of dry beans from the top shelf and didn’t see the gaping hole. Beans bounced off my head, skittered across the kitchen tile, and cascaded all the way through the dining room and into the hallway.

Four months later, I’m still finding beans. Sometimes, I think it’s my super power. To take something simple and make it messy.

I believe we do the same thing in our relationship with God. We complicate it. We feel like there’s always something more we should be doing. Like it’s never enough.

This restlessness can come from a good place. Our hearts simply want to serve him and help people and be faithful with the days he gives us. So with these good motives, why does our faith get so frustrating?

Because we think we have to do something big, shiny, and epic. We think we have to sound Christian-y and have all the right answers and do all the right things. There’s all these religious rules and traditions and expectations. And all those darn boxes to check. They suck the joy right out of our faith, don’t they?

When all God wants is a relationship. Simple. Uncomplicated. Un-boxed.

What if he’s saying, “Be still. Stop striving. See Me. Then see your people. Reconnect with your passions. Be content in those places I put you. Your everyday doing and being is your purpose.”

In Jesus’ ministry, we see this holy noticing. In his everyday interactions and conversations with God and with people. Regular people like us. Who don’t want a set of rules, but who want a Savior. And we know he delights in our serving and giving, but what’s most important is what he wants to do for us. He is the Giver of Life, real abundant life.

And he shows us what is big, shiny, and epic.

To love God and love people. The best we know how. It’s not always that easy but it is that simple.

^“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously- take God seriously.” ~ Micah 6:8 ❤✌🏼😎🙏🏼

 

🎶 Enjoy one of my favorite songs. And dance. Dancing is good  💃🏼🕺🏼

 

 

                                                     “Be still and know I am God.” ~ Pslam 46:10

 

Oh my. The sunrise. Did you see the sky God painted for us today?

Some mornings, I do. Might even snap a picture for my blog or text my husband. Then move on. But today, I stopped.

Like really stopped.

I resisted the urge to pick up my phone and rush toward the next thing.

That next thing always seems so darn urgent, doesn’t it?

I told myself to slow down … to stay in the moment. To quiet my jumping-ahead thoughts and get off the hamster wheel.

Not just on the outside but on the inside.

I stopped to soak in the silent power spreading from east to west.

Pinks and purples, blues and  grays.

This ancient rhythm is a gift. It meets us every morning. It invites us to start our day by stopping.

To enter rest and delight.

Because all around us the world spins and speeds and it’s easy to get ramped up with it. Acquiring more, accomplishing more, our society applauds exhaustion and multi-tasking. Like somehow busyness makes us better. Stress and burn-out and worry are accepted as a part of life.

Chaos and anxiety are sneaky.  Because it’s easy to see how they mess with our minds. But what about our bodies? We hold on to tension. And dis-ease creates a whole host of ailments.

Because we forget to stop. Breathe. And … just … be… still.

To notice something beautiful.

To talk less. Think less. Worry less.

Then we get to take rest into our work. So we won’t be tossed about by deadlines. We get to carry rest into our relationships and conversations so people won’t tick us off and messy situations won’t stress us out.

The Creator of sunrises and sunsets is truly in control. So we can rest and begin our day by letting go of it. 

Let go of the weight of feeling responsible for everyone and everything .

Say, “Nope. Not this day.”

And pray.

God, we are grateful. That day after day after day, You are here to restore our rest. Remind us to protect it. We want to be a non-anxious presence, reflecting your peace to this busy, busy, wonderful world.

☮🙏🏽😎❤

 

 

Photo from Pixabay.com

 

 

It’s not your fault you meow at zero-dark:30, B.C. (before coffee.) You’re a cat. It’s what you do.

It’s not your fault I let them talk me into rescuing you. And that I believed them when they said I wouldn’t have to do a thing to keep you happy and healthy or clean fur balls and upchucks from the carpet.

It’s not your fault you walk in on your little stealth feet and your meeeooowww slices through the quiet and alarms me there’s always one more thing to-do. When I just wanna do my own thing.

Like ease into my day. With no interruptions.

It’s not your fault that I don’t have an automatic, jump-up-on-my-lap affection for ya’ll. Not that I don’t have the capacity.

You’ve probably heard the stories of Cocoa. Another rescue. Only she was a dog. I was with her on the floor of the vet clinic crying like a baby. I stroked her fur and whispered, “You’re a good girl,” as her breath slowed and stopped.

So, I do have the potential.

Though we might not ever be besties, we can at least be civil. I can’t make you learn from me, so maybe I’ll learn from you.

About life’s interruptions and how to roll with them and not wish it was different. To trust that when I meet challenges with courage and prayer, I’ll grow from them. And when I choose to be grateful for my blessings, I won’t focus on the burdens.

Yes, I choose Peace.

The most important thing I’m learning is to let cats be cats and let people be people. Including myself. We’re human. We fail. It’s what we do.

We are imperfect works-in-progress. And even in those moments when I get it right, some will misunderstand and I will disappoint them.

That’s okay. Jesus was misunderstood and disappointed many.

Yes, I choose Grace.

Okay Chloe, I’ve probably lost you, but I need to wrap this up. Now that we’ve established we can learn as we go, how about a truce? I’ll stop stressing when you howl and you stop hurling on the carpet?

This morning you didn’t make a peep at zero-dark:30. What’s up with that? Maybe we’re making progress. Or maybe it’s a trick.

It was kinda eerie. You sat in the shadows of the dining room table watching me make coffee. Actually, thank you for that.

Oh dear. Am I really talking to a cat?

This is a weird way to begin a new year. Oh well, such is life.

As long as I keep learning to live large and love well, I’m cool with that. 

Peace Out 😎

I remember a Christmas when my boys were small. We drove from Arkansas to Illinois and visited three homes on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Then we drove ten hours back to Arkansas.

While unloading a trunk full of toys, we were a bit sad. It felt like we kinda missed Christmas. So, the next year, we stayed home and started our own traditions. We don’t regret it. Our kids are now grown and have their own families. And Christmases are our best memories.

I still refuse to race around and stress out on the holidays. If I can’t find the perfect gift, ingredient, or decoration? We don’t need it. Whatever doesn’t get done, doesn’t get done. Traditions are wonderful but if they shackle us to debt, steal our peace or our time with family, then what’s the point?

I believe Christmas is whispering to us.

To feel the nudge and to get quiet. To slow down and remember how God came down to live and suffer among us.

We sense His love that’s unconditional.

We find the Peace this world can’t touch.

And we hold on to a Hope that doesn’t give up. It’s way more than wishful thinking. It’s actively trusting that He walks with us through really hard times. Through every trial and every storm.

God’s Presence is the best present ever.

As we attend parties, enjoy the noise, the shopping, and the toys, or decide to just stay home, let’s listen for the Christmas whisper. It reminds us to pause and be present, fully present. To Him. To them.

Because there’s power in presence. Listening and laughing, compassion and encouragement. This is abundant life. Let’s not miss Christmas. He is here and He is not silent. Celebrate Immanuel, God with us.

 

Peace, Grace, & Quiet moments to you and yours 💗

 

Photo from www.Pixabay.com