Robin's Nest

 

 

🍂 Crunchy Leaves and Pumpkins and Fall. Oh my.

 

For more, here’s some music & a couple more of my blog posts:

Listen to “It is Well” & Rest Your Soul

Protect Your Rhythm of Rest

Find Your Rhythm of Rest

 

 

Photo from www.Pixabay.com

 

 

When my son was six, he had a poster sticky-tacked to his bedroom wall. The baseball player wore red, white, and blue and displayed the perfect swing as his bat hit the ball.

But, why do I remember the poster today?

Because I’m tired.

And negative thoughts try to overshadow all the good things. So, it’s time for a mental re-set. To reflect on the whirlwind that blew through the past six weeks and to see the good among the difficult.

To focus, I make a list:

• Sent book manuscript to publisher!
• Walked through a sudden and scary family crisis
• Moved two of my favorite people and a geriatric cat into our home
• Fixed water problem in basement after days of multiple fans and countless wet towels
• Made three road trips to celebrate birthdays
• Attended a July 4^th party with extended family members we haven’t hugged since 2019
• Dealt with some more sticky family issues including one who struggles to stay clean and sober
• Despite rain, rocked the 3^rd annual “Christmas in July” with kids and grandkids
• Survived a camping trip with six grandbabies and made great memories
• Attempted to fix a broken washer
• Waited for delivery x 11 days for new washer, damaged upon delivery
• Ordered another washer, waiting on delivery … 🙂

But the question remains:

Why am I thinking about that darn poster sticky-tacked to a wall thirty years ago?

Because at the end of this exhausting list, I smile and remember the words printed on the poster:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” ~ Philippians 4:13

That, my friend, is how we get through. All things.

All things scary, frustrating, and stressful. All the things that stretch us right alongside all the things that bless us.

Each day, we wake not knowing exactly what’s ahead. But God is already there. And we know we’ll have opportunities to rely on the gifts of His Spirit in us. Love, peace, patience, joy, faithfulness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.*

Therein, our weakness becomes strength. We not only overcome negative thoughts, we accomplish way more than we think we can.

One day at a time. One prayer at a time. Maybe even one list at a time.

Are your thoughts focused on the mess-ups and mishaps? Make a list to re-set  your mind on what you’ve accomplished—all the hard-won victories.  Thank God for His presence and provision in your life.

Then, my friend, take a nap.

Peace for your journey ☮💗

 

*Galatians 5:22-23

Image from Pixabay

 

 

Before dawn, I sat on the couch in my quiet, empty nest. Lights low, eyes closed, coffee mug warming my hands. I listened to the birds chirp, rousing spring from winter’s chill. My intent was to center in on God’s presence and begin my day in peace.

Then my head got loud.

You know how it goes. One thought leads to another and instead of simply easing into the day and aligning your plans, the whole week’s to-do list floods your mind.

The to-do ramping up my brain that morning was a conversation with my publisher about extending my book deadline. By conversation, I mean I needed to send her an email. But, my mind rehearsed it all.

I imagined emails and a phone call and all kinds of words and judgy thoughts from my editor (who already told me if I need an extension, just ask) and BOOM. In a matter of seconds—I felt it.

Racing heart, tight chest,  pulse pounding my temples. Sound familiar?

That’s our cue to take a deep breath and arrest our thoughts. When we interrupt over-thinking, we make room for healthy, rational, God-directed thoughts to trickle in.

This is what God’s Spirit spoke to mine: Ssshhh … Yes, this is an important item on your to-do list. But, it’s just a simple email. And not for today. It can wait. You are exhausted and today has enough. 

Jesus realigns our self-talk.

And we find wisdom in my Jesus Calling devotional:

Bring Me your weakness, and receive My Peace. Accept yourself and your circumstances just as they are, remembering that I am sovereign over everything. Do not wear yourself out with analyzing and planning. Instead, let thankfulness and trust be your guides through this day; they will keep you close to Me … You will cease to notice how weak or strong you feel because you will be focusing on Me. The best way to get through this day is step by step with Me.”*

Jesus awakens the strong, peaceful Warrior in us.

Because God did not give us a “spirit of fear or timidity but of power, love, and a sound mind.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

 

~ God, we are grateful for your constant Presence. When busy days and sleepless nights overwhelm us, remind us to raise our thoughts above our emotions and our circumstances. We thank you. We trust you. In Jesus’ beautiful and powerful name, we pray.

 

*Page 37, Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence, Sarah Young

Image from http://www.Pixabay.com

 

Some mornings are plain hard, aren’t they? The climb out of the mental fog is slow. These four little sentences printed on my favorite coffee mug help set my mind and attitude for the day.

“It’s a new day. I am alive. I am loved. I am thankful.”

It’s easy to stay in a funk, so we aim high. As the brain and body warms up, we think up. We thank God for the mug warming our hands. This tiny bit of gratitude gets our minds moving on the right track.

“It’s a new day.” ~ Yesterday was a tough one, Lord. But, we made it through. Thank You.

“I am alive.” ~ Yes. I’m a bit stiff and there’s a lot going on, but I have a pulse and a heartbeat. Thank you.

“I am loved.” ~ Yes, God. We’re a messy bunch. For family and friends, I am so very thankful.

And so we begin our day: Resting.

Because the Creator of our heartbeat also holds the constant rhythms of the seasons and sunrises. He sees us, knows us, and loves us. Completely, thoroughly, absolutely.

And nothing changes that.

Let’s pause and read that again. Give it a minute to trickle from our head to our heart.

In this safe place, we reclaim our power. To flip our anxious thoughts. To not be reactive, but proactive.

What can I learn? Who can I bless?

We aren’t designed to be controlled or defined by the emotions swirling around in our head. We can change our thoughts, our attitudes, and our responses.  We are resilient and we are creative.

There will be less people around my Thanksgiving table. This bums me out a bit. But it doesn’t make me less thankful. So, I’m flipping this shift in our plans. I’m seeing it as an opportunity to do something new.

Every morning, we choose: Will we live by faith or by feelings?

Faith = Feelings Aside, I Trust Him.

It’s a new day. We are alive. We are loved. We are thankful.

 

Because of grace, we have thanksgiving every day. It’s not limited to “turkey and gravy; instead, the discipline of gratitude allows the thread of thankfulness to weave its way through the joys and sorrow of daily life.” ~ Major JoAnn Shade, Salvation Army