What I Learned in June

Life is more like a rhythm to move with.

June was an incredibly full month with many responsibilities, a few surprises and renewed joy. Hubby and I were treated to the Waterfront concert in Bangor by our daughter. The performer was Dolly Parton and she was absolutely delightful! As you can see in the pic, it was a cold windy evening but a lot of fun.

I find myself enjoying the altar of my desk each morning more and more. Some days I fit in fifteen minutes to begin my day with prayer. The mornings I can leisurely sit here for two hours are my favorites.

I am leading a small Bible Study on Priscilla Shirer's "Armor of God." This is a good companion to her book Fervent. Given a choice I recommend the book.

We had our foundation worked on this month too so I have been in a mess! No washer for 10 days, dirt tracked in regularly, and various musty smells from wind blowing up through open cellar.  Not great for a woman sensitive to allergies! All in all, I managed to learn a few lessons, maintain a rhythm and practice gratitude.

Here are a few things I learned in June:

• My Year of Yes is an effective tool! 

In May I made a decision to say yes to what matters to me. To what I love, to adventure, to things that normally make me afraid. For a year. 

I have become more confident in my choices. I find I am not waiting to matter to someone else and being disappointed because I matter to me. 

• Forget the Pools!

I signed up for Emily Freeman's audio scripture meditations. In one of them, she made a piercing statement: forget the pools. Emily was describing the man by the pool of Bethesda waiting to be healed if only someone would put him in the pool. Then he met Jesus. I realized there were pools in my life that I turn to for various needs, only to discover they fall far short. I love the mantra- Forget the Pools!

• The Holy Spirit does the impossible, AKA- I can give up chocolate.

After struggling with acid reflux for months, I made a few drastic changes in my diet. Chocolate has always been my love and my nemesis. Finally after a horrible attack, I asked God to take over and remove this addiction. As simple as the prayer I prayed, He did!

• Setting intentions still works for me.

Every week I write out my intentions and check in now and then. It works!

• I am learning to protect my heart.

When I am feeling hurt, rejected or overlooked, I bring those feelings to the Lord and remember I matter to me and that's enough. Somehow this knowledge helps me to know I matter to God.

• God works while I pray, wait, and trust. He loves to surprise me!

I have been praying for a family member for months with a directive from God to wait. June was the month of turnaround.

I also prayed for Mom for a heart procedure she was having done. We drove the three hours to Bangor, staying in a motel for the night, expecting perhaps another night on top of that. A brilliant cardiologist decided to run a few more tests and sent us home without the heart cath and a clean slate. (well other than new BP medication and instructions). What a blessing!

• Journal, journal journal!

Journaling is a valuable practice in my life and I wouldn't be without it. I joined Jamie Ridler's Journal Club this month. even though I keep missing the live feed because of traveling, its a lot of fun!

I cannot believe I am saying goodbye to June already but what a  jam-packed month of joy even in the midst of chaos and challenges!

Books, Seeds and Hope as March Begins

"Maybe you've prayed and prayed for the same thing, over and over... Maybe you've wanted God's will so bad. and wanted life to look different for so long... Maybe you're feeling utterly discouraged or disappointed right now and not sure why you are surprised every time the same ol' thing keeps happening again and again... " Fervent by Priscilla Shirer

Priscilla described where I have been living over the past few years in her book Fervent. I came across the book on the (in)courage website,  their Bloom Book club pick to begin the year. 

Several years ago Bloom introduced me to Ann Voskamp's 1,000 Gifts, a life -changing event. I've read most of the books they recommended and never been steered wrong. When I saw the post about Fervent, my first reaction was I don't need another book but I checked it out and felt the pull of the Holy Spirit to order it. Three chapters later, very marked up and underlined chapters, God is doing a shifting in my heart, positioning me in hope.

I pulled out a journal and began to write my prayers along with scripture. My prayer for today after reading chapter 3:

Restore my cutting edge, Lord. Bring back my passion.

Prayer has always been my passion. Praying God's Word over my family and friends and country was my calling. Until it stopped working. At least it seemed that way. 

I didn't stop praying or reading my Bible but weariness and anxiety and a sense of my own vulnerability overshadowed my faith.

Last week I prayed, "Lord, please send a season of refreshing upon my life. A long season. "

I am adding prayers to my journal daily now, writing them down, and hoping, and believing with a tiny seed of faith.

God began growing this seed in me when I read Simply Tuesday, a very different book from Fervent, yet God has deeply touched my life through her Emily's writings.

 Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman. 

 Simply Tuesday is truly what the Kingdom of God looks like in all its beautiful simplicity, humility and love. I love this book so much. Please check it out.

I pray God places a book in your hands this week, planting new seeds of hope and faith and encouragement. If He already has feel free to share in the comments below or email me.