On my birthday this year I set out to pray over and pen some goals, thanks to this book. After circling for a while, I finally landed with three: Always remember my mission, pursue discipline and live simply with first “thing” first. {That thing really being a person, you know…}
Even with those directives in mind, I’ll still need a lot of practice because like the kittens who are tumbling around on my porch, the ideas in my head are all just about as skittish. Fuzzy and undeveloped. Cute but not quite coherent and sometimes hiss-y. {Take for instance this post which has been a long time coming…}
{Ever tried to corral kittens for a group picture? Not sure it’s possible unless they’re sleeping… And please pay no mind to the poor dead hydrangea… it’s been a cruel frosty spring…}
I’m finally finishing up one of the many books hanging out in my own personal library stack. Funny how the same week I picked “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman back, up our pastor started in on the main idea in Sunday School:
And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. ~Luke 9:23
Am I really willing to follow without regard for life and love of self? To uncover what lies beneath my hangups and fears and insecurities to find the one true treasure worth having? To pursue with passion and the dedication to the work it might take to make it my own? {Because after 30+ odd years as of last week, I’m finally pretty ok with who I am and where I’m headed … most days … but now I’m not so sure…}
There are so many directions and ideas to pursue and I just couldn’t decide where to start so I’ve stepped back a little and stayed silent here the past few weeks save popping in now and then.
Sometimes you have to let the dust settle and give the truth a chance to float down deep.
And in my land-locked wordless state, a friend offered words of encouragement today to just keep it simple.
She also stirred my struggling heart in her post with this thought:
Sometimes the most brave thing we can do is follow and yield, instead of insisting that we make our own way. ~ Valerie via Grace with Silk
Wise words and a good reminder for how I’m attempting to live according to my word of the year…
“The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself]. ~Matthew 13:44
Sounds pretty brave to me…
Timid as we may feel, we already have the map laid out and a cross marks the spot … it’s up to us to simply follow and obey.
Don’t try to go back in time, go back to the bible. ~Anne Ortlund, Disciplines of the Home
And so a prayer- because who couldn’t use more of that?
Lord, we come tired and weary. On fire but also burnt out. Longing for your perfect peace and order. We realize you offer all of you but we sometimes only offer parts of us. On this middle day of the week we fall between where we long to go and where you have us waiting. Forgive us for waiting impatiently and standing more on our pride than your promises. Forgive us for burying the talents you give us out of fear instead of digging deeper to uncover the treasures of your kingdom. We seek your face and trust in your ways. You hold the world in the palm of your hand so we surely know you have our finite lives under your infinite control. Amen.
♥
recollecteddesign.com 
Great thoughts. I rely on the words in Micah: what does the Lordrequire of Thee but to act justly; love mercy; walk humbly with your God
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Amen… I still remember you reading that to us when you came back the last time at DBC…♥
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Beautiful post!! It was worth the wait! 🙂
(And thanks so much for the mention –I love how God works in ways we aren’t even aware of! I loved the prayer you penned for us (I think you should always include one — you are a lovely pray-er as I remember when we talked before my trip last summer) that when we are weary and overwhelmed, we know that God holds it all. So good!
And by the way, that little kitten is awfully cute . . . but oh the dust and oh the fur — outside is good! 🙂 I think this birthday you just celebrated is filling you with wisdom and insight to share with us, friend! xo
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Aww xo, you’re so welcome! Yep we had only outside kitties for years growing up and I’ve had only indoor until now so I’ve fully experienced both sides! And thanks for the sweet words about the prayer… something to think on ♥
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Hi Heather … thanks for the reminder that there’s joy in that stack of books just waiting to be paged through …
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Amen Miss Linda! I’ve been MIA from reading real books for a long time and I’m finally getting back to it and I just can’t stop! ♥ Have a wonderful God-filled week!
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Oh there you are! *wink wink* I am glad you wrote this. I love what Valerie wrote too. The timing is impeccable! We too, did the Not A Fan study together, and it gets you diggin’ down deep that’s for sure. There’s no walkin’ away untouched. I love how God works through your words. So appreciate this, Heather ~ God bless!
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[insert wave!] Here I am! Yep that book surely has grabbed me and won’t let me go lately!! Definitely not turning the last page unscathed… I’ve missed a few posts… but i know you were still in limbo at last glance on the house… any progress? ♥
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Hello my friend. I am always so happy to see one of your posts pop up in my inbox which I pounce on straight way but often its in a hurry so I always feel the need to come back later and have a long and leisurely read which Ive managed to do today at last. I love the journey your posts always take me on, how you put words to your thought/spiritual life & share what you have been learning. I’m not so good at that, I feel like I write from a safe distance a lot, so your posts always challenge me to tune in more to my journey and write from my heart more. This line grabbed me “Sometimes you have to let the dust settle and give the truth a chance to float down deep” Amen to that. What’s real, whats important what’s true will establish itself if we get out of the way and give it a chance. Been doing a lot of that lately. That prayer at the end – just beautiful and so hit the spot – thank you !!I Now on to really important things – looks like we have birthdays pretty darn close together. I celebrated mine on the 3rd – I have a few more years on the 30 odd you mention but lets not split hairs. Do we have the same day or just close by?? Take care and God bless xx
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Awww Tracey ♥ Your thoughtful comments touched my heart. Thank you friend!
Sometimes I feel like I ramble and I’m never sure if my ramblings make complete sense outside my own head!! Praise God that you were encouraged and that God at least can use one good sentence to make an impact ♥ Please keep writing, digging, turning over the words to God- he’ll give you the right rhythm! (At least that’s the pattern I try to follow..!) I’m always excited and blessed to see a post from your sweet perspective and you know I’ll be here cheering you on and ready to hear you out!
And we seem to have neighboring birthdays! Mine was 5/2! Happy late birthday dear Tracey! ♥ Have a lovely week! xo
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