Being a Godly Woman, Life Purpose, Living intentionally, Transformation
Have you ever thought about what it means to “bloom with grace”?
My daughter painted this for me this weekend. She really enjoys painting and likes to give gifts and little notes of encouragement to people. She asked what my favorite flower is and then ran downstairs and painted this in just a few minutes. Not only do I think she did a beautiful job, but the phrase is very powerful.
We’re all probably familiar with the “bloom where you’re planted” phrase. We see it on a variety of items throughout the year, but especially in the spring. She took a different spin on it though. She added to bloom with grace.
Hmmm…. That’s interesting to think about.
Where are you planted during this season of life?
Are you blooming, or are you kicking and screaming that you’re there “against your will”? Are you determined to let everyone know this is not where you want to be or what you want to do?
- Why do you think God has you planted where you are right now?
- What could he be teaching your about yourself and about Him during this season?
- How does He want to use this time to your benefit and His glory?
- How can you bloom to be more like Him?
What about grace?
- Are you showing grace to those around you where you’re planted right now?
- What about yourself? Are you showing yourself grace?
- Are you letting other emotions rule and withholding grace from yourself and others?
When I think about blooming, I think of the things that are needed: water or nourishment, sunshine, good soil, and roots that grow strong and deep. If we’re fighting against God and the place where He has planted us right now, we’re not going to develop those strong roots and thrive. We may even grow for a while but not really ever bloom.
In order to bloom with grace wherever you’re planted right now, what changes do you need to make?
- Is there someone you need to be more gracious to?
- What would that look like?
- Do you need to change your attitude about your calling and roles for this season of your life and accept that God has planted you there?
- Or maybe it’s the opposite….maybe God wants to plant you somewhere else, but you want to stay where you are and not venture into something new with him.
What will you do today to bloom where you’re planted with grace?
Life Purpose, Living intentionally
Have you ever thought about what kind of car or vehicle you would be?
I like to think outside the box a little (ok, maybe a lot). The other day I was thinking about people and what our lives are like. that led me to compare our lives to cars. I’m not sure why. I’m not really a “car person”, but for some reason that analogy came to mind.
As I thought about it, I began to realize that it made sense, even if only in my own mind. It’s a little silly, but I think it’s actually something that has somewhat of a “deep” side to it also if you really think about it. Let’s have some fun and get creative for a few minutes…
If you had to describe your life/who you are right now by comparing it to a car or vehicle, what kind would you choose?
Let’s think of a few examples to get your creativity flowing.
Maybe you’re a race car.
- It’s all about speed. Everything is a rush. No time to slow down…. you’re in 5th gear all the time. Life is BUSY and you must go full-throttle.
Maybe you’re an expensive little sports car.
- It’s all about the bells and whistles and how you look. Maybe some things aren’t the most practical for getting around in day-to-day life, but it’s all about appearances. Life’s about having fun and impressing others.
Would you choose an ambulance?
- Maybe you’re always coming to the aid of wounded, hurting people and helping them yourself and/or “transporting” them to help. They know to call you when they need it.
Or a tow truck.
- You’re the one always helping people when they’re stuck or broken down and can’t get to where they need to be on their own.
Maybe you’re a tank.
- You just plow right through whatever is in your way. You don’t let anything intimidate or stop you. You have a mission and you’re determined to accomplish it no matter what. Maybe that sounds a little negative.
- On the positive side, you could be very resilient and just keep going no matter what comes your way. It doesn’t break you down.
What about a smart car?
- Those small efficient cars that take you from point A to point B. Nothing fancy, nothing extra. not even any extra space other than what you need to get from A to B.
Maybe you’re a work van or a work truck.
- No fancy windows, sleek lines, or gadgets to show off. Just the tools you need to do the job you have to do each day. You’re well-stocked and well-prepared for whatever comes at you. You’re dependable and equipped for the tasks you face each day.
I also thought about the Model-T.
- Nowadays that’s not the most practical car for the lifestyle we live, but if you think about it, it’s slower and kind of fun. Maybe this car would describe you. You’re taking life at a slower pace, enjoying the ride while you’re on it. Out in the open, in the fresh air, enjoying the sights as you take a nice, leisurely drive. You get the idea.
You could be a van or a bus.
- Plenty of room for others to come along and enjoy the ride with you. Functional and very practical, getting you from point A to point B like a city bus or school bus.
- Or it could be quite exciting. Like a touring bus taking you on a fun trip or a van with all the bells and whistles, movies and entertainment as you go along, etc.
Maybe you a car sitting on the side of the road with a boot on it.
- Temporarily out of service with an obstacle that makes it impossible to drive until it’s removed.
Or you could have a flat tire or just low air in your tires.
- You’re moving along, but it’s a bit of a rough ride. Not quite as smooth as it could be.
Then again, you may just be a regular, basic, dependable car.
- Nothing out of the ordinary or terrible exceptional that would put you in a different category. Very functional and no major concerns. Just normal maintenance.
This just scratched the surface of land vehicles.
There is so much more you could choose from this category. And then we could go on… boats, airplanes……so many different types of each kind. They all have different purposes and functions, as well as features and details.
There is much more I could have said and analogies I’d love to mention, but that would get even longer and more laborious.
When I asked my husband what he would be, he instantly said he’s a broken-down station wagon, full of people not going anywhere. If you know him, you know he’s been sick this year and we have 7 children. He laughed and said that felt like an accurate description at the moment.
So, think about it for a minute. Get creative! Really describe yourself in detail as a vehicle.
Air, land, water…..so many options.
- What car would you choose and why?
- Do you like the car or vehicle you “are” currently? Why or why not?
- What would you choose if you could “be” something different? Why?
You have the ability to determine which kind of vehicle you are from today forward… What will it be?
I’d love to hear the answers on this one!
Adversity, Goals, Life Purpose, Living intentionally
I’ve been praying about continuing my education and have always wanted to pursue a doctorate degree, so guess what………… I’m officially a seminary student!
I will be getting the Doctor of Counseling (DCoun) degree through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
It’s a continuation and the next phase of the exciting adventure I’ve already started with my coaching and counseling training in the past.
Although I do most of my work in the field of coaching, I am also a counselor and meet and/or hear of so many people on a daily basis who are hurting or could use support and guidance. There’s a big need for that role in ministry. I’d like to be equipped in the best way possible to help address those needs and to bring true hope and healing in Christ to those who need it.
Clinically Descriptive and Biblically Prescriptive
Their counseling model really appealed to me. I love that they integrate a clinical and biblical approach to their counseling model.
Resilience
One of my passions in life is the idea of resilience. With all of the twists and turns our life has taken over the years, and even this summer, I know that God will use my story and experiences for the good of others. My prayer is that I will always follow through the open doors that He prepares for me and that I will never ask “Why me?” but will instead always ask “How…..how would You have me to use this for Your glory?”
For my dissertation, I plan to focus on the topic of resilience in some form. (more…)
Goals, Life Purpose, Living intentionally
Have you ever been lost or confused and needed to look at a big map to find out exactly where you are? Maybe you were somewhere new and you had to ask for directions or you had to stop and pull out a visual map to get your bearings. Or maybe it was even somewhere you had been before but the way wasn’t super clear and you stopped to ask directions just for clarity (and maybe the sake of time!).
Help!
I’m at a conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center this week. I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve already had to stop and do all of the above! I’ve been here before, but the place is huge and the “way” to get places was a little fuzzy in my memory. I’ve stopped and asked for directions, looked at maps, wandered around and made a few wrong turns, and have even found shortcuts to get where I’m going. (more…)
Goals, Life Purpose, Living intentionally
My big dream is to have a small, farm-like setting with a red barn for my coaching and counseling center.
I envision sunflowers growing outside and a big porch with rocking chairs and a porch swing. I even know the colors I’ll use and how it will “look” and “feel” inside. (If you know me, you know I love to paint rooms….and I’m all about color! Should people really get this giddy when they think about painting stuff? ) I want it to be a peaceful place where people feel welcome and relaxed. I want it to be a safe place where they can say what’s on their hearts, dream, set goals, and take steps to move forward into all that God has for their lives. (more…)
Life Balance, Life Purpose
Have you ever stopped to reflect on what gives you true joy in life and makes your heart sing? We’re all unique, so our answers to that question will also be unique.
When you were a child, what kinds of things made you happy? What about now? What brings a smile to your face and makes you feel relaxed and at peace with the world and yourself? You know what I’m talking about. I’m sure something comes to mind. Your heart feels light and you don’t have a care or worry in the world.
Take out a piece of paper or your journal and make a list of your top 10-15 joys in life.
What do you notice?
- Are there any common themes?
- What about powerful messages? Did anything speak to you?
- Did anything surprise you?
What could you do to add some of these things to your life? Brainstorm 5 or 6 different ideas.
What will you do to add them?
Being a Godly Woman, Life Balance, Life Purpose
One of my favorite concepts taught by Elizabeth George is having 5 fat files.(from her book A Woman After God’s Own Heart)
You’re probably wondering what that means.
We can’t do everything, even though we often try or think we can. Sometimes we spread ourselves pretty thin, say yes to everything, do things that are outside of our gifting or calling, volunteer to help with everything, don’t say no, feel like if there’s a need we will be the only one who will fill it……you get the picture.
We totally ignore the Good, Better, Best principle. You know, where some things are good for you to do, others are better, and then finally, there are things in the best category. That’s where we would really like to invest our time and energy– God’s best for us. (more…)
Goals, Life Purpose
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”
“I don’t much care where –”
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
Where are you going in life and how do you get there? Do you know? Have you thought about that? Do you have specific goals?
What is it that you are trying to accomplish? This is your mission. (more…)
Life Purpose
Do you know what your calling in life is?
Could you state it right now from memory in just a phrase or sentence?
Many people think that their “calling” is a one-time event in which they will be given a special life assignment by God and then should be able to run right out and immediately do it. It’s seen as a task—often one, specific role or task. Another common misconception is that there is one specific route to your call and that if you miss a turn you’ll never arrive.
Your call is a function of how you’ve met God in your life story.
Your call is a Message you embody to an Audience through a Task or Role for a specific Impact. (more…)
Adversity, Life Purpose, Transformation
I told our story about making the hard decision to leave the mission field in the previous 3 posts (part 1, part 2, and part 3).
So…………… let’s take this focus off of me and look at how God can use these types of experiences.
I don’t ever want it to come across as telling my story just so people “hear my story”. I always want the focus to be on God and how He uses each experience and how we can grow through them.
I truly am the person I am because of the things He has allowed me to experience. I can honestly say that I am thankful for them because of whom they have helped me to become. I learned so much about God and grew in ways that I never dreamed I would. My prayer is that God would use my experiences to share hope with others and help lead them to trust Him. (more…)
