Col 1-10 x

Ever feel like you stepped into a time warp and “whoosh” an entire month is gone? That would be me today. I’ve had my nose to the grindstone, well… my fingers on the keyboard and eyes on a computer screen a good share of this month. I’m coming up for air today to catch up on email and social media and feeling a bit shocked that it is almost the end of January.

To tell the truth, I’m also feeling  like I’m behind before the year has really begun. Anyone else feeling that pinch? True confession here–I just sent off the last of my Christmas cards today. No judging, friends…

I could re-frame that thought and spin it as getting ahead this year. After all, Christmas is happening earlier and earlier each year, right? But with a dose of honesty and humility, I’ll just call it what it is. My Christmas cards are late. Quite late.

At the moment I am juggling multiple significant opportunities, and I’ve never been much of an acrobat. I did manage to multi-task…once. I believe that was back in 1997. Just kidding, but I do find it a challenge to keep up with many things and do it all to the level that I’d like. Maybe this is a struggle for you as well. If so, let’s encourage each other!

The temptation is to look ahead and want to panic. Or maybe just hyperventilate a bit.

That’s the temptation but not the truth.

The truth is that God will complete what He has begun, and my role is to live faithfully each day as we tackle each task together.

 

Phil 1-6x

 

God will complete the work of growing character as well as the work of fulfilling calling in each one of us. Isn’t that a encouraging truth to hang on to!

On the ministry front: Planting Roots: Strength to Thrive in Military Life is well under way and I am filled with awe as I watch God continue to build this ministry of encouragement and equipping for military women. I can’t give you all the details, but God is doing some very big things as this non-profit gets set up and the framework to be able to simulcast conferences and create live recordings is built! Praise-praise-praise!!

Planting Roots Event

And the writing: As for the house, half of the Christmas decorations are still up and it’s a bit of a mess… I am leaving my tree up on purpose. It stands right next to my desk and I’m hoping the twinkle of the lights will continue to inspire me as I work on completing a draft of a Christmas book. This tree is not coming down until the draft is finished…which will be soon (Lord willing).

For the short term, the blog has taken a bit of a backseat, but that’s only temporary. I’m looking forward to several other speaking engagements this spring as well. So you can see why I feel like I am juggling.

I’m super excited about all of these things! When I stop to think about it, I can feel a little overwhelmed. My inner wimp pipes up with thoughts like, “What make you think you have something to say?” She has other barbs of self-doubt, but I’m not listening to that voice.

There are moments when it feels like a house of cards that could easily come flittering down. But my word for this year is stand. So I will pray like crazy and stand in faith and trust that God will enable me to go far beyond merely keeping up.

 

Eph 3-20x

 

I am choosing to trust that God will fulfill His purpose in every plan and each opportunity He has sent my way. I am choosing to be grateful and available. I am choosing to believe that He will give me every word, whether spoken or written.

And that, Sister, you can take to the bank, no matter what you’re working on!

So I sit at my desk, a wide open field, and watch to see what God will say and do. I lay my heart in His hands with a humility that understands that I must learn and receive, surrender and trust, respond and rejoice. I ‘m clinging to the vine and letting God bring forth the fruit of results and growth.

Isn’t this the true work before us all?

Blessings sweet friends, as you come to the end of this first month of the year. I hope in some what that I have encouraged you to stay focused on Christ and let Him bring forth the fruit that is pleasing to Him.

To God be the glory.

 

Tweetable: Pray like crazy and stand in faith!

How can we stand together in faith? Leave a comment and let me know how I can pray for you.

 

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