Wednesday, March 6, 2013

When you need encouragement for the everyday

I have been cocooning lately, wrapped up mostly in my home. Our homeschooling actually reflects that we've been home, which means better school days.

I'm thankful for these slow days. It means it's been awhile since the last crisis. I think February was void of them. How nice. Except that I've forgotten how to function without crisis after the 'year of nutzo on steroids." (Which was 2012). I keep thinking, "This shouldn't be that hard."  And yet these normal gray February days have been hard.

I'm thankful to be running again after a one-year hiatus. Last year at this time I wasn't running. I was learning to walk without a limp due to tearing the MCL in my left knee. It is sweet to be able to train with my 13-year-old daughter for a half-marathon especially because I had to drop-out of training with my then thirteen-year-old son.

I'm thankful to be able to move. I'm thankful to train again for a half-marathon with one of my children. And I'm thankful that we have felt the need to train because of these hard, gray February --and now March-- days. The running has helped ward off the blues.

And the whisper in my ear has also helped. The whisper of the small, still voice inside of me that has reminded me that I need Him on all kinds of days. Not just crisis days. But also ordinary, every-day days. I need Him all of the time even when I think I should be able to do this in my own strength.

"..apart from me you can do nothing..." John 15:5 NIV

He didn't just mean that I could only do bigger-than-me tasks -- like take in four extra kids on a moment's notice. He means that apart from Him, I can do nothing.

It is okay that I need Him to do the every day small tasks. I am learning to be content with that. I am learning again how to walk with Him in the everyday.
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Here are some other voices that have encouraged me lately:

Edie's words in her blog at Life in Gracetoday, that are also in her e-book, about raising gracious kids just really tugged at my heart today. Read it here

I needed to hear Elizabeth's voice on treating herself more compassionately, too. I could relate all too well. Read about that here.

Also linking with Michelle and Emily today.
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 Have you been in need of encouragement lately? 
Where have you been finding it? 

4 comments:

  1. Glad to see you back and that life this year is already going more smoothly. We are working through James with the ladies in my church and learning how much those nutso years can grow your faith and your endurance. But it is so much sweeter to be on the other side, right? :)

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    1. Thanks, Gaby, for welcoming me back. It's nice to know that I've been missed in the blogging world. Yes, those verses in James about considering it all joy and let perseverance do its work have been part of the mantra this year. I am glad not to be in crisis but it hasn't felt sweet, yet. Yet, I'm sure it will come.

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  2. Yes, we need Him in the every day of our life for apart from Him we can do nothing. At least, not for long. Our own gumption and strength can only get us so far. Thank you for the reminder to look for God's hand in absolutely everything and to use that to encourage our hearts.
    Good luck on the training. You are stronger than I am!

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  3. oh friend. i run too, to escape the blues. these winter months are long and hard. so thankful for spring, just around the corner...

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Thanks for being part of the conversation...I love hearing from you. Kathleen

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