Wonderfully Mirerable

I had a conversation with a friend last night that God has let whirl around in my mind like the fall leaves blowing through the strong wind outside. It was about getting to that place where we throw up our hands and say, "I just can't do it all anymore!". Ever been there?

I have.

Last year. Last month. 4 days ago. This morning.

It's a miserable feeling, isn't it? To feel like you are at the end of your rope and there's still so much to do. To not be able to keep up with the day to day. To be undone in a way that makes you want to quit. And cry.

Miserable.

But I think God sees it differently.

And I think He's poised: waiting to see what we'll do with our state of misery.

'Cause the way I see it, we've got two options:

1. We can wallow. (An option I've chosen far too many times.) The best picture I can think of for wallowing is sitting in front of a mirror crying. Raise your hand if you've ever done that. Yea - me too. It's a horrible site. And then you cry more because you never knew you looked like THAT when you cried.

or

2. We can worship. Seeing as we've down already, might as well bow in surrender. The truth is: this place that we are in is a blessed place. It's a place where if we're quiet enough we might hear God say, "It's OK. I never asked you to do it all in the first place. But if you'd let me - I'll do it for you."

And we surrender our moment, our schedule, our day - and see what He might want to do.

I need to be reminded of that.

That God is enough.

And that God is able.

And that the surrender is wonderful!

So, next time - when I try to do it all and then I get to that place when I can't do it all - will you remind ME....this is a wonderfully miserable place to be!!

The Maintain Campaign

The gym I go to is running a very clever incentive program over the next two months. It's called the "Maintain Campaign".

The goal of the campaign is to encourage and hold members accountable for their weight over the holiday season (Thanksgiving and Christmas). Participants in the campaign must weigh themselves at an appointed time in November and then again in January. If they maintain their weight (or not gain more than 4 pounds), they are rewarded.

I guess the reality is that most people get pretty undisciplined during the hustle and bustle of the holidays - too much planning, list making, shopping, decorating, partying, entertaining, and merry making.....

Which got me to thinking - what about our relationship with Jesus? Do we need a "maintain campaign" to stay focused on Him during this holiday season? Is all the planning, list making, shopping, decorating, partying, entertaining and merry making going to distract us from our passionate pursuit of Him?

Honestly - yes. For me, it will. So I'm challenging myself and all who desire to participate in our own "spiritual Maintain Campaign". Without getting legalistic and setting up any set of guidelines (let's face it - there's now way to "spiritually" weigh-in), here's a short list of what I want to maintain during the craziness of the next two months:

My priorities (God, husband, kids - without messing up the order)
My peace
My time in the Word

If you'd like to join me, I love to hear from you. What would be your short list to maintain?
'Tis the season to be intentional, my friends!
:) Carrie