When It Rains

READY... “I will send you rain in its season and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.”  Leviticus 26:4  

AIM...  When it rains it pours… and pours and pours.  The first part of this summer was hard.  It rained EVERY DAY for at least 14 days straight, and I’m certain a few more.  YUCK!  I was beginning to think I missed the memo to start building my ark.  During that time, I began detoxing from all my commitments, everyone’s expectations and unplugging from my once over-committed, candle-burning-at-both-ends life.  As gloomy as the weather was outside, my driven spirit started feeling like I was stepping into a gloomy funk.  (Hence my divine absence, Friends.)

However, as the sun began to shine and brighten our summer, the fog started lifting on my gloomy funk and new life breathed into my world.  Ahhh, the refreshing and relieving sight of a clear calendar and no formal obligations.  While that moment only lasted for about 30 seconds, I reveled in the peace that flooded my once overwhelmed heart and mind.  I realized that the “Son” was shining and Jesus was trying to lift away the fog in my life and His light wanted to grow new fruit in me.  Galatians5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”   In order for trees to bear the best fruit, they need plenty of sunshine and water (rain).  Apparently, in my life, in order for me to actively demonstrate and enjoy the fruits of the spirit, I too need plenty of “Son”shine by letting God “reign.”

When it rains it pours.  BUT, when God reigns in your life, He pours blessings into your world.  He pours forth His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His tenderness, His peace, and His everything wonderful.  Next time it rains, I will look to the sky and be grateful for the bountiful harvest that is to come.

FIRE!  Take a quick break to step outside and enjoy a moment of sunshine today.  Ahh, the warmth of the sun feels so good you can’t help but sense God’s love shining down on you…not to mention the boost of Vitamin D – divine vitamins!  

Be Excellent!

Lori

 

Setting Boundaries

READY… “Learn to say ‘no’ to the good so you can say ‘yes’ to the best.” ~ John C. Maxwell

AIM… October must have been a weird month. It seemed that nearly everyone I talked to was feeling overwhelmed, stressed or just plain out-of-sorts because their lives were so crazy busy. The strange thing is that people could not even put their fingers on one particular area of stress. It appeared that we were all simply busy with busyness!

If you’ve been feeling like your life is getting out of control, like you are simply overextended or burning the candle at both ends, it’s time to set some boundaries and reevaluate your commitments. Your personal and family time is very important to your well-being. Setting healthy boundaries means sometimes just saying “no.”

Granted, saying “no” is not the easiest thing to do. However, when we respect our own “no” then others will too. God did not call us to be everything to everyone. We place that demand upon ourselves. I think John C. Maxwell says it best when he says, “Learn to say ‘no’ to the good so you can say ‘yes’ to the best.” If we are saying “yes” to everyone about everything, then we can’t determine what the best use of our time and talents is and we WILL get burnt out quickly. There is a real freedom and a strong confidence in saying “no.” I can’t wait for you to trust yourself and be free.

FIRE!   Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.” Create white space on your calendar this week by saying “no” to at least one request. Allow yourself time to feel the freedom and relief of establishing a healthy boundary. Yay, You!

Be Excellent!
Lori