Little Decisions; Big Impact

Welcome!  I'm so glad you stopped by today.  I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 about making Little Decisions.  This is a theme that God has elevated in my life for the past few years.  It hasn't just been about food, although that's an ongoing issue.  It's about all the little details it takes to manage my life so there's some sense of order.  It's also about the little things in relationships.  It's a touch, eye contact, a pause - they all matter to someone who just needs to know I care.

With a husband who works at home, and five teenagers, the details of my life and the many needs threaten to overwhelm me at times.  It's in being consistent with little things that helps me not be drowning in the big things. 

So, as promised, here are my top ten list of little things that make a difference in my life, in random order:

1. Balance my checkbook
2. Clean the kitchen before bed.
3. Look at my children when they talk to me.
4. Read my Bible before I go to sleep.
5. Stop what I’m doing and hug my husband when he comes in the house.
6. Keep my opinions to myself 4 out of 5 times.
7. Put my pajamas in the drawer.
8. Create a menu for the week.
9. Be on time.
10. Call my mom to say hi (not done enough). 

 

I'm not sure this is my TOP ten.  There are so many little things that make a difference in life.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.  What are some of the little things that make a difference to you.

 

Grace & Peace,

Glynnis

Should I or Shouldn't I Announce my Resolutions?

Welcome!  Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 Ministries Encouragement for Today.  It might be a bit controversial, because it seems to contradict traditional thought about resolutions.  Actually, it challenges the idea of announcing any goals. 

I should clarify, since I'm sure some of you are saying, "Huh???"   My point is that some of us, (those who struggle with pride) need to make sure our motives are right before announcing New Year's Resolutions. With impure motives, we could sabotage ourselves.  Do you have a history of not finishing what you start?  If so, perhaps there's something here for you. 

God keeps calling me back to a place of quiet determination.  A place where it's just me and Him.  A place where I'm honest before Him about my strengths and weaknesses, and acknowledge His power in my life more than my own.  It's where I place my pride on the altar, and submit my plans in humility.

I'm not always a lone ranger.  I do need accountability with other believers.  I'm involved in a small group where share honestly.  But when it comes to future plans, it's wiser for me to keep most things to myself. 

Not everyone struggles with this.  But I'm a do-er.  My history is littered with times I've taken the lead; when my confidence was misplaced.  I get a lot done, but God repeatedly has shown me He cares more about my heart than my accomplishments.
The message I got from 1 Kings 20:11 was to check my heart. It really didn't have anything to do about making resolutions or announcing them.  So I'm digging in deeper this year.  I'm narrowing my focus ... my blinders are on.  God gave me some big assignments last year.  He entrusted some responsibilities to me that need my attention to bring about fruit.

I also promised to provide the video to that talk, so here it is.



What do you think about this idea?  Has announcing goals ever helped or hurt you?  Is there a way to do this wisely?

Please leave a comment and I'll select someone at random to win a gift package from my online store, Rose Lane Cottage.  I'll announce the winner on Friday. 

In His Love,
Glynnis

Finally a winner and thoughts for a new year

I meant to announce the winner of the beautiful note pad last Friday, but I had too much fun playing with my family that day and completely forgot!  

So, I'm a bit late and ask your forgiveness for making a promise I didn't keep.

With delight, I have randomly selected "Faithgirl" as the winner.  I sent her a personal e-mail, but if that didn't go through and you are reading, please email me personally at editor@Proverbs31.org.

My children went back to school today, and I breathed a sigh of relief.  I used to feel guilty for feeling that way, but no more.  Being a work-at-home mom, I do quite a bit of maneuvering when the family is home.  I'm happy to do so, but it's also nice getting back to a routine.  And getting ready for the New Year.

One thing I'm not doing is making New Year's Resolutions.  And if you check back on Wednesday, you'll see that even if I did, I wouldn't announce them.  Wednesday I've got a devotion running on Encouragement for Today titled "I'm Keeping my New Year's Resolutions to Myself!" It's kind of a controversial look at announcing resolutions.

New Year's Resolutions seem faddish to me.  Annually faddish.  One person makes them, then someone else decides it's a good idea and makes them for themselves.  How many people really keep them, after all?

I am for setting goals, and wish I set them in more areas of my life.  I'm solid at setting professional goals, which for me crosses into ministry goals, since they overlap.  But I'm sporadic at best at setting spiritual, relational or personal goals.  It's not that those areas aren't a priority, but I'm not purposefully moving forward in them.  Plus, they have always been too easy to let slip when the pressure is on. 

While not a resolution, I'm giving myself a challenge to consider setting goals in areas of my life that I haven't addressed. 

On Wednesday, you'll see why I'll keep them to myself.

In His Love,
Glynnis

There are no short-cuts to anyplace worth going

Today I've got a devotion running on Crosswalk and Proverbs 31 entitled, "There are no Shortcuts to Anyplace Worth Going."  Welcome, if this is your first time visiting my blog.  I hope you'll spend some time reading my past posts, and sign up to receive them in the future. 

If you are a regular bloggy friend, then I greet you with a bloggy {{{HUG}}}.

Shortcuts NEVER get me where I want to go.  Never.  If I see a long line of cars turning left, and I "cleverly" decide to cut through a neighborhood, I guarantee a street will be blocked, barricades will be up, and I'll be  retracing my steps ... even further behind than before.

Changing check-out lanes at the grocery store will put me behind the one person who needs a price check.

Shifting lanes at the emission testing line assures the machines will break down, or someone will go on break,  seconds before I get to the front.
Lines aren't the only place I try short-cuts.  In the past, I've tried to find short cuts for test preparation, losing weight, and even in my writing.  Instead of doing the hard work to push through to excellence, I've rested on "good enough."  Which is why so many times I've stopped short of fulfilling a dream.   Short-cuts put me further behind and frustrated every time.

The best path to following my dreams seems to be the arduous, rocky one every time.  It's on that path that my motives are tested and my mettle is challenged. The long road prepares me for the reality of the dream - which is always different from what I expect.

The long road is also where God teaches me things I wouldn't learn otherwise:

• God is the giver of dreams, so He chooses when to fulfill them.
• He is my sustainer in times of waiting.
• He cares more about my character than my career.
• He has something better planned than I can imagine.
• How to find contentment in what I have and where I am.
• Perseverance accomplishes more than flashes of genius.

Some people are "hares" in this journey of life.  Their sprinting and brilliant maneuvers will put them ahead of me every time.  They are uniquely designed for that approach for a purpose.

I am the turtle.  Not in my personality, mind you.  My mind wants to sprint.  Yet that doesn't work for me in reality. Sprinting always gets me to a place of shallow regret. Perhaps God knew I would miss way too much of life (and Him) by taking short-cuts on the fly. 

I may not get as much done in my life as others. I may take longer to get there too.  But I'm right where God wants me to be, doing just as much as He wants me to accomplish, and learning what I need to know on my long road.

Whether it's relationships, career, housekeeping or parenting, there really are no short-cuts to anyplace worth going. I know, I've tried.

Where have you tried a short-cut that didn't work?  What is God teaching you about the long road? 

Share your comments and I'll give away the book "Your Secret Name: Discovering Who God Created You to Be" by Kary Oberbrunner at random to one commenter.  Please leave a way for me to reach you on Monday.

In His Love,

Glynnis

P.S.  If you are looking for some help in managing your priorities, such as time, home and work, please visit my other blog, http://www.herorganizedlife.com/, where I post 2 or 3 organization and productivity tips each week. 

Can I live a simple life?

I love the idea of simple living.  In spite of my busy and complicated life, there are simple habits I try and build into my  family's day.   Mostly they center around our home as a gathering place for meals and times with friends. Yet I sense there's greater simplicity I could incorporate into my life. 

That's why I'm drawn to some of the Amish practices.  I'm not alone.  At the most recent She Speaks, an agent and a publishing representative both said that "bonnet fiction" is the best-selling fiction in the Christian market.  Maybe in our information-overloaded society, many of us are longing for the simplicity of family, home and community.

Which is why, when Revell sent me a preview copy of "Amish Peace" by Suzanne Woods Fisher, I was happy to read it.  In each chapter, the author selects a nugget of Amish wisdom to explore.  Then there are questions at the end, and a fact of Amish life.

The chapter on scooters intrigued me.  I didn't know Amish use scooters.  They can't ride bicycles because that could potentially take them too far away from home.  But scooters are okay. How did this happen?

The Amish use something called "selective modernization."  When something new enters the Amish community, the elders give it a period of probation, weighing out its long-term effects on the community.  "Church leaders consider where a change could lead the younger generation.  They try to see beyond the immediate benefits of change to the effects it could have down the road," Fisher writes. 

I really like this way of thinking.  But I'm sad to say I've had a severe lack of discrimination when it comes to new technology.  I've seldom considered how it would affect my family, or my community, in the long-run.  I've only seen the convenience or the entertainment value. As a result, my life is greatly complicated by new things to learn, equipment to break, replacement items to buy, and mediating fights over who gets to play what game and when.

Probably the only decision I've  made where I've disregarded technology is in not getting an electric can opener.  I realized that if we ever lost power, I would be frustrated.  Plus, I figured opening a can might burn a few extra calories (spoken like a true non-athlete).

I'm not saying I would ever get rid of my computer; I'm called to a life of outreach to this generation.  But I am challenged in the very best way to consider how to incorporate simpler habits, simpler processes and simpler equipment into my life. 

Can I live a simple life?  Probably not.  But I can take my time and consider the impact of something new before I invite it into my home and family's life.

Trickles tend to become streams, and streams become torrents.

Amish Proverb

In His Love,
Glynnis

How Do You Know When It's God's Will?

A friend recently asked me a very wise question. She is facing a decision about a change in employment and wanted to make sure she wasn't doing it for selfish reasons. She wanted to know how to tell if it's God's will for her.

What a good question.

Personally, I think a selfish person doesn't even worry about being selfish.

Not that I'm speaking from personal experience or anything ... but ... it's possible that I have in my past, made decisions without consulting God.

I know, you are thinking "say it isn't so!"

Yes, I've definitely maybe done my own thing many times once or twice. 

I'm still learning to wait on God, which is hard for a girl who loves to start things. 

So I shared with my friend a list of questions that I've used to help me identify my priorities, and ultimately God's will for my life.  I don't think God's will looks like a check list.  I think His will for me is to be more like Jesus first and foremost and then to use my gifts and talents to serve Him.  Of course there's more to it than that, but that's a general overview.  There's a lot of flexibility in that plan. 

So here's my list of questions for myself:

1. What can only I do? (Only I can develop my faith, take care of my health, be my husband’s wife and be my children's mother.)


2. What has God entrusted to me? (God has entrusted me with the care of a home, the care of children, my health, the management of my time and money to name a few.)

3. Am I a good steward of what I already have? (Do I manage money well? Do I care for my home? Do I love my husband and children the way I should? Do I work as effectively as I can?)

4. What passion has God put in my heart? (I have for worship, writing, and for women to draw closer to God and align their lives with His will.)

5. What has God asked you to do that you haven’t done yet? (For years I knew God was calling me to write, but I did nothing about it.)

I also think the Bible gives us some guidelines on how to know God's will.  Here's Roman 12:1-2:

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Based on that scripture, if we are offering ourselves (our thoughts, finances, time, emotions) to God as a sacrifice, and guarding our minds, then we can know God's will for our lives.

So long as we are following God (with Him ahead of us) and not trying to lead (with Him behind us) we will see Him, and can know His will for our lives through prayer and humble suplication.  We make it much more complicated than it needs to be. 

That's a lesson I'm still trying to slow myself down to learn.

In His Love,
Glynnis

The Importance of Little Decisions

Today I have a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk.com regarding the importance of little decisions.

God has been speaking this truth into my life for many years. It's a principle I learned from reading Matthew 25 and Parable of the Talents. God was just as pleased with the servant who invested 2 talents as He was with the servant who invested 5 talents. Both servants showed themselves faithful with what they were given. And the one with the 2 talents didn't discount that which was entrusted to him because it was less. He valued it just the same.

I believe God is watching me constantly to see what I do with the "little" things He has entrusted to me. Am I faithful with what doesn't look like much to the others ... even me at times? Can He trust me with just a little bit more?

You see, being steadfast in little things is the truest indicator of whether you'll be steadfast in greater things. Making wise decisions in the little areas of life, prepares me for making wise decisions in the greater things of life.

I thought I'd share some of the little decisions I'm called to make every day that have great importance to me, and over time have proven to have even greater value when added together. These are not in order of priority, except for #1 and 2.

1. Reading my Bible daily. (Most of the time at night, just before bed.)
2. Not criticizing my husband.
3. Using coupons when possible. (A penny saved is more than a penny earned.)
4. Going to bed with my kitchen clean. (Helps me start the day with a right attitude)
5. Writing thank you notes. (I could still do better in this area)
6. Not saying "I would never do that .... say that ... wear that, etc. ..." (Helps keep pride and judgement from my lips)
7. Stopping what I'm doing and facing my children when they talk to me.
8. Using lots of fresh vegetables and fruits in my cooking.
9. Making shopping and errand lists.
10. Keeping my gas tank above 1/4 full.

I'd love to hear what little decisions you make that add up to make a big impact. I recently received a new book by author named Sarah Cunningham called Picking Dandelions. It's to be released next week by Zondervan. I've love to give it away to someone at random. Just make sure you leave a way for me to contact you.

In His Love,

Glynnis

**********************

It's Thursday night, and I'm happy to announce that Kerri was selected completely at random by my son Robbie, to win Picking Dandelions. Congratulations. I've sent you an email but if you don't get it, please contact me directly.

Tuesday - February 2 - I think Kerri's email address was typed in wrong, so I'm selecting another winner at random. Kerri - if you read this, send me an email and I'll send you another book. For now, I've selected Beth at jeffandbeth82@hotmail.com to win. Congratulations.

Getting Ready for Christmas

It's the day before Thanksgiving, and I have to admit, I'm thinking ahead. Oh yes, I'm going to fully enjoy the day tomorrow. I've been intentionally cultivating a heart of thankfulness this week. But I'm really ready for Christmas this year.

Just this past weekend I walked into my local Starbucks and felt a surge of joy. Not just because a gingerbread latte was waiting for me on the other side of the counter. But because I LOVE the promise it holds for the spirit of Christmas.

I've learned the season of Christmas is what I make it to be. I can choose to put Jesus first place in my life each and every day - or I can put Him somewhere down on my to-do list. The difference is huge.

The past several years have been very hectic for me. Two years ago I never got the Christmas tree decorated. It had lights ONLY because it was a pre-lit tree - but no decorations. There was lots I didn't get done that year, but the most painful admission to make is what else I missed. I missed the joy of Jesus' birthday. I missed the sweet presence of my Savior.

Never again!

This Christmas I've already made a list of priorities - and it isn't long. But it highlights the most important things to me this year. It's manageable and it's Christ-focused. I'm not one of those people who schedules every moment - but I've realized there is more peace and joy when I plan for the important things.

This weekend is a perfect time for you to do some prayerful prioritizing for the upcoming month. Consider what is most important to you and your family, and make a list. Then take your list and put it on a calendar. Make "appointments" that you don't want to miss!

If you are looking for some ways to bring more Jesus-focus to your Christmas, I'd love to recommend a resource my friend Marybeth Whalen wrote, called "A Recipe for Christmas Joy."

It is wonderful! She has filled it with the perfect balance of spiritual and practical components. For instance, she's included a week-by-week countdown, recipes and gift ideas. But she also has devotions on how to make Jesus the centerpiece of your holiday, how to be intentional and how to reach out to others.

I'm going to try one of her recipes tomorrow for Monkey Bread. It's oh so easy, and I know my family will love it. Then for Christmas morning, I'll be trying her breakfast casserole with grits, sausage and cheese. I'm also going to put together some of the food gifts she recommends. I'm particularly interested in one involving pretzels, Hershey's kisses and M&Ms. The kids will love helping me make those.

What I love about Marybeth's guide is that it's not all about formal lists and forms. It's about inviting the Maker of Joy into your heart and home at Christmas, and then sharing that Joy with others.

If you want to read more about it, visit Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Happy Thanksgiving ... and an early Merry Christmas!!

In His Love,

Glynnis