Warning – this is a long, picture-less post!
What inspires you?? What sets your passion in go mode? What
makes your dreams come to life? How do you overcome roadblocks?
Can we be real on this edition of Friday Favorites? Hear my heart
on this - I struggle! I struggle with balancing mommy time, me time, work time,
cleaning time, wife time, Bible time, friend time, etc. You name the time and
it somehow, someway gets added to the list all the while no extra “time” gets
added to the day. I need a heart check most days to keep my chin up, not let
the day drag me down and to remember I have hope and joy that supersedes all of
the things that I can’t possibly and productively fit into 1 day!
How do you do it? What is your favorite organizational tip
that you can’t live without? What gets you out of a funk? What snaps you back
into realizing the life you are living is the good life?
I saw this quote on the Facebook page of Casting Crowns, it
quickly snapped me into realizing that God was speaking directly to me:
There is so much truth in this statement. We live in a
society that is constantly vetting us up against our neighbors, our friends, our
siblings, etc. Constantly making us reevaluate our beliefs and attempt to
stretch them in places that conform to “mainstream”. When people say missions
trip, we automatically think poverty stricken - 3rd world country.
I, wholeheartedly believe in missions trips. I believe that we are called to
bring His word, His truth, HIS LOVE to the nations. But I also believe that we
should stop, settle down the busyness of our lives and grow and reach those
that are right around us. Allow our lives, our homes, our spiritual walks to be
watered. To sprout. To touch the lives of the individuals we see on a daily
basis. This is where I fail the most. True story. I can be so focused on the
big picture that I forget to water and help sow seed into the very place where God
has planted me.
Here are some other things that inspire me to take a hold of
the now, to embrace where I’m at and to stop and look around:
Songs. They can literally drop me to my knees, take my
breath away, create a puddle of tears in an instant and an overwhelming joy
that makes me so thankful! If you aren’t following these artists, you totally
should start. Some of their songs have helped to propel me forward and made
certain that I didn’t look back.
Francesca Battestelli – check out this song from her
new album,
The title of the album speaks to me! Honesty. Do you
seek to be honest in your day to day living? Truth – what is the source to
truth in your life?
Other musicians that are on repeat on my playlist are:
MercyMe, Needtobreath, David Crowder, Bethel Live, All Sons & Daughters,
Casting Crowns, City Harbor.
Organized Planner. Yep. A super organized planner can clear
my head and even when it is filled to the brim with kids activities, sessions,
work meetings, workout dates, dinner dates – if it is all written down and I
have a plan for the week ahead, I can do it! Failing to plan ahead of time is
my ultimate downfall!
Books. When I have spare time (which is almost never these
days!), I can get lost in a book! The book has the power to transform my life,
my words, my actions, and my daily steps. And when I get a book that I can’t
put down, I know it is God’s little gift to me.
I read Francis Chan’s book, Forgotten God and in chapter 6 I
could only read 1 paragraph at a time. I had to put the book down, digest what
the paragraph was offering and evaluate how I was or wasn’t applying it to my
life. It might be time to revisit this book!
Running. I’m an addict. A good run while listening to a good
sermon or just the right Pandora station can really put life back on the right
track for me! Hearing my feet hit the pavement, knowing that no matter how I
feel while I am running – I will feel victorious when I’m done!
Recognizing the voice of truth. I know that the only voice
the enemy has in my life is the voice that I give him. It’s a choice each day
to listen to and follow the voice of my savior. Sometimes I simply fail. I look
at a magazine cover and fall short of looking like the cover model. I peruse
Facebook for too long and stumble on a photographer’s page that is doing it
better than we are. I pull up to preschool drop off, happy to have my children
there on time and in the midst of my workout clothes I am flooded by the high
boot, J.Crew wearing moms and matching kids. These are the voices that I have
ZERO time for in my life. I have no time for comparison and quite frankly, I
have no room for it either. My plate is full as are many of yours. It’s time
ladies to put our inspiration in front of us, to put the voices that bring us
life and joy at the forefront of our days, and to surround ourselves with
positive people! Be a person that others want to be around. Bloom right where
God has planted you!
By: Jaime Pollock
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