I've listed my favorite books from 2009 in my quarterly newsletter and now I want to hear from you what's yours. Simply give the title, author, and a one sentence reason why the book is worth reading. Hopefully, a few of us will gain some great new reading material for 2010! (If you don't currently receive my newsletter and would like to, email robyn@onceuponyourlife.com.)
What Interests You?
I'm planning a one day retreat later this summer here in Prescott, complete with inspiring teaching, good food, "girl time," plenty of relaxation and even some pampering. The hope is that it would be a day of rest and renewal. Tell me, what topics would interest you? What would you like to see offered? Give me a few ideas for topics as well as any other tips you'd think would make the day irresistable.
Your Life Plan
So the song goes, and our experience confirms: Life is hard, and it might not get any easier. Tell me, what have you come up with? What is your plan to do life well no matter how hard it gets? One of my favorite ways has been to meditate on Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." In doing so, I have gotten more out of thinking of it's opposite, of what it doesn't say. For me, that goes something like: "Don't freak out and try to control the situation, hoping there's a God, and acting as if you are God in case there isn't. Rather, be STILL and KNOW that He IS God."
Share with me and others who may be reading this how you plan to counter the weight of your circumstances and bring calm to your unsettled soul.
My One Resolution: Anti-Hurry
2009 will mark the year I intentionally and ruthlessly resist hurrying. When it comes down to it, where does it get me? The same place I intend to go but with stress and anxiety as my travel companions! No thank you.
I want the phrase "hurry up" to be completely absent from my vocabulary. I want to have a reaction of shock when I hear it because the concept is so foreign to me. I want to have a calming presence to those around me. How about you?
Speaking of hurrying...I just read in "My Utmost for His Highest" that we never need to be in a rush to worship God. There's always enough time no matter where we're at or what we're doing to spend time with Him. Wouldn't it be something to intentionally draw our attention to God in whatever we're doing rather than just plowing through mindlessly?
The mere act of not hurrying becomes a form of worhsip when we become mindful of God's presence.
"Be still and know that I an God..."
The "Downtime" Challenge
Hi Ladies,
Want to join me in slowing down a little? In creating more calm and less overwhelm as we enter this holiday season?
Here's my plan:
I am scheduling myself 24 hours worth of "downtime" for October. Sounds like a lot, but I figure it represents a mere 5% of my entire waking hours for the month. That breaks down to 6 hours a week. Whether I'll do it in one shot or spread it out we'll have to see. Part of my strategy will be to swap a play date with a friend and have the middle of the day wide open. Also, I'm going to declare the guest room as my retreat for one of the nights. No matter what, I'm going to write it in my planner so I make sure it happens.
So far, this is what my "downtime list" looks like: 1. see a matinee 2. read a book on our deck 3. nap in our hammock 4. think deep over a cup of tea 5. walk aimlessly in Target...with a bag of popcorn 6. study the Bible for fun 7. leave my designated scheduled downtime open and wait and see what I'm in the mood for.
You know, we're like a sponge. If we wring ourselves out, we have nothing left to give, not a drop left. But if we take time for ourselves, we find our sponge re-moistened, ready to be squeezed all over the ones we love!
Come, take the challenge. What's your plan going to be?
Hello MOPS moms from Flagstaff!
I had a great time getting to know some of you this morning. Here are the titles and authors of the books I referenced: Raising Kids for True Greatness by Tim Kimmel and The Path by Laurie Beth Jones. I'd love to hear how your vision of motherhood is coming together. Share it in a comment...and some strategies you're planning to implement to support it! Remember, our vision has to be something bigger, stronger, and more compelling than what we experience in the "dailies" of living if we're going to be wise women building strong, joy-filled homes (Proverbs 14:1).
God is never in a bad mood!
Some friends of mine and I have been watching a Beth Moore DVD on Biblical happiness. She said something that makes me smile everytime I think of it- God is never in a bad mood. What a relief! I know how my parenting skills, decision making process, and total demeanor quickly go down hill when I'm in a bad mood. Thank God (really) that His mood never changes. What assurance it gives me that He isn't flippant, exhausted, or grumpy- EVER! He doesn't need eight hours of sleep to think level-headed. He doesn't need His morning coffee to wake up to the day. He doesn't need to be validated or empowered to feel good about Himself. He is always at His "prime," acting in His "sweetspot," overflowing with love and excitement over each of us. Just wanted to share that piece of good news.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)