My journal lately has become something much different than it used to be.
It used to be all prayers, and mostly whining and begging God to do this or that, or give me this or that, and do it yesterday.
I'm not beyond giving Him thanks, but my words have been slightly weighted on the "gimme" end of the spectrum.
I've noticed a shift in recent months. I haven't recently gone back to study old journals, but I do occasionally peruse the previous entries in my current one.
Instead of lots of begging God for what I don't have, it seems I'm recognizing more what I do have.
I'm comparing the tone of my journal to what's happening in my life.
I'm more content where I'm at.
It was a struggle to get here.
I'm noticing more lists in my journal.
Lists of things I've learned.
Lists of possible book topics.
Prayers of gratitude.
Answered prayers.
I see in these pages that I've stepped out and done some hard things recently, but been truly blessed for the doing.
I've stepped into some arenas where the so-called critics seemed like they might devour me, but instead I wasn't devoured. I re-discovered courage to use my voice. Courage to be me in my raw form.
Old patterns threatened to take over, but didn't.
Strength, power, courage and voice rise up to meet each step I take.
This is beautiful to me.
When I was a little girl, I remember my Dad teaching me the simple melody of an old hymn on the piano.
The words of the chorus go like this:
Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey
These words come to mind as I think of taking steps of courage into the arena.
Freedom.
How about you? What's the arena you find yourself needing to enter?
Give yourself credit for taking steps to enter through shaky knees, sweaty palms and a racing heart. I applaud you!
Blessings to you, friend!
Linking up today with Holley Gerth at Coffee for Your Heart.
It used to be all prayers, and mostly whining and begging God to do this or that, or give me this or that, and do it yesterday.
I'm not beyond giving Him thanks, but my words have been slightly weighted on the "gimme" end of the spectrum.
I've noticed a shift in recent months. I haven't recently gone back to study old journals, but I do occasionally peruse the previous entries in my current one.
Instead of lots of begging God for what I don't have, it seems I'm recognizing more what I do have.
I'm comparing the tone of my journal to what's happening in my life.
I'm more content where I'm at.
It was a struggle to get here.
I'm noticing more lists in my journal.
Lists of things I've learned.
Lists of possible book topics.
Prayers of gratitude.
Answered prayers.
I see in these pages that I've stepped out and done some hard things recently, but been truly blessed for the doing.
I've stepped into some arenas where the so-called critics seemed like they might devour me, but instead I wasn't devoured. I re-discovered courage to use my voice. Courage to be me in my raw form.
Old patterns threatened to take over, but didn't.
In stepping out into the arena, so often I find strength and beauty there instead of the critics I was expecting.
Strength, power, courage and voice rise up to meet each step I take.
This is beautiful to me.
When I was a little girl, I remember my Dad teaching me the simple melody of an old hymn on the piano.
The words of the chorus go like this:
Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey
These words come to mind as I think of taking steps of courage into the arena.
Through shaky knees, sweaty palms and a racing heart, the steps into the arena---silencing the fear gremlins---has brought liberty.
How about you? What's the arena you find yourself needing to enter?
Give yourself credit for taking steps to enter through shaky knees, sweaty palms and a racing heart. I applaud you!
Blessings to you, friend!
Linking up today with Holley Gerth at Coffee for Your Heart.
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