Day of Burdens

Whew! Life can sure feel overwhelming at times, especially when you struggle with the two-letter word NO. Like many, I don't want to disappoint and feel honored when I'm asked to join something or help in some capacity. Eventually, however, I just get overstretched and overwhelmed.

As a response, I feel the commitments I already have made are burdensome and I resent them. I don't like resentment; it's kind of a foreign word for me, but I still experience it. The last couple of weeks revealed just how bothersome the resentment was when I started feeling this blog was a burden! Omgoodness, I cried. Seriously!! This is supposed to be my conversation with my Father in Heaven, how could that be a burden? Yet, it was!

As the last couple of weeks have moved along, they've been filled with flurry of activity. My exhaustion got to the point where I couldn't even keep my eyes open to write my daily prayers. One day ran into the next until now I'm a week behind and feeling like I've disappointed God for not spending time with Him, disappointed myself for not meeting my commitment, and disappointed others who may look forward to my daily prayer (I know there's one of you out there).

Thankfully, during a hallway discussion with a friend and my weekly community group on discipling, I was reminded of two things: 1) Don't stress about making up your prayers. If you feel compelled to catch up, do it a little at a time, there are many days left in the year to reach 365 prayers, 2) God doesn't expect you to put restrictions on yourself to read two chapters a day in the Bible or write a prayer a day for the year if all it does is show you've completed something. He wants us getting more from the Bible than just saying we've read it and more from our prayers than just checking off we said them.

Day 83: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me despite my many misgivings. Thank you for surrounding me with lovely people reminding me to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid). Thank you for your grace when the only energy I have is to muster the name of Jesus!

Lord, why do I struggle with pleasing others? Countless people can "just say no," why can't I? In hindsight, I can analyze myself so easily and say "you can't do everything to please everyone because when you can't fulfill your commitments, you'll disappoint those you were trying to please in the first place." It's so easy and I could counsel with such words to anyone, but arrogantly I find myself above them in some way. I fear disappointing others. I fear what others might think if I can't handle it all. I fear having to ask others to change what they expect of me. The common words, I fear! How ridiculous!!

Father God, you've shown me countless times if I trust in you, I shall not fear. I should not fear saying no if that little word allows me to spend time with you. I should not fear saying no if it provides me more time to commit fully to things for which I've volunteered. I should not fear saying no if that word releases burdens and uplifts my spirit. Please help me, Lord, to practice what I preach. Please help me to learn to say no and avoid self-imposed burdens when I'm stretched too far. Please help me remain centered on you and help me trust everything I need will fall into place.

God, I pray for friends, family, and strangers who struggle with NO. I pray they experience a glimpse of life without burden. I know it and have lived it...I need the kick to get back to it!

I love you.

Source: 

http://latinopm.com/features/its-okay-to-say-no-4058

Day of the Word

It's strange for me to comprehend there are people in the world who don't know about the Bible. As a Christian, it's my blueprint for life, my guide for tranquility, and God's autobiography.

Yet, even with these idyllic views of the Word, if asked why I read the Bible, I honestly have to say out of guilt. Admittedly, I feel compelled to read the Bible because that's what is expected of Christians, right? Thank goodness for our  Mutiply community group bringing this question to the forefront. 

What I desire (and need my humanness to get out of the way), is this all consuming, I can't breathe without it draw to the scripture. Just as it is written in 1 Peter 2:2 "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," I crave this unwavering draw to the Word and let it be the guide for my days and nights! 

Day 82: Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing all your glory to me through the Bible. Thank you for your lessons, your direction, your expectation, your hope, and your love in an easy to follow roadmap that just requires its pages to be opened.

Lord, I desire the need other followers have for your Word. I understand why and can share with others to read daily, but I fall so short in my own daily reading. Forgive me for rationalizing away this disconnection. I'll justify it by telling myself "you're praying daily, you're reading spiritual books, you're hosting community groups, you listen Christian music, you attend worship, and you participate in bible studies. Don't beat yourself up if you're not reading the Bible as often as others may think you should." But, Father, all this is for not if I do not connect with you daily in the scripture. The Bible is our earthly glimpse into you. These words provide the deepest connection we can have to you, yet I fail to read. Please forgive me. 

Father God, you've used the "hit me upside the head" message so successfully in me in the past, why not now? Or am I answering my own question by saying you want me to crave not because you tell me to (authoritatively), but because my human heart desires this connection. Is that the lesson? Am I standing in the way to the life changing book because I have yet to surrender all and believe I need the Word. I pray for the wisdom to know the answer. I pray I get out of your way by surrendering all to you. I pray I may let your Word shower me with its cleansing power.

I love you.

Source: http://kittimurray.com/other/2013/11/07/three-pragmatic-reasons-why-i-read-the-bible-almost-every-day/

Day of Simplicity

I've always thought my ideas of fun were a bit quirky, quite a bit dorky, and viewed by most as boring. It turns out, I might not be living in my own world after all!

I read an article today by Darlene Schacht titled "15 Date Night Ideas That Don't Break the Bank!" I was surprised by the number of activities to share quality time with someone without taking out a loan to impress. Some of my favorites: having a picnic, playing a board game, and taking a forest walk. How awesome to share similar ideas and receive several nods of agreement. 

My versions have a few twists:

- Evening coffee/tea/hot chocolate and board game fun at your favorite coffee shop

- Grab a basketball and head to the court for a rousing game of HORSE...if you're both terrible shooters, the howls of laughter from missed shots will make lasting memories

- Relive childhood joys at the playground swinging away on the swings, sliding down slides, and playing on the monkey bars followed by a PB&J picnic

- Sharing a picnic meal downtown with the homeless

So, either there are several people who live in Jasmine's quirky, dorky, boring world or I've been enlightened to more people enjoying simple things than I once thought! It seems to me the less distracted we are with the "what to do together," the more we can cherish the "person with whom we're spending time!"

Day 62: Heavenly Father, thank you for creating me to enjoy simplicity! Thank you for my quirky, dorky, lighthearted demeanor! 

Lord, as I read the news today, it was incredible to read the prevalence of the political turmoil facing your people throughout the world. Coupled with this worldly upheaval, so many of your people face personal battles with bills, addictions, and sinfulness. Please help me share calming words and offer simpler techniques to help others experience joy in little things and love for others even when surrounded by many worldly and personal afflictions!

Father God, I thank you for providing your people a magnificent roadmap to follow in order to experience Heaven on earth. Your Word provides the guidance needed to live rich fulfilled lives through simplicity! My devotion to you is pure and simple, maybe that's why I'm attracted to simplicity! Thank you for creating me to be who I am!

I love you.

Picnic background source: http://www.yumsugar.com/Picnic-Planning-Tips-22441374

Day of Friending

What do you seek in friendship? I found it enlightening to learn today the average adult American only has two close friends! How is that even possible? No way, right?!? Just look at the hundreds of friends found on Facebook accounts, surely this statistic is wrong...or is it?

What defines a friend for you? Would you share your deepest secrets with all your FB buddies? Would you accept honest cristicism from your FB pals (or would you "unfriend" them at their audacity of being direct even if it hurt)? Would you help strengthen these FB friends even if it took 101 attempts before your efforts came to fruition?

Now ask yourself, again, what defines a friend? Although this reality may seem disheartening, truthful and objective evaluation of friendship selection can actually help us seek and find people with whom we can surround ourselves in support, honesty, and love!

God shares many friendships in the Bible for which I believe many of us would be shocked if we witnessed today. I love how God's lessons captured for us thousands of years ago are applicable today in the world of "friend lists" and "followers!"

Day 61: Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me the foundations of fulfilling friendships are timeless in their application! Thank you for sharing your transformative message again through our pastor today! Thank you for "friending" me, even though sometimes I "hide" you in my news feed!

Lord, I desire to be like the friends you placed in David's life! I want to stregthen and uplift my friends. I don't like it when I lose my patience if my friends need repetitive support. Please forgive me when my black and white, take it or leave it approach impairs my ability to strengthen my friends.

Father, I want to be the person with whom my friends feel comfort and trust to confide in me. Despite the burden being a confidant may present, for friends, it's an honor, not a burden! Please forgive me when I haven't made time for my friends in need or been to consumed with myself to recognize when they need me.

God, I want to be the person who displays my love directly and honestly. You know I've struggled for so long trying to avoid conflict. But, Lord, this doesn't help my friends. The greatest expression of love is to share truthful dialogue. I ask your forgiveness when my conflict, hurt feelings avoidance has caused more harm than good!

I trust you and know your biblical lessons can fundamentally transform my relationships right before my very eyes!

I love you.

(As an aside, this is my friend Mindi? Could she be any more beautiful? I think not!!!)