January – a bumpy ride with glorious vistas.

Not one to make new year’s resolutions, the thought of one word for the year intrigued me. Although the word rest kept surfacing, when my friend mentioned resiliency, it clicked. My life resembled a rubber-band stretched taunt, no resiliency, lacking the ability to snap back. I seems I’d forgotten my own wisdom.

With my understanding of resiliency entrenched in my thinking, my decisions, and my prayers, I walked into the new year. Already, I’ve tripped on rocks; I’ve stumbled in and out of ruts; I’ve been encouraged by some glorious vistas along the road. And I’m re-learning the truth of Isaiah 55:8.

Rock-shaped Invitations

Traveling is part of my reality. Visiting family most often requires airports. Ministry opportunities abound. Sometimes I travel alone, often Bill and I go together. I’ve heard myself say, As much as I love each trip, I wish they were a bit spread out.

As December turned to January airports were curiously missing (not completely) from my calendar. It felt good, space to build resiliency.

Then the invitations started; I dug in my heels as I perceived the invitations as rocks. The still small voice whispered, Sue are you willing to trust me with these rocks? Will you allow me to define resiliency for you?

I have not RSVP-ed to all the invitations yet. I have RSVP-ed to God, Yes, I know I cannot protect myself. Thank you for taking that responsibility.

Ruts, some good, some not

I’m an initiator. That’s part of my creation – a good thing. Inviting flows naturally: a friend over for lunch, another to meet for coffee, ask the neighbors in for a Valentine Tea – it’s a rut that easily happens. One summer about five years ago, I sensed God wanted me to put that piece on hold for June, July, and August. I’m sensing the same now. I need to climb out of this good rut for a bit.

Sometimes I just can’t help myself. Here’s an invitation for you.
If you have not already signed up for the Echoes of Grace community, please do.
In a few days I’m sending those in the community, a copy of my S-C plan,
a spiritual habit that has transformed my devotional life.
You can print it out and stick it in your Bible or journal.
But I need your email.

Back to my thoughts on ruts …

One of my not good ruts is a lie that haunts me, I’m not good enough. I’ve known this for a long time and I also know how to defeat it with truth. I am very good. I have the DNA of godliness. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. My guess is because you are reading this, you are too. But our enemy is alive. As new opportunities come, my default isn’t always truth. Lies drain. Truth fills.

Resiliency rests on my recognizing my good ruts and my not good ruts.

Roadway Vistas

Thank you to my nephew Greg for this beautiful view.

Beautiful vistas are life giving.

Paul reminds me in Ephesians 2:10, that God has prepared me for his purposes and I’m to walk in them. Ahhhh, walking, breathe deeply, enjoy the visitas – so life-giving.

Jeff, my son offered this understanding of Psalm 16:11, our boundary lines are in pleasant places, not because of where they are, but because of who put them there.

Often comfort food novels bring times to enjoy the road. Jan Karon is one of my favorite authors in this category.

I find sitting by the side of the road enjoying vistas fosters resiliency.

Vistas along the roadway happen in many forms: words, views, quietness, and more. Each offers hope, space, resiliency.

I’m learning. What about you? How do you snap back? What offers resiliency to you?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.”
Isaiah 55:8