What's the Word - 2016

When I first saw my brother in-law's message on my phone with the request of choosing and sharing a “word” for 2016 (so that we may all stand together on for each other in prayer), the one that came into my mind first (and loudest) was IMPACT.  To not just be efficient or effective, but to make an impact in this life as God’s will. But I started questioning it and doubting that God says I’m ready for such a bold desire to manifest. And who am I? (Exodus 3:11)

I began to overthink it. I made a brainstorming list of other words… better choice words in my human mind’s eye.  Perception, wisdom, sanctify, surrender… I didn’t even write “impact” on my list (though it kept ringing in my ears).  But it then occurred to me...if I simply ask God which word to consider more, I know He will reveal it to me. This is a big deal, and I want it to be right.  I thought it would be nice, actually, if it could be one that Tommy might agree upon.  Last year, I had to focus on my own relationship with God while He worked on Tommy’s.  Miraculously, we came together.  We were brought together, just as God intended and just as He promised.  So, I resolved to let God do His thing and I put my pen down and opened my ears.  In that familiar soft whisper, I heard, “Just wait…”

Hours later in the evening, I asked Tommy if he had given any thought to our “word” for 2016.  I only assumed he had seen the text message from Craig (my brother in-law), since neither of us had brought it up until that moment. I decided not to influence or manipulate him, so I kept my own thoughts to myself. I desired his lead.  It’s what I have prayed for. But even when I anticipate God to show up and show off (because He always does in one way or another), I am still blown away with awe when my prayers are answered. Tommy was fairly quick to answer my question… “I think we should go with IMPACT.” 

(Jaw dropped)

Okie dokie… IMPACT it is.  Man I love how God works.

So, here it goes… 

It turns out that our word, IMPACT goes perfectly well with the scripture I chose to stand on for the year.  My “anthem” for 2016 is in 1 Peter 4:10.  To acknowledge and accept our gifts with such gratitude and love that we are compelled to use them. To be a good steward of God’s grace and these gifts to serve Him, my husband, my family and others. And believing that with time and heart revelation, He will show me how if I keep my ears tuned to HIS frequency - just as I have learned to do this past year (“Discernment” was my word for 2015).  

Just as Tommy and I have found on the plate of spaghetti noodles of finding our faith and purpose, we find ourselves standing side by side with this... on the same noodle. Both in the same season of recognizing our gifts (some as we go) and desiring to use them. To make an impact.  

Tommy and I know we have a unique testimony to us. Darkness knows us well and though we remember that time in our lives as if we were looking through pages of someone else’s book, it was us. We learned to shut out the darkness by clinging to the light.

Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and th is absolutely no darkness in Him.  If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:5-7)

The beginning of 1 Peter, chapter 4 quite accurately depicts our journey out of the darkness into the light. I believe this might have been the first time I’ve read it, even though it’s a few short verses away from my 2016 anthem. How crazy is that?!  I like how the Message version puts it… 

Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like Him. Think of your sufferings as weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good… (1 Peter 1-5 MSG)

Why IMPACT?  Because we want what God desires. And we desire to live out the rest of our days living for the will of God. To follow Him together.  To wander no more.  To use the gifts He has given us make an impact, not for us to be seen, but to let Christ be seen through us.  To be impact the life of our child… to impress upon him that making Christ Lord in your life is the best possible thing you can do in this life for yourself and your family. To be impactful in the lives of our family. Our friends. Coworkers. Strangers. Each other. To give grace and share wisdom. To spread love. To see others as God sees them and treat them as such. Even the Pharaohs in our lives. 

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received  to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.  (1 Peter 4:7-11)

The Gift - A SAHM Rant and Confession

What in the world am I doing? 

Or really, the actual burning question is, 

What am I doing in the world that serves any purpose in the Kingdom? How do I use my gift to serve...how do I know what my gift is? What if I'm wrong?

Sitting in my snuggery (my craft room) amongst a mess of snippets and strings of yarn, it's all too common I fight thoughts that I am wasting my time on this stuff. Some say I have a gift. I can do thinks with hooks and needles that not too many others can, I know this. But I downplay it quite a bit. After all, anyone can follow a pattern. And 

 It's a choice I have to make to plow through those thoughts to get any kind of "Made for You" (my rinky-dink, in-progress business idea) work done or get any kind of practice to get better at the actual craft...Most of all, to get any kind of enjoyment out of doing what I like, I must plow with blinders on, ignoring the distracting thoughts. And even when I do plow through and focus on my project, I'm not sure if it's right for me to do it...to spend so much time on something that doesn't have anything to do with the house or my family. It's knowing that I can do something, but not knowing if I really should. It's a guilt that I battle and I am going to have to face if I want to ever see anything on my etsy page, for instance.

Thoughts are powerful. If allowed, they can keep you from working toward your potential with any kind of intentionality, especially when the enemy doesn't want you to use a gift. He'll tell you you can't do it, you shouldn't do it, you're not good at it and there's not enough of you to be all that you might actually be called to be.  Satan will use your higher priorities to try to convince you that "homemaker" is all you have room in your life to be and if you try to be anything more, you will fail. Or worse (if your story is similar to mine) that doing anything else is a gateway to who you used to be before you followed Christ and use fear to stop you before you even really begin (I could go on a whole other tangent about THAT). And you'll never know how much use God can get out of you with that gift if you don't shut those thoughts down. Those thoughts are lies, yes...but they have power to you as long as you believe them. You might not really understand how to use your gift to serve God or others yet, but you never will if you don't start using it to see where He can take you. 

These are my battles. How swift I am at defeating this daily mind game, maybe my progress will tell. I am determined however, no matter the pace, to overcome the chatter in my mind. But the point, as I am learning in this season of my life, is that it is us who allows the road blocks, the thoughts, the fiery darts of the devil to stop us on our path to using what God has gifted us with. 

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

1 Peter 4:10 NIV