How available are you to God’s unexpected encounters? Do you intentionally leave extra space around the edges of your life for spontaneous assignments?
Or do you stay so scheduled, each day carefully planned out, that when the unplanned happens, you have nowhere to put it?
“Margin is not a spiritual necessity. But availability is.
“God expects us to be available for the needs of others.
“And without margin, each of us would have great difficulty guaranteeing availability. Instead, when God calls, He gets the busy signal.”
– Richard Swenson, Margin
I tend to live very scheduled.
Because I accomplish more when I stick to a schedule, I like to stick to a schedule.
But that means God can get a busy signal when he calls me (if you’re old enough to remember what a busy signal is on a landline phone!). It’s a consistent battle I fight.
My to-do list often exceeds my available time.
I want to clean out my laundry room,
I want to convert my home VHS videos to digital formats, and
I want to schedule lunch dates with friends to catch up.
But I don’t have enough time. My schedule is already full.
I’m trying to break free of rigidity.
To be free for flexibility.
To be available for God’s use.
I want to continue using the love of organization that God planted in me—it can be used for his glory—but I don’t want to turn a strength into a weakness.
I don’t want to out-schedule God.
So I keep looking for ways to build more margin in my life. For now, that means letting go of other things.
The file cabinets can stay disorganized a little longer,
The flower beds can continue growing more grass than flowers, and
Cleaning the closets can be postponed another few months.
Because when God calls, I want to be free to pick up.
An empath is a highly sensitive person, aware not only of their emotions but often absorbed in other people’s emotions and exhausted by sensory overload.
It’s not dated so you can start anytime, but obviously it is sequential. I started last month, lining up the days so I’d read the summer solstice devo on the right day (the longest day of the year is one of my favorites AND I got to spend it at the beach this year!).
The theme for summer solstice was “Pinnacle of Light” and included this:
“Focus on emanating your inner light too. Be yourself to the fullest. Speak your needs. Say no to energy vampires. Express your creativity. Tell your partner how crazy you are about them. Laugh. Meditate. Open your heart.”
(Note: Although this not a Christian book per se, it is a spiritual book. You can adapt it to enhance your own faith practice.)
The daily tips work with the seasons, with solstices and equinoxes (“The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, is a perfect point to be quiet and ignite your inner flame. The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, is your opportunity to take in this abundance of light”), with new and full moons (“The new moon represents fresh starts. The full moon signifies the peak of a pattern in your life”), as well as with the primary elements of fire, air, water, and earth.
Each day provides short thematic commentary, then a couple of sentences to help you “Set Your Intention” for the day.
For example, July 4’s theme was “Celebrate Freedom,” typically a day of social interactions. Orloff’s advice was to delight in enjoying family, friends, and good food, but also give yourself permission to limit the time you socialize. Make wise decisions about your energy.
Sensitivity As a Strength
Instead of viewing sensitivity as a weakness, Orloff reminds us of its strength.
“Sensitive people are meant to bring light into the world. Empathy is a strength, not a weakness. I applaud everyone who looks different, feels different, or thinks different. The world needs the difference you will make.”
Sometimes I amtoo sensitive. But by learning to stay balanced by “breaking the momentum of sensory overload, setting boundaries, and protecting your energy,” maybe I won’t be too sensitive too often.
Our sensitivity could just be our gift to the world.
I need this one. I know Jesus is already with us, so why do I ask for it again anyway? “It’s a bit of a waste to make my prayer that Jesus would do what he already said he’d do, and has already started doing.”
My latest favorite tip (wear earbuds to talk on the phone!) isn’t in this article, but these four tips also seem helpful for people like me who hate to talk on the phone. (Seriously? Just now I’m getting this text, “Lisa, can you please call me.” Ugh.)
I’ve recently started listening to this podcast about cool tools. “A cool tool can be any book, gadget, software, video, map, hardware, material, or website that is tried and true. All reviews on this site are written by readers who have actually used the tool and others like it. Items can be either old or new as long as they are wonderful.”
•8 Books I Recommend
Here are 8 books I recommend from what I finished reading in June.
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5 Pictures of Things I Love
• Fun, Family Workouts
My niece Amanda has become a Revelation Wellness instructor, a blend of faith and fitness. She’s teaching a Friday morning workout class that we attend when we can, as do other family members. Makes it fun when we work out together!
Jenna, Lisa, Amber
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• Flowers in Pots
I still haven’t returned to keeping up my flowerbeds. But I am enjoying the flowers I put in pots in the front and back. More manageable yet still pretty!
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• First Beach Trip with the Granddaughter!
We went to Panama City Beach, Florida, last week with the family and had a fantastic time! Watching first steps into the ocean waves and toes in the sand was such a thrill.
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• Grandbaby #2 Also at the Beach
Jenna took maternity pictures of Morgan on the beach. I love watching my two daughters and my two granddaughters together (well, seeing one granddaughter on the outside and imagining the other sweet girl still safe inside).
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• 4 Corners Spend-the-Night Party
We finally had our “Christmas” sleepover Friday night (only 6 months late). It’s been a sad year with Kathy losing Stan, but we’re thankful to have each other to walk through it together.
“I ate the money.” He swallowed 89 cents. Eating change won’t make us richer. Just as forcing spiritual change won’t make us holier. Don’t eat the change.
When Transformation Seems Slow, Don’t Eat the Change (6/20)
“I ate the money.” He swallowed 89 cents. Eating change won’t make us richer. Just as forcing spiritual change won’t make us holier. Don’t eat the change.
Where’s the Book Inside You? (6/10)
Cowboy has a book in him. But will he have time to get it out? My own story is enriched by his. We see a different side of God in each life.
Every month I share the best of the books I just finished. Here are eight books that I recommend from this month’s books.
Books I Recommend
NONFICTION
1. 168 Hours You Have More Time Than You Think
by Laura Vanderkam
Along with her newer book Off the Clock, this one—168 Hours—is also helpful to better use the time you have. Laura gives you lots of numbers about the hours that are typical for housework, taking care of children, etc., but without judging or suggesting comparison.
2. Women Rowing North Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age
by Mary Pipher
My age (56) doesn’t necessarily bother me, but I do think about it a lot these days. This book gives me a jump start on the next phase of aging. And with great hope.
“Most women become increasingly happy after age fifty-five, with their peak of happiness toward the very end of life.”
“The older the person, the better her mental health tended to be. Women’s happiness ratings were consistently higher than those of men. Recent census data from the United Kingdom finds that the happiest people are women aged 65–79.”
3.I’d Rather Be Reading The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
by Anne Bogel
Such a fun read for book lovers! I relate to SO many of the things Anne shares about common habits among people who love to read. Highly recommend if you love books.
“I’m the sum of all these bookish memories. My head is so full of musings and insights and ideas from books that I’m not sure who I would be or how I would think if they were all taken away.”
“Shakespeare said the eyes are the windows to the soul, but we readers know one’s bookshelves reveal just as much.”
4. The Hoarder in You How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life
by Robin Zasio
I’m not a hoarder (unless you count my digital pictures; I’m paralyzed by the quantity). This book inspires me to continue decluttering. Written by Dr. Robin Zasio, a psychologist on A&E’s series Hoarders (which I can’t watch—too overwhelming), this book offers lots of real-life examples (with such compassion) and lots of good advice to get us over the humps of accumulation.
“It is not wasteful to get rid of something you don’t need. You are not responsible for making use of everything that crosses your path.”
5. Outliers The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
What makes some people succeed and others not? And what defines success anyway? As is typical with Malcolm Gladwell’s books, you get solid data but also well-told stories.
“Practice isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.”
“Planes are safer when the least experienced pilot is flying, because it means the second pilot isn’t going to be afraid to speak up.”
6. Almost Everything Notes on Hope by Anne Lamott
I enjoy rambling through Anne Lamott’s writings for her wit, her insights, her authenticity, her spirituality. She’s not for everybody, but she makes me laugh, cry, and think.
“I rolled my eyes: Oh, you again. It was my mental roommate.”
“She and some of the old-timers secretly pray upon waking, ‘Whatever,’ and pray before falling asleep, ‘Oh, well.’ The lesson here is that there is no fix. There is, however, forgiveness. To forgive yourselves and others constantly is necessary.”
7. Born to Run
(audiobook)
by Bruce Springsteen
I listened to the audio version of this memoir written and read by Bruce Springsteen. (Usually I do NOT like the author to read their own book, but in this case, it was delightful.) I’m not a huge Springsteen music lover, but wow, he has a way with words. He’s brutally honest about his struggle with depression through the years. Well-written and well-read.
Fiction
8. Nine Perfect Strangers
by Liane Moriarty
Nine people sign up for ten days at a health resort. Not the best novel I’ve ever read, but interesting enough to entertain me and push me through all 453 pages. Liane Moriarty is a good storyteller.
READING NOW
Before We Were Yours
by Lisa Wingate
Glorious Weakness Discovering God in All We Lack by Alia Joy
I Let You Go
by Clare Mackintosh
The Myth of a Christian Nation How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church
by Gregory A. Boyd
The Enchanted Hour The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction
by Meghan Gurdon
But it took me even longer. The 2-year plan stretched into 3 years.
But that’s okay. I’m in it for the long haul. And if God needs to work longer on me than others, so be it. I’ll celebrate the little wins. Eventually he will get the job done on the other side of this life. My latest mantra has been “not yet” (thanks, Jean).
I may not yet be fully transformed. But I can have peace in the process if I’ll trust it’s coming.
And try to be content with where I am—who I am—today. I don’t make myself holy by reading the Bible. I can be open to change as I read, allowing my spirit to cooperate with God’s Spirit. But I’m not in charge of my own transformation.That’s holy work. I can walk the path, but I can’t make myself arrive. I need grace and peace and Jesus for that.
Learning Lessons
My little buddy ended up at the ER Tuesday. They had to get the money out quicker than letting nature take its course. They were successful.
His throat is sore today, but he’s recovering well. He’s learned a lesson.
I hope I’m learning, too.
Lasting spiritual change doesn’t usually happen overnight. I can’t force it to happen.
Don’t eat the change.
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Have you or your kids ever eaten anything strange? How patient are you with your own transformation? Please share in the comments.
I’ll start over reading the Bible again next week. Do you have a favorite translation you’d recommend? (I like to read a different one each time. Just finished NLT.)
Jenna, Lisa, Amber
Julie, Alicia, Lisa, Kathy
