Embracing Faith Encouraging Hope

Under Construction

A toilet in the living room? Yes, and around my house, you may find other oddities as well. Like an overabundance of dust. With construction comes decisions, frustrations, and extra cleanup. But once the remodeling is complete, we will benefit from the rewards these updates bring.

We are remodeling our two bathrooms. The toilet dwelled in our living room for only a few hours before it found its new home in our hall bath. The old commode worked fine, but when you flushed it, the sound was loud enough to wake a person in the nearby bedroom. Our updated, quieter toilet now sits on a beautiful new tile floor.

After a few trips to the tile store, I think we have made our final decision on floor tile for the master bath too. But choosing paint colors for the cabinets has proven to be the biggest challenge. At first, I wanted the two bathrooms to have different colored cabinets—one a darker blue gray and the other a lighter version. Then I wanted them the same. But after finally deciding on the perfect blue gray, I questioned my decision over and over. What if I don’t like the finished product? And what color should we paint the walls?

Despite hours of frustrating research, I couldn’t settle on a wall color to go with the blue gray cabinets and ended up changing my mind. What color did I decide on instead? White—it’s timeless. I can use blue gray on the walls, or maybe burnt orange and lime green if I change my mind again.

Besides selecting colors and tiles, dust is all over the house and impossible to keep up with. Despite my efforts, I must admit it’s going to stay dusty awhile longer. And this remodeling project, along with the extra mess, serves as a reminder that I am still under construction too.

I decide daily how much time I spend in God’s Word and prayer with the goal of becoming more like Him. If I allow Him to, He will change and beautify the areas in my life that I have neglected.

Sometimes, after praying, I get frustrated when God doesn’t respond as quickly as I would like Him to. He’s working with me on that too. Perfecting me in my faith and trust in Him.

And when I mess up, I create extra cleanup work for myself. When dirt and dust escape through my words, attitude, and actions, I confess and repent so I can draw nearer to the Lord.

It’s not easy being under construction as a Christ follower, but through His remodeling, I will benefit from the changes He designs in me.

How’s your remodeling project coming along?

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you
will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6, ESV

Digital Fast

Soon after we moved back to Tennessee, our youngest daughter’s cell phone died. She didn’t know the roads well and depended on her GPS to get her home. She dropped a friend off in a nearby town and took the interstate she thought would lead her to our house. But after several miles, she panicked and wasn’t sure she got on the right road. Without a working phone and unable to contact me, she exited the interstate and stopped at a convenience store to ask for help. She borrowed a store employee’s phone to call home.

Are there any pay phones available today? And if a stranger came up to me and asked if they could borrow my phone, I’d think it a little odd, wouldn’t you? Being without a phone in the day we live can be scary. Scary to the point of suffering from nomophobia—the fear of being without access to a working cell phone.

I’m not admitting to suffering from this condition, but if I leave my house without my phone, I return home to get it. What if I had an accident and needed to call my husband? Or if one of my children had an emergency and needed to reach me ASAP?

But having a phone for calls or texts isn’t the issue. It’s the time spent on other apps that steals my time and attention.

The church I attend is encouraging our church family to partake in a digital fast for Lent this year. Our pastor, Darren Whitehead, wrote a book titled “The Digital Fast: 40 Days to Detox Your Mind and Reclaim What Matters Most.”

We took part in a thirty-day church fast last May too. During that fast, I implemented a few changes, like limiting my time spent on social media. I also turned off social media notifications. This year I’ve turned off all email notifications too. I open my email at different times throughout the day, but don’t pick up my phone every time I hear a ding. With sounds and notifications turned off, I’m not as distracted as I once was.

I’ve also moved my phone away from my bed at night and don’t check email in the morning until after I’ve had breakfast and my devotional time with the Lord. And my goal is to not check my phone for at least 30 minutes before bedtime, but I often forget.

Why do I pick up my phone when I don’t need it? Boredom. And my Google feed, Instagram cat videos, and YouTube seem to fill the void! The consumption of my phone time comes from searching the Internet, spending time on social media, and shopping. For the 40-day fast, I’m staying away from Instagram and YouTube, turned off my Google feed, and because of my writing, check Facebook only once each day.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:37 (NIV)

There must be a more constructive or creative way for me to spend my time when I’m not writing. That’s a topic for another day.

For now, I’m trying to develop better habits with my phone through a digital fast, so it doesn’t control my life. How is your relationship with your smartphone? Any tips you can share?

Listen

In last month’s post, I mentioned the word “imagine” as my potential focus word for 2024. I also shared that God had impressed another word upon my heart. As I’ve continued to pray regarding the other word “listen,” the more it stands out to me. I believe “listen” is the word the Lord wants me to prioritize this year.

According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, there are three definitions for the verb listen:

1.     to pay attention to sound (listen to music)

2.     to hear something with thoughtful attention: give consideration
(listen to a plea)

3.     to be alert to catch an expected sound (listen for his step)

I do fine with number one—especially now that I have hearing aids! But I need to work on numbers two and three.

Do I always listen to hear with thoughtful attention? Or am I concerned with how to respond. Maybe my mind is elsewhere, and I hear the speaker, but not well enough to fully grasp their words. To become more attentive and acknowledge others with the consideration they deserve, I need to focus on number two.

To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.
Proverbs 18:13, NIV

But my key priority is number three—to be alert to catch an expected sound. I love that! I want my spiritual ears to be open, to hear the Lord call my name and speak to my heart.

Not an unexpected sound, but an expected one. I expect to hear from the Lord through His Word, and to listen in my spirit to what He says to me personally and follow through in obedience.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
James 1:22, NIV

To know the Lord better and draw closer to Him, I’ll ask Him to quiet my mind, listen for the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart, and seek to do His will.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13, NIV

This year, I also have a theme song: “I’m Listening” by Chris McClarney (link below).

I hope to not only give others my thoughtful attention but also to give my undivided attention to the Lord, immersing myself in His presence. To listen for His expected voice, and to pursue Him with my whole heart.

Blessings to you as you pursue Him in 2024!

Listen Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

Check out Chris McClarney’s song on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef52AmdVwYI

Photo by Abby Boggier—Unsplash

Imagine

Do you have a word for the new year? A verse for the year? I’m still praying about mine.

Last year my word was courage, and my verse was Joshua 1:9.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God
is with you wherever you go.
NKJV

Each year I take a quiz offered by DaySpring before I decide upon my word of the year, although I usually select something else. In late December, after I answered seven questions on their website, they reported my word was imagine.

Imagine? At first, this word bothered me. Sounded selfish. Imagine big things, fame, and fortune. Imagine traveling anywhere in the world. Imagine having anything you’ve ever wanted, and it’s yours. As a person who struggles with selfishness, I said no to this as my word for the year.

But then, when I read this word in Scripture, I decided imagine may be a great word for the new year.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20, NIV 

God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine
the greatness of his power.
Job 37:5, NLT 

God can do anything through us. Exceedingly, abundantly, more than we ask or think. We only need to be willing. Willing for Him to use us in ways we never thought possible. With His power at work within us.

As Christians, I believe it is good to think big, pray big, and ask big. The Holy Spirit resides in us and gives us the power to do whatever God has called us to do.

This word is not about naming it and claiming it. It’s trusting God for all He wants to accomplish through us. Fulfilling His purpose in our lives. Whatever that is.

But God has placed another word on my heart. I’ll continue to pray and seek Him regarding my word for 2024.

Please share your word or verse if you have one.

What’s Your Word? (dayspring.com)

Photo by Constant Loubier - Unsplash

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