Prioritize Your Minutiae...(or how to eat an elephant)

Prioritize your Minutiae… 

the details, the finer points, or has everything become minutiae?...

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and paralyzed with tasks that seem too big for me to tackle. Sometimes I feel like curling up into a ball and just letting sleep or a good snooze wash over me so that I can forget about all those things that dampen my “can do” spirit.

 My mom shared with me a long time ago if something seems too big, make it smaller. When cleaning a room, start in one corner and get that corner spic and span, soon you’ll be motivated to continue (because everything else in the room seems dingy in comparison) and you’ll actually be able to say you’ve checked that off your list... (this is where, in my world , theory goes a long way and the concept of cleaning, and my mother’s example, has proven that this IS a tried and true method, NOT because I’ve actually accomplished this on a regular, or if ever basis,  just sayin’)… but along the lines of my mother’s infinite wisdom comes one of my favorite phrases as well,

Question: “how do you eat an elephant?"

Answer:  "one bite at a time”. 

While I’m not planning on chewing on a pachyderm any time soon, I am finding myself in a bit of a quandary on how to tackle some things I want to do… I want to make some changes and I know they don’t “stick” if I make them all at the same time. Soooo… hence the “prioritize my minutiae”, I need to make a list and actually prioritize on that list, (because, let’s face it, in the grand scheme of things, if it’s truly not life or death? It IS minutiae…) I need to acknowledge what is really important in my life and what else is considered fluff, I need that to be reflected in my goals, in my daily life, in my priorities.

I often think of the verses in Luke that talk about how God knows everything about us, even the number of hairs on our heads. It talks about how He cares for us even more than five sparrows that are sold for two pennies and how those tiny birds matter to our very big God, and that we matter even more. 

So if God cares for every little thing about us, then I should be figuring out what those little things should be, what is pertinent and a reflection of Him and how He is working in every facet of my life. 

 I just wanted to throw out there to all the other individuals on this planet that may feel like they’re stuck, or that something seems so big that they just can’t manage to achieve it, that we’re all in this together (corny as that may sound). That with support, encouragement and prioritization of what matters in each of our lives,

we can find other like-minded beings and undertake those things that may frighten or cause us to throw up our hands and say “forget it”. Let’s start prioritizing our minutiae RIGHT NOW!

What are you going to do today that will take the first bite out of YOUR elephant? Personally I’ve got a few ideas that need to turn into deeds before I hit the hay tonightJ and they do not include playing more candy crush or watching another episode of something/anything on netflix,… 

more later, I’ll keep you posted!

Feel free to share your minutiaeJ it helps.

Luke 12:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

...like a child.

This time of year has a tendency to be about children. No huge surprise or mind-blowing, life-changing statement as we watch a continuous stream of advertisements featuring giddy boys and girls receiving promised joy and Christmas bliss wrapped up in something colorful, noisy or satisfyingly fun. But when I cut through the commercial aspect and look at our reason for gift-giving, and the fact that a little baby is why we even celebrate Christmas, I begin to look at the little ones to be an example for my attitude and actions amongst all the flurryness and festivities .

While all the hullabaloo is going on, there are ample opportunities to enjoy quiet moments and observations of the children in our lives. These children have an innate trust of those who care for them, they expect to be taken care of, until proven otherwise. A small example of this is our granddaughter, Eiley (roll your eyes all you want, but oh yes, this is going somewhere...). Eiley is 17 months old and we have been blessed enough to establish some little traditions since we have been able to see her on a regular basis. One of these habits is to sit on her "GaPaw's" lap and watch a show on YouTube called "GiggleBellies". She cuddles up on him, puts her finger in her mouth and listens with rapt attention. There is one line in a lullaby called "Fly Away with Me" that says, "gives the sun a kiss" and Grandpa kisses her head each time this line is sung. Now I think this is sweet of course, but I didn't realize until I was babysitting Eiley last night and trying to occupy a little girl who hadn't had a nap, how she simply knows that kiss will be there. Eiley was sitting straight up on my lap, big as you please, trying very hard not to relax so she wouldn't fall asleep, and I put on "Gigglebellies". Finger in mouth, she listened as I played the lullaby for her and when it was time for, "gives the sun a kiss", Eiley leaned over to me, (no eye contact whatsoever) expecting that I would kiss her. I played the song a couple more times with her in the same position and sure enough she was absolutely certain of that kiss. Implicit certainty and trust that she is loved unconditionally seems to emanate from this small action from a little girl and her grandparents.

So my question this season to any and all that might want to be a bit introspective? How are you like a child when trusting in God's complete and unconditional love? Do you lean in to Him and know with complete certainty that He is there even when you're tired, overwhelmed, too stubborn to ask for help, or too happy to stop and thank the one that cares for you more than you can possibly comprehend?

May you see Christmas through a child's eyes this year. May you see Jesus Christ as the most beautiful gift you will ever receive and freely share that gift with others. May you know in your heart the certain and confident love of a Heavenly Father that allows you to lean into him and know that He was, is and always will be there...    just for you.


Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12 NIV)

Compass.

When I think about my relationship with Jesus Christ, I'm often reminded of a compass...I don't know a whole lot about the inner workings of this fantastic little gadget, but I DO know that there is a needle in the center that points to NORTH, no matter where you are in the world. There's something about magnets and some other great information, but I love the analogy of the magnets enabling the needle to point North consistently. I'm sure you see where I'm going with this, but i will explain a bit further, bear with me;

Jesus Christ is our true North. all of the distractions in our lives, the detours, everything that takes our eyes off the direction that He has clearly stated in His Word we should go, all come back to the fact that He literally points the way to eternal life. The magnets that assist in pointing us in that direction are His Word, talking to Him consistently, and listening to the Holy Spirit. If we attempt to do all these things we can't really wander too far off course. BUT, however, (insert conjunction of your choice here...) if we do deviate from the course that He has instilled within us? we will be uncomfortable, combative, rationalizers that desperately want to create our own course, but can't understand why that course is SO difficult to sustain and why we continue to be restless, argumentative and defensive. There is an answer.

John 1:1-14 states, "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." as you continue to read, it talks about how God created everything and that we are called to bear witness of the Light. Jesus is the Light.

What I really want to give to anyone that will hear me, and read this with their heart with Christ as the compass that His ultimate sacrifice points to? is that if you believe in the Word of God? everything else pales in comparison. His Word gives us specific instructions, and if you are reading this right now and find yourself thinking of certain moral arguments that continue on and on? this is not about that, this is about reading God's Word and following it, if you do not believe in His Word then we cannot argue or disagree because we have a different compass...

I am so grateful that I don't have to even begin to say that may words and actions are perfect, and I can readily say that I am a hypocrite, but I don't know anyone that isn't. But I DO know that my compass points directly to Jesus Christ and I am drawn to Him and what His Word asks me to be, that His forgiveness, mercy and grace are the magnets that sustain me on this course and I firmly believe that I need to share this, and take a stand for the One that gave Himself completely for me, you, and anyone else in between, Jesus Christ, my true North.

"small" adjustments

i decided to wait to comment on "life with the fazakerley's" and what a snapshot of temporarily living with a grown youngest daughter, emily, her thoughtful husband, jeffrey, and a little sparkplug of a granddaughter, eiley grace, OH and how could i forget their adorable (and extremely cuddly) puppy, buster... this little family smooshed themselves into our household in the middle of june, so it's safe to say that timmy and i have a clear, day by day, reality of what it's like to be parents/grandparents in a very close-up and personal way... it's lovely... i don't know what the fazakerley's may think? but we are greatly enjoying being involved in their very busy lives...maybe it's our time of life? and the fact that we have summers "free"? (thank you garden grove school district...) but i really don't think there could be anything more satisfying than seeing your children with their own children and thoroughly approving of the amazing job they're doing in raising their daughter... no, life for them is probably not so easy when you think about moving across the country, moving in with your parents and wondering what the boundaries may actually be when put into action (of course those grandparents have the best intentions ever...) but graciousness does abound, and no lack of daily prayer laying at God's feet for guidance in every aspect of combining two households... God is good, and we are very thankful for this time... now, if i could just control the misty moments that come up when i think that aunt jenna and uncle andrew would SO appreciate being here as well (this would only be if we had a home with at least 6 bedrooms and as many baths... OH and a gigantic kitchen, OH and perhaps a grandma/feefaw who actually made use of that kitchen...dare to dream)...but you know? if all of this was neat and tidy and we had everyone we loved within arms reach? it would probably be heaven... soooo apparently there's always more to look forward to... meanwhile, this is just one of the small adjustments we have to make... looking at THIS little face everyday (and it's so much better if you have the eiley soundtrack)

life preserver

last night i was home by myself with the extreme luxury of having a remote control all to myself... what do i do? i channel surf, trying to find something that pique's my interest... i land on a current episode of survivor 2012, episode 10...this show has great memories for me from the first few seasons, watching with the family as we nitpicked the odd behavior of individuals vying for a million dollar prize in lieu of honesty and plain old common courtesy and values... our moral superiority was immense:)... so, with a bit of nostalgia i settled down to watch an auction of items... the rules were: each current survivor (this is episode 10 so i assume they've been there for quite a while, this season began mid february...) is given $500.00 cash in increments of $20.00...they are allowed to bid on items, mostly luxury (leaving a wide berth for interpretation, since they look pretty grungy and malnourished...) AND they are not allowed to share these items with the other members...the be-dimpled host, jeff probst unveils the first item up for auction, cupcakes and a lovely iced coffee, this goes for some exorbitant amount of money... next is, chips, guacamole and a margarita... THEN a lovely outdoor shower with soap, warm water, a toothbrush and toothpaste...the bidding war was pretty extreme for THIS one... no individual had any idea what would come up next in the auction PLUS the auction could also end at any time...yes, you could take your $500 home with you, as "tarzan" one of the members told jeff, "this money will pay for my muffler when i get back home, if i don't win at least i'll have this much" (not a direct quote, but you get the picture...more items are auctioned and then, BAM, up for auction? a letter from home... one young lady, alicia, without hesitation, says while holding back tears, "500 DOLLARS"... no one can beat that... she gladly pays the money to jeff, and obtains her letter, she goes and sits with the group and reads it aloud to everyone... a letter from her dad, who tells her how proud he is of her, how he knows she can do this, and that he loves her and misses her... through more tears, alicia chokes out the words, "my dad has never written me a letter"... not.a.dry.eye.

you may be wondering why i've taken the time to describe some silly, competitive reality game show scenario, and why you have even gotten to this point in this post to understand what my point actually is (and there really is one...)... these people are attempting to survive, on an island, under some pretty intense circumstances...welllll, isn't life like that? can't life be pretty intense, competitive, overwhelming, disappointing, aren't we all surviving in this game called life? but there are life preserver's, there are dear friends, loved ones, common sense, moral codes... but these are earthly life preserver's... what about our eternal life preserver? what about that $500, no holds barred letter that we can read from our Heavenly Father that gives hope and encouragement to make it through this life so that we will eventually be with Him...

martin luther once wrote,
This is my Psalm, my chosen Psalm. I love them all; I love all holy Scripture, which is my consolation and my life. But this Psalm is nearest my heart, and I have a peculiar right to call it mine. It has saved me from many a pressing danger, from which neither emperor, nor kings, nor sages, nor saints, could have saved me. It is my friend; dearer to me than all the honours and power of the earth.

i love that he personified this scripture, how it saved him, he was referring to psalm 118:8 & 9 (which happens to be the exact middle of the bible...) says...
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.

the interesting thing about all this, is how God leaves it up to us to read that letter, to read His word, to be saved by scripture and all of His direction that is available right at our fingertips... there's a reason why He is called our Savior! He does save us, He is literally our life preserver! we just need to grab hold, trust Him and He'll pull us in...

glow on...

i found the coolest little craft on pinterest several weeks ago, very simple, but who knew there would be SO many illustrations involved in this activity... aHEM, you take a glass jar, any size any shape, purchase some glow paint at your nearest craft store, take the glow paint and dot it on the inside of the glass jar, hold it up to the light then turn OFF the lights? and you have an amazing little magic firefly jar that glows just about long enough to put you to sleep... now that you understand the simplicity of this craft, you'll wonder, welllll why didn't she MAKE it? because i didn't... i had all the stuff prepared in a nice plastic bag sitting on my dining room table (because of course we don't use that to actually serve food... how ridiculous would THAT be...)..;)... i let the bag sit on the table until one night i was turning off all the lights as we were getting ready for bed and noticed that something was glowing on my table...i had completely forgotten about my previous craft attack and had simply left all the items in the bag and the glow paint had absorbed the light and was glowing through the plastic bag... i turned the lights back on and regardless of the hour decided it wouldn't take long to create a glowing masterpiece... so i got busy and created some dots inside a jar and then (just like a 5 year old) promptly ran into our bedroom and told my husband timmy to "turn off the lights, turn off the lights"!!!, i proudly displayed my handiwork and he was actually impressed by the "coolness" factor of this little glow jar... we then experimented a bit and he held the jar up close to his bedside light, we darkened the room one more time and the jar glowed even brighter! it was such a fun surprise, but even more so was how GOD surprised us with His illustration.

WE are like glow paint, on our own, without any light (God) we can't realize our potential and actually be who we were created to be, we can't glow on our own... but to carry this a bit further, when we are close to that Light, our glow, our relationship with God gets stronger and glows brighter... but just like glow paint, if we don't have regular access to the Light, we cannot glow and we simply fade out, on the plus side? you always have the potential to glow, just revisit the Light, it's always there...

1 John 1:7 says "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

God wants us to enjoy and absorb His love and His light, He has provided a very real way for us to be close to Him through his Son...the opportunity is there, hopefully we won't be like my jar of glow paint and just sit there on the unused dining room table, hopefully we'll realize that we can be turned into something amazing if we just allow Him to use us... so glow on, my friends, glow on...


OH and i needed to show you a little sample of these jars... these are the ones from pinterest 'cuz i was too lazy to take pictures of mine:) enjoy...

fight or float??

recently i've been in a bible study on thursday nights with a wonderful group of friends. we're reading through "experiencing God" by henry t blackaby...some of you may remember this book from years ago, but good ol' henry revised, updated and gave a bit of a face lift to his previous edition and had his son work with him...awesome...

the last book we went through was by lee strobel, "the case for the creator", it was a difficult road, and i missed several chapters of scientific knowledge that i probably would have scratched my head and attempted to look intelligent through my confusion, but those of you that know me, would probably understand that this particular way to learn about God, is really not my cup of tea...yet, the discipline of actually finishing the book, now sheds a fresh perspective on our new reading, i would liken the two books in my mind to running a marathon, hitting the wall, and c r a w l i n g over the finish line with lee strobel, and comparing "experiencing God" to lounging in the sun on a tropical beach somewhere and simply absorbing these concepts... YES...

so, the reference to fight or float? how do we experience God, i decided that a word picture is always a good way for me to relate to what God has for me. it seems quite often the bible uses water references; baptism, walking on water, Jesus calming the storm, good GRIEF we even have jonah in a whales belly...all water references and locales (well the whales belly might be a stretch but where else would the whale BE??)... anyway, have you ever thought about when you're in a really difficult situation and you're literally wrestling with God, or life, or some type of decision that is pulling you every which way? this would be like a rip tide, something that could pull you under, especially if you fight!... then you have treading water, you don't go anywhere, but you keep your head above water and you basically sustain your life (but it's SOOOO tiring...) this would be complacency, going through the motions and still trying to do things on your own... lastly, what about just laying back in the water and letting it buoy you up and sustain you while you simply relax and float...effortless, supported by unseen hands, hmmm...this is the spot, this is where i want to be, i want to float and depend on God...

Psalm 46:10 says, "be still and know that I am God"... these eight little words have quite a punch to them, each one significant...
BE; exist, live, thrive, state of being.
STILL: devoid or abstaining from motion
KNOW: to be aware of the truth; certain, actuality

fighting life's riptides, treading the mundane exhausting daily waters, or trust God and float...be still and know...i think i'll choose to lay back and let the cool water of God's love soothe my floating soul...