Saturday 16 July 2016

The One Thing I Must Do This Summer... Fall Hopefully in Love


Summer is tricky for me. 

On the one hand, I'm free from the constraints of a schedule, free to do as I please I suppose, but on the other hand I'm free from the life-supporting role of a schedule. This freedom thing... it's a tricky thing. 

For these past few years, usually by the end of the year I'm in desperate need to be free, but with this long-sought freedom comes a new set of problems. 

I feel lost almost. 

Do you see my problem?  

I want to be able to toss that schedule through the window and embrace the lazy days of summer.  I want to regroup, refresh and refocus. But without a schedule, nothing really happens. I don't want it, yet I feel I need it. What a state I find myself in. 

Is it just me? 

And to add to all of that, the moment I lay back and do nothing... those little fears come creeping in. They start off as a whisper. 'Shouldn't you be doing something, right now?' 'You can't just lie here... there's stuff to be done.' 'You have a school room to clean out and reorganize... a year's worth of lessons to plan.' 'Not to mention all those projects you planned to do during summer.' Pretty soon those whispers crescendo into screams, insisting that I get up and do, and quit just being. 

So, I do what all aspiring life-planners do, I grab my journal and I start planning how to do it all... driven by my fear of the 'dis' state of life. 

Let me explain. 

If I don't attend to my unwritten yet ever-present to-do list, then I would most likely end up disorganized, which then plummets into discouragement. I become disappointed with my less than stellar efforts which leads to further disparaging emotions of discontent and dismay. 

This is a malignant state... the 'dis' state of life, for if left unchecked, I start to doubt... disbelieving the very promises of my Lord to supply ALL that I need. 

It's a cancer that must be stopped. 

You might be thinking, 'What is she talking about?' 'She must be mad?' 

Or you just might understand the dangerous coupling of our negative thoughts with our self-reliance and independence. That prideful part in all of us that says 'I got it all figured out', 'I know just what to do' and then plans and executes and gloats as we wait for our plans to unfold. 

But then they don't. And we end up floating in a sea of disappointment. Disappointment with people, with ourselves and even with God. 

So, typically whenever I've found myself lost, helplessly floating in a sea of disheartenment, I muster whatever little bit of courage I have left, pull myself together and promise myself that I'll try harder, plan better, do better. 

But, no more. 

This summer I've chosen a different path.

It has taken me a while... but I'm figuring out that planning and executing better next time can never guarantee my protection from the swell of disappointment that threatens to wash over me and drown my hope. I'm learning, my friends, that the only balm that soothes our disappointment is, quite simply, the uncaused, unreasonable, unconditional, always and forever love of our God.

I'm being encouraged by Deb over at Counting My Blessings to sit at the feet of Jesus, to just be still in His presence, and that, my friends, is what I'm going to do. I'm going to bask in the glow of His presence, get lost in His sea of immensity and allow Him to overwhelm me with His love. 

Yes, the one thing I must do this summer is to fall hope-fully in Love, for God is Love, and in Him we live and move and have our being



Now, if I allow my thoughts to wander I'll selfishly remember the promises... God's promises to give me so much more than I can imagine, a life rich and full, teeming with blessings and full of hope. That hope that is so desperately needed in this distressing world. 

But I stop, I don't want it to be about me; I just want to keep my eyes on God and be overcome by His love. But I can't help it, I get so excited when I think of how His love will flow out of me and bless those around me. How I would love my husband and children more, love my calling and purpose more, how love for God and his people will ooze out of my very pores. It's skin-tingling to imagine, but for now, I'm simply going to freely give myself to Him and trust Him with the rest.


What about you?
Are you free but not quite free? 
Enslaved by your own fears and expectations? 
Or have you fallen victim to the disease of disappointment and dismay? 
Why don't you join me? 
Break the cycle. 
Stop the endless sea of doing and 
embrace your God-given freedom to be who He has designed you to be. 
There is no time like now to bask in the glow of His love. 
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Just had to add this beautiful song!
Hope you enjoy it as you bask in the glow of His love!

23 comments:

  1. Where the Spirit lives, there is liberty. Basking in this keeps me sane and I am, therefore, forever free!!! And I love it.

    So remember that and be free!

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    1. 'Forever free!!' Sounds so amazing, incredible when you think of it, the tricky part is in remembering that, moment by moment. Thanks KJG!

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  2. Wow, what a great post! I can totally relate. The "What About You" portion is really good for personal soul-searching. I am one of those life planners so I really get it. Thank you! Blessings of peace and refreshment to your soul!!

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    1. Thanks, Cheryl, for your sweet encouragement. I'm so thankful that you visited and liked the post. Your kind words are such a blessing to me.

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  3. Oh, to bask in the light and presence of God. Remember when you are being still you are doing something. God has called us to BE still in His presence and that is doing a lot! This was quite a refreshing post. I wanted to be at that beach and Be still. Oh, I so miss the beach! Have a wonderful rest of your summer.

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    1. Thanks, Jaime! May you find many beautifully refreshing places and opportunities to be still this summer, even if it can't be the beach. :)And may your soul be continually refreshed in the Lord. Thanks for the encouragement, my friend!

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  4. What a beautiful post. I almost feel like you wrote this just for me (maybe to me?). You see, I've already moved on to the planning part of summer without enjoying the being part. Oh dear! I think you caught me just at the brink. :-)
    Thanks for this reminder to slow down and bask in His glow!

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    1. Well, Marv, I think you know just how much I need this, so maybe you do as well. :) Just want to be overwhelmed by and motivated by His love! It's not too late, to soak up the rays of His refreshment as you bask in His presence.

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  5. Carlie - I'm so blessed by your idea of 'basking' in God's presence - like a sun kissed summer day - letting go of our plans, instead finding His presence. Beautiful thoughts! Glad we connected on the blogosphere today!

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    1. Thanks, Sandra! I'm encouraged by your mid-year reflection as well. May you feel the warmth of His presence as you 'chew the fat'. (smile) So glad to have linked up today. God knows just what He's doing.

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  6. Oh, Carlie, thank you so much for the shout out! This has been an interesting month. Taking time to just be still. It's hardest to quiet my thoughts, but that is my goal and my prayer. I'm with you . . . I just want to be overcome by His love! Blessings to you, my friend!

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    1. Oh, Deb, you have been such a blessing to me! The Lord speaks to me in so many ways, but this never-ending call to be still, although difficult, is so life-sustaining; I continually pray that God will empower me to obey. Praying that you will be continually filled with joy as you bask in His presence.

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  7. I know the feeling you're talking about Carlie--of being free, but not quite free. There's almost a sense of guilt when I try to throw a routine/schedule out the window over the summer...like I'm wasting time by being so...dormant (if that even makes sense).

    I think it's a learning curve for everyone. It's taken me a while, but I'm learning that summer is all about balance--there's a time to relax and enjoy, but there's also a time to be productive and be inspired. I think both sides can be achieved with a bit of patience and some trial and error.

    Thanks so much for such an enlightening piece. So happy you were able to share this with us on #shinebloghop this week!

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    1. Oh, it makes perfect sense, Maria. I feel like you've just sat down on the couch next to me, and we've had a good chat. You know exactly what I'm talking about. And yes, you're right it's 'all about balance', and I've learnt that that balance is more easily achieved once I've taken the time to be still in His presence. I am so much more inspired and productive then, but I need that time. I can't rush it, and sometimes I need a longer session. :) I'm so glad you liked the post; it's always a pleasure to link and visit #shinebloghop.

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  8. So much of my favorites here, Carlie! Let's start out with YOU! Then we've got Deb and Big Daddy Weave and Overwhelmed? Wow! Overwhelmed by all my favorites in one post all together! This just tells me I'd love to sit across from a table and meet you in real life like I got to meet Marva!!! Maybe someday!! ♥
    Thank you so much for sharing this sweet hope when we are living in the land of the "dis's"! I'm so thankful for you and for what you share at #MomentsofHope!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

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    1. Oh, Lori! You made me smile, big! You're too sweet! Thanks for the love, my friend! One day would be nice, indeed! It's always so refreshing to visit #MomentsofHope and meeting you in person would be special.

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  10. Carlie this is an amazing post! So inline with what God has been speaking to me - Relax in my Love!! Thanks for being brave and vulnerable. Hope you are truly enjoying your summer:)

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    1. Thank you, Anastasya, it is so nice to have you visit, and leave such a thoughtful comment. Yes, the hardest thing about blogging for me is being vulnerable, but I'm following the Lord's leading and perhaps in some small way that makes me 'brave'. Thank you for those kind words; they meant a lot to me. It's still a challenge for me to just 'relax in His love', but I'm trusting Him to help me every step of the way. Hoping you're having a wonderful summer as well as you bask in the glow of His love. Blessings to you!

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  11. How very good to meet you, Carlie. Love your take on summertime's sweet gifts, the time to pull away, to rest, to recalibrate, to grow in our relationship with God.

    A lovely invitation here ...

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    1. Thanks for visiting Linda and for your kind words. Praying that you'll have one of those summers too.

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  12. Love this! I'm thinking we must be sisters somehow, because I have those same challenges. I'm also prone to having "dis" disease.

    What a beautiful thought, to give myself permission to use my time falling in love with the Lord this summer. Wow!

    Thanks for sharing at The Loft!

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    1. Thank you, my sister, for understanding how I feel. (Smile) Yes, let's do it! Let's release the guilt and the schedules, and let's relax in God's love. It is time we will never regret, I'm sure. Thanks for your sweet encouragement!

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