by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Notice the title doesn’t say How to Balance Summer Months with Your Calling.
That’s because I’m still learning. But I hope by sharing my struggle we can face the fact that it’s not easy and that’s okay.
So how do we leverage the blazing days of summer for God’s glory?
I remember being a mom of young boys during the summer months while also teaching a Women’s Sunday School class.
I was intentional in spending time with the boys when they were out of school for the summer. Mostly because I just loved the pudding out of them (Southern saying) but also because I wanted them to have good memories of their childhood. Maybe it’s because I was an only child who was rarely around small children and never really babysat that I felt I had to be more intentional in making this happen. So at the beginning of summer, I made a plan.
One year, the boys and I wrote out a variety of chores and put them in a jar. They would draw one or two each day and if they completed them, they earned points to redeem for staying up later at night, a meal of their choice, or other fun things.
We went to the library, visited my grandparents in the next town over, adventured on unknown backroads, swam in a variety of public pools, and rarely missed an opportunity to stop by the local TCBY on the way home. Being the best mom that I knew to be for my boys was my second calling (with the first being a godly wife — or at least trying to be.)
But I was also called to teach.
When I became a Christ-follower at the age of 27, I couldn’t tell you where to find the book of John in the Bible. So even though I was growing in the Word by taking Precept, it still took me longer than most to prepare my lessons. I also liked to add a creative element here and there, which also took a lot of thought and prep time. Most of the year, I spent hours every day preparing for my class. I loved it! So when the boys were home for the summer, I had to figure out how to balance these two callings, while keeping the boys as my top priority. People always say that children grow up before we know it, and they’re right. Now the boys have families of their own and I couldn’t be prouder of them. {Glory to God!}
And yet, the struggle was real.
So I made a plan and adjusted a few things to help keep my priorities in order:
- I designated mornings and early afternoons to activities with the boys.
- Mid-afternoons were “free” time where they could play with Ninja Turtles or shoot hoops.
- During their free time, I studied.
- I incorporated videos by Kay Arthur and Wayne Barber of Precept Ministries into the Sunday School time to lighten my load.
Did it always go as planned? Nope. But I had three goals for my summer: Have meals ready for Brian when he got home, spend quality time with the boys, and to do my best in preparing the lessons, trusting the Lord to fill in the necessary gaps.
Nailing Down My Goals Helped to Keep My Priorities in Order
Today, I am blessed with grandchildren, two in town and two in Ohio {Pass me a tissue!} One of the reasons we chose our home almost two years ago was for the pool. We knew the grands would enjoy it, and they do. Few things in life bring more pleasure than grandchildren. Pure joy!
Not my grandchildren but aren’t they cute?
The Calling Has Morphed into Writing But the Struggle Remains
Yes, it’s different. I’m not directly responsible for raising the sweet munchkins and they don’t live with me but I still had to find a way to balance swim time with the calling to write. Sometimes I struggle to keep the energy level up in the afternoons so I need to work during the times when I have the most clarity.
So I Made Another Plan
- Reserve the mornings and all day Friday for writing.
- Keep the afternoons free for the kiddos to swim whenever they want to ride up.
- On the day I keep them each week, bring the swimsuits!
Obviously, this is a fluid schedule, open for changes at any time but having a little structure in place helps to keep my priorities in order. I want to be the grandmother God and I desire me to be, as well as the writer⏤in that order. {And yes, having Brian’s meals ready when he gets home from his now one-hour drive is still a priority. *wink*}
It’s not a perfect plan, never has been. But most mornings before I begin my day, I open my hands to the heavens, palms up.
This simple act reminds me that this day is not mine. It is God’s to do with what He wills. And His plans never fail.
I would love to learn from you. How do you juggle your priorities during the summer months?
© Can Stock Photo / goldenKB
by Cathy Baker | Tiny House |
I stink at waiting.
But I knew waiting was part of the deal when we set out to build our pocket-sized paradise on the hill. We are weekend warriors, after all. But it was the month of May that put me to the test.
So, why the wait?
First, God opened the floodgates last month. Then, my week-long writer’s conference quickly followed, and finally we needed to wait on the tax refund check to help with the window purchases.
Ah, the windows. We finally decided to go with two panes over one, a shorter width and a longer length to give it the desired vintage vibe. (I’ll share pictures on Instagram when they arrive.)
While all the windows are energy-efficient due to the books and papers to be stored in my creative space, there are two favorite components which will be vintage: the front window and door. See what you think!
First, the window (minus the wreath), which will sit to the left of the front door. We’re trying to decide if we want to paint it white to match the others. But I love the patina on this window so I’m leaning toward keeping my one black window. Thoughts, anyone?
And then, there’s the front door. I love the larger-than-normal four panes in this old find. Once again, the patina tugs at this old soul but I’m not sure I want a multi-colored front porch. (The Underground Salvage Store in Brevard, NC for the win!)
Here’s the thing.
We would’ve preferred to continue working on the tiny house but instead, we had to wait. And yet, it was the wait that freed us to discover our vintage treasures.
As I type, I await a phone call. Thankfully, it’s not a medical issue⏤and yet, it is an issue, to say the least. I can’t see how something good could come out of this situation if it goes south, but God is meticulously grand at this sort of thing. So, I bow the knee…and trust.
I suppose you could say I continue to find treasures in the wait.
But these treasures aren’t constructed of wood or glass. Instead, they are truths, gathered from hard lessons that are undergirded in hope.
“…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2,3
What treasure(s) have you discovered during a waiting period in your life?
by Cathy Baker | Writing |
I’m all about collecting.
Over the years, I’ve collected bright vintage Pyrex bowls, fountain pens, anything our grandkids created, books, and even galvanized houses. Since our most recent move, however, my desire to collect has decreased (except for the grandkids creations, of course.) Moving has a way of doing that to a person.
But when I attend conferences, I enjoy collecting business cards.
Not for collecting sake, though. I request cards to remember the people God brought across my path. This year, I prayed for “holy introductions”, as Torry Martin calls them. You know, those unexpected run-ins and sit-bys. Like, Cheryl Crofoot Knapp, who I sat by at dinner, patiently waiting for the faculty member to arrive. And then there was Catherine Finger, whom I sat across at the Clouds Cafe. I thought I was there to catch up on emails but God had something different in mind. He always does, thankfully.
So, what do we do with the business cards we collect?
5 Ways to Connect {and Bless} Those On the Business Cards We Collect
{1}
This is not my idea. Someone at our conference (whose name was not shared) suggested it. But it was too good not to mention: Put them in a bowl when you return home, choose one each day, and pray for that person and their ministry.
{2}
Another way to pray for new connections is something I do each year and I shared it in my post, How to Bless Those You Met at the Writer’s Conference.
{3}
Send requests to be Facebook friends to begin cultivating relationships.
{4}
Lay out the cards and take a picture. This way, you can preserve the information (and the face!) while keeping your office space decluttered.
{5}
Promote their work. I know, I know. It’s impossible to keep up with everyone. But I encourage you to let the Lord lead you in who you could promote from your fresh stack of cards. You didn’t meet the ministries represented on the business cards by coincidence. Being Facebook friends is the first step but if you resonate with their work, follow them on Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest too. When they have a victory, share it with others through your social media outlets.
One way I’m doing this today is by sharing the names of those I collected cards from this year at The Blue Ridge Mountains Writer’s Conference, along with a link to their site. Some I’ve known for a while. But who could blame a girl for wanting a new card? *smile*
- Holland C. Kirbo, Christian Fiction & YA Fantasy
- Katherine Pasour, Advocate for Wellness
- Judy Royal Glenn, Photographer, and Writer
- Sandra Lovelace, Writer, Speaker, and Mentor
- Molly Jo Realy, Writer, Editor, Social Media, Publicist
- Jordan Alexandra Wells – Facebook @JordanAlexandraWells
- Carol McClain, Writing Redemption
- Carlton W. Hughes, Speaker, Freelance Writer (I enjoyed meeting his sweet wife, Kathy, this year.)
- Becky Cortino, Author, Speaker, Security Researcher
- Robin Gilbert Luftig, Speaker, and Author
- Diane L. Ward, Writer
- Mary Albers Felkins, Author
- PJ Gover, Writer
- Joy E. Miller, Writer (Both she and her mom, Jane, are truly a joy!)
- Kris Meade, President/CEO of Meade Agency
- Tammy Van Gils, Inspiring Fresh Insight & Everblooming Hope
- Mary Wells Coutu, Blessing Your Life Through Story
- Angela Arndt, Finding Joy on the Back Roads
- Emily Wickham, Author/Speaker
- Hope Dougherty, Inspirational Love Stories
- Kim Miller, Writer
- Norma R. Poore, Writer/Speaker
- Beverly Varnado, Author/Speaker
- Paula Sorrells-Beene, Author/Speaker/Proofreader
I wish I’d approached more peeps for a card exchange but it’s hard to keep up with all of these creative people!
One bonus idea: Obviously, we can’t sign up for everyone’s blogs but the truth of the matter is, that’s one of the best ways to support another. Many of us see our writing as a ministry and we welcome the opportunity to love you back!
So, do you have another idea for business cards or would you like to share the name & Web address (no phone numbers or addresses, please) of someone you met at Blue Ridge this year?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
I’ve been spending time in John 21 lately, and not because I’m a breakfast lover.
If you read this post you know I have a lot to learn about being a servant.
My heart bends toward awe as I study the ways Jesus quietly served Peter and the other disciples on the beach that morning. Yes, food was involved but Jesus, spoken from a heart of love, also asked a question that required them to face the reality of their situation. It was actually an irritating question that all fishermen dread on slow, unproductive outings: How many fish did you catch? (my translation)
While I won’t be frying up fish for anyone (sorry!) a few other ways to quietly serve like Jesus comes to mind.
Crush the Desire to Compete
Don’t get me wrong, competition on the field is a must (just ask our Clemson Tigers!) but as believers, that spirit doesn’t belong in our writing circles, church ministries, or our calling. Why? Because we’re not competing against each other. We’re on the same team, desiring the same outcome for God’s glorification, not ours. When we refuse to compete, we release (and receive) blessings that a fleshly “win” could never provide. The enemy seeks division cleverly disguised as friendly competition. Let’s not fall for it.
Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:3,4
Do the Unexpected
The disciples didn’t expect someone to ask about their fishing, or to receive instructions on where to throw their net, or better yet, to find Jesus preparing breakfast for them on the shore. Jesus often did the unexpected during His time here on earth. Unexpected for the recipients, that is. (John 5:19) When we stay in tune with God, the Holy Spirit shows us opportunities to bless others in unexpected ways. Maybe it’s a phone call, a handwritten note, flowers at a doorstep, a simple hug, or a gift card to Panera Bread for a yummy breakfast (ahem, this month’s giveaway to my subscribers!)
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10
Practice Breath Prayers
Back in 2013, I wrote a brief post on the subject of breath prayers. Kelly Minter refers to those quick, quiet prayers breathed up to God as the pre-work of prayer. At the time, I was teaching on the subject of Nehemiah. The breath prayer we read in Nehemiah 2 is simply the natural overflow from a four-month reservoir of prayer seen in Nehemiah 1.
We pray behind-the-scenes to pave a foundation for opportunities to pray for others at a moment’s notice. Perhaps it’s coming alongside someone after church or on a lunch break and praying aloud with them. But on those days we can’t do this, we can pray a prayer so quick and so quiet that the recipient will never know the power that just shot in a heavenwardly direction on her behalf.
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.” Psalm 150:6
The more I think it over the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people. – Vincent van Gogh
Is there some way you quietly serve others?
by Cathy Baker | Tiny House |
And holds, and holds…us up.
At first glance, this auger (anchor) appears to be an innocent bystander with its curved staff-like silhouette⏤but don’t let it fool you.
Anchoring the Lil Red Writing House into the ruddy clay ground has proven to be the most aggravating and time-consuming part of this process by far. Because the winds whistle to their own tune on the mountainside all year long, we decided to use six augers on our 9′ x 16′ tiny house. I mean, installing six of these bad boys couldn’t be that difficult, right?
Wrong. I’m convinced I burned enough calories for a honeybun just watching Brian churn the blades into the ground. His entire body weight rested on top of the handle while he went round and round. Today, only one stands above ground. Apparently, that auger made friends with a rock at some point on its journey four feet down and now refuses to budge. But the rest of the augers are where they belong…up to their necks in dirt clay.
But once they’re all in, we’ll use steel wire and turnbuckles (I love that word!) to secure it to the Lil Red Writing House. Knowing she’s anchored brings us comfort on those days the winds rip with such velocity that our metal gliders slide across the deck with ease.
Augers aren’t installed once a house is built or when the winds begin to rally their forces. We install them in preparation for the winds that sure to come.
Thank you for joining me on this journey! If you’re not following me on Instagram, I’d love to meet you there @cathysbaker. If you enjoy all things tiny house, stop by my Pinterest board Future Tiny House Ideas. It receives 701K monthly views so surely there’s something there for you to enjoy! 🙂 If you’re on Instagram or Pinterest let me know in the comments.
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So, which promise of God are you leaning into these days?
