by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
{ DAY 2 }
I know, I know. The saying “Cleanliness is next to godliness” is not in the Bible, but whoever came up with it may have been onto something.
I don’t know about you, but having things neat and decluttered goes a long way in clearing my head, especially when trying to quiet myself before the Lord. I sit down to read my Bible, study, or simply take in the silence and all of a sudden a multitude of should be’s collaborate with a stack of books and dust scarred table tops to vie for my attention.
With this in mind, I’d like to introduce you to another 31 Day writer, Ruth Soukop, of LIVING WELL Spending Less. Her beautiful Web site is dedicated to living the good life on a budget — a life not dependent on what we have but who we are. It’s chock full of creativity, wisdom, and graphics that make me envious smile. This month, Ruth is challenging us to rid our homes of the clutter in order to clear our home, mind and schedule. I’ve signed up to receive her daily emails for 31 Days but you can also order the book via Kindle.
Staying in step with the Spirit: I know of fewer things that put a hiccup in my step than distractions. We can’t control them all, but I’m asking God to show me those distractions which I can kick to the curb (or at least improve) in order to stay more in step with His Spirit.
Father, keeping our homes decluttered seems like such a baby step but I thank You for the many ways Jesus valued the little things and how often He used them as examples.
“Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I
compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted
in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air
perched in its branches.” Luke 13:18
I’d love for you to join me on this journey in finding fresh and creative ways to stay in step with the Spirit, and if one of those ways includes a clutter free home, be sure to check out Ruth’s challenge here.
#Write31Days:
{ Day 1 } Staying in Step with the Spirit Via Our Senses
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Earlier this week I shared why I chose to take up the challenge of writing under one theme for 31 Days, beginning October 1st.
Myquillyn Smith, The Nester, encouraged those bewildered by what subject to blog about to choose something that represents where they are in life right now. So it’s no surprise I decided on Join In The Dance…Staying In Step With The Spirit for the theme of my 31 Day challenge.
See, I remember taking a dance class at a local studio to prepare for my mother/son dance at Zach and Sarah’s wedding back in 2009. We all went to the studio and had a great time but on their special night, when everyone gathered around the dance floor with all eyes on us, I froze. Everything I learned that night at the studio melted along with my confidence. And then Zach said the magic words, “Just follow me.”
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said…” Mark 1:17a
In the original text, “Come, follow me,” is in the present tense, meaning it’s a continuous action. Jesus is continually calling me to follow—to stay in step with Him. So why do my dance steps of recent months look more like Elaine’s than a loving, attentive dance partner?
When I look back over this summer, I see a lot of events. Graduations, weddings, a writer’s conference, and the funeral of a 21 year-old family member that broke all of our hearts — all crammed into a few months. In some ways, it feels like I never fully exhaled from the end of May through August. In the wake of the chaos I allowed days to rumble by without some serious time with my heavenly Father. Pages left unturned and truths not grasped all because my priorities were way out of whack. No wonder my steps were too.
While I wish I could have a re-do on my summer priorities, I can’t. I can, however, learn from the experience and become a stronger Christ follower as a result. I cling to the truth that His mercy for me is fresh every single morning (Lam. 3:22,23) and in turn, move closer towards Him with the desire of following His lead. I want to leave the independent herky-jerky moves to Elaine and instead, stay in step with One who forgives the clumsy footwork and occasional wrong turn from His partner.
How about you? Has there been a period of time when you’ve been out of step with the Spirit and His movement in your life? (If not, we’re all coming to your house for the next dance!)
I invite you to join me during the month of October as we explore simple, fresh, and hopefully meaningful ways to stay attuned to the One who calls us by name and whispers Follow Me.
We love because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19 ESV
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Here’s why I’ve decided to participate in Myquillyn Smith’s (The Nester) 31 DAYS writing challenge to blog every day during the month of October:
- I love to blog. It’s that simple. Putting my thoughts out there for all to see is a bit scary but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
- The challenge offers a unique opportunity to meet other bloggers. Who doesn’t enjoy meeting others willing to undertake similar challenges?
- Structure is my friend. Having said that, I’ve decided to blog every day in October except Sundays.
- Because it’s where I am right now. The theme for my October blogging is “Join In The Dance…Staying in Step with the Spirit.”
Later this week I’ll be sharing the “why” behind the topic. In the meantime, if you enjoy blogging, it’s not too late to join in the fun!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| A Blue and White Tea for Two |
by Cathy Baker
During the frenzied search for my diamond a couple weeks ago, Piper spotted a stack of blue and white china tea cups set aside for posting on Craig’s List. Picking up a tea cup ever so carefully, Piper let out a giggle and asked if we could have a tea party.
Now, I’ve dreamed of tea parties with granddaughters for years but I didn’t
expect my first opportunity to occur while frantically searching for
such a sentimental stone. It was, however, impossible to turn down such a delightful invitation so I set aside the search and began washing tea cups.
We put the kettle on, listened for the perky whistle, and buttered a little bread, excited about our impromptu tea party.
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| Notice whose cup is empty first! |
I stood in the kitchen waiting for the perfect shade of English to appear in our cups while Piper set the tea tray. Within moments, I caught sight of the diamond lying upside down on the kitchen counter, only inches away from our cups.
This happens so often in life, doesn’t it?
What we need—what we really need—often emerges during a time of waiting.
- We wait for test results.
- We wait for deep needs to be met and understood by those we love most.
- We wait for loneliness to subside.
- We wait for answers to questions that may never be resolved this side of heaven.
- We wait for the tea to brew.
I’m not a fan of waiting. Divine works, however, seem to thrive where a willingness to wait exists. Not the twiddling-my-thumbs kind of wait but one that’s willing to trust in God’s strength and sovereignty, regardless of the outcome. His courage is ours for the taking!
Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Psalm 27:14 ESV
Leave it to a grinning granddaughter with a teacup pinched between her fingers to serve as a reminder that oftentimes our greatest blessings are discovered in the waiting.
What’s one thing you’ve discovered during a time of waiting?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
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| Our view from the Portofino IV deck in Garden City, SC |
by Cathy Baker
If you know me, you know my vacation actually begins when pen hits paper a few weeks prior to our departure. Yes, the list could be saved on a Google doc but there’s something about starting with fresh paper and bright ink each year that makes me…well, downright happy.
This year, however, I felt the tinge of a holy adjustment coming my way every time I glanced at the words “lap top” on my list.
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| Moonlight skimming the ocean. |
I knew with three grandbabies on the trip there would be no desire to peruse the internet, check email or write blog posts during the day but I admit I thought it might be the perfect way to close the evening before heading to bed.
And then I came across Emily Freeman’s post Why Rest Takes Courage. Her final paragraph clung to my soul, refusing its release:
The details of soul rest may look different for each of us, but
probably includes some combination of silence, solitude, nature, your
people, and the willingness to come into the presence of Christ and
simply be ourselves.
The Holy Spirit was as clear as the moon on our first night at the beach—I was to leave the lap top behind. And I did, resulting in a few discoveries along the way:
- I was ambushed by the uneasiness that crept in as our departure day drew near. What did I think I’d really miss in 7 days?
- A new-found freedom emerged as I carried out my beach days with little to no thought of the lap top. I felt no obligation to check Facebook or email. I tried to rest in the fact that if someone didn’t receive an immediate response from me, all would be well in the end.
- I lost nothing by leaving my lap top behind but I did gain a liberty I didn’t know existed, time I can never recapture and a renewed appreciation for God’s promptings.
I’m not suggesting everyone should leave their lap top behind, but I don’t ever see it reappearing on my family beach trip list again. Ever.
So, how about you? Is there one thing in particular you most appreciate about God’s promptings in your life?
Taking time off is not a punishment or a dare or a rule.
It is a gift.
-Emily P. Freeman
