Is there anything more refreshing than a an ice cold slushy or a splash in the pool on a sweltering summer day?
R–E–F-R-E–S–H–M–E–N–T
Turns out, there is.
If you’ve attended the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference there’s one particular room where dreams have the potential to either take flight, or deflate as quickly as Tom Brady’s fleet of footballs. On one side of the table sit the agents, editors, publishers, etc. On the other, attendees waiting to pitch ideas or ask questions within their fifteen minute appointment. If an attendee arrives for their appointment and finds the person ahead of them still pitching past their allotted time, we’re told to quietly go stand behind the other conferee, signaling their time is up.
This year, while sharing my appointment time with Ginger Harrington, friend and fellow blogger, she noticed that her time immediately followed mine.
I smiled and told her to feel free to sneak up on me if my time ran over. Without hesitation she said, “I won’t be sneaking up on you, I’ll be standing there praying for you.”
This is one of many reasons I love the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference:
Prayer supersedes plans more often than not.
Our exchange that morning left me feeling refreshed—physically, emotionally, and especially spiritually. New perspectives have a way of doing that, don’t they?
So, how has God brought refreshment to your soul via another person lately?
(Congratulations to Ginger! She won 1st place in Blogging this year. Visit her site and you’ll see why.)
When three people tell you within a two month period that you’re being too hard on yourself, God may be up to something.
Perfectionism has been my enemy for as long as I can remember. You wouldn’t recognize this tendency if you visited my home or caught sight of my unruly brows but it’s there nonetheless. It established patterns of procrastination behind my back, paralyzing me to move forward in certain areas of my life.
Can you relate?
Perhaps it’s because I’m still a WIP (work in progress) that I gravitate towards godly women with a wise perspective, like Ginger Harrington. I had the opportunity to meet Ginger at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference in May and now she’s also a fellow #write31days participant. When I read her post Soul Search: Why Are You So Hard On Yourself? from Monday, I had to share it here, with you. Prepare to be blessed!
Ginger Harrington’s 31 Day series
Ginger’s theme for October is Soul Strength and you’ll not want to miss a post via Ginger’s Corner.
Staying in Step With The Spirit: When we choose to see ourselves as God sees us, we are strengthened by truth — and truth never fails to draw us closer to God.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the “wide fields of grace” You provide for us to run free and forgiven in Your presence. Help us to stand firm in the truth that when You see us, You see Jesus—the only Perfect one.
For it is God’s loving soul search that sets us free to run forgiven in wide fields of grace. -Ginger Harrington
In celebration of all you summer-lovers out there here are three diverse ways to soak up the season for all it’s worth. Enjoy!
What I appreciate most about Ginger
Harrington’s recent post, 21 Ways to Refresh Your Spiritual Routine,
is how each suggestion is simple, making them both doable and
refreshing, especially during busy this season. Here are three of those
ways:
Declutter your mind and schedule
Make a new playlist of worship songs—and really worship when you listen
Who wants to spend the day cleaning when summer fun awaits? Better yet, who wants to spend the day cleaning? It’s one of those things that must be done, but doing so in a timely manner can add hours to our day. That’s why I’m all about checklists. Thank you, Tips Bulletin!
Super Fast Sorbet in a Ziploc Bag!
I plan to try this idea, especially since Honey Mangoes are in season (and Piper loves them!) If you beat me to it, let me know what you think. Thanks, Fresh 180°.
So, what might spiritual routines, cleaning house, and super fast sorbet have in common? At first glance, not much at all, but each has the potential to offer their own type of refreshment and who couldn’t use some of that this season?
“Love is the greatest refreshment in life.” -Pablo Piccaso
Cathy Baker
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