3 words for the excited and scared
First.
Few.
Find.
Let me explain.
I’m excited and scared. We’re sending our firstborn off to college this fall and these days feel like walking a shaky bridge across the big gulch. I’ll also throw in we have two 8th graders making the high school jump and a 16 year old collecting college mail and driver’s ed hours. Ben and I mindful of these shifts at home while also deepening our gifts and callings.
My friends have called their church and community home for 14 years and are surprised by God’s new call that is leading them into a brand new adventure.
Their family is changing and it’s not in her control or going the way she dreamed it would.
What is exciting and scary for you? Finishing a project or school. Waiting on a response or offer. Setting something down to pick up something else. A change at home, at work, in ministry, among friends.
I hope these three words that infuse my faith will help you in these exciting and scary days.
First seek Jesus and everything else will follow. It really is as solid and simple as beginning your day with Jesus. This time will form your day which will form your habits and lifestyle. It looked different for all of us, but I suggest a listening to God in the quiet of the morning, prayer for what’s on your mind and heart, and reading of His Word. This is what I’ve grown up calling Quiet Time. Let it be the best time spent of your day. Seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:33
How I’m working on this: Whether I’m in my routine at home or traveling, I get up to my alarm, light a candle, sip coffee and try and listen to God in the quiet. I share my heart with Him for a few minutes. I read the Scriptures. I am meditating on Luke and Acts these days.
2. Find your few. Who can you ask to pray for you? Reach out to a few people who have permission to check in on you and can speak into this particular part of your life. Few is not the same as small in the Kingdom of God. Ben deems this your wisdom table - people you invite to speak into life because of their integrity and character and trust. This is not the same as your social network. Create a short list of people who have your best interests at heart. Lean into their wisdom and kindly ask for their discernment and encouragement as you seek Jesus first. Narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:14
How I’m working on this: I’ve got friends who have launched young adults well and get that parenting teens is private and fluid and knee-bent on intercession. They challenge me on how to speak to our teens, how to coach and mentor from the sidelines, and how to let God.
Note: these friends are not always the same few who help in others areas such as my writing and church ministry. We need experience and expertise, not just a good pat on the back.
3. Look and find treasure. God invites us to partake on this adventure called life. Christians have a spiritual receptivity that differs from every other person in that when we feel the inward longing, we do something about it out of obedience and a compelling Spirit.God leads us all to different people and places and that’s a good thing. This requires we fight the urge to fit in. When our faith is made sight, we discover treasures on this great adventure called life and we can’t help but laugh! Yes, laugh. A laughter unlocked by the joy that God, so rich, so full, so present, and so detailed, loves us and leads us. We laugh! Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21
How I’m working on this: It’s absolutely messy and out of my control and has given me the gray hairs I now adore! But I’m laughing more and that’s making all the difference in me, in my family, the few who sit at my wisdom table, and whoever God allows me to love along the way.
Friend, first seek Jesus, who will give you your few and eyes of faith to find treasure all around you!
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Elijah recognized at Senior Day for Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep baseball.