Monday, January 19, 2015

From Here to There - Part One


Alice came upon the Cheshire Cat sitting on the bough of a tree.

“Would you tell me please which way I ought to go from here?”

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat

“I don’t much care where---“ said Alice

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go ,” said the Cat

“—so long as I get Somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.

“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”


I am sure, if you are anything like me, you have a picture in your head of who or what you wish you were. Unlike Alice you have a vision for where you want to get to. . Take a minute to write down how you envision the “there” in your life.

Maybe you would change something about your physical appearance or your spiritual fervor or maybe you just wish you had it all together.

Sometimes what we picture is attainable and other times what we hope for is wishful thinking. I am quite certain that I have the ability to gain more order to the chaos in my house but it is highly unlikely that I will ever be a cute, petite blond!

The destination is important but before we fully set our sights on where we want to be, we have to weigh in to make sure our goal is a realistic one. If it isn’t then we are setting ourselves up for failure and disappointment. Often we place our contentment on a future desire and then wonder why we aren’t happy.

As I think through all the areas of my life:

Physical – I would love to be thinner, healthier,  and have more energy BUT it is unrealistic for me to expect to be the size, shape or have the energy I did when I was 20

Mental – I want to be a positive thinker and embrace lifelong learning. I think if I stop learning I will stagnate.

Emotional – I want to be forgiving and gracious. I don't want to harbour bitterness. I desperately want to be more in control of my emotions.

Relational (social) – I want to keep growing in a happy contented marriage. I enjoy quality friendships that challenge, encourage and hold me accountable. I would love to have a mentor that invests in me and shares with me the wisdom they have gleaned. I enjoy mentoring younger women. I embrace that picture of having a hand forward to someone in the journey ahead of me and back in the journey behind me. Living in community. We are in this together.

Spiritual – I want to thrive in my daily devotions and know scripture. I want my counsel to be grounded in spiritual wisdom based on the Word of God.

I think there is an important fact that we all need to stop right here and accept. Repeat after me

“I am not perfect. I will never be perfect this side of heaven.”

It is important that we give ourselves permission to not be “all that”. THAT is an unrealistic expectation and the sooner we accept this truth, the better. Please don’t get me wrong. I don’t think that this is a license to live recklessly and do whatever I want because I “ain’t never gonna be perfect.” However, many of us hold onto the ideal of perfection like it is the holy grail. This isn’t what God calls us to be.

Motivational speaker Ronnie Doss says 

“You don’t have to be the best. You just need to be the best ‘you’ that God calls you to be"

I think that our “There” should look something like this 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, 
let us throw off everything that hinders 
and the sin that so easily entangles. 
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 
 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. 
For the joy set before him he endured the cross,
 scorning its shame, 
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 
 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, 
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” 
Hebrews 12: 1-3 

In light of the cross my daily battles seem minor. 

When I fix my eyes on Jesus, the rest will fall into balance. 

Keeping an eternal perspective can keep me from focusing too hard on the temporal things.

Followers

About Me

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I am the very blessed wife of my best friend. The humble mother of five precious children. Walking a life-road that is more amazing than I could ever imagine.