Glorify God while embracing your experience, purpose, and wrinkles!
Like you, I wake up each morning hoping to make God smile. That’s my goal, but I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be. The best way to describe this blessed and sometimes frustrating circumstance is – life.
God has a purpose for you today just as He has for me. My failures are usually connected to complexity, confusion, or lack of awareness.
“Why did I SAY that?!” or “Why did I DO that?!”
Then there’s the flip side, wondering why I didn’t do or say something I realized later I should. Another day, another dose of grace, glory, and humility.
Check out Lynn’s horse credentials here
God really is good – all the time
Most current voices and authorities lead you away from the simple love of Christ and the leisure of walking beside Him. God is good – all the time. He isn’t intolerant, mean, or wishy-washy. He is God!
Your heavy load isn’t from God…
And He does not pile on. He lightens burdens. Speaks into our need. Holds us, shakes us, teaches us, and sends us.
Simplicity is the stuff of faith in Jesus Christ. Simple light-hearted faith. Like horses, God isn’t as concerned with what you do as why you do it. God cares about who you are in relationship to Him – not the details of your service.
God is good and anyone who says He isn’t needs to be wished “Good day” before you shake their dust off your heels, boots, or flip flops and move on.
Why we need one another
To counter the voices of darkness competing for our thoughts, emotions, and commitment, we need Christ-centered folks to help us see in moments of spiritual blindness or to fill us up when our tank is bone dry. You and I need companions on the journey.
Most of my housemates are half-ton hairy equine children who need attention, instruction, exercise, reassurance, challenge, and leadership. Did I mention how much they seek attention? Think toddlers on steroids. BIG toddlers.
Like you, I begin my day with the Lord. Getting connected. Refilling my tank for the day ahead. Telling Him my wins, losses, and revelations. Thanking Him for overflowing blessings. Listening for guidance, support, or instruction. Depending on the day, sometimes I just fall into His arms and revel in His quiet presence.
Some days are like that. You know what I mean. You’re disappointed or hurt by what someone else did or said to you. You’re disappointed or angry by what you did or said to someone else – maybe even someone you love. Embarrassed. Ashamed.
It happens.
Capable committed christian women
Even capable, committed, Christian women of a “certain age” like us get off track, unsure of what decision to make or unable to identify what’s out of balance.
Whether it’s family, health, or disconnect from what the world lifts up as fabulous – sometimes we need a reality check. God provides the Word and faithful friends to provide reality checks. Encourage them. Embrace them. Return the favor.
Joy happens when every part of life is connected and rests on the same unshakable foundation – Jesus Christ. Every disconnect or division is disturbing and damages your ability to achieve goals, luxuriate in daily peace, and enjoy the blessings of life with Christ.
Simple life is joyous life
Most of us fail because we have too many options, not too few. Simple life is joyous life! You’re special because you’re you. The hard part is figuring out what to do with your uniqueness.
Think of three wildly successful people. Are they all superstars in the same way? Nope. Are they all rich and famous? I hope not.
Success is the quality of your journey with Jesus Christ and fellow travelers, not the size of your bank account or number of Facebook fans. God doesn’t care about those things. Seriously, pour a steaming cup of coffee or soothing glass of sweet tea and ponder that a moment.
The most important requirements of bountiful life are simple:
- Show up,
- Focus, and
- Offer obedience
God cares about relationship. Especially the one He has with you. Looking for community? Great! You’re in the right place. Consider joining me on Facebook!
What do horses have to do with God, success, and relationship?
Unless you have one in the barn, horses are metaphor. They’re as simple and silly as three year old children but wise as Yoda. My husband nicknamed me the analogy queen because I have an illustration (analogy?) for everything. The book of Ecclesiastes is analogy. Or is it metaphor? Do you confuse illustration, metaphor, analogy, and allegory? I do. But let’s not sweat the small stuff. Analogy helps us grasp concepts without challenging our egos.
Aside from size, what’s the biggest difference between horses and people? Horses don’t lie to themselves or anyone else. They’re far more honest than we, but they also – Love. Mourn. Scheme. Frustrate. Delight. Pout. Rebel. Negotiate. Delight. Give up. Seek connection. And fear.
Fear is a biggie, if not the biggest biggie, for people and horses.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7
How can I help you today?
