Gratitude Day 621

Romans 7:15 –  I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

Life is filled with learning the same lessons over and over and over.

If you are anything like me, my memory is OK. It just is a little short at times.

Last week, I had a GREAT morning. I was invited to be part of a group that was reading and studying The Mary Experiment together.

And I was invited to join in during one of their sessions.

My heart be still. It was that good.

Imagine this. Getting to talk about something that you crafted. Built. Developed. Labored over. With other people who really seemed to enjoy your little project.

Well, at least they said they did!

I’ve been invited to meet with several groups that have read my little book, The Mary Experiment. And I never tire of having the opportunity to hear how others have struggled with some of the same things that I have. For years. To appreciate their insights and reflections about how finding the tension between living a Martha and a Mary life is a lesson that we may need to learn over and over and over again.

The group has reviewing chapter 13 on the day I joined their group. They meet virtually, so I joined them from my kitchen. One of the first questions I was asked is how my Mary experiment is going these days. I was honest and shared that I continue to struggle with many of the same things that I share in the book. I still find it hard to remember that “No” is a complete sentence. Or that I don’t have to do it all. Or that it’s OK for me to appreciate and value down time and self-care.

We talked about the pandemic this last year and how this has allowed for some positive reflections in our lives. While most everyone in the group is retired, they reflected upon how Martha can follow you right into retirement. And how they watch younger family members struggle with too much Martha and not enough Mary.

And then, we talked about Chapter 13 – Application for 21^st Century Souls. We all agreed that willpower is not all that is necessary for long-term life changes. While this remains a popular concept, for those who have failed with willpower know it takes something else.

We reflected upon how the pandemic has allowed space for redefining what is urgent and whether or not we consider something urgent. I discovered that I’m not the only person who struggles with procrastination nor the only person who felt for years that getting organized would solve all of my problems. We were honest about seeking affirmations from places that may or may not want to grant them.

For all of us on the virtual growth group call, the doing and being still collide on a regular basis. I assured the group, as well as myself, that it might feel like this for like, well, forever. As people of faith who are encouraging ourselves to move closer to God, this is one area where we might never achiever full peace.

And it’s OK.

Thanks for including me in The Mary Experiment growth group. I loved being able to share the book together. I always walk away from these interactions with much more gained that I give.

Do you have a group of people who might want to read the book together? There’s a study guide that provides additional questions beyond what is in the book. And if you do, I would LOVE to join in with your group as well.

If you still struggle with doing those things you’d rather not do, it’s OK. Join the club. That’s why we have Jesus in our lives. So, we can experience the wonderful gift of grace.

For the opportunity to learn from each other, I am grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Dear God – As we struggle with finding the best optimal place of doing and being, may we remember that it’s OK for us to struggle with this. Allow us to grant ourselves permission and waddle through life knowing that it’s OK to relearn the same lesson over and over and over. Amen.

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