Colossians 1:9-10 – Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we haven’t stopped praying for you and asking for you to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, with all wisdom and spiritual understanding. We’re praying this so that you can live lives that are worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him in every way: by producing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God;

Gratitude Day 843

Recently, I saw a little post by someone else encouraging us to reflect upon two questions. I thought these questions were great. Timely. Something that I need in my life right now. And quickly decided that if I needed them, maybe someone else might as well.

These are two great questions for the summer. They can help us think about what is really most important in these glorious days of summer. Or at least Hubby Rick thinks so. He tells me at least three times a day, “Have I told you how much I LOVE the summer?” Yep, he loves the high humidity, high temperature days. He loves having sweat roll off his nose while the rest of us think it is kind of disgusting. Rick will never complain about how warm it is because these are the days he remembers and relishes when it is -20 in January.

Seriously.

Back to the two questions. While they are helpful for us to reflect upon in terms of summer, honestly, they are great questions for any time of the year. A new season in our lives. At the beginning of a new month. When we are searching for what should be our “What next?” focus.

Here are the two questions:

What do I need MORE of right now?

What have I had TOO MUCH of lately?

Aren’t they good? Excellent? And helpful?

Each of us is in a different season of our lives. Some of us find we have more time on our hands and we’re trying to pick what things are most important for whatever period of time we have left. Others of us are feeling a bit overwhelmed with too many things and trying to juggle it all. Some of us are in-between. There are daily demands and opportunities but also want to be aware that any of this can change very quickly.

These questions are also super personal. What I yearn for more of right now may be what someone else wants less of. Personally, I want a bit more quiet these days. Times to reflect, think and dream. Opportunities to write and put thoughts down. But these things are feeling a bit elusive right now. The next person might have way too much time to think, which may not always be helpful. They want more noise in their lives and yearn for someone, anyone, to need them today.

These questions can also really help us focus on being in the moment. Celebrating each day. Remember that none of us have any guarantees in our lives. The present is all we really have.

May I encourage you to take just a few minutes today and answer these questions for yourself? Be honest. Specific. Intentional about what YOU need and what is a bit too much right now. No one can do this for you. May you discover that there is a fairly easy shift or opportunity to bring a bit more joy into your life. Or offloading something that feels very heavy right now can be terribly liberating and freeing.

Nothing will be different unless we decide we want it to change. We will keep plowing through life, doing the same things over and over, unless we determine we want something different.

What if you are really very happy with your life right now? You aren’t sure there are really any necessary shifts? GOOD. FOR. YOU! Celebrate this. Pat yourself on the back. Welcome this wonderful season in your life. And share these two questions with someone who you feel is struggling right now. Needs a bit of encouragement. A reminder that someone sees what is overwhelming them right now. And that they need a break.

Every time we say “Yes” to something, we are saying “No” to something else. This has been such an important learning for me. I cannot say “Yes” to everything. This is why WHAT I say “Yes” to becomes terribly important.

Let’s make our “Yeses” the best we can.

Who can YOU be kind to this weekend? Next week? Today? Everyday?

For the opportunity to be kind to others, I am very grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Holy God – Thanks for being so kind to us always. Now, inspire me to be kind to those around me. People I love. People I don’t know. People who I want to assist me. Inspire me to be kind to those around me. Amen.

If you have enjoyed this blog, please pass it along to someone else who will also enjoy it.

Simple Is Better – 2 Great Questions for the Summer (Or Basically Anytime)

Colossians 1:9-10 – Because of this, since the day we heard about you, we haven’t stopped praying for you and asking for you to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, with all wisdom and spiritual understanding. We’re praying this so that you can live lives that are worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him in every way: by producing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God;

Gratitude Day 843

Recently, I saw a little post by someone else encouraging us to reflect upon two questions. I thought these questions were great. Timely. Something that I need in my life right now. And quickly decided that if I needed them, maybe someone else might as well.

These are two great questions for the summer. They can help us think about what is really most important in these glorious days of summer. Or at least Hubby Rick thinks so. He tells me at least three times a day, “Have I told you how much I LOVE the summer?” Yep, he loves the high humidity, high temperature days. He loves having sweat roll off his nose while the rest of us think it is kind of disgusting. Rick will never complain about how warm it is because these are the days he remembers and relishes when it is -20 in January.

Seriously.

Back to the two questions. While they are helpful for us to reflect upon in terms of summer, honestly, they are great questions for any time of the year. A new season in our lives. At the beginning of a new month. When we are searching for what should be our “What next?” focus.

Here are the two questions:

What do I need MORE of right now?

What have I had TOO MUCH of lately?

Aren’t they good? Excellent? And helpful?

Each of us is in a different season of our lives. Some of us find we have more time on our hands and we’re trying to pick what things are most important for whatever period of time we have left. Others of us are feeling a bit overwhelmed with too many things and trying to juggle it all. Some of us are in-between. There are daily demands and opportunities but also want to be aware that any of this can change very quickly.

These questions are also super personal. What I yearn for more of right now may be what someone else wants less of. Personally, I want a bit more quiet these days. Times to reflect, think and dream. Opportunities to write and put thoughts down. But these things are feeling a bit elusive right now. The next person might have way too much time to think, which may not always be helpful. They want more noise in their lives and yearn for someone, anyone, to need them today.

These questions can also really help us focus on being in the moment. Celebrating each day. Remember that none of us have any guarantees in our lives. The present is all we really have.

May I encourage you to take just a few minutes today and answer these questions for yourself? Be honest. Specific. Intentional about what YOU need and what is a bit too much right now. No one can do this for you. May you discover that there is a fairly easy shift or opportunity to bring a bit more joy into your life. Or offloading something that feels very heavy right now can be terribly liberating and freeing.

Nothing will be different unless we decide we want it to change. We will keep plowing through life, doing the same things over and over, unless we determine we want something different.

What if you are really very happy with your life right now? You aren’t sure there are really any necessary shifts? GOOD. FOR. YOU! Celebrate this. Pat yourself on the back. Welcome this wonderful season in your life. And share these two questions with someone who you feel is struggling right now. Needs a bit of encouragement. A reminder that someone sees what is overwhelming them right now. And that they need a break.

Every time we say “Yes” to something, we are saying “No” to something else. This has been such an important learning for me. I cannot say “Yes” to everything. This is why WHAT I say “Yes” to becomes terribly important.

Let’s make our “Yeses” the best we can.

Who can YOU be kind to this weekend? Next week? Today? Everyday?

For the opportunity to be kind to others, I am very grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Holy God – Thanks for being so kind to us always. Now, inspire me to be kind to those around me. People I love. People I don’t know. People who I want to assist me. Inspire me to be kind to those around me. Amen.

If you have enjoyed this blog, please pass it along to someone else who will also enjoy it.