We throw off the lie of perfection and cling to our identity in God as we strive to be whole, healthy, and fit. Our goal is wholeness, not perfection.

Posts tagged ‘God’

Amateur Juggler (October 4th)

I need to take care of myself.  What does it look like to you to take care of yourself?  There’s basic hygiene, water, nutrition – you know, the basics.  I’m just wondering how other full time working moms take care of themselves.  I remember doing it when my son was a toddler up until the time I got pregnant with the twins.  I did it with the help of having a membership to the Y, and then being a group fitness instructor.  So that kept me accountable because if I didn’t show up to class then class didn’t happen.  But now that I have twins and I’m back at work, I don’t really know what it looks like to take care of myself during this season.

I know sleep is a huge priority (as I yawn).  I know that spending time with God is a priority, but it seems like it’s something I don’t ever get around to, not how I used to, not how I’d like to.  I haven’t worked out in a really long time and I can feel my body craving all the good chemicals I get from working out.  I know I need to go out on a date with my husband.  It feels like it’s been forever since we went somewhere that wasn’t church or with family.

I know there are things I can do to take care of myself, I just don’t see how to juggle it all.  I’m missing margin in my day.  I need white space.  I need…how do you clear things off of your calendar and to-do list when all of the stuff has to be done?  I have a friend of mine at work who used to joke with me “Reina, all you need to do is get yourself a wife.”  All I know is I feel overwhelmed and spent.  So if you’ve got tips or suggestions on how to refocus energy and time, I’d love to hear them.

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balance, grace, organization, parenting, time management

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You’re Already Amazing Monday: Chapter 2

This is my second attempt at recapping Chapter 2.  My first attempt read too much like a middle school book report.  Okay, maybe elementary.  So I’m going to share my personal highlights and takeaways from the chapter.

  • God planted the “Who am I really?” question in our hearts to help us understand who he created us to be.  If we don’t know who he created us to be, then we can’t fulfill the purpose he has for our lives.
  • Knowing who I really am is necessary to love God, others, and myself more.

Strengths

  • A strength is a personal characteristic that can be use on behalf of God in service to others.
  • The three strengths I identified – trustworthy, cheerful, supportive
  • God is the source of my strengths, I am not (Philipians 4:13)
  • When I come up short, I need to focus on who I am in Christ
  • My divinely created strengths are supported by my weaknesses, because if I was good at everything (which I’m not by the way), I wouldn’t focus on much of anything (which is difficult enough already with ADHD, thank you very much)
  • My assets (strengths) can easily become defects if I don’t keep my motives and their intensity in check

Skills

  • A skill is a strength expressed in a specific way that builds up others and benefits the kingdom – NOT the definition I would have given before reading this chapter
  • Mad props to Holley for referencing Napoleon Dynamite and making me giggle
  • The three skills I identified – relating, encouraging, guiding
  • Strengths stay consistent throughout life but the skills that express them can vary depending on the season of life I’m in
  • God wants my heart more than my skills – Thank you, Jesus.  Because some days I feel like a complete failure for not getting enough accomplished.  Or for not being cheerful or supportive enough.

My “Who” and Who I’m Called to Serve

These were my favorite sections of the chapter.  It took me several years to identify my social circles, and My “Who” served as a nice refresher.  This came at the perfect time, since I am returning to work after an extended maternity leave.  I don’t have the opportunity to regularly interact with adults (other than my husband), so remembering that I can’t truly share who I am with everyone there was a timely reminder.  Who I’m Called to Serve was an encouragement to keep striving to work on my dream of serving in ministry full time.

your strengths + your skills + who you’re called to serve

=

you making a difference in the world in your own amazing way

God’s Heart for Who I Really Am

This section made me cry.  Every time I read it.  Growing up, I struggled with being mixed.  I believed that I wasn’t Latina enough because I don’t fluently speak Spanish.  I believed that I wasn’t Black enough, because, well, I don’t look Black.  (I don’t use African American because my family is Caribbean and it just doesn’t fit) I knew that I could pass for being White but didn’t want to.  I wanted to be accepted for the unique person that I am.  I wanted to feel like I belonged.  God healed this particular heartbreak, but reading these words let me see how God has used the break to shine through me.

We are much more than pretty…we are wonderfully made.

We are much more than likeable…we are deeply loved.

We are much more than okay…we are daughters of the King.

I think the enemy tricks us into believing we are not enough because he knows if we discover the truth, we’ll be unstoppable.

Tears.  Tears of joy.  Tears of relief.  Tears of regret over wasted strengths and skills due to fear.  Tears of grace.  But then I wiped away my tears with a renewed sense of determination as I read these closing words:

Girls, let’s stop shaking in our boots and instead start standing tall for him together.

Let’s use our strengths, skills, and relationships to make a  difference.

Let’s be who we are, really.

I can’t do it alone – are you with me?

YES, I am!  How about you?

Category:

grace, truth

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Say It

I love music. Not like. Love. I am not musically gifted.  I can’t write music. I can’t read it anymore. I don’t play an instrument. I was a band geek in intermediate school (Junior High or middle school depending on where you live) but gave up on it when I got to high school because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to play and march at the same time.

I thank God for the musically gifted. For those who can string notes together to create music that makes me bob my head, bounce my shoulders, sway back and forth, and drive more recklessly than I hope my kids ever notice.  I have a special appreciation for those who can write lyrics. It’s so personal, regardless of the genre.

I love music. It is one of my favorite ways to connect to God. Just like reading Scripture, I can hear a song a hundred times and get something different from it each time.  One line.  One word.  It can feel like a message straight from God.

For over a year the song that has spoken to me the most is Britt Nicole’s “Say It”.  Most people have a life verse.  This is my life song.  Just like everything we read senior year in AP Lit, I’m sure there are a hundred different interpretations of the song.  But what convicts me time and time again is that…

I just need to begin. I don’t always know what God’s will is for me in a given situation and I can easily become paralyzed, doing nothing.  But the truth is I do know what His will is for my life.  I don’t need a sign – be it neon or a burning bush – to make every big decision. Although I confess I would like one. How cool would that be?

I need God’s help to make the most of what is mine. Stewardship and contentment do not come naturally to me. I don’t think I’m alone in this one. I’m prone to waste my time and my money. And the thing is, as a wife and mother, these resources aren’t my own to squander. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that when I feel flustered, these are the resources I daydream about having in abundance.

I’m gonna say it. We may not agree, but I’m going to say it. It may come out imperfectly, but I’m going to say it. I would like to finish conversations with a nice nugget of wisdom tying the whole thing up in a nice bow. Maybe I grew up watching too many sitcoms that resolved all conflicts within 30 minutes and my expectations are unrealistic. The truth is I’m prone to bounce from topic to topic within any given conversation and only wrap it up when one of the Floyd boys requires my undivided attention.

“Say It” is my go to 3 minute life manifesto that inspired me to start this blog.  It’s a gentle reminder when I try to over-complicate things.  Do you have a life song?

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music

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