The Beautiful Day Project
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Weight Loss from the Soul
  • Coaching Sessions
  • Contact
  • Weight Loss From the Soul, Group 2
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Weight Loss from the Soul
  • Coaching Sessions
  • Contact
  • Weight Loss From the Soul, Group 2
Search
Picture

Farming, Family, and Faith

Giving Space

11/22/2021

7 Comments

 
Picture
Let me level with you: Life is full these days. I purposefully chose not to say "busy", "crazy", or "chaotic". I just want to say that it is full. Full like a dish at a potluck where you keep trying to slide just one more item on your plate. You might even take a self-conscience glance around, and dump some brisket on top of the potato salad and then shrug and say, "It's going to the same place anyways."

That's my life right now. It isn't bad or stressful, because I choose to believe that it is exactly how God designed it to be. The reality of it is, my husband is in veterinary medical school, I'm teaching and designing curriculum, Adela is active with a dozen interests and projects, and Micaela remains a cute complicated kid. Throw in the farm and keeping a home and my potluck plate has started dribbling juice on the floor. 

I did though, have a moment where I almost...almost...lost my grip. I had carefully choreographed my evening and believed I could get two loads of laundry done, dried, and sorted between cooking supper, helping the girls with homework, and putting out some home fall décor. I pulled the soggy clothes out of the washer and dumped them into the dryer. I smiled, enjoying the scent of clean clothes and the wealth of shirts and pants my girls have been blessed with. Then, prepped the machine and pushed the button. Expecting to hear the bumps and whirls as it got into motion, I froze when I heard a single bump followed by silence. 

My world came crashing down. 

Frantic, I opened and closed doors, flipped breakers, checked settings, and pushed the button like a monkey. 

Nothing...dryer broken.

I backed away, as if the machine were a snake. I fell into a chair. My choreographed dance of work transformed into a failed disaster. I bowed my head and prayed, asking God for peace or a new dryer. What he delivered instead was Adela, wanting to know what I was doing (she doesn't see me sit down much these days). I explained the dryer's condition and from her wise nine-year-old lips she shrugged and said, "Well, we can handle that."

I gave her a half smile. Yeah. We would handle it. 

We don't get to pick what our days throw at us, but we need to learn how to give life and loved ones space. Accepting, loving space. Instead of demanding that things continued to go in the direction I had planned for the evening, I needed to be loving and accepting toward myself, replacing my fear and anger with trust that God's plans are always good. 

The concept of giving space actually comes from psychologist recommendations for good listening. When someone is telling you their problems, you give them space to talk, to sort out their worries and feelings. You do not fill the space with your own ideas. You listen with concern and curiosity. You do do not listen while mentally deciding what you are going to say when they take a breath. 

We must give our day space too. Whatever happens, whatever needs to be cared for, whoever needs to be loved, we must to give those situations space and acceptance. 

After all, God's will is that we love one another beyond agendas.

This week as you welcome the chaos of family and holidays, I pray you give space to your life so that it might be filled with love. 
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:16-18, NIV

Picture
My husband snapped this pictures of me and the girls when we were at the Quarter Horse Museum in Amarillo.
Are you frustrated by a person or situation right now? You might need to trust God with your time and give the situation accepting, loving space to simply be part of your life. 
7 Comments
Denese Runyan
11/22/2021 05:19:12 pm

YOU ALWAYS HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!! I did not realize the cap lock was on. But I will just leave it on, because you are an awesome "Woman of God". You and your girls have a special part of my life and heart. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Reply
Lora
11/23/2021 05:23:23 am

Thank you! Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!

Reply
Sharon Harris
11/22/2021 10:16:48 pm

I am SO proud of the woman you are. Adela would not have known to say those words if she hadn't heard you say them ... more than once. And seen you demonstrate them every day. You are amazing.

Reply
Lora
11/23/2021 05:24:15 am

Thank you!

Reply
Becky Sparks
11/23/2021 06:04:36 am

Spot on ... we had that happen recently and four days later, the dryer started ... God's got a plan ... <3

Reply
Lora link
11/30/2021 09:18:57 am

Yes, He always does. Thank goodness!

Reply
Karen Moseley
12/5/2021 02:50:52 am

As always, I am blessed by your words. I needed the Bible verse, There is no fear in Love. I recently found out that I have breast cancer. My mind is flooding with many thoughts, some that are keeping me awake at 2 in the morning. I need peace, trust in God and to put fear behind me.A good night's rest would also help.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Subscribe
    Click on the button above to receive newsletters, weekly encouragement
    and a FREE eBook.
    "...and God was already there with me."
    Picture

    The
    ​Beautiful Day Project

    Hello! Thank you for stopping by and peeking in on our life’s adventures. My name is Lora and I love sharing my fascination with discovering all the ways God has made my life beautiful. My handsome husband and I farm, ranch, and find our way as parents of two gorgeous girls including one with multiple-disabilities. Perhaps part of our journey will touch yours and encourage you today. You are welcome here, my friend. 

    Categories

    All
    Body
    Farming
    Heart
    Home
    Marriage
    Mind
    Soul

    Picture

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Weight Loss from the Soul
  • Coaching Sessions
  • Contact
  • Weight Loss From the Soul, Group 2