Be Still!

Psalm 46:10

New International Version (NIV)

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

Be still! Goodness, it's something I must say to my kids at least ten times a day. Maybe it's just boys but mine are always on the move.  I joke around (sometimes) and tell my husband that they must get this desire to always be moving or doing something from his side of the family. But then he quickly tells me it's gotta be my side of the family.

This morning I drove my youngest to school as I normally do. As I pulled into my driveway I realized I couldn't remember how I got home. In fact, I don't remember any of the driving part. But the sad thing is I remember the entire conversation I had in my head. I remember telling myself I need to go start a load of laundry before I practice for tonight's practice at church. I told myself to start the dishwasher. I was envisioning what I was going to code today. I was thinking about this past weekend when I was so bored out of my mind just sitting on the couch resting my foot still in a cast.

Whoa - how in the word did I have time to think/plan all these things (and more) on my short ride home from school. I know we live in a society that is just screaming at full volume about all things that we have to accomplish in order to be successful. And then I realized - yes I am just like my kids in that I am never stopping myself to "just be" and "rest".

Perhaps, if I rest I am worried about what will happen if boredom sets in? I know for me, boredom leads to me being cranky and then I start to get involved in everyone's business and - well, let's just say I'm not going to even allow myself to think down that CoDependent route!

As I was driving I could hear this voice in my head saying - "Be Still! Be Still!" Over and over. I knew it's that voice I hear when God is speaking to me. So today, I choose to be still and reflect on Him. I know I'm a doer - but sometimes we need that time to reflect on our lives and our recovery journey and on Him. And sometimes we need to allow ourselves to be still - just so that we can overcome.  Can you be still today?

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I Need Rest - like now!

Matthew 11:28-30

New International Version (NIV)

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Oh my word! I am so tired! I've been working such long hours and it's for an amazing organization that is fighting pornography and sex trafficking, but it's been physically and emotionally draining.

It's so easy during these times to just turn on the computer and watch some porn, or run to the cabinet and each some junk food, or pour myself a glass of wine - but it's not going to solve my being tired. It's just a quick fix. And in the end, more harm is done than good.

What I really need is to give it all to God! I tend to get emotional when I'm tired. I go from giddy to crying. That's when I know I've hit bottom (and I'm just about there too). But, what I've learned from attending Celebrate Recovery is THIS is when I need to give it to Him.

When I read this verse, I literally picture a big father holding his outstretched arms waiting for me. I can cry in those arms and fall apart - because it's safe. And when I'm done and he wipes away my tears, I know he is going to give me rest. Physically and emotionally.

I also know that when I'm at this point- it's when I need to find ways to rejuvenate.  Ideas that work for me are to read my Bible, sit outside and just enjoy "being", go for coffee with a friend, read a book, watch TV, go for a long bike ride (I love my bike). It's so important to realize that exhaustion is a huge trigger and that we need to guard from it.

I'm heading to bed now as I need to refuel for the morning.

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Are You Stealing from People?

He renews my strength, He guides me along right paths bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:3

Are you stealing from people? I'm not talking about office items here either (even though that's a conversation that could be had).  What I mean is are you giving of yourself in so many areas, especially your recovery for your addiction, that there is nothing left in the tank for others?

Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in "our little world" - whatever that looks like, that we don't see the big picture. Could your work be better for your employer .. you don't know why it's in a slump because you are giving it all you have?! Or do you feel disconnected with your kids? You take off when they are sick showing them you care right?  Or what about your spouse? You have given up the porn and that shows to him/her that you are serious - yet something isn't coming back to your marriage?

Sometimes, it's as simple as take a day off. Renew your self as the verse says. When we step away and rest from what we have been so focusing on .. we often lose our creativity or our way to connect with others because we have been so super focused on ourselves.

Now is the time to take a day off of work and spend a day with your spouse.  Or take each child out and do something special that they like -- connect with them. Spending time with those we love will build relationships to allow conversations to freely happen when they really need to. It's sorta like practicing. Or what about start an exercise routine? Sometimes we have amazing thoughts pop into our minds when we are "away" from the situation.

When you take the time to invest in people you are giving to them (and sometime that investment takes the form of doing something for yourself). When you constantly fail to do so and only think about your success you are stealing from them.  Now do you see why I ask the question?  Take time today to invest in others and see how your life will improve.

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Put Your Regret In Your Back Pocket

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. Psalm 23: 1-3

Commentaries believe that Psalm 23 was written later in King David's life. If you haven't read anything about David, let's say that he had a lot of experiences just like you or I...lust, murder, disobedience but in the end he returned to God and became a man like God.

And so we can learn from David.  This Psalm tells us that the Lord will bring a time of quiet into our lives (after we decide to give up the old ways) and that He will restore our souls. I find that so peaceful and promising.

Today's is a short devotion but I hope you can have peace in knowing that there will come a time of rest and reflection in your life. God wants you to have a full and meaningful life with no regrets - we just need to be willing to give up the addiction or hurt or hang-up.  I gave mine up -- are you ready?

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Shh...I'm Resting

Genesis 2: 2-3 “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”

Spread Too Thin is the continuing thread during the devotionals these past few days. Today’s topic really fits in well with recoveryBox, the Addiction Recovery iPhone App.

It’s about sleep and rest. In our society it’s so hard to rest and be at peace with it too. But it’s important to slow down our minds and take pause. It’s during these times that we can evaluate what we are doing and if it all makes sense.

And sleep, well how many of us actually get at least 7 hours of sleep. The author writes ” So a question for you: when was the last time you had eight continuous hours of shut-eye? ..Once rested it’s amazing how our rewired minds can process information much more clearly.”

That’s why Sleep is a G1 in recoveryBox. It’s part of the foundation of Physical Self-Care. You can’t possibly take care of emotions, schedules, beating an addiction, without enough sleep to help process it all.

If you are working on 3 to 4 hours sleep then try and make that a priority..perhaps build up to 7 hours. If you are not getting it because of poor habits then it’s time to change those habits. If you never sit and rest, try 15 minutes to do a devotion, or pray or have a cup of coffee with friends.

I promise that a little bit of sleep or rest will go a LONG way during the day. And having a well rested mind will help you make better choices today.

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