"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

9.28.2010

Abiding Monday - yeah, I know, it's Tuesday :)


There are several blogs that I visit that a warning pops up on my screen informing me that the blog has malware on it. (not to be confused with maleware) :) 

Malware is short for malicious software, it is software designed to secretly access a computer system without the owner's informed consent. The pop up screen mentions the blogs contain elements from the site rpc.blogrolling.com which appear to host malware. 

 I do not know what that site is, but I am afraid to view the blogs.  I'll try to find more information on it.




Reading from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.


"Pour all of your energy into trusting Me. It is through trust that you stay connected to Me, aware of My Presence. Every step on your life-journey can be a step of faith. Baby steps of trust are simple for you; you can take them with almost unconscious ease. Giant steps are another matter altogether; leaping across chasms in semi-darkness, scaling cliffs of uncertainty, trudging through the valley of the shadow of death. These feats require sheer concentration, as well as utter commitment to Me.


Each of My children is a unique blend of temperament, giftedness, and life experiences. Something that is a baby step for you may be a giant step for another person, and vice versa. Only I know the difficulty or ease of each segment of your journey.  Beware of trying to impress others by acting as if your giant steps are only baby ones. Do not judge others who hesitate, in trembling fear, before an act that would be easy for you. If each of My children would seek to please Me above all else, fear of others' judgement would vanish, as would attempts to impress others. Focus your attention on the path just ahead of you and on the One who never leaves your side."
Psalm 23:4; Matthew 7:1-2; Proverbs 29:25

I have a precious friend who is a gifted teacher.  She lives her life at a pace that makes me dizzy.  But there was a time that I envied her.  I felt small and unproductive in her shadow.  But God has made this truth real to me.  He has made us all different, and has a different path for each of us. This truth set me free from yearning to be like someone else, and free to be who God created me to be.  It has also given me grace for others.  In setting them free from what I think they should and should not be doing.

"Focus your attention on the path just ahead of you and on the One who never leaves your side."

Blessings!

14 comments:

Buffy said...

Beautiful post Mary. Thanks for reminding me to take baby steps. I think we make yourselves exhausted by taking bigger steps then we need to.

Surprised By Joy! said...

Hi Mary,
I can feel that way, too. God continues to help me be "me" where I am. One day, I may be like Dr. T, but he had 25 years head start on me. I don't know about you, but I seem to learn so much by trial and error. I trust God because so many times I have not trusted. He gently leads me with His cords of love even when I blow it and end up looking up at him from laying flat on my back. I have tried every thing in my own strength and His strength would of been so much easier. :)

Blessings,
Tammy

Soggy Dog Studios said...

Mary... thank you so much for stopping by my blog... and leaving a sweet comment. Happy to have found your blog!!! xox - Kim

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Faced the same things Mar, beginning in childhood in the shadow of my sister who is that highly efficient, productive soul. Took me a long time too to come to terms with the God design within me, an ongoing process but one He's etching into my heart.

Denise said...

Such a wonderful post.

Jennifer Richardson said...

"Pour all of your energy into trusting me."
WOW!!! What a SPECIFIC answer to a specific
question I had before the Lord TODAY!!!
Wow. Just wow.
THANK you, Mary!
-Jennifer
p.s. wow:)

Shelby and Bev said...

very insightful perspective, thank you mary! i think i will print this out and tuck it in my bible...
xo

Francois said...

"He has made us all different, and has a different path for each of us."
I say that this truth is one of the most freeing for us all.
I wish I had learned it sixty years ago. Life would certainly have been easier to cope with.

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

I LOVE this, especially "Pour all of your energy into trusting me." Thank you Mary. 'A different path for each of us' is something I keep in my mind when I am teaching children who are so different from one another, with different needs, and I must reach them and treat them fairly...but different...in order to meet their needs.

Poetic Artist said...

Mary,
Thank you my friend. I so needed to hear those words.
Love you.
Katelen

Pamela Holderman said...

thanks for that... I needed it mucho right about now!

Jo Reimer said...

Yep... pour all your energy into trusting me resounds in my soul this morning. I'm camping out in Prov. 3:5-6 this week, preparing to do a piece for a friend and this fits in so well. Thanks, dear Mary.

Unknown said...

Thank you once again for touching my heart with your Abiding Monday...love you so much sis!!!

Teri Leigh said...

So true. I have sturggled with that so much. So many people much more talented than me and yet I remind myself that God uses my talent and me in ways that others can't. We all are important. Thanks Mary.