Distractions in my Life

This word.

God has been speaking this word over me for days.

Distraction.

D
I
S
T
R
A
C
T
I
O
N.



Clearly.

He's trying to make a point.

So I listen up.

What am I distracted by?

What diminishes my focus?

What keeps me from getting on with what's most important?

What captures my time and attention.

That may be of no real value or consequence.

Hindering me.  

From the appointments.

Purpose.

The work He might have for me to do.




I started thinking about the distractions in my life right now.



I can be distracted by the familiar.

When I feel so comfortable with my surroundings.

And my day to day.

Dullness can creep into my life.

Like sleepwalking through my day.

That's been a distraction for me.

Too much routine.

When what I really need is - fresh eyes.

And a new perspective.

A renewed focus.



I can also be distracted by fear.

Fear looms.

And easily becomes my focus.



Impatience.

Growing impatient for God to move.

Weary of waiting.



Too much focus on myself.

That never satisfies.

But it can sure occupy my thoughts.



Busyness.

Always on the go.

Not making time and space for Him.



Trying to meet someone else's expectations.

And their view of what I should be.

Instead of who I am in Him.



Unforgiveness and past disappointments.

It keeps me bound to that person.

When what I really need to do.

Is let it go.




And to be honest.

I can be distracted in ridiculously shallow ways.

Time scrolling Facebook.

Binge watching "Longmire."

Procrastinating with housework.

Focusing too dadgum much on the number on my scales.

Or by other people's drama finding its way into my life.

Or worse yet.

By creating drama myself.





I'm also beginning to understand.

That distraction is a very effective tool of the enemy in my life.

Harmless at first glance.

But also very effective.

If the enemy can keep me bound up by distractions,

I'll have less energy.

Less focus.

Less time.

To focus on Jesus.

And what He may have for me to do.



So.

I've taken a step.

I'm trying to see my distractions.

Call them out for what they are.

And I look to Him.

With my hands open to listen.

What more could He accomplish through me.

If I were less distracted?

"So Distracted" by Anna Kincaide

All the While. Things Change.

Have you noticed?

 How quickly.

Things change.

Children grow up.

Projects begin.

And end.

Cats go from being small & adorable.

To big.....and pesky.

Clothes come back in style.

Hair turns gray.

Love deepens.

Experience develops.

Time passes faster.

Memories soften.

Forgiveness is easier.

Health is taken for granted.

Then it's held dear.

Seasons come.

And seasons go.

Trips begin.

And trips end.

Friendships develop.

Families evolve.

Interests grow.

Lives are altered.

All the while.

Things change.


Gratitude is shown.

Faith is stretched.

Grace is given.

Hope is encouraged.

Life is fleeting.

And valuable.

All the while.

Things change.

Boots Out of the Box Women

I was in one of my favorite stores Saturday.

Just Off Main in Abbeville.

Just Off Main is located at 101 Church Street in Abbeville, SC.

My friends Dale & Karen Sherwood run it.

And it's always full of great finds and prices to match.

Scott spotted them on a shelf.

Closed up in a box.

Pristine condition.

Never worn.

The age of the box suggested they had been there for some time.

Steel toed boots.

Scott's size.

$20.

He couldn't resist.

And...…..they came home with us.

They've been sitting on a bench.

At the foot of our bed for days.

And as I've walked by and looked at them all week.

I couldn't help but think.

I don't want to be that person.

That never ventures out of my box.

Carefully protecting myself from being used.

Not fulfilling my purpose.

I know.

From boots to life's purpose.

That's quite a jump.

(Smile.)

But.

The comparison was just plain striking to me.

At the end of my life.

I pray my boots get dirty.

I hope they're used.

And worn out.

I hope they're covered in dust & mud & scuffs and spots.

I hope the soles are coming apart.

And holes are nearly worn through the toes.

The box is no where to stay.

Whether it's boots.

Or life.

Being carefully preserved and protected.

Doesn't sound so good to me.

It's best for me.

To jump in.

Boots first.

And do the thing.

Make this quickly passing life count.

There's something beautiful.

About a life well lived.

Just like these "boots out of the box" women.  

Here's just a few that come to mind.

Dr. Catherine Hamlin has operated a fistula clinic in Ethiopia for more than half a century.

Linda & Norris Wilson were our neighbors for over 20 years in Greenwood.  Linda continues to pour her life out & serve friends, church members & family.  I've learned a lot from watching her.

Dr. Maya Angelou, American poet.

Jane Goodall, Primatologist & Anthropologist.

My friend & teammate, Molly Dannelly.

My friend & Kenya missionary, Danee Davis.

How about you?

At the end of your life.

Will your boots still be carefully stored away in the box?

Or will they be more like these?

Evidence.

Of a life well used.

The Face of My Enemy

The face of my enemy.

I visualize sometimes what he looks like.

But mostly I'm just aware of his presence around me.

Some doubt his existence.

Not me.

I know for a fact.

He.  Is.  Real.

There may be some things I wrestle with in my faith.

But is the enemy real?

That's not one of them.



And he's not the boogy man with a red cape and pointed ears.

I might have once thought.

He comes saddling up to me with charm and disguise.

Pulling up a chair to my table.

He's sneaky.

Manipulative.

And a destructive liar.

Out to rob my peace.

Out to rob my joy.




He's clever in his attacks.

And knows where I'm most vulnerable.

He hits me in those places.

In my insecurities.

And in my doubts.

He whispers discouragement.

And half-truths.

If he were too far off track.

I'd just dismiss them.

But there's always an element of truth.

In what he says over me.

Just enough.

For his lies to gain some ground.



He works against me though distraction.

When I'm juggling too many things at one time.

In areas where I might feel overwhelmed.




He also speaks.

Through fear.

Worry.

Self-pity.

Conflicts.

And drama.

When those kind of situations arise.

I'm on alert.

I usually know the enemy is close by and at work.



He knows if he can get me to doubt God's goodness.

I might also question God's love for me.

Or believe somehow.

That God will let me down.




He attacks the most valuable areas of my life.

In the lives of people.

And the things I care about most.

My husband and my marriage.

Focusing on my husband's faults and not his strengths.

My children.

Worrying instead of trusting Jesus with their lives.

My family.

Reminding me of past offenses and damaged relationships.

In my work.

Telling me I'm not smart enough.   That I will let people down.

And relationships.

At the root of conflicts, division and unkindness.

In my work in Kenya.

Getting me to doubt my calling and purpose.

And my physical well-being.

Finding comfort in food.   Encouraging a lack of discipline.



He'll do and say anything.


To take from me.

To steal from me.

And to destroy me.


He hates me.

And he hates my faith.

That's the face of my enemy.

So, what can I do?

Am I completely at his mercy?

Thankfully no.

I'm getting better at recognizing him at work in my life.

And I call him out for what he is.

I visualize that smirky grin on his face.

When he thinks he's got me on the ropes.



And I remember who I am.

I am blessed.

Chosen.

Adopted.

Accepted.

Redeemed.

Forgiven.


I can stand my ground with the enemy.

And tell him - basically - to go straight back to Hell.

Scripture tells me it's as simple as that.



"so humble yourselves before God.  resist the devil and he will flee
from you. come close to God and God will come close to you."
James 4: 7

~~~~

"expect to encounter adversity in your life, 

remembering that you
live in a deeply fallen world.  
stop trying to find a way that 
circumvents difficulties.  
the main problem with an easy life  
is that it masks your need for Me.  
anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities,
situations totally beyond your ability to handle. 
when you see armies of problems marching toward you, 
cry out to Me!
allow Me to fight for you.  
watch Me working on your behalf."

Sara Young, "Jesus Calling."

What God is Teaching Me Through A Difficult Season

As I write this.

I know my mama will be checking in with me soon.

"I read your blog."

"Is everything okay?"

And...….while generally, everything is okay.

It has been.

A difficult season.

I know you walk through them too.

Caused by any number of things.

For me.

It's been a season of getting my butt kicked.

Yep.

The enemy has been relentless in this season.

Discouragement.

Lack of answers.

Trouble.

Just being worn down.

Many of us are just plain tired.

We're stretched thin.

And the enemy is so good at what he does.

Sewing lies into our areas of vulnerability.

Prowling around and looking for those he might devour.

It's just been that kind of season for me.

I've been his prey.

And while it's true.

I know I'm extremely blessed.

It can also be said.

That the good things.

Can get overshadowed.

When this kind of season sets in.

But.

Here's what God is teaching me.

In my difficult season.

Keep moving forward.

Keep your hands open.

Palms up.

Yep.

Stretch out your hands.

Fingers spread wide.

And keep nothing from Me.

So, I release my worries.

The things I have no answer for.

I release the uncertainties I feel in my life.

My disappointments.

My efforts to control.

Your list might include other things.

An important relationship.

Your health.

Worry.

Fear.

Or just being in over your head.

He's teaching me.

To hold my hand open to Him.

Because my natural inclination.

Is to close my fingers tight.

But He asks me to be.....intentional.

To hold open my hands.

Empty them of all that stuff.

Give Him the chance.

To fill them back up.

With.

Hope.

Assurance.

Protection.

Trust.

That's what He's teaching me.

To open up my hands.

Simple.

Moth Catching

I rescue moths.

That find themselves in my house.

I don't mind them.

Most are soft & light & gentle.

Catching them is a different story.

It's tricky business.

They flit around.

trying to evade me.

All the while I'm reassuring them.

Let me help you.

Come on.

Just be still a minute.



They don't understand.

And clearly they don't trust me.

I guess word hasn't gotten around.

In moth world.

That I'm trying to help.

And protect them.

Many evenings.

I'm in my studio upstairs in our old house.

The window is open.

My cats enjoy being out on the porch roof.

Just as it's getting dark.

I think it gives them a sense of power.

To be up that high.

Undetected to things below.

The downside to this practice?

Moths sometimes slip inside.

And if I'm not attentive.

One of my cats will quickly intervene.

It's too much to resist.

All that darting and flitting around.



I imagine sometimes.

That must be how Jesus sees me.

I'm spinning and rolling over worries and concerns.

In my life.

That problem at work.

Fears about my future.

Concerns for my family.

Stuff.

And all the while.

As I'm darting and flitting around.

He's patiently standing there.

Wanting to be my protector.

To give me peace.

And a better life.

If only.

I would be still.

"....most of your mental energy 

goes into efforts to figure things out.

I look into your mind 

and see thoughts spinning round and round;

going nowhere, 

accomplishing nothing.   

All the while 

My Peace hovers over you, 

searching for a place to land..."


"Jesus Calling"   Sarah Young

What I Learned From the Davis Family

Sometimes.

I am gifted with the opportunity.

To look back.

And see.

How God.

Took very intentional steps.

To bring people into my life.

Not by chance.

But on purpose.

That happened with the Davis Family.



I was scheduled to fly to Kenya.

In September. 

2013.

Just days before our trip.

A terrorist attack took place in Nairobi.

At least sixty-seven people were killed at a popular mall.

More than a hundred more were injured.

My heart sank.

And not surprisingly.

The trip was postponed.

Until February.

A five month delay.

We learned we would join another team from our church.

One that was already scheduled to go in five months.

Call it redirection.

Call it a no.

It was an unmistakably - not now.

About the very same time my team was sidelined.

She was sitting in a church service on another campus.

Watching a video clip.

Aimed at recruiting for the February mission trip to Kenya.

She was immediately drawn to the idea.

And really.....really wanted to go.

I remember her telling me later.

"It might as well have cost a million dollars.

There's no way I could have come up with the money to go."

That may have been true.

But.

God was up to something.



In a very unusual turn of events.

A virtual stranger on that February team.

Fully funded.   Prepared to go.

Had second thoughts about the trip.

She heard of Danee's desire to go in the Care Room of our church.

Where they both happened to volunteer.

And.

Long story short.

This stranger gifted the trip to my friend.

All expenses....paid.

It was as if God was saying.

In no uncertain terms.

There's no way.....you're going to miss THIS trip!

And she didn't.



That's where we met.

Four years ago.

10,000 miles from South Carolina.

On the ground in Kenya.

February 2014.

I was there because a terrorist attack delayed my trip.

She was there.

Because a stranger.

Gave her spot on the team away.

God was at work.

In ways I'm only beginning to understand.



In truth,

Danee and I didn't get particularly close on that trip in 2014.

But I did notice.

Her heart.     

There's no way to miss it.

She loves.

Big.

Her love is wide open.

Arms stretched.

All out.

Have you met people like that?

Genuine to the core.

And while she's known hardship in her life.

And knows what it's like to do without.

She's what I call.

The REAL deal.

I heard about her husband, L.J.

Long before I met him.

Yeah.

He didn't understand the change he saw in Danee.

When she came home from our trip.

And when she started planning.

To join a mission team to Uganda within just a few months.

He reacted with words many of us won't let him forget.

"I didn't marry no damn missionary."

Nope.

Not the beginnings you might expect.

For the direction their life would take.

Danee went to Uganda without L.J's full support.

I have to admit.

I like that about her.

Danee became passionate about missions.

Even as it was putting a strain on her marriage.

And L.J.?

He slowly started coming around.

He would eventually join a men's mission team to England.

And then.

He and Danee would both served on a team in Cambodia.

L.J.'s heart toward missions was softening.

Danee's heart.

Was always in Kenya.

Last April.

Scott & I were leading our first 410 Bridge Team to Kenya.

Half of the Davis family came along too.

It was one of our first days on the ground.

Our bus pulled over.

To pick up supplies.

L.J stepped off the bus.

And walked straight into a divine appointment.

He had a chance encounter.

(If you believe in those.)

With a boy that lived on the streets.

The kid was dirty and neglected.

Maybe 11 or 12 years old.

The same age as L.J.'s sons.

He was a glue boy.

Likely homeless.

Addicted.

To sniffing glue.

They talked for just a few minutes.

And we were back on the bus again.

But,

That encounter.

Became a defining moment for L.J.

He saw some of himself in that kid.

Drug addiction and homelessness were part of L.J.'s story too.

What we would soon understand.

Is that none of L.J.'s past.

Would be wasted.

None of it.

It became the very thing God would use.

To show the way.

I'm not sure if it was during or immediately after this trip.

That I first heard them share.

They didn't know how.

Or when.

But they were certain of a call on their life.

To move and serve in Kenya.



They didn't share their decision just with close friends.

They didn't put out an unspoken prayer request!

They told everybody!

They were gutsy.

And bold.

And I'm ashamed to confess.

But at first, I didn't know what to think.

I had serious doubts and concerns.

I only saw the obstacles.

No organization in Kenya to plug into.

No funding to provide the way.

No plan for how it would happen.



None of that seemed to matter.

To the Davis Family.

They just believed they would go.

And they took intentional steps to prepare.

Within a few months.

Someone literally walked up to their front door.

And made an offer to buy their home.

And still.

With no organization in Kenya to plug into.

They closed on the sale of their house and moved out.

They downsized and sold most of their possessions.

Kitchen table.

Dishes.

Guns.

Fishing rods.

Beds.

Stuff.

After the house sold.

They moved into a rented trailer provided by a friend.

They slept on air mattresses.

(Still are to this day.)

And ate off Styrofoam plates.

Getting rid of nearly everything they owned.

And still without knowing where the money would come from.

They secured passports for all their kids.

And with no clear plans for what would come next.

Danee started researching homeschooling materials.

So the kids wouldn't miss a year of school while they are away.

They believed.

And waited.

On the surface I encouraged them.

I was excited for them.

But in my heart, I was afraid.

Afraid they might be hurt if it didn't work out.

And honestly.

I was afraid God wouldn't come through.




I couldn't have been more wrong.

And I think it comes down to this.

I've never known.

What complete surrender to Jesus looks like.

Oh, a lot of people talk it.

Maybe I have too.

But I've never really seen it before.

In myself.

Or others.

God used them.

To shine a bright spotlight on it.

This is what it looks like.

And through our friendship.

I began to see.

That anything is possible with God.

Anything.



After months of trusting and waiting.

The rain came.

Answered prayers literally started falling from heaven.

At least, that's what it looked like to me.

A connection with an orphanage in Nairobi developed.

Through an interesting turn of events.

That only God could orchestrate.

Meetings and conversations took place.

And a place to serve was finally revealed and confirmed.

The Davis Family would serve near the Kibera slums in Nairobi.

With an organization called Serving Orphans Worldwide.

They flew L.J. to Nairobi a few months ago.

So he could visit and see the location where his family would serve..

And the coolest part of the whole thing.

Was that God used.

Every hardship and experience in Danee & L.J.'s life.

For this assignment.

Everything they had ever lived through.

Provided the unique and perfect groundwork.

For where they were being called to serve.

Scott & I sat across the table from them.

When the call came a few weeks ago.

NewSpring believed in Danee & L.J.

They saw their history of serving in the church.

Support was provided.  

To help them travel and serve there for the next year.

And that was just the beginning.


Individuals touched by their lives and their faith.

Provided homeschooling materials for their four children to use in Kenya.

Provided four laptop computers for their classroom work.

Provided missionary's health insurance premiums while they're away,

Provided suitcases for the trip.

Provided money to cover their immunization.

Literally.

Every need.

Was completed provided.


And those of us in their lives.

Including me.

Stood dumbfounded.

Mouth open.

Amazed.

At what we witnessed.



I heard once.

As someone was describing the results of working out.

That if you commit to just 30 minutes of exercise.

You'll get one result.

And if you commit to 60 minutes.

You'll get a different result.

It occurs to me that is also true with faith.

When you surrender a small part of your life to Jesus.

You get one result.

When you give Him a little more.

You get another result.

But when you surrender it all.

There's no limit to what is possible.

You get what I saw in the Davis Family.

The Davis family will relocate to Kenya in June 2018.

You can follow their journey to Kenya on Facebook

by following "Davis's Move To Kenya" for regular updates and posts.

Thank you for praying for them too.

L.J., Danee, Sonoma, Bob, Garrett & Alizah