Tag Archives: rest

New Year, Same Us in 2020

What if we actually journeyed toward acceptance rather than challenging ourselves to do more this new year?  Maybe it’s my age, but when I think of turning the page into a new decade, I am ready to take off my superhero cape I proudly donned in 2010 when I met my husband and prepared myself to become super-wife/mom/career-woman.  What a mistake that was! 

Three miles per hour — scientists claim this is the official pace of peace, our walking pace. And you know what?  Jesus did not hustle or hurry.  Why do we feel the need to rush and push? 

Truth:  We can choose to carry into each new day, new year, new decade, the solid truth that we can live loved just the way we are.  In our normal, everyday comings and goings, we are blessed. We do not have to wait to be accepted to walk in this truth: God loves us before we lose the weight, declutter the house, or get the title. Can we be brave enough to love ourselves too? 

Ephesians reminds us that even in our sin, he embraced us. He loves us so much, and He is so rich in mercy! (Ephesians 2:4-7) Can we accept that embrace? Can we accept that mercy? 

How can we pray for you, dear reader in our TtT Tribe? We want you to enter into 2020 free and clear, whatever that may mean for you. 

? Jo 

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much,  that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)… For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:4-7 & 10, NLT).

Music to inspire you:

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:

Related Posts on Texting The Truth:

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

When FOMO Creeps In

Proverbs 19:21 says, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” I got at least three emails and two texts today about upcoming events or activities for my son. ? ?To put this in perspective, he just turned six and he can barely read, but the world is pursuing him like he has unlimited talent and resources. And yet, I sit and fret about how I might fit in the activities in his busy schedule. ?

Here’s the rub: the FOMO – fear of missing out – can creep in faster than we want it to as moms, because we also believe our kids are limitless. We want the world for them. Society says we would be bad moms if we didn’t.

However, when I make many plans, how often do I stop and ask God to reveal His purpose for them? And does God think I am a bad mom if I am not involving my son in every activity under the sun? Does my purpose for thinking of enrolling my son in a certain activity or saying Yes to something align with my core values, or am I making decisions based on FOMO? Is it actually FOMO, or worse, KOWTJ – keeping up with the Joneses? Read more about how to deal with FOMO in Laura and Anna’s text from Monday,  where they share such wise words like, “If we’re meant to get there, we will, when the time is right.”

We all know comparison is the thief of joy, but it also clouds our awareness of God’s purposes. When I look at my calendar these days, I am challenging myself to look up instead of just out over the vast forest of work to accomplish.✅

When we look up, let’s take a deep breath and invite God into where we are — even if it is just Scouts or another birthday party. If He is God, He cares about every event just as much if not more than we do. ???

The truth is, God’s purpose will be revealed whether or not we are hastily trekking from one plan to the next. He has grace over our busyness, and he reveals grace in our rest too. ?? We are blessed when we come in and blessed when we go out, Mamas. ? There is no fear in love, because perfect love casts out fear (of missing out).

?Jo

P.S.: If you like the verse image from this post, we encourage you to take a screenshot of it here or on our Instagram stories and make it the background on your phone or computer to remind you of God’s grace over the FOMO in your life.