Thinking Aloud

* Last post of our 21-day challenge!

Thank you so much for sharing this journey with me. We’ve shared, learned, prayed, and grown together.

On this final day, I simply want to pray for your story…

Lord,
Thank You being the Author of our lives.
And thank You for the woman who is reading these words.

I imagine her, leaning toward a computer screen or peering into a cell phone.
I wish I could be there with her, to wrap my arms around her in a hug of celebration and declare, “We did it!”

I’m so glad that You are there… in each moment, every word of her story.
You know what is happening now, both the happy and the hard.

So I pray You will surround her with all she needs.Write every line of her life with love, sweet Jesus. Hold her close to You when she aches, give her joy that overflows when she is happy.

In every scene, every moment be near to her heart.
And bless her story, Lord. Bless all who share it with her too.

We have just begun to see all You have in store.
We wait with anticipation to see what You will do…
and we surrender our stories to You.
Amen.

And now I’ve got some fun surprises for you as a little “thank you”!

First, I hope all of you have thought about your Story Statements. I kept trying to think of another formula to add to the one we did. But I really think it’s just about you and Jesus having a conversation to see what else might need to be said.

And after you do, I’ve got a surprise for you! I asked my friend Mandy, who is fabulous and creative (and is allowed to use a hot glue gun, unlike me), if she would design bookmarks for all of us so we can remember this journey. She will personalize one with your Story Statement!

Here’s mine…

(front & back)

So go see Mandy and find out more!

Also, this series was focused on our present and future. Many of you asked how to record your pasts so that your story could be a legacy for your children.

I shared your desire with our friends at Thomas Nelson. They’re releasing a new book called Reflections from a Mother’s Heart: Your Life Story in Your Words.

Y’all it has not even in stores yet! But because they think a lot of you, I have a copy to give you! Just leave a comment before midnight on Friday to enter. They’re also providing a giveaway on (in)courage today!

Will you help me show our appreciation by visiting their new site, Blessing and Truth?

And speaking of giveaways, I’ll announce the winner of the $50 gift certificate to DaySpring and (in)courage tomorrow when we kick off our next series, OUT of INsecurity! (We’ve done a lot of giveaways lately. Hope you don’t mind–I just love sharing!)

We began this challenge with one word and I’m going to end it with the same…

Woo-hoo!

_________________________________

QUESTION:
What’s one thing you’ll take with you from this challenge?

Purpleclick:
Taking part in this challenge has reaffirmed the special and real need for women friendships.
I’m looking forward to life to life sharing in both offline and online communities, using the thoughts and insights that you have shared. Thank you Holley for… being you!

(February 18, 2010 at 02:25AM)

This isn’t what you think. It’s not about mushy, pie-in-the-sky, singing-in-the-rain romance. (Although there is a little rain as you’ll soon see. And there’s a big surprise for you!)

Nope, this is about a different kind of love, a different kind of story…yours.

But let’s start with the rain first.

One day as I gathered books and stepped into the hall I saw a familiar face wearing a smile and holding an umbrella. My future husband came to walk me through the rain. And my love story came to life.

Years later, during a difficult storm in my life God used that memory to show me that He, too, wanted to walk me through the rain. And my love story came to life.

Almost half a decade of hurt and hope went by. I shared what God had done with other women. It helped heal their hearts too. And my love story came to life.

We’re made for love. And it comes whenever the divine shows up in the ordinary, whether that’s through family, friends, a cause that captures our hearts, or totally unexpected moments.

Lean in and I’ll whisper a secret…

It’s not about happily-ever-after.

It’s about eternity.

God is the Author and He is love. (Hebrews 12:2, 1 John 4:16)

That means we’re all living a love story.

And not just on Valentine’s Day but forever.

Now that’s worth celebrating!

_______________________________________

TODAY’S QUESTION:
Share a love story from your life.
(Remember, it doesn’t have to be a romantic one…just a time when your heart felt real love.)

Purpleclick:
I AM SO LOVED… by my family. Especially my dad, who just helps me know the love of the Father in such tangible ways. I cherish every moment!

(February 15, 2010 at 12:16AM)

As you know by now, I’m a “live from the heart” kind of girl.

That means some days (okay, a lot of days) my emotions try to get the best of me. So I’ve been asking God what to do with all these feelings.

As I prayed and pondered, this little sentence popped into my heart…

Emotions make great messengers and bad bosses.

Emotions aren’t sin. They’re actually really helpful. They tell us what’s going on in our stories. Even Jesus was a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.”

So imagine a messenger running up to you (mine has a ponytail, cute t-shirt, and a mocha for me in her hand…thought you’d like to know).

If we listen to what the messenger has to share with us, turn to our Boss and ask, “What should we do about this?” then all is well.

If we turn back to the messenger and our back to the Boss everything changes.

Our emotions speak into our stories.

The Author gets the final say.

p.s. Keep thinking about your Story Statement…we’ll get back to them soon!

_________________________________________

TODAY’S QUESTION:
What are your feelings saying? What’s true?

Purpleclick:
Tears well up easily… especially that time of the month. And they well up most of the time as I’m reading or typing during this challenge. Yes, emotions are not a bad thing… I wish people will not equate being emotional as being incoherent/not objective. I feel deeply… I can’t care less. It takes time to process, with the Author Boss and other close individuals, and I am thankful for their patience and love.

(February 15, 2010 at 12:01AM)

I tend to embarass myself when I speak by doing things like, oh, walking into the men’s room or breaking water jugs. Yes, ma’am.

So when I showed up to speak at a conference for the wives of worship leaders yesterday, I vowed I would change my crazy ways.

And I felt quite calm until realizing the other speaker was Jackie Kendall, the best-selling author of Lady in Waiting.

Then I began to quietly hyperventilate because I LOVE her. I did gather my wits long enough to take in her brilliant and hilarious talk. One insight she shared smacked me across the forehead like a wet noodle. Schloop!

Jackie said part of the Greek word for contentment means “to raise a wall against.” A Scripture that has been on my heart came instantly to mind…

“Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Contentment isn’t my strong suit. Not my strong suit, dress, skirt, shirt, or tie. I have high expectations. I whine. I’ve got a stack of “if only’s” a mile high.

I viewed contentment as a barrier…something that could block my dreams.

But suddenly I saw it as just the opposite…protection for my heart.

Contentment doesn’t mean faking it, being a doormat, or becoming passive. It doesn’t mean we don’t dream or grow.

Instead it simply means our hearts choose to be satisfied with what God gives us today. Then we partner with Him to move toward what He has for us tomorrow.

(By the way, I’m really glad the Apostle Paul said, “I have learned to be content in all things” because y’all, it’s going to take this girl some practice.)

So how does this relate to our stories?

“Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (aka the source of your story).”

Like the lock on a little-girl diary, contentment keeps safe what matters most.

p.s. I did not walk into the men’s restroom this time. But right smack in the middle of my talk, in front of Jackie and everybody, I did say I hoped Jesus would say “y’all” when we got to heaven. What?!? You can’t take me anywhere.

_________________________________________

TODAY’S QUESTION:
Am I the only one who struggles with contentment? What helps?

Holley:
I have been reading, reading, reading! You girls are so brilliant, beautiful, and funny too (a shout-out to my fellow “y’all” users)! Your words really spoke to my heart in ways I needed. I know I’ll be back to read them again when I have one of those days. Love y’all!

Purpleclick:
Contentment comes with authenticity, honesty and realness with ourselves and with others. Lots of that happening here (on your blog, Holley).

I think of the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

I read (ahead) on this devotional site I frequent: The Word For Today by Bob Gass, and Feb 17th’s, titled “Seeing Yourself As God Sees You” speaks to my heart on this topic.

The verse is : “…we have this treasure in earthen vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV) and one of the sentences that stood out is this: “Nothing about you surprises God.”

The Master Potter is at work!

(February 11, 2010 at 10.01PM)

*  The 21- day challenge started on part 11 of the series. That’s why the numbers on Holley’s blog are higher than 21.

A Story Statement is a lot like a Mission Statement. I like the word “story” because it implies creativity and freedom as well as reminding me that God is the Author.

Whatever you call it, the purpose is the same: to bring focus and intention to our stories.

There are many ways to write a Story Statement. Let’s start with the simplest.

Think back on everything we’ve covered: Strengths, Skills, WWW. Then create a sentence with this structure…

To bring + (what) + (who) + (how)

Mine: To bring hope and encouragement to the hearts of women through words.

(You can change “bring” to another verb if it helps.)

We’ll talk about how to add more to our Story Statements later.

How we live this statement will change many times during our story.

For example, I have a pitcher that I love. I’ve used it to pour lemonade, water, and tea. I’ve used it at parties, for my husband, and with family at the holidays.

If that pitcher said, “I’m just made to pour iced tea on Saturdays” then it would only partially understand its purpose.

That pitcher might feel like a failure if I wanted to use it to serve orange juice on Sunday mornings instead. But I would be happy about it.

God calls us His “vessel.” That means we’ll express our Story Statement in various situations, amounts, and times. The words we write down aren’t meant to confine us but rather to bring focus and then set us free to be used by God however He chooses.

For example, speaking encouragement to a tired cashier is just as much living out my life story statement as writing a book that will be read by thousands.

What God wants most in our stories is our hearts. After all, It’s not about the size of the word but the meaning behind it.

Big or small, He can use it all.

____________________________________________

TODAY: Write a one sentence rough draft of your life story statement.
(Use the structure above or your own way and spend less than 5 minutes on it.)

Suzanne: (a sister who wrote earlier and had a few of us ladies responding to her post)
Hi, everyone…
It’s a little after 6:00 p.m. I direct our Children’s Ministry so, Wednesday nights are worknights for me.

To be honest, I haven’t had a chance to read through today’s post and complete my assignment.

I just needed to post a prayer request. For my heart. It is really aching right now. I just need for God to surround me with His wisdom and peace. I feel that it’s best that that’s all I say right now but I just wanted to send this out because I know you all are praying women.

Thank you. Thank you.

Grace,
Suzanne

Purpleclick:
To build/maintain strong family ties and friendships through sharing “time”, creative ways, and believing in each other.

Suzanne,
It’s 10.15am in my time zone… Prayers are 24/7!
Just to share the chorus of one of my favourite songs: “God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind. So when you don’t understand, when you don’t see His plan, when you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.” The Lord Himself minister grace and peace in your innermost being. Amen.

(February 10, 2010 at 08:18PM)

Suzanne:
Natalie, LayKuan and Debbie…
Thank you for your cups of cool water. I felt like I needed the “32 oz” cups tonight!:)

LayKuan…what is the name of the song you shared? Who sings it? I love those lyrics!

Praying for you,
Suzanne

Holley:
I love reading your Story Statements! So full of you, so full of HIM.
We are praying for you, Suzanne!

Purpleclick:
Hi Suzanne,
So glad to see your post!

The title of the song is “Trust His Heart”. The 1st time I heard it was a long time ago, sung by an all-guys group called “newsong” in an album “Light Your World”. I still have the CD… and just whipped it out to have a look and a listen… sweet!

There are a few YouTube videos I found. Try this.

There are some minor changes in the words, but I like the “original” better. God bless your heart as you listen to the song sung!

Below are the full lyrics. When I looked at the copyright on the CD cover… I see Dayspring!
Holley, maybe you can dig up some history!

Trust His Heart
By Eddie Carswell & Babbie Mason
1989, Causing Change Music and Dayspring Music/BMI and Word Music.

All things work for our good
though sometimes we can’t see how they could.
Struggles that break our hearts in two
sometimes blind us to the truth.
Our Father knows what’s best for us;
His ways are not our own.
So, when your pathway grows dim,
and you just can’t see Him,
Remember He’s still on the throne.

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don’t understand,
when you don’t see His plan,
When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.

He sees the Master plan.
He holds the future in His hands.
So don’t live as those who have no hope.
All our hope is found in Him.
We walk in present knowledge,
but He sees the first and the last.
And like a tapestry, He’s weaving you and me
to someday be just like Him.

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don’t understand,
when you don’t see His plan,
When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart.

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

(February 11, 2010 at 10.53PM)

To start from part one, click here.

The Israelites had a holy GPS to the Promised Land and the journey still took a long time.

Jesus knew He was called to be the Messiah but He didn’t officially begin His ministry until age 30.

Esther spent a year on beauty treatments before she even met the king (sign me up for that one!).

It’s just one little letter but know is not the same as now.

I can feel guilty when I get to a place where I better understand God’s plan or what He’s calling me to do and it hasn’t fully come into being yet. Anyone else? Let’s just kick that to the curb, ladies.

I’ve done a lot of waiting over the last five years. And what God has gently revealed to me is this, if our hearts are open and we’re saying “yes” to what He asks of us each day then we’re where we’re supposed to be.

It may not make sense. It may seem small. It may feel silly. But sometimes God just has us stay.

Beth Moore said, “Hearts entirely surrendered to God can ordinarily be trusted.” If we have yielded to Jesus and handed Him the pen but all has not come to pass in our story then it is not time yet. Or God has something else for us that we’re being prepared for now. Either way, we have done our part.

That’s what this series is about…not making something happen but getting to the point where we are open and ready.

Our role in the story is to simply place our fingers on the edge of the paper and say, “God, I am here and waiting. Turn the pages as you will. And with all I am, all I have, I will go with you.”

p.s. Have you told us how we can pray for you?

________________________________________

TODAY’S QUESTION:
What’s your heart waiting on right now?

Purpleclick:
Waiting is not idling or doing nothing.
It’s vital preparation, especially in the heart department, to be ready for God to use us when the time is right. With God, it is always “worth the wait”!

My heart is waiting in anticipation for God to work in (more) people whose hearts will resonate with mine, who will journey alongside, with me in God-sized dreams.

(February 09, 2010 at 02:24AM)

There’s something about face-to-face, neck-hugging, shoulder-crying, loud-laughing times that make all seem right in the world again.

To start from part one, click here.

Skill: A strength expressed in a specific way that builds up others and benefits the Kingdom.

Now that you know your strengths, what do you do with them? Chances are, you’re already doing something. Strengths are made to be expressed. We call those expressions skills.

Skills can get overlooked. Besides being made fun of in Napoleon Dynamite (okay, that was pretty hilarious), they can sometimes seem not-as-spiritual.

For example, you might wonder, “How does something like cooking help the Kingdom?” (Besides potlucks,which are the best sort of goodness this side of heaven.)

In the DaySpring creative area, this verse stayed on the wall for many years…

I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts. Exodus 31:3

This verse reveals that God’s hand is in our skills, in the ordinary things we do. And they matter. A lot. We don’t all have the same skills. For example, the “all kinds of crafts” part doesn’t quite fit me. (I am not allowed to use hot glue guns for reasons that shall remain unsaid.)

To help us figure out our skills, I’ve got another list. Take a look…

Download Skills List

Skills Circles can be a fun way to connect strengths with skills. Draw a circle and write a strength in the middle. Then draw small circles around the edge and write related skills in them. Here’s a personal example…

The size of the circle is related to how much we express that strength through the skill. For example, I write a lot more than I speak.

Have fun with this! Doodle, put these in your journal, write them on napkins next time you’re stuck on a plane. This isn’t meant to be a big project, just a little tool.

We usually express the same core strength in many different ways. That reveals a lot about who we are and what God has called us to do in our story.

Watch out world, we’ve got skills and we’re not afraid to use them.

(Except for the hot glue gun. I’m still not going there. You fabulously talented crafty people handle that one for me, okay?)

_________________________________________________

TODAY’S QUESTION:
What are some of your skills?

Holley:
Your strengths gave me such a great glimpse of your hearts. And now your skills are giving me such a great glimpse of your hands, what you do in everyday life. I love finding out more about the wonderful women God has made you! (:

The comment link was broken earlier but I fixed it so I’m really sorry if it didn’t work for you at first! Thank you for your perseverance!

I’m still at the Blissdom conference in Nashville and I head home tomorrow. Thanks again for your prayers! I’ve really felt them with me!

Purpleclick:
Thanks again, Holley, for this wonderful list of skills. It’s very helpful to think in these terms and see indeed how God has been using us, in the way He has gifted us.
Here’s my list of strengths with skills (those with the * next to them are the “bigger” circles.)

Strength: Creative
Skills:
- Creating*
- Administering*
- Decorating
- Organizing
- Teaching
- Writing

Strength: Loyal
Skills:
- Appreciating
- Building
- Encouraging
- Maintaining*
- Persevering*
- Listening

Strength: Protective
Skills:
- Protecting*
- Believing*
- Nurturing
- Supporting

(February 07, 2010 at 10:13AM)

To start from part one, click here.

Strength: a personal characteristic that can be used on behalf of God in service to others.

To find the core strengths in your story, download the list and find the words that most apply to you.

Download Strengths List

Then put them through the S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H. Test…

Service – Does it help me serve God and others?

Time – Has it been present throughout much of my life?

Relationships – Do others see this?

Energy – Do I feel energized when I’m living this way?

Natural – Does this come naturally to me most of the time? OR do I know God has intentionally developed this in me even though it doesn’t?

Glory – Does God ultimately get the glory from it?

Trials – Even in hard times, does it usually come through somehow?

Heart – Does this really feel like a core part of who I am?

* Does it feel strange to talk about your strengths? Read Part 21.

__________________________________

TODAY’S QUESTION:
What are some of your strengths?

To start from part one, click here.

When I began this series, I knew one post would be about our strengths. They’re essential to our stories.

But I avoided it. Why?

The “good Christian girl” voice inside kept saying, “But that’s not humble.”

Finally, I had a little chat with her…

“Girl, what’s your definition of ‘humility’?”

“Being insecure, thinking everyone else is better than you.”

Something about that didn’t sound quite right. So I decided to check out God’s definition of humility. And the happy tears started.

Y’all, “good Christian girl” may be a sweetheart but she is so wrong on this one.

Get ready, I’m about to go Greek on you. And I thought that was done when I graduated college (Zeta-woot!).

Moving along…Most of the time, the word “humility” is from the Hebrew word “Kana” which implies submission to another’s will.

In the New Testament, it’s a Greek word formed from two others – “Tapeinos” (low to the ground) and “Phren” (our hearts/minds). Put all of that together and humility means bowing our hearts to God.

Or in other words, submitting to His will. And what is His will? That we agree with what He says and live out…including what He says about us.

He says we’re loved, accepted, and wonderfully made in a way that’s just right for His purposes to be fulfilled in our lives.

And what does God do after we humble ourselves before him?

Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up. James 4:10

Here’s the process: We come before God and say, “I bow my heart before you in love. I embrace that you are God and I am not. All I am, all I have is yours.”

Then He takes our hearts by the hand, lifts us up, and says, “Stand tall, my daughter. You are loved. You are of great worth. Do my will.”

(When our hearts beat with God’s, then we also stay in rhythm with others and “love them as ourselves.” Speaking unkindly about each other or ourselves is the same in His eyes. Either way, one of His girls gets hurt.)

Whew, who could use a chocolate break right now?

It’s time to see ourselves differently in our stories. We’re going to look at our strengths tomorrow. For today, enjoy a big, gooey, wonderful piece of humble pie. With whipped cream AND a cherry. Yes, ma’am.

It just may be the sweetest thing you’ve ever tasted.

p.s. If this message connected with you like it did with me, will you consider serving up some humble pie to the women in your lives by sharing it?

________________________________________________

TODAY’S QUESTION:
What’s your heart saying in response?

Purpleclick:
It’s a beautiful picture, the posture of “bowing our hearts to God”.
He has in mind His best for us. We are His masterpiece, each one!
{Pause} … taking it all in!

(February 06, 2010 at 09:08AM)

Holley:
Hello Lovelies!

It is so good to see your words on these pages! Im writing this from the Blissdom blogging conference in Nashville. It’s going really well and I can feel your sweet prayers! Thank you!

I told someone today that the only drawback about blogging is not getting to see each of you in person and have coffee with you. I would drink A LOT of coffee. (: But it would be so worth to have a real life heart-to-heart with you! One day–here or in heaven!

Sending a hug and a prayer to you, wherever you are today…