Reposting #6 Post of the Year: When Stress Starts to Strangle

I thought this post would be especially relevant today, given the fact that we are 6 days from Christmas. So, grab a cup of coffee or tea, relax and de-stress! Already read this post the first time around?  Then CLICK HERE  for a funny video by my son, Ryan...it is guaranteed to make you laugh.

When Stress Starts to Strangle: eMpowering Mondays

Stress isn't always bad for me. Sometimes stress motivates me and makes me productive. But then there are times when I feel its nasty grip around my neck and I begin to suffocate, panic, and give up. Last night was one of those times when I felt like stress was strangling me and taking the very life out of me. I sent a Facebook message to a friend of mine and it said something like this:

Please pray for me right now. I think I am just tired and a bit overwhelmed. I had the opportunity to speak at a church this morning and that went well...but I have struggled ever since I got home. My house is a wreck, I have so many to-do projects, lots of writing to do this week, AND I am preparing to speak at our church's women's retreat this coming Sunday morning. Needless to say, I am not emotionally or spiritually prepared. I know this is an attack and I just need someone to pray for me. Your name came to mind. Would you please?

Have you ever felt this way? That's a rhetorical question. Because if you are alive, I know that you have. So, what do we do when stress starts to strangle us?

1. Pray and ask for prayer. Prayer ushers in the POWER of the Holy Spirit that comes alongside us, that strengthens us, encourages us, and motivates us. Don't be afraid or too prideful to reveal your stress to others so that they can pray for you. There is POWER in prayer.

2. Put it all on paper. (or your computer...whatever tool you use most.) Often when we actually write everything down that we need to do, it is less overwhelming. When things are just floating in our minds, we cannot manage them as well. So make a list. Write down everything that comes to mind that you need to do, or even want to do. Then...

3. Prioritize your to-do list. What has to be done today? What can be done tomorrow or even next week? Honestly, organizing your closet can wait. Cleaning out your kitchen catch-all drawer is not necessary today. (Oh, wait, that was my list!) You get the idea.

4. Pass on duties to others. Delegate! Are there things on your list that others can do.  My sweet friend that received the above Facebook message reminded me to even involve my children in sharing the load of duties. (Thanks, Melanie.) Yes! Bekah can fold clothes and Ryan can unload the dishwasher. Those responsibilities can seem minor, but when combined with many others, they can be overwhelming!

5. Procrastinate. NOT.  Oh, this one is a biggie for me. A friend just shared with me last week about this very subject. She told me I needed to read the book titled, Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy. Though I haven't read it yet, it is on my book list. And, I just can't help thinking about going ahead and eating that "frog"(that one thing that I don't want to do) and moving forward with my list. (Good stuff, thanks,Teri!)

6. Plan some time with the Lord and with friends. Fellowship with God brings perspective and peace. When we spend time with Him, thanksgiving inevitably results. We realize how much He has blessed us and He gives us perspective on our impending to-do lists. Fellowship with friends provides accountability and much needed laughter and conversation. Don't ever estimate the power of spending time with God and friends!

I hope this list of six will help you with your to-do list of sixty. Stress will come. It is inevitable. But it doesn't have to strangle you. 

Update:  I made it through that crazy week that I wrote about back in September. I have had several more crazy weeks since then. But I am trying to put my own words into practice and not allow the stress to rob my joy. Have a wonderful week...I am so blessed to have you read.

Have a second? I would love to hear your thoughts, even if it is just..."Merry Christmas!" All you that subscribe by email can CLICK HERE if you want to comment. 

Unwrapping the gift of de-stressing,


Kelli

eMpowering Mondays: REST

Today, because it is Labor Day, I am reposting an article that most of you have never seen.  It was originally posted in 2009 on a different blog site.  But the words are still meaningful today, especially today. Going along with our eMpowering Mondays theme, I wanted to remind you how powerful REST can be.  It provides perspective, rejuvenation, and a much needed break from the stress and toil of this world. So, join me in some rest today...

I can't help but talk about my children. It seems God uses them to speak to me so much. Yesterday morning as I lay in my bed...realizing that it was nearing 8 am and it was Monday...I was thrilled! My kids had a teacher-in-service day. And although I usually don't understand the reason for these days, I am grateful that I do not have to get up and start the daily grind. Well, I do eventually have to get up...but not at my usual 6am. Ok, most of the time it is 6:30. Anyway...Ryan (my 5 year old) came running into my bedroom at about 8:15 am and jumped on the bed and crawled under the covers and laid down next to me. He loves to do this. So we cuddled for a few minutes and he said, "Mommy, do they have man breaks?" "What?!" I asked ,very confused. "You know, Mommy. Do they have man breaks or woman breaks?" "Ryan, what are you talking about?" He was beginning to get frustrated with my lack of understanding. "MOMMY...like me and sissy have a kid break from school, do they have man breaks and woman breaks?" I got it. He wanted to know if his daddy and mommy ever got a break. "Well, I said, today Mommy's getting a little break (Yeah, right!) by not having to take you to school. And Daddy gets a break on the weekend...and some holidays." "Oh..." He said. "Why do you ask?" I responded. "'Cause you and daddy need a break, too. You need to rest." What a genius of a little boy! At five, he recognizes the importance of breaks...of resting. Albeit, we could rest a lot more if he did not wake us up at 7 am on Saturday mornings!

"And on the seventh day, having finished His task, God rested from all His work." Genesis 2:2

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened heavily, and I will give you REST." Matthew 11:28

"Sabbath: uncluttered time and space to distance ourselves from the frenzy of our own activities so that we can see what God has been doing; is doing....The precedent to quit doing and simply be is divine. " Eugene Peterson

So...take a man break or a woman break...You need it and it is divine.

So, how do you enjoy a break? With a great book, sleeping, vacationing, or what? We'd love to know.  Maybe we could try it, too. Comment below or if you are reading my email, click here.

Unwrap the gift of REST,

Kelli

Linking up with Women Living Well...go check out their site!

Living On Purpose

I was putting his clothes in his drawers when I noticed it. The wonderfully engraved name and doodles on the top of his dresser veneer. Ryan. Etched in wood. Forever. I cannot tell you some of the words I thought, but I can tell you that I gasped and then quickly yelled for that precious name etched in wood forever to come to me.

"Why did you do this, Ryan?  You know that we don't damage furniture.  Furniture is expensive.  We want it to last a long time...and this piece now has your personal autograph. Forever."

"Oh, mom, I am sorry.  I didn't do it on purpose.  It was an accident."

"I didn't do it on purpose." Those words clearly infer that there was no meaning behind the action.  There was no specific intent for the deed. There was no clear goal. Now we know that Ryan's actions most likely did have a goal (ha!), but I think about the times in my own life when I don't live on purpose. My days are not filled with meaningful moments, but rather aimless wandering. I treat time as waste, and throw it away.

Dear friends, God has purpose for our lives.  He longs for us to live in the fullness of His love, mercy, and grace. He has great and wonderful plans for us that flaunt hope and anticipation. But we have to choose to live on purpose. It will not happen by accident. We have to choose to give our days to the One who is the Perfect Planner. We must "take up our crosses daily and follow Him." That is when we find purpose. 

"Run in such a way as to get the prize. We do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air." 1 Corinthians 9: 24; 25b; 26

What is keeping you from living "on purpose?" Comment below. Or if you are reading by email, go here to comment.  I would love to pray for you.

And join me each week, for "On Purpose Wednesdays." I can hardly wait! We will:

• discover and embrace the unique design God has given each of us
• seek to live a life "on purpose" using our God-given gifts and passion

Unwrapping the gift of His purpose,

Kelli

I am joining Soli Deo Gloria today @ Finding Heaven sharing what God is doing in my life.

A Reason to Love Getting Older

Today I am linking up with Five Minute Friday again.  (I have had a rough week, so I needed a little break.) The rules are as follows:

Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.

Here goes.  The topic is older.

Ryan is older today. Hard to believe that it has been eight years since he entered this crazy world. Crazy as I see it. He sees it as wonderful. Ryan often says, "This is the best day of my life!" Yes, he has taught us to enjoy our moments and live them outrageously. One thing you can say about Ryan is he always goes all out.

So, if Ryan is older today, I guess that makes me older, too. I am one day closer to the 40 mark.  It will happen in less than two months.  I was looking forward to a big bash to celebrate...but now the closer it gets, the more I want to party quietly.  That is so unlike me. Sounds old. 

Whatever the case, I am reminded a verse in my favorite book of the bible, 2 Corinthians.  "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." Now, that's a reason to love getting...older.   

(2 Cor. 4:16)

That's it. 

How do you feel about getting older?

Happy Friday love to all of you!

Unwrap the gift of life today!

Kelli

Five Minute Friday

There's a Party Going On Right Here

"Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: "Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' 10 Count on it--that's the kind of party God's angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God."   Luke 15: 8 - 10 (Message)


I will never forget the day that Ryan and I were riding down the road in the "Swagger Wagon,"  aka minivan, and we were discussing my nephew's upcoming baptism.  Ryan was four at the time and had many questions (not unusual) about Jesus, baptism, God, etc.  His main question was, "Can I be bap-i-tized?"  I explained to him that baptism was an outward sign of an inward decision.  That baptism followed accepting Christ into your heart as your Savior and Lord.  He waited a few minutes.  And then I heard him say, "God...Jesus...both of you guys...would you come into my heart?"  "Ok, Mom, now I can get that bap-i-tized thing."  Well, I didn't doubt the Lord drawing Ryan to himself.  I didn't even doubt Ryan's decision.  I wasn't quite sure what to do.  So, I told my husband about it and we decided to just wait and see if Ryan brought it up again.  He didn't.  


Fast forward three and a half years.  I have always felt secure in the fact that the Lord had already started a work in Ryan.  But now that Ryan was older and he was learning more and more, I wanted him to solidify that decision to follow Christ.  The Lord really laid on my heart in January of this year to pray fervently for Ryan to truly understand what it meant to accept Jesus as his Savior.  So, I began to pray.  And I asked others to pray.  I knew God was working.  I could tell by Ryan's prayers, his questions, and his change in behavior.  He went to overnight Kids Camp for the first time this year.  God stirred.  He moved to a third grade Sunday School class with Mama Carol (a kid loving, Scripture teaching, woman of God!) God stirred some more.  


This week is VBS at Christ Community Church.  Last night was my night to teach.  The story:  Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.  I had recruited a friend of mine, Garrett, to help me teach it by portraying Peter.  Garrett did a phenomenal job in sharing how Peter must have felt when he blew it with Jesus...denying him 3 times.  I asked the kids, "Anyone in here ever felt like they blew it?"  Ryan raised his hand and said, "1000 times , Mom, you know it, 'cause you're my Mom."  I smiled.  And then I reminded the kids that God forgives, that God loves them so much that He sent His son Jesus to die for them and their sins, and that He rose again so that we could live forever with Him!  "If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, tonight's a great night to do that.  If He is calling you, listen to Him."  I prayed with the kids and dismissed them.  On the way out, Ryan came and hugged me and said, "Mom, I want to ask Jesus into my heart and...I want to be digested as soon as I can!"  "Digested?"  "You know, Mom, the water thing?"  "Oh...Baptized."  "Yes!  That's it!"


We came home.  He shared the news with Bekah and Daddy.  We all four (now a house full of Christ followers!) sat down as Ryan prayed to receive Christ into his heart.  He told Jesus he wanted Him to control his soul and his life.  (His words.)  And then the three of us took turns praying over him and blessing him.  Chris (my man) thanked God that his son was now also his brother.  Bekah prayed for Ryan to "fully embrace his relationship with Christ."  I prayed that God would bless him and have him do AMAZING things for the kingdom.  It was GLORIOUS!  


And yes, there's a party going on right here!  A Celebration to last throughout the years! (Forever!) Won't you join us at the party?  We have a place reserved especially for you.


Thanks for letting me share my heart today.  You all are such a blessing to me!
Kelli

From Attitude to Gratitude

It was Saturday morning.  And then it happened.  You know this sound.  It is the sound of little people feet who like to get up early and like your company as well.  Sigh.  I decide to fake sound sleep.  Little feet stop.  Little feet turn around.  Little hands close door.  Yes!  I did it.  I go back to sleeping, not faking it this time.

Twenty minutes later, scenario repeats.  Only this time, little  big voice announces that he has made me breakfast in bed.  I am foggy.  He continues to tell me that his daddy taught him that this was the way you make your wife happy.  Wait!  What kind of breakfast did he make me all by himself?  Daddy is gone to work.  Tween sister is at a sleepover.  Yikes.  I am wide awake now.  And then he presents.  Slightly burnt crunchy yummy toast with four ounces ample squeezable grape jelly and nine manhandled lightly washed blueberries.  Yes, there were nine.  I counted them.

Wow.  He is thrilled to serve me.  I am proud to be his mom.  He is so proud of himself.  I am...in desperate need of coffee.  (Especially with the sugar high I am feeling from the jelly right now.)

It was a beautiful moment.  My almost eight year old is growing up.  We relish in the moment together.  I drink my coffee and eat my lovingly prepared breakfast in bed.

Twenty minutes later, it happens.  You know "it."  "It" is the attitude that creeps in after we have done something nice for someone.   "It" is the attitude of reciprocity.  And "it" came on with a vengeance in my son.  He wants to know if I will take him to ToysRUs to get a toy because he made breakfast for me.  Whaaaa?  My motherly instinct of teaching life lessons in the middle of life crises kicks in.  "Son, you made breakfast for me because you wanted to do something nice for me, to show your love for me, right?  Not to get something in return.  We do things for people because we love them and want to serve them, not  to gain leverage for purposes of negotiation."  (Ok, so I didn't say that last part, but I wanted to!)


He makes a sour face.  He leaves the room.


Twenty minutes later, he returns.  (He kind of works in 20 minute shifts.)  He is now fixated on the idea of going to TRU and getting a prize.  He has now positioned himself firmly with a sense of entitlement.


Patience wavering.  Life lesson #2.  I give him a sheet of paper and write at the top, "What I am thankful for..."  I tell him it is hard to have this "attitude" of entitlement if we take time to think about and be grateful for what we already have.

He begins his list.  He gets frustrated.  He throws away the first paper.  He starts the second paper and this is what he comes up with:

Ritzy and Cookie are our dogs.  Bunk Bed comes in third, with food, pool, upstairs, and trampoline following.  And then...my personal favorite...he is thankful for having a lot (not just a little) TALINT.  So true, my sweet boy.  And then lots of toys with oh, and a family there at the end.

Gratitude.  When we realize the amazing ways in which God has blessed us.  When we realize we have everything we need and a lot of what we want as well.  When we gain perspective.

Gratitude has an uncanny habit of replacing "attitude."  Because it is really hard to have a sense of entitlement and need of reciprocity when you realize that the Ultimate Giver has lavished His love, grace and mercy on you.  Undeservedly.

Lord, I know that I am so often like a child desiring recognition and reciprocity for my service.  I can also be very needy and "wanty" not realizing what I have already been blessed with.  Give me an attitude of gratitude that I might see the amazing gifts that You have graciously given me.

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.  This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."  1 Thess. 5: 16 - 18 (Msg)

So, do you need an attitude change?  What would your gratitude list look like?