Have you ever had a season when you keep hearing the same message over and over again? You know, when the lyrics on the radio seem to match the road-side billboard and the Sunday sermon and the topic of conversation among your friends? It is as if you’re in a movie where everything is scripted. Just for you.

I’m currently starring in that movie and the message I keep hearing is, “Ask Me.”

I can remember sitting in my Sunday school class as a little girl learning Matthew 7:7.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

My little five-year-old-self felt like I had been given the magic words to get anything I want! I mean, it’s right there in the BIBLE!! Then, I got bumped and bruised by life. Disappointments came from out of nowhere. Questions entered my mind, quickly followed by shame over having questions. And somewhere along the way, I stopped asking.

I knew God could do anything for me, but would He? 

Well, yes he would. And has. And will continue to. His determination to take the cross for me is all the proof I need. That act alone has flung the doors of Heaven wide open for me. And His faithfulness has demonstrated that He wants His very best for me. That is why I don’t always get what I ask for. Although I think I know what’s best for me, the fact is that only He does. So He lovingly invites me in, delights in hearing my prayers, and holds me close. Then He answers my prayers and provides for my needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus – provision with wisdom. The yeses and the nos. The ways I want and the ways I don’t.

But first, we must ask.

May I encourage you to be bold again? To trust? To be willing to not get the answer you want, but brave enough to trust your Father to give you what is best for you? I promise that His loving response will always begin with…

You are adored.

“Go outside and PLAY!”

These were the words of my frustrated dad one summer day when I was six. My best friend, Steffy, was nowhere to be found and I would much rather get lost in one of my favorite books or color pretty pictures than go outside alone. Outside was boring. Outside was lonely. Outside was bleh. But I was an obedient child and could tell that I was already on my dad’s last nerve, so out I went! To sit by myself…on the steps…and wonder what all the fuss about outside was. In my six-year-old despair, I remember asking Jesus to help me enjoy outside. If I had been banished to the place, maybe I could find some fun, right?

Fast forward a few years and I found myself having another memorable conversation with the Lord. This time we were talking about slowing down. Me slowing down. And guess what He asked me to do? Go outside! Go outside and take a walk. Look up and wonder at the cloud formations. Listen for the birds. Smell the air. Feel the sun on my face. Immerse myself in His creation and be restored.

What I discovered was the act of going outside caused me to naturally slow down. When I am inside, I am distracted by the ever-growing To-Do List (why does that thing never get shorter?!) and I am in constant Go Mode. Answer an email, make a phone call, pay a bill, do, do, do, go, go, go. While I am purposeful to invite my Father into the work He has entrusted to me, sometimes I forget to stop and simply enjoy His presence with me in the process. When I do, the pace is different and the load is lighter.

But sometimes I just need to go outside. When I do, He is faithful to refocus my thoughts, center my heart, and put things back into the proper priority. The Lord uses His creation to express love to this creation. Because six-year-old-me felt banished and asked the Lord to help me enjoy what felt like a punishment, adult-me has learned to see things differently and is now restored by the very same act of stepping out the door.

How do you slow down? How do you pause to hear His voice a little more clearly? Do you need to shake up the routine a little and go outside? As it turns out, it isn’t banishment at all. It is an invitation from your loving Father to come close, breathe deep and allow Him to remind you that…

You are adored.

I bought flowers today. They were the first thing that greeted me as I entered the store. Cheerily inviting me to come near and smell their sweetness. To gaze upon their vibrant colors. To wonder in their delicate creation. Such a wide array of beauty!

Then I heard the snarl…”Beauty is a luxury.” And the internal conversation began…

It is a waste of money.

They are just going to die.

You didn’t come here for flowers.

You can’t afford them.

So I walked on. Searching the aisles for the items on my list. Frankly, none of them were beautiful. Just practical items needed to keep a household running. Certainly nothing that could be considered a luxury.

Then I heard a gentle whisper…“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11a)

Beauty is a creation of the Most High.

Beauty brings Him glory.

Beauty gives us joy.

Beauty is a gift.

God made beauty, and everything God made is good. Beauty is not a luxury!

I am a linear thinker. As an Administrative Assistant, that serves me well. Linear thinking helps me plan, strategize, and implement systems that facilitate the daily function of a visionary Senior Pastor’s office, cooperation with a forward-thinking Senior Team, and encourage a stellar Administrative Team. Linear thinking is clean, clear, and almost predictable. I am an organizational nerd.

But I am also imaginative. Someone who gets a thrill from taking something old and bringing new life to it. I see the promise in the discarded, the value of dreaming. I am drawn to beauty and appreciate its many forms. I am a creative.

Some would say I am conflicted! But I have learned to resist the singular and embrace the both/and nature of who God created me to be. One gift does not cancel out the other. Both have value. Both have purpose. And God has consistently shown me how He loves to use both “sides” of this creation for His purposes and glory.

The snarl tried to convince me that only one characteristic has value. Then it seamlessly went into shame to discourage me from embracing a gift that God has created for me to enjoy. Crafty.

But the gentle whisper invited me to see the truth. To trump the accusations with promises. To receive the gift that my Father wants to give. Generous.

When was the last time you had something fresh and beautiful nearby? It could be a sweet reminder from your loving Father that…

You are adored.

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing.

And cultivate thankfulness.

Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense.

And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Colossians 3: 15-17

When I read this passage, I hear my Grandma Slattery’s voice. She was a mid-western farm girl who married a boilermaker and raised a family on a modest income while tucking away all she could for a rainy day.

She knew how to cultivate thankfulness. She knew the value of sticking close to – and standing up for – those she loved. She knew the importance of spending time with her Bible. She knew common sense and encouraged all of us to use it liberally! And while I don’t remember her singing with her voice, I do remember her singing with her actions – caring for her family with hot meals each day, loving her three kids, and keeping a home that welcomed my Grandpa home each evening. And she did all of these simple acts of love with her most beautiful accessory – her smile.

I am confident that she smiled because this farm girl knew how to cultivate thankfulness. Cultivation takes time and patience. It requires the hard ground to be plowed and prepared. It requires planting, watering, and tending to those little seeds so they can grow to maturity. Her life had more than its fair share of heartache and difficulty but she smiled because it also had more than its fair share of God’s grace. And she knew it! She nurtured thankfulness.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving Day, I am trying to be more purposeful about cultivating thankfulness in my own life. I am giving the Word run of the house! I am using common sense and finding joy in the simple things. And I am going to sing my way through the practicalities of daily life, knowing that despite what I may see, my Father has it all well in hand. Would you like to join me? It just might shed a new light on the busy-ness of the season and allow us to more readily hear our loving Father whisper…

You are adored.

Connection. It is a term we hear a lot these days. We use those handy cell phones to stay connected to loved ones, world happenings, our schedules, and apps that even help us stay connected to God’s word.

Connection. It is a good thing but with a skewed perspective even goods things can become weighty. Have I called my mom lately? (Guilt) What just happened on the other side of the world? (Heartache) Where am I supposed to be in 5 minutes? (Frenzy) Have I spent enough time with the Lord today? (Thirst)

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,

but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

There is no question that we are created to be connected with one another. But have we stopped recently to ask the “why” behind all this connection? I believe this scripture in Hebrews speaks to that: encouragement! The Lord knew that life would have profound challenges and we would need other believers to speak truth and life over us when we get discouraged. He never meant the connection to become the challenge. As carriers of the Holy Spirit, we bring His truth into situations that have gone sideways – refreshing to weary hearts. And that’s encouraging!

This changes how we view connection. I get to call my mom today. (Relationship) I get to pray for hurting people I don’t know. (Intercession) I get to meet her in 5 minutes. (Assignment) I get to spend time with the Lord today. (Refreshing)

So let’s not give up meeting together (connecting) but instead encourage one another more and more. The Lord has given us to one another. To be human hands to hold, human arms to hug, and human voices to encourage. We are one another’s unique and precious gift from our loving Father.

You are adored.

If you are like me, there are times in our lives where we suddenly hit a wall and realize we haven’t taken care of ourselves in a while. Maybe we just need a short nap or maybe we need to schedule that regular doctor visit. Either way, the result of neglecting our needs can pack a punch.

Self-care is tricky. As women we tend to put the needs of others before our own. Why is that? We can’t lead or help anyone with anything if we’re down for the count. On the other side of the fence, we want to avoid the trap of excessive self-focus. (Insert image of celebrity temper tantrums. Eeek!) Thankfully there is a middle ground and the Lord is pretty clear with His opinion.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit,

who is in you, whom you have received from God?

You are not your own; you were bought at a price.

Therefore honor God with your bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Although this verse is talking about sexual purity, we honor God with our bodies in so many ways. So let’s zero in on some practical things we can do:

~Eat well. Making healthy food choices is important but so is remembering to eat. As Administrative Assistants, we are scheduling gurus. If you need to dedicate a time slot on your calendar, do it! Take time to step away and you’ll find that your mind is as refreshed as your body.

~Get enough sleep. This can take a bit of scheduling to develop the habit but it will pay off! Make a list of self-care things you need to do before your head hits the pillow (brush your teeth, wash your face, etc) and then set an alarm so you have time to get them done. It may sound simplistic but giving yourself time will help your body be more relaxed and ready for sleep.

~Get your body moving, moving! OK, I’m preaching to the choir here. I received a Fitbit last year and it has been the best awareness device I’ve ever used. While there are days that I’m running so much that I honk at my own taillights, there are more days when I’m glued to my office chair. Having an alert to remind me to take a walk has been great!

~See your doctor on a regular basis. Even healthy women need medical insight. Physicals, dental cleanings, mammograms, blood work – they all help you know that your “fearfully and wonderfully made” creation is working well! Has it been a while? Pick up the phone and make an appointment for yourself.

~Laugh with a friend! Recent studies have shown that laughter strengthens immune systems, boosts mood, minimizes the damaging effects of stress, relaxes the body, releases endorphins, protects the heart, and burns calories. I just gave you 7 reasons to meet a friend for coffee. You’re welcome!

~Do something that makes you smile. Get a manicure, sing a song, sit in the sun, get a haircut, dig in the garden, hug a friend, kiss some chubby baby cheeks, try a new lipstick. Doing something nice for yourself is a great investment!

When we pause to remember how much God has sacrificed for us – that we are bought at a price – we remember that self-care is actually a holy response of gratitude to our Father. It is our loving response to His tender whisper that…

You are adored.

The picture above has held particular significance to me over the past year. The Lord has whispered meanings to my heart for each item pictured, and how it relates to the ministry I offer in my role. Today, the laptop stands out to me.

Ahhh, the laptop. As Administrative Assistants, it is the key machine of our day. It is our calendar, our communication, and information hub. Without it, we are frozen. But with it, we are unstoppable! We lovingly cradle it in covers and beautiful bags to protect it from dings, knowing full well that a trip to IT for damage repair means hours of lost productivity. (And by the way, I thank God for the men and women in our IT Department!) It is our co-laborer and friend in the daily responsibilities we share.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,

and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

Then my eyes are drawn to the cup of coffee. I imagine the warmth it offers to the hands holding it. Quiet. Simple. Comforting. And I am reminded of the scripture above. “But seek first…”

Father, before we open up that helpful laptop, remind us to first pause and seek You – our true Helper. Before we check that urgent email or early appointment, help us to wait on You. Whisper your love over us. Fill us with your Spirit and power. Wash over us with your grace so we can give it away today. We pray for your wisdom before we open our mouths so we can speak to those around us, reminding them….

You are adored.

A few weeks ago I mentioned to a friend that I would be taking some vacation time in early October and her immediate response was with a sincere, “I’m going to start praying for you now.” It is no secret around the office that my past few vacations have included less-than-idyllic scenarios of expensive car repairs or stubborn illness. Not the Disney experience I had been dreaming of!

While this week certainly had beautiful moments, we have also experienced some deep difficulties. Some of the time that I hoped to write, was spent having painful conversations. Naps were replaced with to-the-mat-level prayer. And, yes, we have some unexpected car repairs looming over these last few days away from the office.

That’s life.

Please hear my heart. I’m not being a Negative Nancy with that statement. Life is full of unexpected struggles and rejoicing; it is a both/and offering. I want to embrace the highs and lows as it pertains to my walk with the Lord because I believe He is with me in both. So before I slid down that slippery slope of self-pity, I began thanking God for time. Time to refresh my soul in the mountains. Time with my husband for unhurried conversations. Time to sleep in. Time to pray and prepare my heart for the next turn in the road.

That’s a gift.

Honestly, I’ve logged enough time with the Lord to know it is important to rest and refresh when I have opportunity because life is filled with unexpected twists and turns. My heart, mind and body need to be ready. Or ready-er. Pausing to reflect and prepare isn’t bracing for the worst, it is essential to the rhythm of life.

That’s wisdom.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever us pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:6-8

God’s game plan for the unexpected: release your worries to Him, pray, be thankful, receive peace, and set your mind on His truth over your life – not the circumstances around you. He is Lord over them all and can be trusted to bring good out of what was intended for evil.

He has invited us into the process of the unexpected and trusts us to stand in the gap with prayer, a listening ear, and humble words of encouragement. Do we get it right every time? Nope. Thankfully, He isn’t looking for perfection from us. He is looking for a daughter willing to pray and act according to her Daddy’s truth. Our role is to be available and point people to Jesus. His job is to be God, offering freedom and forgiveness.

He is inviting us into the unexpected of life. The joyful and the difficult. The twists and the turns. All of it with Him. For the good of others and for the good of you because…

You are adored.

I was recently challenged to stop, quiet my heart, and ask God to reconfirm His calling in me. Honestly, it came as a bit of a surprise. I didn’t realize that I’d been so busy doing that I hadn’t reconnected with the Lord recently about the why behind the doing. The challenge came from a heart that has seen the pitfalls of ministry busyness and he was wise to pose the question.

For we are God’s handiwork,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

This verse doesn’t have the full meaning to our hearts if our hearts have forgotten the calling associated with the good works. So, may I pose the same challenge to you? May I ask you to stop, quiet your heart, and ask God to reconfirm the calling He spoke to you? What is the assignment He gave you? How did He open doors to usher you into that assignment? How has He been glorified through your work in that assignment? And, perhaps the scariest of questions, has He changed your assignment?

We have been created as God’s handiwork and He delights to see us thriving and growing in the assignment He has given us. He loves to be in continual conversation with us about it and lead us in all the details, difficulties, and wins. He never expects us to do anything without Him. In fact, He designed us to do all things in Him. He is a loving Daddy and has good gifts for His precious daughters. Simply because…

You are adored.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the importance of the “one.” The power of one can inspire and motivate another “one” into something bigger than either of them can accomplish individually. To be brave. To be kind. To be strong. To be loving. To be thoughtful. To be adventurous. To be excellent.

That is a lot of influence.

However, we sometimes find ourselves thinking about the insignificance of being “one.” The “I’m just….” thinking can sneak its way into our mind and spread its lies far and wide before we realize what has happened. The enemy of our souls would like nothing more than to convince us that we don’t make a difference or can’t contribute anything of value. 

That is sabotage.

The “One” has created you for His purposes and designed you for things that only you can accomplish. We can’t let the enemy convince us of insignificance. The “One” has created you – the “one” – to walk with great power. You are brave. You are kind. You are loving. You are thoughtful. You are adventurous. You are excellent.

You have purpose.

You have influence.

You have favor.

You have strength.

There isn’t any room for “I’m just….” thinking in that lineup! So set a reminder as your screen saver, write it down on a sticky note, make a deal with a friend to remind one another of just how incredibly influential you each are. Then walk in that influence to inspire another “one” to do the same. We all need to be reminded and encouraged in the truth of who the One created us to be. No, we aren’t superheroes. But we just might find ourselves in the middle of the One’s plan to save the world by walking as the one He created us to be. And all because…

You are adored.