Darling Little Life

Faith

When Slowing Down is the Only Option

Going into 2020, my focus was on slow growth and embracing less, an “anti-hustle” mindset. Little did I know that we would be facing a “forced slow” as pandemic swept swiftly into the world.

It’s been humbling to see how this crisis has revealed areas of my heart that don’t reflect Christ. But God does some of His deepest character molding work when our hearts are still enough to receive Him. If we let it, chaos, anxiety, and uncertainty will crowd in, even as the busy activity of normal life slows.

When the crutch of “busyness” is stripped away from us, we’re forced to come face to face with the reality of the atmosphere in our homes and in our hearts.

And so we’ve been faced with a choice. We can let our hearts be ruled by these tough circumstances and cling to just surviving the days. Or we can immerse ourselves fully into this unique season at home.

It’s hard, holy, soul shaping work to lean into these forced moments of slow.

Because we often stress and struggle over what is temporary and get lazy about the eternal. So we must ask: Are my efforts building up His kingdom, or mine?

What if we shift our perspective from accepting this forced slow down to intentionally rejoicing in it?

  • That bending low to pick up the same toy day after day is a chance to posture your heart towards bending low in joyful humility.
  • That heart wrenching fear as you send your husband off to his essential workplace in the midst of such scary conditions is a reminder to pray without ceasing.
  • That homeschool work that you never thought you’d find yourself leading is an opportunity to vulnerably connect with your child as you learn together.
  • the wearying and unending burden of financial struggle and uncertainty is a chance to step out in faith and see how God can provide in His timing.

Slow growth requires death to self, the surrender of our will, and the letting go of our expectations.

It’s the painfully small, necessary steps towards Christlikeness. It hurts. it’s hard. and it is good.

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

So I’m praying that I would increase and abound in love for my family as we slow down together. And I’m praying that God would use these days to shape me in holiness- to be more like Him. Join me?

Special thank you to Rachel Joy Photo for these beautiful photos. I will treasure them dearly.

Faith

Setting Aside “Hustle” for Hard, Holy Obedience

Around this time of year, with all the New Years resolutions, I see a lot of Christian and non christian’s alike posting goals alongside messages like: “work hard and see your dreams come true”, and “Live the life you’ve always wanted”.

Essentially saying: do more, work harder, and reap the benefits. Below are some examples after a quick search on Pinterest:

While there is nothing wrong with ambition, and as believers we are called to be hard workers (Col. 3:23, 2 Thess. 3:10-12) something about this “Hustle” message just never quite sat right with me.

@thegirlnamedblake recently pointed out a few red flags about buying in to the “hustle” culture:

  1. “It tells us to be the hero of our stories
  2. it’s completely self-centric
  3. it defines our worth by what we can do/accomplish/bring to the table”—@thegirlnamedblake

The “Hustle Culture” is selling subtle lies that encourage you to preach “by my strength for my success” rather than “By His Strength, for His Glory”

Because “Hustle” towards goals does not necessarily equal Holy obedience to God. Oftentimes obedience looks like slow growth rather than fast results by following some “easy no fail steps”. It’s humility behind the scenes, and it sometimes never gets recognized.

The issue is that we stress and struggle over what is temporary and get lazy about the eternal.

and so maybe the best question to ask is:

Are my efforts building up His kingdom, or mine?

This doesn’t necessarily need to look like “big, drastic” measures or life change- not everyone is called to a vocation of full time ministry. Oftentimes, the very place that you’re at is exactly where God wants you to minister. You can be diligent in working towards healthy, fruit bearing goals, (when they are lined up with God’s call for your your life) and do it from a place of peace, rest, and from a desire to see Him be glorified above yourself.

“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in your ways.”

Psalm 119:37

Let’s consider the story of Mary and Martha:

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

What Martha was doing wasn’t necessarily wrong- she was busy serving and making sure everything was in order for Jesus’ visit to their home. It was a lovely and hospitable effort. I can SO relate to her in this. That’s probably where I’d be as well.

But the story reveals more than just her actions in serving- it shows her heart:

Scripture says she was “distracted”, “Anxious”, and “Troubled about many things.”

I can guess that if you get caught up in the “hustle culture” lies, at some point you’re going to get burnt out and will be able to how she’s feeling. I know I’ve been there. To be completely honest, I’m there now. And I’m weary. Join me in seeking what Holy obedience to God from a place of dependence on Him looks like?

“The world clamors, “Do more! Be all that you can be!” But our Father whispers, “Be still and know that I am God.” ― Joanna Weaver

We must discern when it’s time to abide, and when it’s time to get to work. Oftentimes, it’s a matter of the heart and where our motives lie.

“So here I am. Still working hard, still spinning a fair amount of plates, but doing it from a place of rest, a place of Christ in me, a place of “This does not identify me… Grace will get you places hustling never can.”

@thegirlnamedblake

This is part 3 of what has turned into small series. Read part one on Slow Growth here. Read part 2 on Embracing less here.

Faith

Embracing “less” This Holiday Season

Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post may contain affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you!).

Thanksgiving passed in a blur. We hardly blinked and we’re well into December already. All of the holiday activities have begun which means for some of us, it’s the most wonderful (stressful) time of the year. So maybe this year is the year that we finally “embrace less”.

When I suggest this, I’m not talking about less material things (although for many of us, less stuff is something worth considering). Rather, I mean “embracing less” as a heart posture of slowing down. Of quieting the busy so that we can take in that which is truly important.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Col 3:2

Embracing less so that you have the heart space to draw nearer to Christ.

Because what we really need this holiday season is a refocused heart on advent. And one of the simple things he asks of us, is to abide. “Abide in me and I in you.” John 15:4

“refusing the wrong of rushing, lingering long enough to really listen. There is no need for more: the heart is full of gifts that is full of Christ.”

Ann Voskamp

What would it look like if we could set aside some of the hustle and bustle of the holidays that bring worry and stress, and instead abide in Him? What if we sought out practical ways to bring fullness, unity, and peace in your home?

And this will look different for everyone. But a few examples/ideas:

  • If sending the perfect Christmas cards to everyone is enough to put you and your family over the edge, consider a family night of writing some handwritten letters to just a few loved ones. It may not be “easier” or less time consuming, but it’s displays thoughtfulness to the recipient and time together as you write (or color if the kids are young).
  • Forgo the popular (yet sometimes traumatic) Santa photo for a quiet night at home. Pull out a few props and set up a family Photo Booth- get a little silly together!
  • instead of trying to fit in every single activity and party, be OK with saying no to some of these outings for the sake of a healthier, well rested family.
  • Take a little extra time at dinner each night to read through an advent devotional together.

Set aside hurry and hustle for slow growth, being present, and abiding in Him long enough to hear His still small voice.

Refuse to feel guilty for not ticking off all the holiday bucket list items (like ice skating, decorating Christmas cookies, caroling, etc). These can be wonderful activities to usher in the joy of the season, but when the “why” behind them doesn’t point towards joy, it’s a hindrance, not a help.

And I get it, there are commitments we need to follow through on and holiday activities we really can’t avoid, even though they do bring a measure of stress and busyness. But even in this, we can shift our perspective towards Christ:

“Linger in the quiet and taste the grace of now, and know that He is good and He is God… So the whirl can hush and the spin can slow because He will bless, and He will bless with himself come down. The present is His presence…

Ann Voskamp

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love.”

Zeph 3:17

Will you pause long enough to listen to His rejoicing over you?

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