Month: March 2018

In our journey to maturing and growth, we often are taught about MORE. More education, more experience, more (fill in the blank). Paul Coelho invites a contrasting view when he shared, “Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.”

As you soak this in, what do you notice about your reaction? Perhaps you resist this statement, or are drawn to it? What I can appreciate about Paul’s statement is that it provokes thoughtfulness. It encourages an opportunity to reflect on how much we do in life that perhaps isn’t true to ourselves.

Take this moment to explore what your heart/soul longs for. What would you do if you followed the passion of your soul? Where do you thrive/excel? You have unique gifts that you’ve been given that you can bless the world. When we lean into these passions we can have an opportunity to come alive in a more full way within, as well as impact the world around us in a profound way.

Also spend time reflecting on what parts of life drain you. You may currently do things that take away from the opportunity to shine in your unique way. Maybe it’s time to ask others for help-or let go of some of these tasks completely. Feel the freedom that can come with being intentional about what you choose to do, and not do. Letting go of something that you have done for some time, but you don’t enjoy can be a breath of fresh air that can create a shift in your perspective. You also may create the space for passion to develop in surprising new ways… becoming “who you were meant to be in the first place.”

~MM

First it was Megan, and then came you.
I wasn’t even a thought as you two grew.
But soon enough you took on a new role,
protective and caring “big brother Cole.”
Together we grew up in the wide open spaces,
and got to help our dad win political races.
Mom taught us all in school,
and somehow she made it through.
You had big dreams and goals, but knew what it took,
and if you had a spare moment we always found you with a book.
You were speedy fast and super smart,
and truly had such a beautiful heart.
Your smile and laughter spread joy to those around you,
and to yourself and your word, you always stayed true.
I regret all of the silly fights we had,
cuz when I think back on them it makes me sad.
All along I hadn’t seen,
what you saw was a friend in me.
You were always so proud of what I had done,
I still wish we could sit down and chat one on one.
I always looked up to you,
as well as my big sister too.
I miss your advice and hearing your voice.
Being selfish in life was never a choice.
You put family first and took time for others,
an amazing friend and the absolute best brother.
Throughout my life you have always watched out for me,
but now you look down from where only angels can be.
God put you on this earth thirty-two years ago,
and it broke our hearts when He said it was time to go.
On this day we grew up celebrating with you,
but now that you are gone we remember who you were with two.

~HJ

If you are like me, there are days that feel so overwhelming you may be tempted to think, “why try?” Days can lead into weeks and months, and seasons of life that we are faced with burdens that feel like they are too much to handle.

Something that has been helpful during these seasons for me, is learning to live one day, one hour, and one breath at a time. Knowing I don’t need to “control” or fix  everything now or for the future reminds me that God is in control and I am invited to seek Him as I explore how to take that next breath.

The wheelbarrow has also been important in this journey. See, we all have our own wheelbarrow to push. There’s some good we carry in that wheelbarrow, but also heavy crap. Each of us is charged with finding a way to push our own wheelbarrow up the hill.

In my journey there have been times when I see others struggling and I want to pick them up and put them in my wheelbarrow. I also see so many things I could do… so I am tempted to put these things in my wheelbarrow as well. What happens however, is often my good intentions overwhelm me and I get too weighed down by the people and the tasks I’ve decided to put in my wheelbarrow.  I then end up toppled at the bottom of my hill trying to track down all of those things that have escaped my wheelbarrow in the fall. While we will always have these moments of discovering how to dust ourselves off and begin again, how do we be mindful of what goes back in the wheelbarrow? I need to be really thoughtful about what I can really push in my wheelbarrow.

I have learned that when I put people in my wheelbarrow, it doesn’t take away the reality that they too have a wheelbarrow they must push. In time I’m continuing to refine how to walk alongside them and let them find their way. I may encourage or just listen at times, but I don’t get to pick them up and do their journey for them. They truly have to find their way to push their wheelbarrow-just as I have to push mine.

There is freedom in finding ways to let go of what isn’t my crap. There is often a tension in letting go of trying to fix or maintain other people’s wheelbarrows, though. As inviting as it is to think of it in this way, we get stuck back into a rut of old patterns and feel if we can say or do the right thing, then we can fix this situation for someone. While it’s powerful to be in community and encourage one another, we also have to recognize when we are taking on more than what is ours. It empowers the other person on their journey if I can listen and also recognize how hard they are working. In time I have also seen that when they do find their way (or I have found my way) to take the next step (breath) they learn in a new way that they really CAN find a way forward from challenging places. They are empowered, and so am I. I don’t have to be responsible for continuing to get them to take those steps-they’ve tapped into a powerful strength and sense of agency that will continue to impact how they move forward on their journey.

If you are feeling weighed down by the burdens of daily life and longing for a space to renew your relationship with God, we invite you to join Jackie Shives, Megan Miller, and Haley Juhnke at the Women’s Retreat April 6th and 7th in Chamberlain, SD.

This 2-day retreat will help you explore how to lighten your load through mindfulness, reflection, quiet time, and community with other women.

For more information and to sign up go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lightening-the-load-womens-retreat-registration-42218030265

~MM

What comes to mind when you think of prayer?

We may first think of how we learned about prayer in a church. Perhaps your exposure to prayer was very formal or informal… Based on what we have been taught our idea of prayer may have many forms.

When you think of prayer, you may think of creating space to pray at meal time, bed time, or at church. Perhaps you’ve distanced yourself from prayer after you’ve found yourself face-to-face with such difficult circumstances you believe there’s no way God can exist… Maybe in time when you’ve felt nothing else seems to work, in desperation you start a conversation wondering even as you speak if your Creator could be listening?! And if your Creator is listening, then why am I experiencing (fill in the blank with your current turmoil)???

I remember a time when I thought of prayer as something that happened only at set aside times. This was helpful in some ways, however there is freedom and connection to realize there isn’t a specific way, or a time, or any “rules” I have to abide by. Instead I view prayer as a conversation. I view prayer as seeking to be in relationship with my Creator. I can cry out, I can be grateful, I share the achings and longings of my soul, or I can just be silent. Prayer is now something that happens in the middle of a disagreement… or perhaps in the sweet tender snuggle of one of my little ones…. It happens in my commute to and from work… in the hectic moments and the quiet moments… God is after all present in all of these moments. He is listening and He is available to me-and you!

I don’t have to be something to come to the Lord. I have the freedom to come to Him with whatever is on my heart and mind. See, He knows it all anyway. This may feel invasive to some, but what’s amazing is He knows all our dark secrets and also holds the beauty in how He’s created each one of us as His children. He sees all and always loves us wholly.

Isn’t this a challenge to really soak in? How do we absorb that no matter what we do, where we’ve gone, what others may say about us… no matter how hard we may run… God’s always willing to welcome us into His arms! There may be times we find ourselves kicking and screaming at Him for the pain we can’t understand… or perhaps we are rejoicing for the amazing blessings we are encountering… Our circumstances and moods may fluctuate, but God’s love is unchanging. Persistent. Constant.

Prayer is an opportunity to be honest. We can be seen and embraced. We are loved because of and in spite of whatever we bring. We are chosen. We are loved. We are His beloved child.

Gods got you. He is with you. Now and forever you are loved and surrounded by his love and grace.

“Never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

~MM