I think it’s safe to say that 2020 has sucked. It hasn’t been what anyone would have planned.
There has been loss, disappointment, frustration, severing, weight gain (Dear God, the weight gain), change of plans, canceled plans, canceled conferences, germs, germs, and more germs. Overnight, we became homeschool teachers, chefs, home renovators, germ experts, child entertainers, and so much more.
The merging of that reality with the fault lines of racial injustice creating shock waves this country and world has never seen before has all been surreal. Heart breaking. Enlightening. Propelling.
I don’t know about you, but it’s been an unsettling time. A time where I’ve felt God prompt me, prompt us, to OPEN OUR EYES.
Open our eyes to His purposes, His plans and abandon what we thought we knew or wanted.
You know what I’ve seen in all of this?
God is still faithful.
He is still good.
He is still speaking.
So in light of all we know being different, what the heck do we do now?
1. Steward our responsibility carefully. Each of us are responsible for the areas of influence we’ve been given. My immediate responsibility are my two littles, Jacob (8) and Sophia (5), my awesome husband, my brother, two sisters and their families, my parents and my husband’s family. Some of this responsibility is chosen as the circle gets wider, but some of these relationships are not.
For instance, how I treat my husband and children is my main responsibility. What our home life looks and feels like, the attention, time and effort should be highest here. People outside of my home should never receive my best and then my family receives the leftovers.
I obviously don’t always get it right, but it is an intentional priority that my mom taught me as a child. If everyone OUT THERE loves me, but EVERYONE IN HERE despises me, there is a problem.
I want the greatest view of me to come from my immediate and extended family. For me, that is what success is, everything else is extra.
2. Write down your hopes and dreams. There’s a passage of scripture that says, “Without vision, the people perish.” There couldn’t be anything more true. Without personal goals or plans for your own life, you will find yourself waiting for the approval, invitation, and validation from others. Maybe you’re at home with your kids thinking, “I did not sign up for this.” I know I did! Or maybe you’re still blessed to have a job but are ready for what’s next . . .
When you know where you want to go, it’ll help you discern more clearly and readily what you should and shouldn’t be doing. Know yourself, know your passions, bring these things to the Lord and He will help you own your future.
3. Do the last thing God said. I can’t tell you how important this is. God wants our obedience more than sacrifice. He wants us to be obedient to what He’s asked of us. Where we get this wrong is when we try to produce instead of listen to what He’s saying.
When you’re uncertain of what to do next, do the last thing God said. I’ve found in my life that He won’t give me the new thing until I’m actively, faithfully and obediently doing the thing He’s already asked me to do.
Maybe you’re reading this and you have no idea how to even hear God. There’s no shame in that. God tends to speak through people, music and the Bible.
Now, stop wondering what’s next and get to it!
-Vonae
Sheterica Cain says
Wow! So good! So needed! Such great wisdom! Keep it coming. Love you friend.