As the new year rolled around, I took on the daunting task of UN-DECORATING the house from massive Christmas decorations. I couldn’t help but think about another year of resolutions. I resolve TO….. I resolve NOT to…. those are times I get to choose to listen to or ignore that small voice questioning why. If decorating my house for Christmas is a burden, then I can stop. It’s MY choice. It’s the most ridiculous thing in the world to over decorate when what I really need is to un-decorate myself and rest.
Un-decorate myself. Make life easy on myself. Get real. Create cozy spaces that lead to rest, conversations and connections. Un-decorating also has to do with change, and bad habits. Un-decorate myself from bitterness, resentment, by giving the gift of forgiveness; un-decorate from lifting heavy burdens through prayer. Un-decorate from chains of fear, which keep me back from achieving my dreams. The good news is that I don’t have to wait until another year rolls around. I can start NOW. I recently read this wonderful story: An elderly teacher, with a pupil by his side, took a walk through a forest. Suddenly he stopped and pointed to four plants close at hand. The first was just beginning to peep above the ground, the second had rooted itself pretty well into the earth, the third was a small shrub, while the fourth was a full-sized tree. The tutor said to his young companion, 'Pull up the first plant.' The boy did so eagerly, using only his fingers. 'Now pull up the second.' The youth obeyed but found the task more difficult. 'Do the same with the third,' he urged. The boy had to use all his strength to uproot it. 'Now,' said the instructor, 'try your hand with the fourth.' The pupil put his arms around the trunk of the tall tree and couldn't even shake its leaves. 'This, my son, is just what happens with our bad habits. When they are young, we can remove them readily; but when they are old, it's hard to uproot them, though we try and struggle ever so sincerely.'" We all have weeds and even enormous redwoods that need uprooting in our lives. It takes a LOT of effort to get strong enough to move those big ones on our own. It’s all about UN-decorating and shedding those habits we’ve held on to for years. Perhaps you're weary of pulling. God doesn't expect us to ‘pull’ these bad habits ourselves. Ask the Lord to help do the uprooting today and watch Him gain the victory! Matthew 21:21 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.”
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AuthorI am a wife, mother, and grandmother. Late in life I decided to go back to school to become a professional counselor. I have achieved that dream, and am open for business. Archives
August 2019
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