Yesterday a made a post about saying yes to the right things – the things that God has prepared for you. Another thought I had along those same lines is about knowing that it truly is God’s plan.

For example… I pray in my quiet time that the Lord will give me opportunities to serve. Before I can finish my quiet time I have a message on my phone asking if I can be a larger part of the school PTO. I am so excited for the opportunity I automatically say yes and “yay God!”

Next thing you know I have an email asking me to teach Sunday school – another yay God! Then at ball practice I am asked to be team mom – wow, more opportunities – yay God! Then like a bad infomercial – but wait there’s more… will you serve on a committee? Will you volunteer in your child’s classroom? Will you help with a mission project? 

Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

Now I am overwhelmed, frazzled, snappish, run down, and no good to anyone. I’ve allowed myself to be completely consumed by good things. 

This scenario describes me to a T. I pray for something and as soon as those opportunities start showing up I just start saying yes. I don’t stop to ask the Lord if this was the opportunity that He brought to me and wants me to pursue. Insert facepalm here.

When we fail to ask the Lord for his plan and just assume we fill ourselves with unnecessary busy. And we also take away someone else’s place to serve. That’s crummy all around. 

So when you find yourself looking at all types of opportunities take a moment and be intentional about asking the Lord for direction. That way you know that your plate will be full of not just good things, but you best things!

Until Tomorrow,

‘Carrow💜

“You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.”

Proverbs 16:9 GNT

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 3:6 NKJV

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you…”. ~Psalm 55:22

I have always loved that verse. Especially after traveling a road where the burden became heavy. How wonderful is it that the God of the universe will help carry our load? Mind boggling when you think about it really. All the billions of people on the earth and He still cares about you and what you care about. 

In my devotion this morning there as a comment that made me think about this verse from a different perspective. He said, “we must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong.” 

My initial response was “yikes!”

Perhaps I’ve been going about this verse in the wrong direction. Yes He will absolutely help me carry my load, but am I carrying the things I should be to start with? Or is my load so heavy because I’m carrying unnecessary luggage?

Like my island vacation where I packed the giant rolling bag, plus carry on, plus personal item. By the end of the week I realized I could have packed in my purse and travel would have been so much easier!

It reminds me of Lisa TerKeurst’s book “The Best Yes,” where she talks about not saying yes to everything – only saying yes to God’s things. And not just things God would approve of, but the specific things that God has for you. 

Personally, I am terrible about saying yes to too many things. Especially when they are all good things. I feel terrible saying no! But did you know, that saying no when you should is a good thing? Because when you say no it means that the person that SHOULD be doing the task can be asked. If you say yes when you shouldn’t, you are taking someone else’s opportunity to serve. 

So the next time someone asks you to do something that you know you you don’t need to take on – don’t feel guilty saying no. Remind yourself that you should feel guilty if you say yes and take someone else’s opportunity. 

Cool perspective on saying no isn’t it? 

Until tomorrow,

‘Carrow💜

As we begin a new week, I know the next few days are going to be extremely difficult. It’s hard to believe we have lived a year without our beautiful baby girl. So this week, I will simply remember.

Our verse from the beginning has been Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

We prayed for Kayleigh to be a miracle and God certainly answered our prayers. Just not as we wanted. But even in death, our girl is a miracle – every day. As I write this my cheeks are wet with tears and my heart aches. The void she left behind is indescribable, but even in grief my God is good, and Jesus is enough.

‘Carrow💜