by Sharon O | Aug 31, 2017 | Uncategorized
I read something the other day and it said:
“Never dismiss your gut instinct, if something deep inside you says something is not right, learn to trust that.”
Have you ever met someone or been in a situation that seemed to unsettle your peace?
Yeah it is your ‘gut’ instinct that is a true lesson to listen to.
Sometimes our heart ‘can move’ us in a selfish way but for most of us our ‘gut’ instinct is there to protect us.
I tend to have high discernment and as we have been married throughout the years my husband has learned to trust my reaction to something or someone.
It’s pretty immediate for me. “I don’t like this, or I don’t trust this.”
We bought a couch one time from someone and as we were driving down the road my husband said, “we are not keeping it right?” I could not put it in my house there was something odd or strange about the person and item.
We gave it away to someone who had a bonus room and I remained in peace.
I think we often disregard our hearts cry. We minimize it or make excuses.
It isn’t easy for me to do that as the discernment is there for a reason and if I ignore it my spirit remains unsettled and I don’t sleep well or feel in peace.
As we learn to trust our heart I think it’s very spiritual, as the bible used the word heart 956 times.
[I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.] Psalm 16:7
[Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure.] Psalm 16:9
I think as we think on the words above and understand that we must listen to our heart’s churning; we gain peace and an internal calm that is both refreshing and freeing to our every day living.
As we learn to tune into what makes our spirit at rest we find a relaxed way of living.
When I know I am walking and living in the right way I remain ready to say these words.
[Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.] Psalm 19:14
by Sharon O | Aug 24, 2017 | Uncategorized
(This was hand written a week ago and now typed into this setting)
When I continue to think about the art of listening it moves me into the realm of how we pay attention.
Often I will say something to my husband and there will be no response, then I will say to him, “did you hear what I said?” and he will acknowledge that he wasn’t listening.
I could tell because of the lack of response.
Sometimes the noise around us is too loud for us to hear. Other times we just are not tuned into it.
I do not do well when the air noise is loud and there is too much clutter to sift out.
My personality does best in calm and peaceful environments.
How are we supposed to react when the noise is harsh like the current political climate?
For me, my choice is to turn it off.
My husband and I are at the beach and the silence is amazing.
Today I choose to listen to the waves, allow myself to feel the wind in my hair.
Refresh my spirit as I breathe in the beach air and the freshness.
I actually came down to do some writing but I think there was another master plan happening.
The camp has no electricity so I cannot plug in. My computer will not work, my cell phone is dead.
So plan b for the day is to respond with a joy and delight that change has forced me to unplug.
I will walk on the sand, and feel the softness as my feet sink into it.
I will slow my pace and breathe.
I will rejoice in this inconvenience for it forces me to be more in the present.
The beach and it’s beauty.
The waves always calm my spirit and I will return revived and refreshed.
I didn’t bring my camera so even that is not a choice for me.
I will just experience it as it is, in the present and remember it as a memory.
Sometimes a change of plan is good for us.
We can learn to be flexible and open to some new experiences.
How do you handle life when it throws you a curve?
Do you react and respond in a good and positive way?
One of the hardest things I think we all have to work on is letting go of our agendas.
Sometimes it is the laying aside our plans when we get really blessed.
by Sharon O | Aug 10, 2017 | Uncategorized
When we talk about the gift of listening.
It brings awareness to me the power of being quiet and actually taking the time to listen to someone.
To listen to their words, to watch their body language, what they are not saying, while they are sharing.
Matters of the heart are to be treated in a tender, fragile way.
How often have you felt ‘safe’ enough to share places inside your ‘spirit’?
I just spent time with my best friend and as she talked and shared I wanted to truly listen.
I wanted to remember her voice, her ways of expressing herself, the gift of ‘being herself’.
It is not something we want to take for granted or miss an opportunity for connection.
The definition of listen is to pay attention; to hear something with thoughtful attention; to be alert.
When I was in counseling the words I said were heard on many levels.
He listened to what I said, and what I was not saying.
Both are necessary and both are real when one is talking about conversation.
It is a skill. An art. To listen with out thinking of what ‘you are saying’ next.
I remember one time my little grandson was talking to his grandpa and at one point he said,
“grandpa are you Yistening” to me? (he didn’t say the L sound in the word.)
It was a valid question as we all want to be heard. To be valued. To be important enough for someone to hear us.
The real test of a relationship is how easy it is for us to hear. How much do we desire ‘the connection.’
How important it is for us to spend the time to listen to one another.
The word listen is in the bible 397 times, that is a significant amount of warnings.
[They would not listen but were stubborn, as their ancestors had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God.]
11 Kings 17:14
Hardness of heart will make us NOT want to listen.
[“See, I waited for your words, I listened for your wise sayings, while you searched out what to say.”] Job 32:11
[“If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say.”] Job 34:16
Do you see the pattern? I WAITED, I leaned in and paused with you while you gathered your thoughts.
[If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
But truly God has listened; he has given heed to the words of my prayer.] Psalm 66:18,19
[For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would listen to his voice!] Psalm 95:7
How about this example?
[She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.] Luke 10:39
I am often reminded of the Mary story, as her heart was set on listening to every word of Jesus.
Nothing was more important to her. No job was more valued than to listen and lean in.
What a challenge for us. To truly listen with our mind, our heart and our body language.
What about these words?
26 [‘Go to this people and say, You will indeed listen, but never understand,
and you will indeed look, but never perceive.
27 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes;
so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn —
and I would heal them.’] Acts 28:26-28
Good words to think on, in this noisy world that we live in. May we choose to listen and not be hardened.
May we see and not always judge, may we give attention to, what is the most important.
To learn the gift of listening.
by Sharon O | Jul 31, 2017 | Uncategorized
DEAR GRACE,
When I was asked if I would like to write a letter to the women of the church, I had to pause and reflect on what words I would say. I am a senior who has slowly learned to use my voice and I wondered if I did, what would it look like for me to speak to many ages in a room?
Over the last 40 days, I have participated in an online Facebook group that has been reading and studying a book called Whispers of Rest, by Bonnie Gray, 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul. I think what I would want to share with the ladies, based on what I have read recently in this challenging book, is this:
YOU ARE THE BELOVED OF GOD.
You have a gift and you are a delight. “You will be named my delight, for the Lord delights in you.” (Isaiah 62:4)
If you are a young mom with little ones who demand and tire you, until you have no more strength left:
HE delights in you. He calls you in a unique and personal way. Being a mom of little ones is very important.
It is truly a calling; for you are raising future big people who will need to know how to manage life, faith and responsibilities.
If you are a leader in the children’s or youth department, consider yourself ‘called’ to let your light shine.
You have a light that should not be covered or hidden. You are important and needed.
Remember the little song, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine?” Let it shine and do not hide it.
Your voice will come as you stretch yourself in ways you never thought possible. Embrace your calling and giftedness and thank the God who gave it to you. Not everyone can do what YOU do.
Some of you love to encourage through making meals, writing notes, or even taking seniors to their appointments. Use your gift of encouragement in whatever way you find possible. Find something positive to say and speak out and encourage others with words of affirmation. If you can write a note and send it in the mail, do it!
You can easily find envelopes at the dollar store, along with paper and pens. Hand-written notes are always good.
Don’t feel you are not needed because of age. Embrace your age and share your matters of heart with others.
Our experiences cannot be just for us; when we tell our stories, we allow those who have not walked our road to hear and know and see how God has provided.
We just had a panel of four wonderful ladies who shared their stories and opened up their chapters for all to hear. It takes courage to do that – and not everyone’s story is beautiful.
But, everyone’s story is a testimony that we are the beloved.
To this virtual room of women, I challenge you:
USE YOUR VOICE, YOUR GIFTS AND YOUR CALLING.
EMBRACE THEM AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO MOVE OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.
THERE IS BLESSING IN TAKING THE RISK
by Sharon O | Jul 22, 2017 | Uncategorized
[The Lord is with you. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love.] Zephaniah 3:17
Have you ever held a baby or small child who was crying, upset or very unsettled?
I have and have become aware of the fact that if I hold them close and whisper softly to them they would settle down and slowly I would feel the resistance leave as they lean into my shoulder and stop the fight.
I think this word picture could be the same for us and our relationship with Jesus.
“He will quiet you with his love.” I see this as a choice, HE WILL, because He wants to love deeply.
I had never thought of quiet love till Bonnie Gray challenged us in the book to think of it.
My personality gravitates more to quiet, peaceful people, I find it very disturbing to my spirit when people are loud and rude and non relational.
It probably goes back to some childhood issues; but really a quiet love is so much more relational and allows the freedom of growth and safety.
Learning to enjoy a quiet love is spiritual.
I often have no sound in our home, the quiet ministers to me and allows me space, like Bonnies first book, taught us about white space, in her book Finding spiritual whitespace.
It is freeing.
Many people are de-cluttering their homes and finding the process very healing and refreshing.
Removing things that have little meaning and that are taking up space that could be more useful.
In our retirement times I have chosen to have quiet interactions, walks without a lot of talking, driving with no sound on, just a quiet togetherness.
It is peaceful and surprisingly easy to do and as you find it to be a part of your every day.
We have so much that interrupts us, we must learn to choose a quiet love.
It is intentional and takes effort but it is so worth it when we make that choice.
