Today was crazy.

I was up to my eyeballs in stress because of everything I had to accomplish with Relevant, and the fact that there was no way I was going to do it without neglecting my babes.

The whole time I was working, I knew that God was speaking to my heart, telling me that the craziness surrounding me is not what He intends for my life.

A house divided cannot stand.

He brought me to this devotional, and what stood out to me was this:

“In essence, God said to Elijah, “You need to get out of the spotlight. You need to come up in the mountains, alone with Me, where you can hear my voice clearly. We need more time together, Elijah, and you need more training.” The good news is this: without one moment’s hesitation, Elijah obeyed. He didn’t even ask why.”

I knew God was saying, “come to me, I’ll take care of you and what you need, but you need to come to me.” I thought, “how am I supposed to do that with all this stuff on my plate? I have no time. I must get these things done.”

He met me and was gracious, as always.

But now, now I know it is time for me to obey, and He couldn’t have provided the timing any better. Tomorrow I leave for Tennessee to visit my sister for four days. My plan was to take my computer and work in the crevices of the day, and especially in the airports and on the plane. I have “important” things to do, and I have obligations to people…

but

I need Him. I need to obey.

For the next four days I’m going to take the small spaces and be with Him. I’m going to leave my computer behind and go “to the mountains.”

Perhaps you too have a mountain you need to visit. 

Happy hiking.

 ___

Photo Credit: forever and a day

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I’m still processing and resting after one of the best few days of my life. Until I write again, here are the beautiful people who filled my soul this past week…

Let me tell you a little bit about these beautiful, kindred, “my-heart-is-at-home” souls.

Sally – well, you all know her. She is wise and gracious and funny and uncompromising on biblical ideals and grace. She is absolutely inviting and is everything you’d expect and more. I’m still soaking her in.

Sarah Clarkson – One of the classiest women I have ever met. She is truly kindred and I just know that if we lived near one another we would have weekly coffee dates embellished with soul conversation. She is also a writer. You can find her book, Read for the Heart, here (moms, you want this!) and her blog here. P.S. Girl can sing!

Joy – Completely magnetic – she glows and is the life of the party. She is a joy to be around. She will be famous. P.P.S. Girl can also sing!

Joel – The soul hidden beneath his quiet veneer is deep…so deep in fact that Toy Story moves him profoundly. As does Angry Birds. ;) Seriously, this man is talented. Find his exquisite music here (you want it, trust me). P.P.P.S. He can also sing (what is it with this family?!)

And Clay, the man behind it all, the wise and soulful husband and father. What a rich mind this man has! P.P.P.P.S. I bet you can guess. He also writes music. So do the others. Go figure.

As a finale for today’s post, here’s a glimpse into an evening with Joel and Sarah – enjoy:

(Can’t see the video? Click here.)

I feel like I have just walked into a picture; the characters have come to life and are exactly what I expected.

Beautiful.

I cozy up with laughter and mashed potatoes, and find a home in the old chair that eases my tired bones. The hot tea is as rich as my spirit is in this place. My soul is being fed.

And somewhere in the shadow of my heart I sense a longing…a need to spill out so I can take in. She is grace to me, and I need it. I need rest and she offers it. I need wisdom and she serves it up with chocolate chip cookies and clean, perfectly pressed sheets. Jesus meets me here, in the quiet, and I know my heart will leave changed.

“You don’t just teach the message, you are the message.”

As I stretch my toes into the cool sheets and find my nose burrowed into pillow, I know that I have come to be loved. I have come to be loved so that I will in turn love well, and so that I will be the message He wants me to be.

I’m listening.

I’m dreaming.

I feel like the “luckiest” girl in the world.

___

Photo Credit: Hearty cup of tea

4:30am up and ready to get work done before the babes get up.

6:22am and nothing has been accomplished that I wanted to get accomplished. Things went wrong, Murphy’s Law intervened, and now my head hurts out of frustration and discouragement.

And now?

Now I’m going to go and cuddle with my half-awake babies.

Sometimes you just have to let go of what you think you can control and just give in to how the day leads.

I surrender.