Ask, Listen, and Respond

The wonderful 3 words that God has showered our church body with over the course of this year. The 3 simple steps we make so complex at times. I've learned that we are to always be seeking our next steps with Christ no matter how fresh the latest step is.

Two weeks off of just moving everything in and thankfully the craziness is dying down. For a month or so. Never seems to fail that it isn't for very long. We have entered the phase of needing to ask, listen, and respond once again. The broad umbrella of all this entails is big but it's the little things I need the most help identifying. I've come to learn to not ask for the big umbrella but to name each individual little part so it makes me release it into God's control. It forces me to say it out allowed and relinquishing my responsibility to figure it out alone. It seems so whiny and long at times but in reality isn't that exactly all God asks of us? To come to him with every.single.detail?

I feel dull in a sense and need a recharge. I need to use my time daily to ask and seek what we are to do in this next semester and season of life. I can't do that though if I'm always saying yes before praying to the things I am not supposed to. This year of yes' has been hard. Draining, if I am downright honest, and overwhelming at times. It's been life giving at times too but it's truthfully something we need to seek deeper on. As family because it is going to affect us all.

I read this morning Courtney saying she needs a recharge too. That she is in a season of No's. Her verse was dead on fitting for me too. I struggle with no though. Even as last night, our last Women's Bible study night of the semester, was wrapping up I felt myself alluding to a big yes that I'm not sure I'm supposed to do right now. I want to be a huge part of it so bad but am I supposed to? Right now? How?

I need this break time to dive in and to seeking like never before. I have a feeling my pen and prayer journal are going to be getting a lot more use.

The seeking is not a seeking for the upcoming resolution everyone will soon be all the buzz about but if I don't use this time to diligently recharge I'll end up saying yes and burning not only me but my family as well. I followed through this semester will all the commitments I said yes to. I won't lie I wanted to quit almost daily. It was a long season. I know God will provide the answer and means to continue if we are supposed to, but what if we aren't. I loathe saying no, especially to faces, even if they understand this may not be our season right now. I've been given permission if you will that "not right now" is OK, but what if that includes something for my children too? How will they take it?

See, I gotta let go and let God. I need to know if we are to continue with yes' or start with some "not right now." I need to let God work out of the details that would be needed for either. That is just the commitment part let alone the family needs that we are aware will be coming in the new year.

Ask

Listen

Respond

Three simple words that will change the course of our lives. If we are to continue with the yes' of the commitments we have been doing God will recharge me during this break. If we are to have more recharge well I know God will give us the strength to say "not right now." Not right now breaks my heart but the recharge and responding to the Lord's direction is more than trying to please everyone by saying yes.

I have to remember that.

In this season of thankfulness... I am thankful I have the ability to have that choice to be able to pray, seek, respond, and the freedom to do so.

So here we go again... asking, listening, and responding to the next steps God is leading us towards... whatever that entails.

Is there anything you need to ask, listen, and respond for?