This past week was, to put it mildly, an adjustment. I got home from Myrtle Beach Saturday night, started my first graduate-level class at Miami University on Monday, and catapulted myself into a jarring week of transition from vacation back into being a full-time student, leaving Reed after being with him full-time for 10 days, and staying up late each night writing and doing homework. It was a fantastic week, but I have been ready for bedtime since about 4:30- maybe earlier? It is weeks like these that I find myself susceptible to stress, fatigue, possibly some crankiness, too. Is anybody with me?
Even in this hectic week, I managed to steal away each morning and get a few quiet moments alone with God. Because I know I couldn't do any of this without him. Some days I was able to focus and get 45 minutes, other days I was scatterbrained and just managed a small devotional. But people, you don't want to know me without my armor on! Because without it, that stress, fatigue, and crankiness can sink my day, and I will easily take my family's day with me. And I know I'm not the only one out there! Paul writes about this armor in Ephesians 6:10-18, if you are interested in reading further.
Spending time with God each morning helps me put on my armor and get spiritually dressed for the day ahead. And that part of my day has become pretty routine. My problems usually start when the people come out.
Are you the same? I do great when I'm by myself, drinking my coffee, reading my Bible. I feel so strong in my faith at that point in my day- it's really funny when I think about it. Driving in my car and listening to worship music is easy-peasy. I feel so connected, so spiritual. I feel the glow around my head (just kidding... maybe). I don't even have to mess with traffic when I'm driving at 6 AM. I usually rely on my armor when the people come out- whoever the people might be. Kids, spouses, students, coworkers, teachers, neighbors, bosses. People on the road, people in the store, people on social media, people texting, people calling. Because I want to love people well, as soon as the relationships start, I need that armor!
So what to do? Of course I rely on the armor, I pray, I try to remember what I've studied in the Word. But honestly, most of the time my life is so CRAZY BUSY that I need a little extra reminder. And, as any teacher will tell you, when we need a reminder we pull out our secret weapon:
POST-IT NOTES
(cue superhero music)
Are you the same? I do great when I'm by myself, drinking my coffee, reading my Bible. I feel so strong in my faith at that point in my day- it's really funny when I think about it. Driving in my car and listening to worship music is easy-peasy. I feel so connected, so spiritual. I feel the glow around my head (just kidding... maybe). I don't even have to mess with traffic when I'm driving at 6 AM. I usually rely on my armor when the people come out- whoever the people might be. Kids, spouses, students, coworkers, teachers, neighbors, bosses. People on the road, people in the store, people on social media, people texting, people calling. Because I want to love people well, as soon as the relationships start, I need that armor!
So what to do? Of course I rely on the armor, I pray, I try to remember what I've studied in the Word. But honestly, most of the time my life is so CRAZY BUSY that I need a little extra reminder. And, as any teacher will tell you, when we need a reminder we pull out our secret weapon:
POST-IT NOTES
(cue superhero music)
Post-it notes have been my spiritual warfare strategy for years. My husband laughs sometimes at the random notes I have taped to the walls and mirrors because they don't make sense to anyone except me. My mother-in-law taught me this little battle strategy- by modeling, mostly. Her house is always covered in Bible verses and prayers. She has the "typical" notes on the refrigerator, portraits with Bible verses, maybe notes taped on the walls. But she can get a little Miss Clara-crazy from War Room too when the occasion arises, writing on her door, mirrors, and even spending hours making little "scripture cards" that she has on her person at all times. It's an obsession, a passion. And I LOVE it. And you want to guess who I call when I'm fighting a battle? Yep- because she's serious. Isn't that what the Bible should be to us?
Think about this:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (emphasis mine)
Think about this:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (emphasis mine)
I tend to take the Bible literally. (Silly me!) Although many people agree that this group of verses is a metaphor, asserting that God's word should be the focal point of our life and home, I certainly don't think there is any harm in taking it literally. Ultimately, the gospel should be our obsession and passion. I looked up "frontlets between your eyes." Yeah, I'm not ready to get that literal. But I will write on my walls!
About a year ago, I painted a section of my wall in chalkboard paint. Unfortunately, I don't have the "barista" talent to write and draw creatively on my chalkboard (like Aunt B), but every so often I scrawl down a new verse to fit what I need to work on in the moment...
or what is inspiring me...
or what God might be speaking to my heart (these are some of my MIL's scripture cards). Ever since I started surrounding myself with God's word, I find myself meditating on His ways more often, reminded to live a life that bears 100x fruit. And when a trial comes my way, I can break out the big guns, the notes, markers, and chalk, and whatever else I may need, and physically fight back with God's word. I love how the King James Version says it concerning David:
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
1 Samuel 30:6 (emphasis mine)
David understood that he could strengthen himself in God. I don't want to idly sit and meditate on my worries and trials. At the very least, I'll grab a stack of post-its, start writing, and prayerfully place God's word all over my house- Miss Clara style.
And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
1 Samuel 30:6 (emphasis mine)
David understood that he could strengthen himself in God. I don't want to idly sit and meditate on my worries and trials. At the very least, I'll grab a stack of post-its, start writing, and prayerfully place God's word all over my house- Miss Clara style.
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