knowledge SPEAKS :: wisdom LISTENS

I have been thinking lately...

Does anyone listen...to anybody!?
It doesn't seem like it. People have their agendas and if what you're saying does not match the agenda, good luck finding an ear.

Most people listen with the intent to reply, not to understand.
I am guilty of this. And I am a therapist!!!

This is a humble reality.

I want to be the kind of person whose main goal is to UNDERSTAND what a person is trying to say. Not to solve their problem. Not to assume. Not to think about my response before they finish their words. I want to be a person who truly listens and allows people to feel heard.

Goal: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD.

Thankful :: Snowboarding Dates

I am thankful for snowboarding dates with Bryan. These dates enable us to engage in an activity outside of the typical meal and a movie, although that's ALL we want to do after a long day on the mountain...especially the meal part (Chimayo). He has been so patient with my slow learning curve and it is finally paying off because I am progressively getting better and better this season! All that to say, I like snowboarding. And I like Bryan.

my portion

Elizabeth Elliot, author of Passion and Purity (and many other works), makes this thought provoking statement about Psalm 16:5.

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"I know of no greater simplifier for all of life. Whatever happens is assigned. Does the intellect balk at that? Can we say that there are things that happen to us that do not belong to our lovingly assigned "portion" ("This belongs to it, that does not")? Are some things, then, out of control of the Almighty? Every assignment is measured and controlled for my eternal good. As I accept the given portion other options are canceled. Decisions become much easier, directions clearer, and hence my heart becomes inexpressibly quieter. A quiet heart is content with what God gives."

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After reading this, I am challenged to look at every thing, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G, in my life as my portion - my given portion. Whenever I am struggling, I must remind myself - Andrea, this is your portion. Whenever I am smiling, I must remind myself - Andrea, this is your portion. Whenever ANYTHING, good or bad, happens. . . I must remind myself that this is my portion. . . my given portion.

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"Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure." Psalm 16:5

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On the road to contentment. God, you are in charge. I accept what you have given, are giving, and will continue to give. Thank you for making my lot secure.

the day I turned my cell phone off

Do you ever have a day off of work that actually turns into anything but a day off?

...errands, calling people back, catching up on email, plans to do (fill in the blank). . . .

These are all fine and dandy things, but they can consume your day and keep you from really resting. I have those days all the time, which is WHY I decided to take a REAL day off: I was not scheduled to work at Starbucks today, I had no appointments with my clients - Just a day to do whatever I wanted. And to make sure that happened, I turned my cell phone OFF!


BEST DAY EVER. A day where I was free - free from obligation and free to do anything I wanted. I simply slept in, read outside in the rocking chair, cooked yummy foods, painted, went for a run by the Platte River. . . it was delightful. . . and VERY needed.

Sure I might have been a flake for a day, but I'm okay with it :)

Isaiah 44: 6-23

You know what is beautiful? This...

Isaiah 44: 6-23

The Lord calls out his people for idolatry and afterwards this is what he says...

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me for I have redeemed you."

DANG. The mercy of God is indescribable. First that he would love us enough to say - You are worshiping WOOD - You are worshiping a complete LIE! - and then love us even more by redeeming us, forgiving us, making us new.

Good stuff.

inspiration

Inspiration:: something I don't have.

Inspiration:: something I want.

Inspiration. I crave you. I want to desire something. I want passion. I want to be pulled in a particular direction. I want to be filled with purpose. I want to pursue something I simply CANNOT get enough of. I feel stagnant. I want to be moved.

I will graduate with my Masters in 10 weeks. New beginning. Anything is possible. I could go anywhere, do anything. But what is it I want to do? Professionally and personally - What do I want for my life? Better yet, what does the Lord want for my life?

I completely trust that God knows what's up. He has not failed me yet. I am just curious and wondering what he has for me.

Waiting with excited expectation :)

Sunday Secrets

Have you ever heard of PostSecret? Well, if you haven't you can thank me for a) introducing you to one of the coolest ideas ever created AND b) introducing you to one of my weekly rituals: Sunday Secrets. Each Sunday, the website is updated with new postsecrets people have recently sent in the mail & each Sunday I look at them. Here is an example...

The reading of the secrets is oddly refreshing, vulnerable, and extremely liberating. Every once in awhile I will read a confession and say, "Thank God I'm not the only one!" It's strange how honest people can be if their name is not attached to their art inspired postcard. What if we were all that honest and owned our secrets...whether they are innocent or not? What if we started to shed light on the things we so protectively hide? The exposure would move us from fear to FREEDOM. It's like skinny dipping, or if you're real crazy, streaking. At first, the act is ultra embarrassing, but once you get over yourself, you can experience the beauty of the nude! Freedom I tell you! Freedom to be YOU. Okay, that does not really relate...but whatever.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom...and it's not with your dirty little secrets. Expose. Take off the mask. Stop hiding. Shed light. BE YOU. Tell a secret today & experience the freedom that hiding does not provide. It'll be awesome :)