Friday, September 26, 2008

Just say NO


I like to be useful, I like to be needed, I like when I feel like I'm making a difference.
A lot of those happy, warm feelings that come from 'doing' have all been flushed down the toilet as I've come into the new season of 'Just Say No!'.
'What are you talking about?' you ask very intently.
Well, I don't know that I can fully explain it, because I have never experienced this season, to this degree, before.
In 2007 I was BUSY, but it was a good busy. I was raising my son, helping with church stuff, praying for my country, friends, and family, and now the tires have screeched to a stop, and I feel the Lord taking me into a place of 'being' instead of 'doing'. 'I' feel like it's a holding place, but maybe that's a bad way to look at it-- who out there likes to be on hold? NOT ME!!
Lately every opportunity that may come up to serve in some capacity or to commit to some prayer group always ends in the Lord gently saying 'Just say no'.
'WHAT?? Esccuuuuse me Lord, don't you neeeeed my prayers, and neeeed me to serve at the church. '
'Yes, but not right now'
So, with my 'doing' being taken away, what IS He saying yes to:
Yes to more time with Him and in His word
Yes to more time with my son just to simply play and be together
Yes to long walks in complete silence
Yes to rest
Yes to peace
Well, maybe I should be thankful for this season. How about instead of thinking it as a Holding Cell; I'll try to look at it as a Rejuvenation Retreat.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can completely understand what you are saying. I love that period that the Lord pulls me into sometimes.

The enemy uses us in our busyiness. We are "Working for the Lord" But truly when we do alot sometimes we are

Buried
Under
Satan's
Yoke

Kathryn said...

I hear you Starr. I'm still in that place. He's had me dealing with a lot of internal stuff, though, so it may be different.

jenn said...

I struggle with this so much! I go to a small church and there are never enough people willing to help. I take my turn in the nursery, I help with the kid's class on Wednesday night, I agreed to be the church secretary a couple months ago but so far the old one hasn't stepped down, and this week my pastor asked me to take over the Wednesday night children's class completely. I have the hardest time saying no, but I did. I told him that I feel like I already have too much on my plate and I just can't do it right now. I felt awful, because there just aren't that many people at my church willing to help, but teaching children just isn't my thing. I'm still helping with the kid's class, but I don't want to be in charge of it. I really miss being in an adult class, since I'm always helping with the kids, but I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing for now.

Sorry this is so long. I guess it's an issue that I just don't feel like I can mention on my blog, since my church family reads it. Thanks for letting me vent. :)

DebbieP said...

You kn ow many of us have been there or are there now because 20% of the people typically do 80% of the work. We feel we have to do more than we are called to because no one else will do it. But you are wise Starr and I am so excited that you are listening to the directions Father God is giving you. Obviously He knows what He is doing. Now we all have to trust Him to move on the other people He wants to use and stop feeling it must be us. I know I struggle with my significance and I must know that I can't serve to feel good about myself, I must serve where God leads. Bravo Starr, I can't wait to see what God does in this period of your life!

Shanda said...

I am so with you, girl. Saying NO is the one of the best things I've ever learned to do.
It's so freeing to do something when HE puts it in your heart and not just because noone else will or because you feel obligated.

Debbie C. said...

This is so true and it's actually a great place to be sometimes. It's hard to say "no" and people don't understand it, but you don't have to answer to or try and please anyone but your Father.

rk said...

I agree! Great, great post. One of my favorite books is, "Trying to hard to measure up." Love this topic.

I found you via Theresa. Great site!

Blessings,
Roxanne