Simply Angie
Have you ever been asked to pick a ‘word for the year?’ Of course, I’d heard of “New Year’s resolutions” (and failed to achieve many of them I’ve made), but last year was a first for me when I was challenged to pick a word for the year. After praying about it a bit, I couldn’t pick just one, so I chose two last year. They were Consolidate & Service. My goal was to consolidate the myriad online activities and ventures that I had begun and to make service to others a major priority. I did try to work diligently on both of those challenges throughout the year and had a small measure of success. Unfortunately, I still have a long way to go, particularly with consolidation. I shared my struggles with a lovely group of ladies at a recent Christmas gathering and I wanted to share it with you, too. Here’s a 25-minute video of my talk at the Christmas High Tea in Malanda. (This is part two. Last week I shared part one when I answered the question, “How can I go to heaven?”)  When I was asked to speak, the Lord brought to my mind what I had been working on for the last year and challenged me to improve upon it by giving me two new, yet similar, words - Simplify & Focus. We looked at Ephesians 5:15-17, as well as the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 As you listen to the video, you’ll hear my own confessions of foolish time-wasting activities. I’m challenged this year to walk more circumspectly and with more wisdom. I also want you to be encouraged and blessed by the idea of simplifying all the many ‘to-do’s’ that we can sometimes be buried beneath as we try to do everything and be everything. When we understand and focus on what the will of the Lord is for our lives, we can more easily let go of the things that are unwise for us, even if they are good things. We can learn to say ‘no’ graciously when needed and obey God by getting adequate rest. Our busy world is filled with an abundance of expectations, stresses, responsibilities, tasks, worries, and more. The busyness of it all can be overwhelming on the best of days. On difficult days, it can be downright depressing! Maybe you’d like to join me this year in my determination to Simplify and Focus on the “needful things.” Did you pick a word for this new year? Please do share it with me in the comments section below. Maybe I’ll use your word next year. 😉 May the Lord richly bless each of you in the coming year. I’m hoping maybe this will be the year He comes for us! Love and blessings, Talk to you again soon. Can’t wait?
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Monday, January 1, 2024
Simplify and Focus
