from the inside out

Lent Day 20: I give up Human Relations Tactics

March 8, 2021 — 1 Comment

You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Isaiah 58:11-12

I give up trying to impress everyone. I give up trying to play the game of being the friendliest in the room. I give up the tactics of networking and commodifying human relationships. I want to connect, the way that feels kind and true in my body. I want to see people. I want to know people. I want to be a spring, a well that isn’t obsessed with doing the connections, but is flowing connection vibes from the inside. Make me this sort of people attracter, keeper, holder, builder.

Day 12: Success despite circumstances

December 28, 2018 — Leave a comment

Genesis 38-40; Psalm 12

The Lord is with Joseph so he was successful. The Spirit is with me so I will find favor and be successful. How do I define success? How do I define find favor? In Joseph’s case, he was still in bondage, tempted daily, at the mercy of his circumstances and helped those around him be successful. But in all circumstances, he walked with integrity and walked in his giftings. Is being successful, essentially having the freedom to act in spite of circumstances? Is success a grounded rooted patience? We are obsessed with success, but what’s the kind of success we should strive for that helps us stay with integrity and faith? What kind of success attracts our enemies? What kind of character grounds that success? I want to be this kind of success.

God guard my tongue and my words. Words can build up or words can tear down and help me to do more the former and ask for forgiveness whenever I do the latter. Help me to take a breath before I want to jump into negative or hurtful talk, because out of my heart the mouth speaks, and I want to be aware and have control when my heart is deviating and acting UP.