There we all were this Friday evening.

It was misty, chilly, “polleny” outside, with drizzling rain, and every woman working their way to get to the gathering was tired from heavy workloads and caring for family or a gazillion other daily commitments.

I personally slogged my way there in a clunky orthopedic leg boot, not feeling even slightly pretty or elegant wearing “Frankenstein’s boot! [For re-damaged ankle support.]

But I knew… If I just… got… there… the flow and rhythm of the evening would be an oasis. An Infusion of sweet goodness and so life giving!

Special snacks, warm chatter, and happy laughter filled up a cozy space. And then that “Presence” invaded every weary heart.

In His infinite wisdom, the LORD spoke beyond what was taking place in the natural and addressed the Truth of His sovereign plan for each of those present.

A deliberate plan for scheduled rest.

A deliberate “stepping away” from over-extending our time, and purposing to commit to get back to being honest about where our inner heart passions, our real “us” gets swallowed up in busyness and — F.O.M.O — “Fear Of Missing Out”.

Mentoring and taking time to build a safe “nest” of friends in relationship requires courage!

🔹Courage to drag your tired and noisy mind to focus on the infusion of hope you’ll get when you commit to “get there”, when you join openly in the dialog, the listening, the processing.

🔹Courage to shout out loud to the whirlwind of pressuring daily demands, telling it that “YOU WILL FOCUS”!

You discipline yourself to put your shoulder firmly into the wind and press forward to break out of self sabotaging cycles that hold you back from the authentic “you” that God calls out to you to become!

I meet monthly with a devoted and amazingly resilient gathering of multi-ethnic, multi-generational, amazing and unique women, solely for the purpose of mentoring, and all of us, in unison, delve deeply into the real and gutsy conversations about getting sidetracked, duped, manipulated and often self sabotaged by the distractions of others demands, others opinions, social media overload and the biggie, “OVER SCHEDULING”! Ugh!!

And in this gathering of sacred rest, tears, prayers of anguish, prayers of awed thanksgiving for living evidence of the love surrounding us, the bond of safety and security grows strong and mighty in the Spirit.

Wisdom flows freely out and into the receptive hearts.

Serenity and inner beauty come when we just wait upon God.

‘Waiting’ like that is not merely wasting time.

It develops clarity and clears away the the things that block our growth, and it probes the places that need the challenge of discipline to mature into the woman the Heavenly Father calls “trustworthy and capable.”

Ladies! Fight the tendency to “back burner” personal growth and personal, intentional introspection.

Busyness and full calendars are not signs of godly pursuits or healthy ways to be validated and feel important.

Bring to the forefront of everything, your determination to be wholly authentic and mature in your pursuit of knowing Christ IN you.

Ink that into your heart like a tattoo, and then “pencil in” the rest of your life endeavors, cut out half of your commitments, and dial down your Social Media time.

Get “face to face” – “eye to eye” with others, live right there, IN THE MOMENT.

Be present.

Fully engage.

“Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. This is not the time to pull away and neglect or renege meeting together, as some have formed a poor habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning!” Hebrews 10:24-25 TPT.

 

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed as long as complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You!

” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

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