Yesterday morning I spent some time cleaning up paperwork in my office at home. We just "cleaned" the office last week. {And by "cleaned," I mean we put everything we didn't have the stamina to deal with at this time in a series of boxes and put them away so we could think clearly without the distraction of the mess.}
It's funny how a clear desk inspires me to write, and I've been a writing, editing fool all week long. I felt, therefore, the need to keep it as clean as I can - really clean - not adding-more-boxes-to-the-stack clean.
As I tucked a quote onto our message board, I saw a scribbled note from months ago. It contained a quote my dear friend Polly emailed me shortly after I left the station: God has you in the pocket - the pocket of your passion and gifting and joy.
After taking the month of December "off" from my regular schedule of writing and editing and researching and planning and such, these past two weeks have been my re-entry to this new life God has led me to live. I've been back to "office hours" and working on the projects He's put on my heart.
For a girl like me, who thrives on things like routine, this return to normal has been a welcome blessing. But there's always the voice that whispers that I maybe could or should be doing more. Something tangible. Something that makes a bigger difference.
Seeing Polly's words reminded me that this is my more. This is my tangible. This makes a difference. This is my pocket. This is the place God has carved out for me for this season, and I'm swimming in a place of passion and gifting and joy.
Maybe others don't see it that way, and that's okay. But this is the pocket I prayed to be able to be in for so long. And now I'm here! As I scribbled down brainstorms and made plans for more words on paper, I remembered in fresh ways that this pocket is a beautiful place to be. It might not be understood, and it may not be common. But it's a welcomed pocket.
{How's life in your pocket?}
6 comments:
What a great view and idea!
Good luck with the path and editing!!
Bekah - great words and thoughts to which I only add...the actions of today only build the opportunities of tomorrow...it is the sum total that makes the "difference" that God will continue to use in His way. Being in the pocket is the best way to live, you've got that nailed. Lois
Loving my little pocket too! :)
This is exactly what my heart needed to hear tonight. I am the mom of a beautiful 4yo girl, and I know deep in my heart that God has called my husband and I to have only her. I've been wrestling against His plan for my life as the mother of an only child...trying to justify in my mind that we should have another one simply because that's what society tells us to do. I hate being different from everyone else and not fitting into the "way other people do it." I've struggled with the sin of fear and anxiety for as long as I can remember, particularly fearing what other people think of me. Having an only child makes me feel people view me as an inadequate mom, "less than" than my other mom friends of multiple kids. But God used you to show me that His (perfect) pocket that He has gently placed me within is to be a mom of one....one amazing, precious and beautiful little girl...even if that means I'm not like all the others. THIS is the life He's called ME to lead. And I will finally REST in this beautiful pocket He's so generously given me. Thank you for this post....God spoke to me through your words.
Tamar - Thank you!! Editing is not my first gift, so it's always a stretch!
Dear Lois - always so good t hear from you!! I love your quote - the actions of today... TRUTH!!! :) The actions of obedience, which I don't always get right, but I sure do try!
Julie - You fit well in your pocket! I've never forgotten the story you told me about the time you were at the youth camp and had to miss the foot washing ceremony to take care of Esther, and as you washed dirt off her feet before she went to bed, you realized you WERE washing feet - just in a different way. Powerful pocket story.
GreenWillow - Your story is such a blessing! It is SO HARD when your calling doesn't fit in with what's expected, isn't it? Our story is the same but a bit different - at this point in our lives, anyway, we don't feel called to be parents at all, and boy do we hear about that from some people! We are content and happy with marriage and feel that the ministries we're called to can't be mixed well with effective parenting. Maybe someday God will surprise us and shake things up, but whether or not He does, we know this is our calling and it's hard when people think of us as selfish or just flat out wrong because we don't follow the formula. From what you've said in your comment, it sounds like your little one is awfully blessed to have you for a mom and your husband for a dad. You hold tight to the convictions of your heart!! If God has another plan, He will make it known to you!! Love your pocket! And thanks for the comment!!!
Thank you for this. I am reminding myself that my current pocket is a short season and I should be thankful. And yes, yes, yes to the fact that our pockets don't always look "productive" from the world's point of view. But the world isn't what matters.
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