Laced With Grace

Yesterday my family and I spent an hour and a half sitting in a historical building, enjoying and laughing at a live comedy show.Yes, it was Mother’s Day and yes, that’s what I wanted to do.

Why?

Because I value laughter. Plus I know the comedian, she’s a sweet friend.

Do you value laughter? Why or why not? Did you know there are huge health benefits to laughing?

Here are just a few:

* lowers blood pressure
* boosts immune system
* relieves stress
* prevents heart disease

I learned to laugh as a child. Instead of crying, I laughed. It was a coping mechanism, one that I still use today. Sometimes I laugh and cry at the same time. Laughter has carried me through some rough places in my life. I thank God for the gift of laughter.

I have no guilt about taking time to lighten up and laugh. Actually for fun and to inspire, I give a talk on laughter. Laughing is worth my time. It’s worth penciling in on my calendar. It’s worth putting on my to do list and being intentional about. I want my kids to see that even though life is hard they too can choose to laugh.

Did you know God values laughter enough to make sure it is in His Word?

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25

a time to weep and a time to laugh ~ Ecclesiastes 3:4

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Luke 6:21

So today think of a simple way you can reduce your stress and have a little fun. You will never regret taking time to laugh.

Father God, remind us to laugh today. We need it.

How about you? When was the last time you laughed? Do you make time to laugh on a regular basis? If so, share your stories with me. Pretty please with chocolate covered strawberries on top.

Smile!

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany

It’s easy for me to sit on the sidelines and watch others race by. I’m not competitive, so I can easily let you go ahead of me. I don’t jump the gun like some personalities. Instead I stay back and I wait and wait. And yet sometimes I wonder what on earth am I waiting for.

* Am I waiting for the stars to line up just right?

* Am I waiting until I have enough resources, time, talent or money?

* Am I waiting for more energy?

* What am I really waiting for?

Maybe I’m waiting until my house is all organized and my garage is spotless and I have oodles of free time. Or maybe I’m waiting until I know exactly what I’m doing before I start. Ha. That will never happen. Don’t we learn as we get up and go? Through trial and error?

The truth is I’m waiting until I decide I am ready to start. It’s procrastination and it affects my relationship with God. He says, “Go,” and I say, “No. Not yet.” Stalling is my way out. I over analyze. I say “I’m still praying” because it’s easier than admitting I’m afraid to take my place. I’m afraid of how hard and long the race will be. I’m afraid I might fall flat on my face.

How about you? Are you waiting when you should be running your race? Are you putting something off that you know God wants you to do?

Somehow I can hear God, like Dr. Phil, saying, “How’s that working for you?”

My answer: It’s not.

I’m sick and tired of procrastinating. God has a specific race for me to run, a lane with my name on it. I don’t see the end, or even the middle, but I do see the beginning. I know where to start. I know what is required of me: Put one foot in front of the other. Step out. 

And regardless of my fears, I have exactly what I need to complete my course:

I have Christ in me.

Is He not enough for me to even start?

Ouch.

So I pray, Lord Jesus, help me trust You with my race. In my own strength I don’t have the strength to finish, but through You I can do all things. Help me stop stalling, stop comparing, stop fearing, and just start. I hear your voice saying, “On your mark, get set, go.” Okay, no more waiting, slow and steady here I go. Today I trust You enough to start. Amen

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

Moving once again,

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany

(current pic of my garage)

Do you have a messy garage? Or maybe it’s not your garage, but you know exactly what it is. That overcrowded storage unit you really need to empty. Your pantry or those junk drawers. Or your fridge filled with rotting leftover containers. Wherever and whatever it is, it’s an area of your life that is a mess. It’s affecting your daily life, taking up mental space and sucking up all of your energy.

Well that’s my life right now. I’m in the middle of going room by room, organizing, purging, and cleaning. Call it spring cleaning if you want. Whatever this is, it’s exhausting. It’s hard work looking through every nook and cranny. Actually I’m growing weary as I approach the finish line. This has been a few weeks of focused energy and I know I haven’t gotten rid of everything I should have. But I’ve made it through my entire house except the basement and garage. Currently I’m finishing up my office. What a mess. Two days ago I finally threw away my high school graduation gown from 1986. Call me a sentimental fool.   It feels great to have labels and homes for everything I’ve decided to keep.

And as I’ve worked, God has been showing me the messy places of my heart. I’ve invited Him to walk with me through this process and He is faithful to reveal what needs to go. It’s humbling to see I still hide jealousy, comparison and bitterness in the closet of my heart. I see places where I’ve grown complacent and I see the results of neglecting those areas. It’s not pretty, but it’s been freeing to let God have my mess. He is making my old His new again.

What a gift to do something I’ve been needing to do and in the process do some heart work with God.

How about you? Have you allowed God to look into the rooms of your heart lately?

God longs to free us from our everyday messes. He longs to declutter our lives and make room for what matters most:

* Him

* Family

* Other people

Father God, thank You for Your love and faithfulness. Thank You for not leaving me as we go room by room through my mess. Thank You for speaking life to me when I grow weary. Thank You for making my heart Your home. I love You, Jesus. Amen

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! Psalm 139:23 ESV

PS There is a classic short story about our hearts called My Heart, Christ’s Home.

Hugs from Colorado,

Tiffany – Tea with Tiffany