boot straps

it looks like these have bootstraps-
they're faux! ;)

None of my boots actually have straps, but I come from a long line of women who are skilled at pulling themselves up by them, figuratively speaking.

I relied heavily on that fact this morning when I flopped in front of the computer this morning, waiting for my coffee to brew having sent the kids off to school.  I surfed facebook and my google reader list as I often do in that time slot.  This morning I was a little extra tired after a very long (but great) day of ministry. (man, I love my job!)  As I read blogs and status updates that I usually enjoy and find encouraging and inspiring, some unwelcome feelings began to rise up in my spirit -  discouragement. disappointment. dissatisfaction.

Hovering over another blog title, spirit sagging, I heard the Still Small Voice: "turn it off."

I hovered a moment longer.  Why should I shut it off, it won't change anything...

turn. it. off.

I mustered up my resolve to live by the Spirit, yanked up those figurative bootstraps and obeyed.  I stumbled off up the stairs, poured my coffee and praised God for giving me the capacity to do the hard thing when I could have (and have in the past) easily given in to feeling sorry for myself, and looking at my life through the lens of how other people live.

Have you noticed the new verse I've chosen as a subtitle to the new look of the blog?  This is my prayer for the new year, a verse of the year(ish) that the Lord showed me in Decemeber.

"As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, 

we become more and more like him 

and reflect his glory even more." 

2 Corinthians 3:18 nlt

Hearing the Voice, saying YES and moving forward - to reflect His glory. 

Do you have a verse for this year?