Eve M. Harrell's Blog: My Week in Writing, page 11

7 Ways to REST in the Lord for 2019

As 2018 winds down, I ponder this season of winter- a season of healing and a season of listen. That was my word for 2018- LISTEN. As I understand, spiritual seasons of winter are for hunkering down and listening to the quiet whispers of our God. You will not find Him in the chaos, but in the quiet above the chaos. Consider the space above the clouds when the storm rages below. Not a physical place, mind you, but a place of peace. If you’ve shared in any of my musings this year, I hope that y...

Why Prayer?

I’ve read quite a few posts of late from people who reject the idea of “thoughts and prayers.” I get it. When a tragedy occurs, it can often sound flippant for someone to lay these words down without any action behind them. However, it is in the action of prayer that I would like to sit for a moment, if I may. Let’s begin by defining prayer: Prayer is first and foremost an act of worship to a Holy God. "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name," Matthew 6:9 Secondly, prayer is a conversati...

A Momma’s Fight

“Take my hand! No! Don’t you let go!” Samwise yelled as Frodo hung on for dear life. Have you ever found yourself in a situation when your fight depended on the fight left in the other person? I can’t imagine what Frodo must have felt as he held tight to the ledge. Did he realize that in the desire to keep the ring he was fighting for the wrong thing? Did he wish for the Shire; thinking it was an impossible dream? As Samwise bent down to help his friend, it was clear that he would help His fr...

7 Ways to REST in the Lord for 2019

As 2018 winds down, I ponder this season of winter- a season of healing and a season of listen. That was my word for 2018- LISTEN. As I understand, spiritual seasons of winter are for hunkering down and listening to the quiet whispers of our God. You will not find Him in the chaos, but in the quiet above the chaos. Consider the space above the clouds when the storm rages below. Not a physical place, mind you, but a place of peace. If you’ve shared in any of my musings this year, I hope that you too have been blessed by His introduction into this mindfulness. Are you recognizing that intentionality is required to get there? In this season of listen, the Lord has revealed to me my penchant for getting caught up in the chaos and forgetting that He is present. While it is true that God is omnipresent, when chaos ensues, I can easily forget He is there. He is teaching me that I must rise out of the chaos to see Him instead of my challenge.In 2019, the Lord is encouraging me to go after the word- REST. I am not very good at rest. In fact, do you know the story of Mary and Martha? Yep, I’m Martha. Interestingly; however, I learned a little nugget from the story in Luke 10:38-42 this year. I’ve always been taught that we need to yearn to be more Mary than Martha. And if you’re like me, perhaps you’ve asked the question, “But will anything ever get done?” What if that wasn't Jesus' point at all?Let’s take a closer look: “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'”Take note of the bolded words. 1- Martha was distracted. 2- Martha was worried. And 3- Martha was upset. I wonder if Jesus wasn’t necessarily telling Martha to drop everything and sit at His feet, but instead encouraging her to drop the worry and anger and to include Him in her work?What if the one thing that Mary had chosen was to rest in Him?God is present everywhere, but sometimes I forget to include Him in my challenge. It’s much easier to allow the emotion to carry me through the moment rather than stop and give the moment to the One who will breathe peace into it. So this year, I am intentionally going after rest.Will you join me in 2019 to seek more of His Rest? Let’s go after these 7 intentional ways that we can rest in Him:Stop and breathe. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, stop and breathe. Close your eyes and visualize your breath. Count to 10 as you breathe in His Spirit and count to 10 as you breathe out the stress. Do this 3 times. Continue to do this throughout the day (especially in stressful moments.)Visualize Jesus is with you. A dear friend of mine shares the picture of the empty chair. Picture an empty chair in the room and visualize Jesus is sitting there. When the stress and anxiety encroach, give them to Him. Place them at His feet and ask for His wisdom to move forward. In especially tense moments, picture yourself curling up in the Father’s lap and allow Him to breathe peace into your heart. I think this is what Mary knew that Martha didn’t. To sit with Jesus is a beautiful place to be.Schedule margin in your life. TBH, this one is particularly difficult for me, but necessary. Schedule time where you lay down the phone and the computer and just be. Read a book, journal, walk and listen to the peace in nature. Spend time with God every morning and every night. The time of day isn't set in stone. You may enjoy spending time with our Father in the middle of the day. I personally like first thing in the morning because it sets my day up on a firm foundation. Then before I go to bed I like to debrief my day with Him and ask for protection as I sleep. Invite Jesus to go to work and/or school with you. Again, He is there, but there is just something about inviting Him in to your work that makes it less stressful. This is not #2 necessarily. This is what Martha missed in her own work. Remember the song, “Whistle while you work,” in Cinderella? It’s a little like that. You are breathing in His wisdom and discernment in your every decision. Inviting Him to walk with you in your daily journey. Talking to Him throughout your day, just like a trusted friend.Serve another. There is great joy and peace to be found in serving as the Father’s hands and feet here on earth. Observe the Sabbath. Even God rested on day 7. If the Creator of the heavens and the earth needed to rest, then I certainly need to rest. If you’re like me, you like practical reminders. So take this graphic with you, place it on your bathroom mirror and in your car. Have a copy handy on your desk at work or in your book bag. But don’t strive to do these things, instead work them into your life as a natural occurrence. Join me in making 2019 the RESTest year yet!Father, thank You for calling me into Your rest. I commit to seek more of You this year. I commit to be still and receive Your peace. I commit to invite Jesus into my day. I commit to choose the one thing that is better- to rest in You. You are my Hiding Place, God. In Jesus’ Holy and Precious Name, AMEN.

The Embrace of Transformation: Laying Down the Rush

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.I am a “DOer.” I can’t ever remember being anything else. And while it is true that God made us for work, I am coming to learn that while there is a season for work, there is also a season for rest.I am the oldest of five girls and from a very young age I can recall being responsible for something or someone. Oh sure, Mom had to remind me to do things like any typical kid, but from a young age, progress was found in the form of DO. This, of course, followed me into adulthood where schedules and commitments became another word for success.And so “The Rush” was born.I am in a season of LISTEN and the Lord is revealing to me some deep seated places in my heart that require a transformation. Today, the Lord is encouraging me to lay down the rush.The challenge to balance the rush with rest is a difficult one, but one that the Lord is inviting us to embrace, not only for our health but for His glory. If you too struggle with laying down the rush, perhaps one of these invitations will help in your own season:Be Still and See:The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14Too often I am in a hurry and forget to stop and look for His fingerprints. They are everywhere and often help in a circumstance beyond our control. What if I learn to slow down, be still and see that He is with me?Let Go of that which You are not designed to Carry:Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28This has become a daily prayer of mine. God doesn’t want us to sit in the weight of our weariness and burden. What if I learn to let go of the things and people that I am not designed to carry and instead sit in the peace of His Presence? I Have You in My Hand:In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8We ARE safe in His arms. Is this a struggle to remember? Yes, me too, but it’s true. Even in the midst of our greatest struggle we can rest in the knowledge that He has us in His righteous right Hand. What if I let go of the worry and rest in His Safe Harbor?Trust in Me:You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3Trust isn’t an abstract thought, but an intentional action that leads us into peace. What if, every morning, I intentionally speak the words, “I trust you” and sit in the reminders of His faithfulness?Rest and Be Refreshed:The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters. He refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:1-3a This is a hard one for me. Honestly, I often feel guilty for taking a Sabbath. I believe that God knew this and therefore made a command to rest, just as He rested. What if I schedule times of rest and solitude? Declare margin in my day to allow the Lord to refresh my soul?Will you join me in laying down the Rush? Write down one of the invitations above that the Lord encourages us to and allow Him to refresh your soul.Perhaps through rest, our Father will reveal how much more effective our DO can truly be . Father, Thank You for all that You have called us to. Thank You for purpose and for work. Thank You God for writing us into Your Story and giving us an opportunity to serve You and others. Lord, I pray that just as You empower us to DO that You will empower us to rest. I pray that we will prioritize You and be refreshed through moments of intentional rest. In so doing, I pray Lord that we will not be a rushed generation, but instead be steadfast and purposeful in all that You have called us to. Thank You Lord, for the transformation You are working in my heart.Your DaughterThank you to Emma Przybysz for the lovely Butterfly photo!

Why Don't You Trust Me

“Why don’t you trust me?”I heard the still small voice in the depth of my spirit.I’ve been hiding for far too long, it’s time to get real.“I do trust you Father, but . . . .”There are no buts daughter, either you do or you don’t.“Ouch. Really God?”It’s easy to recite verses. Yes, I’ve memorized the best of them:“Trust in the Lord and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”“Seek me first and all these things will be added unto you.”I can recite them yes, but do I live them- in every moment? Do I understand the heart that spoke them or am I forgetting the promise in John 14:27:Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED and DO NOT BE AFRAID.Now about that question, “Why don’t I trust God?”I am in a season of LISTEN and God is revealing to me some deep seated issues in my soul. Life is a journey and I am learning how sanctification works as a clarifier; removing the particulates that the enemy attempts to deposit into our soul.I’ve shared the great issues of fear and worry that work to distract me from God’s peace. As I am a very visual person, I like to use the analogy of a cocoon with layers that squeezes me into submission. But the issues that God is revealing to me in this season are deeper, they are rooted in my very core. And God is working to remove every root of sediment so He can reveal the peace inside.Discipline has always been a scary word to me. Visions of the paddle in the principal’s office drive me right into the proverbial discipline corner. But God never meant discipline to be a dirty word. In fact, consider discipline to be the sedimentation process that God uses to clean out all of the dark spots that like to remain hidden from the Light as He transforms us into the likeness of Jesus. Proverbs 3:11-12 tells us: "My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. "Hmmm, sounds a bit like water treatment. Interested in how water is treated, I went down the ole’ edumacation route and read up on how water is clarified. The separation of solids from water captured my attention. Sin looks a bit like those solids, doesn't it? I wonder, how often does the sludge of our heart point to a lack of trust in the Clarifier?Truth be told, when are filters are up and in place, the sediment is filtered out before it ever has a chance to settle. Our spiritual filter comes from God’s Word, from prayer and faith. But when we take the filter down and fail to guard our hearts, the sediment enters in and slowly begins to fill up all of the small places that we have forgotten. At first, we don’t notice. It is often a difficult season in life; however, when the sludge begins to weigh us down and wear us out. The passage of Living Water seems to flow slower and slower through the pathways of our heart until our faith and trust wears thin.But God doesn't step back and say, "Look at what you did." No, our Clarifier is always working, helping us to right the wrongs, strengthen the weakness and shine Light on those dark places that we may have hidden.So here I am, “Why don’t I trust you God? I’ve allowed my filter to lower, I’ve allowed worry and fear to not only wrap me in a cocoon but also to enter my heart. I’m holding tight to those things of which I have no business holding on to. Lord, forgive me, I know your truth; and today, I lay down my son and commit to guard my heart. I commit to speak truth when the enemy tries to convert the peace of my heart to sludgy sediment through lies and hopelessness. I commit to memorizing John 14:27 and sit in the peace that You freely give. I commit to trust you, Lord. I and my son are in Your Perfect Hand.Thank You Father for never giving up on me.”Your Weary DaughterAMENJoin me over the next few weeks as I share additional deep places that God is rooting out to bring me peace.

When You Can't Fix It

It’s inevitable, regardless how successful you are, there will be a moment, a day, a season when you just can’t “fix it.”Oh, but we so want to, don’t we?From the moment you take your first step, you feel as if you can do anything.You go to school and the world gets a bit bigger as you meet new friends and find new influences.You learn to drive and all of a sudden, independence is yours! You are king of the castle as the world becomes your oyster.You leave home as exciting opportunities spur you into the newness of “adulting.”In every season of young life, a sense of “empowerment” blankets as somewhere over the rainbow promises a pot of gold at the end.The challenges of toddling come with a mom who kisses the boo-boos and makes them better.The challenges of school bring with them an exhilarating sense of accomplishment as you begin to build brain and relational muscle.The challenges of driving bring with them a sense of relief when the security blanket of “insurance” says, “I’ll take care of that bumper for you.”And then life happens and the pot of gold looks like a cheap replica.It is true, nothing on earth can quite prepare you for the challenges you meet as an adult. Yes, hopefully you have a mom who cares and prays for you. And yes, the empowerment of “just do it” reminds you that building muscle is about much more than just working out in the gym. And while you surround yourself with security buffers that will hopefully cover you when the storm hits, the truth is there will come a day when the security blanket just isn’t big enough.There will come a day when you just can’t fix it.The day that our son was arrested was one of those days. Powerless, grieving and exhausted, I didn’t know what to do. I had to learn to exercise a new muscle- the Faith MuscleDo you know where your faith muscle lies? Between the brain and the stomach there is an organ called the heart. The place where our Creator connects with us, the heart is encased within a muscle called The Faith Muscle. Now, I am not suggesting a newly found part of the anatomy that nobody has ever seen before. In fact, the faith muscle is not visible to the human eye. Only in the eyes of it’s Creator can it be seen. But it’s there.In the very beginning of it's formation, it is the size of a mustard seed. Yes, the smallest seed in the garden represents the originating size of our faith muscle. But as time goes on, when we meet challenges and learn to depend on the One who has promised to be with us through every one, our faith muscle grows. And it grows. And it grows.But did you catch the requirement for growth? Yep, dependence.It seems contrary to our budding knowledge of life, but the truth is dependence is the very thing that spurs on the growth of faith.In our faith journey, there are a couple of catalysts that spur on growth:We receive the gift of grace.We recognize that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.We step into an unknown future.But how? With the promise that Jesus goes before us:A termination notice disturbs your future career plans. Do not fear I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right Hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10A hostile environment drains you of your strength and creativity. The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid? ~ Psalm 27:1A diagnosis threatens your peace. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7A son goes to prison. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life. (And the life of my son.) Psalm 143:8It’s okay to admit that we can’t fix it. Weakness is not a dirty word. In fact, when we are weak, He is strong. And it is in that very moment, when we pray for strength and courage to walk through our challenge, that our faith muscle engages, freedom follows and the Perfecter of our Faith goes to work.Jesus, we thank You for grace. We are grateful that we don’t have to navigate our challenges alone, but that our Savior goes before us. Lord, I pray for those today who feel helpless and uncertain. Please help them Lord to see You working on their behalf. Please hear their prayer and heal their land, God. We need You.In Jesus’ Name.AMEN

Season of Change

The promise of fall is upon us. On this gorgeous Georgia day, I reminisce over the past season of life and all that God has done. Through the challenges and the joy He has served forever faithful. I am so grateful to be written into His story. In this season of LISTEN I am sensitive to His call. Just as Elijah learned to wait for the gentle whisper, I too am leaning in for the gentle whisper of my Father. It’s an intense wait. As God often does, He is calling me to a season of change. I am laying down leading student small groups for a season and will be coaching small group leaders. Letting go of what I love is hard, yet I know that He is writing an amazing story through this change. And so I am giving Him my small yes again for His bigger plan. I am so excited! But I feel the need to pause. My type A, process driven mind wants to create a lesson plan. But then I hear that gentle whisper encourage, “No Eve, you are here to listen, to pray, to encourage.” Ouch, so much for Coaching 101. God has laid on my heart a great desire to start a mentoring program for young women. But I still have so much to learn. God is teaching me that mentorship is not a process, but an organic opportunity for growth and discovery on behalf of the mentee. So, this year, I am listening to the Mentor of my heart as He encourages me to share His heart with those who are leading students. I remember when I first began leading students. I remember thinking surely they would smell my fear and call me unqualified. I remember the worry that I would mislead them or let them down. I remember the first student that I called by the wrong name. I remember feeling like a little fish in a big pond of experienced small group leaders who knew far more that I knew. It was scary and overwhelming. If you are new to small group leading, I get you. Oh, but when I let God take over and lead through me- that was when the beauty began! Hmm, and perhaps this is the real lesson for us all.Perhaps it is in these seasons of change that we see God's faithfulness in a whole new light.Perhaps through the lens of our small yes, we recognize God's big Hand move as He leads in us and THROUGH US! In Lead Small, Reggie Joiner and Tom Shefchunas share the five big ideas every small group leader needs to know. At the end of the day, we must be prepared to let them go and move them out. Our goal is to help them develop an authentic faith focused on Jesus. It is this faith that will help them through this thing called life. Jesus knew how to do this. He picked twelve men whom He poured into and encouraged for three years. What did He do after? He let them go and moved them out. The result? Well, consider this, the church 2000+ years later began with just twelve. Wow ❤️ our small part in His story is building the church and growing us in the process! So, my prayer in this season of change is that I can listen well, lead small, encourage leaders to embrace the squiggle, remind them that they have been chosen for such a time as this, and help them see God moving in and through their group. God will do the rest. He is forever faithful. Will you join me in praying for the leaders of our high school ministry? May God do a great work in the hearts of our students and leaders this year!Father, I pray for wisdom, I pray that You will prepare our hearts for what You will do in the lives of Your children. Help us to listen for Your quiet whisper and be sensitive to Your call. I pray that You will fill our hearts with Your love and Your light. I pray for each leader that You will encourage her to step into Your call with grace. You have chosen her to carry Your light to this next generation. Help her to recognize that she is uniquely chosen to love her group in only a way that she can. I pray God that as You prepare us to serve students that You prepare us also to serve one another. Help us to love one another. I pray that You will create a band of sisters who will love, laugh and cry with, pray over and grow together as we serve to encourage the same over our students. Thank You Father for community. Thank You for the honor to serve together as Mighty Warriors for Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name AMEN

Through the Eyes of a Child

Her pink dress flowed with the wind as she skipped up the sidewalk. Reaching the gate, she didn’t notice the barbed wire stretched in double around the compound. The smile on her face was contagious as she awaited the gravelly sound of the latch breaking free so she could walk into the enclosure.Twinkling eyes met mine as she walked to the back of the line. Grabbing the hand of her loved one, she chatted happily about the day to come. With a serious look on her face, she looked at me and stated, “I have to wait my turn.”The sweet southern lilt served as a healing balm over the frustration the adults felt during their wait. You could feel the temperature lower ten degrees in her presence.She didn’t notice the gun on the officer’s belt. She only continued chatting to the officer as she exclaimed the reason for her visit, “I’m gonna see my daddy!” The stern face of the officer was replaced with a smile from ear to ear as she responded, “Really now? I’ll bet your happy.” “Oh yes ma’am, it’s been a couple days since I seen him.”“He’s in time out,” she looked at me with another serious look. “His name is Alex.”I leaned down and looked directly into her eyes, “My son’s in time out too. His name is Lee.”She looked down and shook her head once in understanding.“I love your barrettes. Look they match mine,” I pointed to the barrette in my own hair. She pointed to mine and said, “Ooh, I have one just like that.”As we waited our turn, the young girl continued to share about the long car ride and the snacks they shared on the way. Walking through the metal detector, she didn't notice the nervousness of those around who wanted to make sure their pockets and socks were clean.I watched as she skipped to each gate and awaited the familiar latch release. “Come on, Meemaw, he’s waiting!”As she walked into the big room, she smiled at the young man waiting patiently for his family to arrive. She didn’t notice the look of shame in his eyes over the crime he had committed. She only saw a sad young man who needed cheering up.She waved at the man with the tattoos, saying "Hi" as she skipped by. It was a gift to watch the smile brighten his eyes as he said hello in return.She recognized the older man praying over his wife. Responding with a solemn “Amen,” she walked slowly by as he kissed his wife on the forehead.She didn’t see the pain on the faces of those who had to say goodbye to their loved ones, only the joy on those who had the opportunity to hug for even a few short hours. Then she saw him. As she ran up to her daddy and jumped into his arms, he hugged her tight. “Oh daddy, don’t cry,” she said as she wiped the tear away. “Crocodile tears of joy,” he replied as he kissed her. She didn’t see the guards keeping order, nor did she see their strained looks as they walked through the rows. Her eyes were only for her daddy.As I visited with my own son, my heart was encouraged by the joy in this one little girl. Often in life we miss the little things as we focus on the challenges we face. But this little girl, whom I may never meet again, reminded me that I always have the option to choose joy.Her last words to me were, “He will be home in a few days.”I’m not sure if she was referring to Alex or Lee; however, I just knew in my heart that the Lord had given a word to this little angel for me. “Choose Joy, my daughter, he will be home soon.”At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. Luke 10:21

A Divine Detour

Have you ever faced an unplanned detour?I was driving home from Milledgeville when I saw the frustrating orange sign. Following the arrow, I heard Siri’s voice say, “Turn back to the route. Turn back to the route.” I began to get nervous. Am I going the right way?As I travelled down the country road I saw it, a beautiful cloud lined with the shimmer of a summer storm, perfectly framed against the blue of a clear summer sky. On a hill just below sat a lonely farmhouse with a rolling green field lying before her.I considered stopping to capture this Kodak moment until I heard the words of my dear friend Sandy, “Some moments are just for you, Eve.”As Siri recalculated and found his way, I pondered the moments when God has led me on a divine detour.How often do I find myself rushed on the highway of life? Where it only takes a traffic jam or the pain of an accident to bring me to my knees? Where the uncertainty of a detour waylays my best laid path, anxiety of the unknown becoming a comfortable friend?But if I can be still in this moment and listen, I hear His still small voice say “Hello Daughter, I am here. Bask in the light of my Presence. See the beauty of my creation and enjoy this moment of peace.”I need His peace in this season. And the more that I seek His peace, the more detours I seem to face. It's a conundrum really. I love order, lists and predictability. But as God reveals my desire for straight paths, He reveals His desire to give me MORE.So, in this season of LISTEN, I seek His Presence. And as I yearn for His voice, I learn to stop, slow down and sit in the beauty of His Divine Detour. It is here that I recognize the beauty of His Presence as I unwrap His gift of MORE. And it's okay that I am not in control as I learn to trust in the sound of His voice leading me home.I sit in the comfort that every divine detour leads me to green pastures and quiet waters where He refreshes me and prepares me for the day when I will stand in the Light of His glory and hear Him say, “Daughter you have arrived.”He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6