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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

Whisper. Or, Saying No. (FMF)

September 5, 2014 by HappyGoStuckey 7 Comments

I think I might have missed Summer. It was busy and fun but not nearly enough sit and soak. 

Ironically, I set out putting a few measures in place, allowing for less do-do-do and more soak-soak-soak. But it backfired and now I sit here in the last few weeks of heat (I certainly hope so.) wondering why I feel so buried in stuff and listening to the garishly loud shout of my To-Do List.

I am doing things differently this Fall.

I’m doing what matters to God. What matters to our little four. What matters to me.

And if I have to say “no” again and again and again… until there is space to breathe and think and be, I will.

Even when it disappoints. I will say No. Unless HE has asked me to say yes. I’m saying “No” when He hasn’t said “Yes.”

Kindly. Genuinely. Graciously. But still, No. Even if I have to whisper it at first. 

I will whisper “No” to those “maybe I should’s…” that rise up in the back of my mind until I’m more confident in my ability to say “No” firmly.

I used to be quite good at saying it.

When I was a working mom, that was it. “I work. I’m a wife and mom. That is just about all I can do. ”

But as the job title changed to SAHM, it was like I burned my “get-out-of-over-committment-free card.”

As though because I was allowed to wear yoga pants every day to work than I should always have time for every single thing, every opportunity, every request.

Well I want that little card back. 

For the sake of my sanity.

For the sake of my often neglected quiet time.

For the sake of my over-extended self that snaps at the people I’m here to serve in the first place.

For the sake of my enjoyment of the ministries that GOD actually has inserted into my life.

Because the mathematical truth of saying “YES” is this: Saying yes to one thing, is absolutely saying no to another. That other thing far too often becomes my family or my health.

Our fear of man looks a lot like overcommitment sometimes, but it’s often just plain idolatry.

We cannot sacrifice those things we KNOW God has given us to do on the altar of what everyone else thinks we SHOULD be doing. 

No = Margin. Whether you whisper it or say it confidently, if you don’t know for certain that you should be saying yes– say No.

And then revel in the space you have when God gives you a “yes.”

 

Linking up with Five Minute Friday– my favorite community of writers– over here! 

What I learned in August.
A Letter to My 17 Year Old Self

Comments

  1. Bethany says

    September 5, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    What a sweet reminder to look heavenward. Excellent post. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Crystal says

    September 5, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    I too have to whisper my nos at first until I can back them with conviction. It is nice to remember that we are not called to do everything, just some things. Those things grow into things of higher value when we can give them the space, time and passion they need to prosper.

    Reply
  3. stoopingformanna says

    September 5, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    AMEN! Thank you for putting words to the SAHM pressure… and for answering it with such wisdom. Keep whispering what He tells you to, girl! I appreciated this thoughtful post.

    Reply
  4. CW says

    September 5, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    Amen to all of this! Thank you for sharing it!

    Reply
  5. Hope says

    September 8, 2014 at 10:18 am

    I am all with you. Summer got away from us due to traveling. We feel we’ve had no summer.

    And I am with you in regards to saying no. I know it’s not easy but when you think who you do it for and why, you know it’s the best. You’ll have a better life because of it. Unfortunately we have to experience that before it gets easier.

    Reply
  6. lindseylearns says

    September 16, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Hi there! Found your blog through the At the Barn event! I’m so excited to explore your blog a bit more and meet you next weekend, but I had to quickly chime in on the cold brew coffee issue! I’m a cold brew addict. 🙂 It looks like you are grinding your coffee grounds too finely! They should be very coarse. If you have a grinder, use the coarsest setting (or French Press setting). If you are using pre-ground beans, that may be your problem.

    I use a Toddy cold brew system, which comes with a particular filter. Absolutely no grounds get through, and it’s DELICIOUS. 🙂

    Reply
    • happygostuckey says

      September 16, 2014 at 4:36 pm

      HI, LINDSEY! Thank you!!! I’m sure that’s exactly it. We have a burr grinder and I know I’ve been grinding it too finely, now that you say that! Thank you SO much for chiming in– I will try it this week. 🙂
      Looking forward to meeting you next weekend!
      –Cynthia

      Reply

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I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

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