We are in an awesome series at our church titled “The New Artists.” It’s about rehumanizing our world through creativity, sensitivity, and imagination.  This week’s focus was on improv, and learning to live more in the moment rather than trying to plan everything out.

The Orchard

I have so much to say on this topic, as I feel like I have been learning how to live this way for the last few years. I am feeling the nudge to do something different and be more true to who I really am, but the path has not been crystal clear. Since I am a planner by nature, this has been somewhat frustrating for me. I know that I have to keep moving forward, and this series has been a great reminder of that.

This weekend, my Pastor shared an email I sent him with our congregation. It outlined what living in improv feels like to me. Many people stopped me and told me that I put something into words that they have had a hard time articulating. As a writer, this is always so encouraging to hear. I also thought that if people were moved by hearing it, then maybe some of you might need to hear it as well. Here’s what my email said:

This has been the hardest part of my journey. I continue to try to plan everything out, even when God keeps telling me to trust Him and take one step at a time. It is a lesson I have to learn over and over and over. I want to know the end product. I want to know that there is this one thing that I am supposed to be moving towards. God is telling me differently. He’s saying that I need to take one step at a time. He will help guide me, but I have to trust Him to do it. It’s SO frustrating at times because I want to be further along in the process. But, then I am reminded about what you have said before. It is often about WHO we are becoming on the journey versus the dream itself.

I continually refer to the Richard Rohr quote you shared with me.

 

“God has to work on your soul “in secret,” according to the saints and mystics. If God gave you any idea of what God was doing, which is always radical surgery, you would do one of two things: you would try to stop it, or you would try to engineer it and take control of the process. God has to operate in darkess to get the job done.”

 

We want a map, and God often doesn’t give us one because we would worship it. We’d focus on the map instead of Him. When we learn to live in improv, then life can be at its fullest. We’re not stressing about the future. We’re paying attention to the now. We’re present. We’re savoring life, and being grateful for the little things. It’s extremely counter cultural, but so freeing.

If you are interested in hearing more about this series, you can listen to the podcasts here.

I just finished an amazing book titled Captivating by John & Staci Eldridge. I will be writing more about the book later, as there were so many great nuggets of wisdom to share. And for the men, they have a similar book titled Wild at Heart, which I’ve heard is also great.

One question in the book continues to come to me over and over.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to witness a profound example of this. I am involved with a local organization, Triple Threat Mentoring, that was started five years ago by my friends, Caleb and Julie Luper. They were asking themselves the same question. The answer they heard was the destinies of the underresourced youth of our community, right here in Aurora. They took action. They started Triple Threat. And they are changing lives because of that decision.

I’ve loved the mission of the organization. I love interacting with the kids, and making a difference. I love how Triple Threat has done such a great job of helping kids feel empowered. But, hearing this story forever changed the way I will look at these kids and how important this organization is. Theresa is a mom who has seen the impact of Triple Threat on her son’s life. She shared her story for the first time at a United Way breakfast celebration. I’d love it if you’d take a few minutes to watch this video and hear her story.

Click here to view the embedded video.

If you are feeling the tug, or the urge, or the draw (however you want to say it) to do something unique and different, take some time digesting the words in the question above.

YOU can make a difference.

I truly believe it.

Today, I am joining Lisa Jo Baker and the friends at Five Minute Friday. We write for five minutes. No editing. No overcomplicating it. Then, we share our work. You can learn more about it here, and you can see the link up here.

Photo credit: Creative Commons (John-Morgan)

Something’s happened to me.

I no longer crave comfort.

In fact, I would say I am doing everything I can to move as far away from comfort as I can get. Wow. Did I really just say that? As crazy as it sounds, it is true. I have been feeling the shift for a while. It’s been mounting, and it’s getting to the point where I can’t ignore it any longer.

I used to want what society tells me I should want. The husband, the successful job, the house, the new car, the 2.5 kids, a big 401K, and any material thing that I want. That would make me comfortable, right? THAT is what comfort is about. A safe, secure, appearing to be put- together life.

But guess what? I don’t want it anymore. Yes, of course, I want my husband and the two kids. But the material stuff? Climbing the corporate ladder? Slaving my life away to buy more things instead of enjoying time and making a difference? No way. Not anymore.

I choose adventure.

I choose risk.

I choose an intentional life.

I choose to be uncomfortable.

Is the average life more painful than the extraordinary one?

What risk are you being prompted to take?

I’d love to encourage you!

Most of you know I’m a big reader. I love great books, and read continually. I just started this one last night.

What are you reading?

What great books do you recommend?