How to Multiply Your Time, Truth for When You Want to Give Up, Songs of Wild Hope, and More!
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Photo by kyle szegedi on unsplash
Happy last day of April! (I’m getting this out late today…but it’s still April in Alaska, even if just for a few more hours! 🙈)
As you know (unless you're new to my online community—in which case, welcome!), at the close of every month, I share a few of my favorite listens, reads, and resources.
I haven’t shared my monthly resources since just before Wesley was born (over 5 months ago!!), so I’m excited to be bringing this list to you today! As we move into May, I hope these resources encourage and inspire you as you pursue a life of purpose, joy, and intimacy with God.
You are in my thoughts and prayers, and I’d love to hear from you! You can contact me here or through the comment section below!
In purpose and faith,
Finding Joy in Everyday Life...
Before we get to the resources, here are a few things that brought me joy this month!
Life in general—and my cameral roll in particular—revolves around baby these days. Wesley is a very happy snuggle bug and hanging out with him is my favorite thing to do!
One of the highlights of our spring has been going on walks with Wesley. He loves his stroller!
One of our favorite places to visit and walk is Creamer’s Field, a local bird refuge. You know it’s really spring in Fairbanks when the birds are back in the field!
What brought you joy this past month? I'd love to hear about it!
Resources to Inspire, Encourage, and Equip
I’ve been reading…
Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time by Rory Vaden
“You were put here on earth to do something that no one else can do. It is yours and yours alone to complete. It requires you to be your highest self and if you don’t do that thing, you are going to inhibit those around you from doing theirs. As a Multiplier, it is your obligation to spend time on things today that create more opportunity for those around you tomorrow. It is to do the things that are right, not only for now, but for the future.” —Rory Vaden
Much of this book (such as a lot of the stories and examples) focused on the corporate business side of things (not my world!), but I found the ideas inspiring and the tools he suggests for making the most of the time we’ve been given (such an important part of walking in our callings!) to be practical and applicable to many areas of my life.
I think God is prompting me to start delegating more…Exciting but kind of scary for this recovering perfectionist!
I’ve also been reading…
“Silence and Solitude – A Favorite Way to Experience God’s Love” by Sandra Adcock
“For the longest, my times with God were only structured and intentional. And that was awesome and fruitful, for sure. But then I began to wonder, What if I asked God to author our times together?! What if I came to him without an agenda? Void of a plan? Could this be what people mean when they talk about silence and solitude?!
That was years ago. And what I can tell you now about spending time with God in silence and solitude—God took me from ick to awe. From boredom to exhilaration. From work to rest...” —Sandra Adcock
Do want to spend time with God in silence and solitude, but you’re not quite sure how to do it? In this piece, Sandra Adcock shares a simple way to get started—plus how the practice has impacted her relationship with God. You can read it here.
I've been watching/listening...
“Never Give Up” by Derek Prince
Waiting is often part of God’s process of maturing, strengthening, and preparing us. Waiting is also hard, and when the wait is long, we can be tempted to find relief in giving up.
But as Derek Prince said, “There’s no precedent in the Bible for giving up.” You can watch the whole clip (it’s just 9 minutes long) for more powerful insight into the purpose of waiting and encouragement for holding on to hope.
I've been listening...
“Calling Out Your Name” by Rich Mullins
This is one of my all-time favorite songs and it almost always makes me cry. I have a vivid memory of listening to it years ago while sitting in my car at a local bird refuge (the above-mentioned Creamer’s Field!) and praying for a baby. It was an April evening on the day after my 30th birthday, and just like in the song, it seemed that the honking geese and crawing cranes and quacking ducks were all calling out God’s name with me.
My heart ached and at the same time felt encouraged to “run wild with the hope” that my prayers were heard and would be answered. You can listen to the song here.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission, with no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
...Is it time to say goodbye to something in your life? Leaving can be hard because it can feel like losing—and sometimes it does come with a loss.
But so often what we let go of is vastly outweighed by what we gain when we open our hands in trust...