If you follow me on social media, you probably recognized that I went MIA for a while, or maybe you didn’t notice at all and that’s ok too. Back in September 2020 I decided to lay social media down. Well, it wasn’t really my idea, it was God’s idea. We all know that 2020 was “the year of COVID”. I think we all have a COVID story, right…”I was xyz….and then COVID happened!” I’d been praying for lots of patience and sanity to get through schooling the boys (I think all of us parents needed an abundance of that), but also I’d also been praying for clarity and direction in my life– “God show me where you want me”.

I’d been hustling for 3 years to grow my network marketing business online. I was committed and devoted to showing up for myself, for others, on social media and I was determined to be successful. But as I prayed those prayers, God told me–lay down social media, you can not sustain what you’re doing. You need to focus on your kids, they are your priority. Your job as a parent is to steward your kids well. They need you focused on them in this season. You’ve committed to homeschooling them and they need you.

Let me just say, this is NOT the answer I was looking for, this girl had goals. 2020 was gonna be my year– the year I made it! But, I knew in my heart that I had to surrender. I not only needed to surrender social media, but my plans, my goals, and my parenting. If I’m honest, for those 3 years, I wasn’t a present mom or wife. I was distracted and as bad as that stings to type, I’m calling it what it is.

Are you in a season of surrender? Surrendering is a DECISION, a CHOICE to lay down the plans you’ve had for your own life (ie: the thoughts, comforts, idols-social media, things we’re accustomed to, places we feel safe…) and surrendering to what God has in store for us. Let go of control (life, career, marriage, finances, parenting…). This opens your heart to receiving the gifts God has for you and your life instead of looking for solutions that only the world has, which are ALWAYS just short term, a facade, and a distraction–and ps…this is the enemies playground.

Are you ready to step into your calling and be who God created you to be? Pause. Protect your time so you can focus without distraction, my friend. Pray. Get in-sync with God’s plan. Ask for guidance. Nothing grows when you are distracted and when we’re busy looking around. GOD GIVES YOU VISION. Stop looking at what everyone else is doing and get connected to God’s plan for your life. Let’s get back to what God created us to become, our plans were pre-destined for us in heaven my friend!! How cool is that!?

A few truths:

Jeremiah 29:11 “for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to PROSPER you and not harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.”

Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST Jesus for good works, which God PREPARED BEFOREHAND, that we should walk in them.”

• You are literally a miracle here on Earth, right now!
• You are worthy.
• You have gifts to share with the world.
• You are messy and imperfect, and that is ok– you are human.
• You are enough.

A few prayers:

• Lord, help me choose freedom from hustle today. Let the work of my hands please you. Amen.
• Show me areas of my life where I am doing things on my own outside of Your direction. Give me wisdom to walk rightly before You and others, that they might see You through me. I love you, Lord. Amen.
• I want to know Your thoughts towards my situations more that my feelings.
• May my faith in You be an encouragement to those around me.
• Lord, teach me to listen for understanding and with discernment, both to others and to You. I want to leave a legacy of being a loving listener. Amen.
• Father, I pray that my life will show noticeable fruit that I’ve been with You.
• Father, forgive us of idelness. I pray that You will give us energy for our assignment so we can stay on mission for YOU. I pray against the lies of the enemy that distract us from our purpose. Please quiet our overthinking and let us rest in Your promises. Move us to action, equip us for Your work, and help us to love You with our whole lives. AMEN.