Disclaimer: I stole today’s quote. Sort of.
Let me explain.
Sometimes I pick my quote for the day from my backlog of quotes. Sometimes none of those quotes “reverb” with me, and so I go skimming through the Internet topically or maybe I do a search of a particular person . . . You get the idea.
Last night I ended up at my friend S. Kim Henson’s blog, aptly titled Kim Henson’s blog: Well-Written Days: All About Livin’, Lovin’, and Laughin’.
There’s a lot I love about Kim: her writing, her sense of humor, her genuineness, the way we keep saying, “You too?” to each other.
And, I discovered last night, that Kim loves quotes like I do — as evidenced by her Quotes ‘N’ Stuff page.
The path and puddles quote “reverbed” with me because, well, I landed in a few puddles this week. Got my feet wet. I even felt like sitting down in one big, old puddle and just staying there for a while.
Yeah — that would be called quitting.
And then God whispered in my ear: Isn’t the word for the year “Confidence”?
Um … yes.
And then God whispered this: And isn’t your foundational verse for this year “Do not throw away your confidence?” (Hebrews 10:36)
Yes on that too. (And God definitely gets my attention when he quotes his Word to me.)
Confidence doesn’t sit in a puddle. Confidence splashes through the puddles, maybe — but it definitely doesn’t sit down and throw a pity party for itself in a puddle of water.
Here’s what I’ve decided: It’s okay to get wet because there’s puddles along my path–but only because I’m walking through them.
In Your Words: When you come upon a puddle in your path, what do you?
Comments 27
My word for the year is hope – and my verse is from Jeremiah 29:11: ” For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” And last night I was wading through one of those puddles and my husband had to remind me what my word was, too. I couldn’t believe how I had forgotten my word – or how appropriate it was for the puddle I had walked into. God is amazing. When I come to a puddle the best, and only way, I know how to get through it is to know the Word of God and proclaim it!
Author
How wonderful, Gabe, that when you forgot your word for 2013, your husband remembered!
Um, sometimes I pout a little bit. And sleep. That seems to be my first cure for puddles.
But on slightly more mature days, I try to remember Romans 8:28…and Isaiah 26:3…and if I can just step out of my pouting long enough to believe and act on those verses, well, that usually keeps me going. That and prayer and friends and the most encouraging family in the world. 🙂
Here’s hoping you’re walking straight out of those puddles and into a wonderful weekend, Beth!
Author
I’ve met part of your family, Melissa — and I know exactly why you say they are the most encouraging family in the world. Puddle-jumpers to be sure!
Sometimes I skirt around the puddles, trying to avoid them completely. And sometimes I come to a large puddle that is so big, the only way to get through is to splash in it. Splashing offers freedom and rippling joy.
Author
Amen to that, LJ!
🙂
I remember my freshman year in college a bunch of us went up to the hills in a rainstorm and got completely sopped in mud and rain. We rolled in it. We were covered. I dance in the puddles now–laughing all the way ho ho ho (it’s snowing here, I’ve reverted to Christmas mode).
Author
One day: Meet you at a puddle and we’ll dance? Deal?
🙂
Sometimes I get sucked into the puddles, but God always has a way of moving me out of them. Usually through His word or through words spoken by a friend at the right time. He often has to remind me where my focus is. It seems like when I end up in a puddle it’s because my focus is in the wrong place. Working on re-aligning it today, in fact. 🙂
Author
Jeanne,
I pray that you find the focus you need — the truth that will lift you out of the puddle, or at least help you dance in the puddle!
Beth, you come up with amazing analogies. Mid week I almost got stuck in a puddle as well, but then decided to give one fine stomp and got out before swallowed whole. Glad you moved forward too!
Author
Elaine:
Stomping out of the puddle — good for you!
When I get in a puddle, God reminds me with two verses: Romans 8:31 and Isaiah 43:1…if God is for us, who can be against us…and Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are Mine!
Claiming these two verses gives me the courage to step out of my comfort zone.
Author
Thank you for sharing those truths, Patricia.
Beth, I rarely have a pity party now, but I certainly have in the past. When you fall into the ick and survive, everything else seems like delicious gravy.
On off days that do tend to come, I realize sometimes it’s really okay to just sit down in the puddle and hang out for awhile. Then, I get back up, maybe a little wetter, but resilient, and determined to move on.
Author
Love your attitude.
You are a courageous woman, Cynthia.
Real … and courageous.
Well, life is full of surprises and this one made my day. I pulled out my box of Kleenex and threw myself a joy party. I’m honored, Beth. Truly, truly honored.
I love you!
Author
Love you right back!
It’s raining here today, and it rained nearly the whole time we were in Florida…I’m rained out so far this year! But even when I am, God picks me up, holds out his hand, and says, “I’ve got so much more ahead if you’ll just follow me. Don’t hide away because you don’t like the rain. The rain makes stuff grow. Including you.”
Author
Beautiful insights, Lindsay.
And God has wide open doors ahead of you, come rain or come shine.
Need an umbrella?
I loved this post, Beth. I confess I sit in puddles. Ok, I put on my bathing suit (so I can feel even sorrier for myself) and then I dive in that pity puddle and fake drown so people will try to save me. Then I cough dramatically and flop around for maximum effect.
But things are changing. With my shift of focus in January and now my goal of finishing my novel this month, I have more purpose. It’s amazing the difference a sense of purpose makes. I’m slightly less melodramatic and my spine is strengthening. And I don’t have time for puddles! 😉
Slightly related anecdote: Kory and I once had a conversation about naming a daughter Sky if she was born with his blue eyes. We concluded it was only logical to name her Muddy Puddles if she was born with my brown eyes. God, in His GREAT wisdom, did not give us a daughter!
Author
Oh, E, I love the way you write — blot post, comment, or novel … you are so, so gifted!
Being a Vancouver girl, I know my puddles.
Being an almost 50 year old mother of 4, I know the kind of puddles that seem to have no bottoms. The alluring kind where you strap on an oxygen mask and a wetsuit and fall in backward. You fall way down, down to where the otters hide in the sea weed and the sun comes in shafts of green and blue. Where a tiny fish swims past your eyes and isn’t he cute? He thinks all is well until a bigger fish chomps him from behind and finishes that little fishy’s musings with a bath in stomach acid.
Whoa! Back on the sidewalk. That puddle ain’t so awesome after all.
I ask God for a plank to place over the puddle, or directions around it. Or decent chest waders so I can follow Him through it.
But definitely the strength to stay out of it.
Author
There’s poetry in your response today, Jennifer — and truth.
I’m sorry your week held some puddles, Beth. Having seen your FB updates, I know you either skirted them, stomped right through them, or jumped over them, because you kept on trekking. I’m impressed by your diligence despite the doubts. You’re an inspiration, my friend.
Author
Thank you, Keli.
I appreciate your friendship.