Stop Where You Are...and Smell the Roses

There's a concept in a new Corinne Bailey Rae song (possibly the whole album) that I hope to discover more of in my own life. The song is called "Stop Where You Are" and what I get from it is the idea of allowing yourself to fully take in the moments, things and people that strike you. Not hanging on exactly, but more like enjoy...no savoring the time however long or little. And I never thought of patience like that, until now.

What if when God whispers to be "Be patient" or "Not yet" it is really an invitation to enjoy, or if I can't because the moment thing or people are not at all enjoyable, embrace or take a break or pause or pray? What if those moments in my life where God demands patience of me aren't about just waiting, not idly? What if I'm there to notice something or pay closer attention to someone. Maybe the pause is just a rest, one I didn't even know I needed. I wouldn't have know either if He hadn't given me a little push. What if patience, is really about worship? Mmmmmm.

Finding that quiet calm inside yourself that whispers "God, I love you," and "Lord, I trust you." Sometimes we forget we know that. Or maybe not forget exactly, it's more like loosing your keys or phone. You know that truth is around here somewhere, but you just can't seem to find it anywhere. Your mind races and you turn the whole house over frantically searching for what you lost. 2 minutes, 2 hrs, or 2 weeks later when your mind is calmer, full of something completely different it happens. Once you've taken a deep breath and retraced your steps, or laughed so hard you forgot what you were looking for, or got lost in blissful thought about something so much more important, then and not a moment before does the thing you were searching for seem to reveal itself to you. Maybe even in a place you "swore you remember looking."

Perhaps in that space between what we long for and the miraculous reveal patience is how we choose to spend that time. Loose yourself in the moment, laugh, meditate on what is truly important and the time will go before you know it, and you will be better for how you spent it.

Thank you God of time and space who is never a second too early or late. Help us to remember Your sovereignty. We needn't fear running out of time when we serve the God who created it. Help us follow your lead in Jesus name, Amen.

Pain as Progress

So I started excising again this week! When I went to sit down today I felt that sore shakiness in my legs, arms and back. I really missed that. The soreness. My friend Salone and I used to have this running joke as dancers, "Ah, hurts so good." But today I understood that pain is a return on an investment.

That soreness the day after my hour of Yoga or Pilates it's a receipt for a deposit I made in my life for myself. Feeling it is proof that I worked, that I tried. Even if I didn't get every move right or couldn't hold every pose, or I could only do 10 of the 20 crunches I showed up. I gave all I could. And now my muscles are saying "Woo! That was crazy! But thank you." One day every place that is sore will be stronger, healthier, and glowing with gratitude for the work.

There is this thing one of my yoga videos says and I love hearing it, because every time I do I realize how important it is in every area, not just exercise.

"Honor your effort to come to your practice today."

She says it at the beginning. Before I have even moved an inch because there, still on my mat I've already done the most important thing, I showed up.

Everything I Truly Need

I'm not missing anything.

Everything I have right now is everything I need to be successful. I may have too much. In fact that may be the source of the problem. I have too much pride, too much time on my hands, too many plans and expectations. But I don't have too little.

One look at a day in the life of people struggling in this country, in this world, and I can see plainly that I of all people should never complain that I don't have enough. And if I can't complain about that then how on earth can I say I'm missing out? Perhaps the good things I could have are passing me by because I'm letting them. Maybe I'm even giving them up, forfeiting my own joy, because I'm expecting it to look different.

Lord, if that is the case, I don't want to do that anymore. I do not want to waste another minute mourning, sulking or complaining. I would like to live a life of faith and gratitude. An audacious life in which I assume that everything I truly need I either already possess, or is on its way.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

The Steep

I love tea, like a whole lot and because of this I am almost always drinking a cup. The frequency of one of my favorite pastimes has made me somewhat of a connoisseur, maybe not of tea itself (don't quiz me on whites versus blacks) but of the tea drinking experience. One of the aspects of this hobby is preparation. I know what you're thinking, "It's tea Ina. You boil water then dunk the tea bag, it's not rocket science." But there is an art to tea preparation, and I recently realized, a very important spiritual lesson to be learned from that art. It's called steeping. You pour the water over the bag then close a lid over the mug or pot allowing the tea to saturate the water.

What's the point? Well you know how you drink tea and think "I barely taste anything," then you take the last two sips and think "so that's where all the flavor went!" When I let my tea steep for about two minutes the flavors are more evenly distributed and it makes for a better taste the whole mug-ful through!

I've noticed that when God is teaching me something new He does it in pieces; just the concept first, the shape of the lesson. Then He goes back over it with a sermon, song, book, or conversation and that helps me truly grasp specifics and action items. I love the process because it reassures me of God's love for me, that He would take time to not only teach me something but break it down into parts so that the lesson becomes part of my inner landscape. He isn't just teaching me, He is cultivating me.

After my most recent encounter it occurred to me that there was something I could do to help me lock in these new lessons. I can take a page from my book of tea love and let the lesson steep. I can close the lid on these new thoughts, scriptures, and prayers by being still and quiet with them consistently. This way the flavors of these lessons will be evenly distributed throughout my life. Then, the taste of my life, poured out for Christ will be flavorful, balanced and delicious.

Yummmm,

Ina

Redemption

The thing is, I love Him. Even if I don't always know what that means or can't always anticipate what that will cost. I love Him. In a way that I couldn't possibly love anyone or anything else. And it requires so much more than I could have ever imagined, but oh my it gives! This love, God's love, it gives to the point of overflow.

You can't contain or deny it. It embraces you and wont't let go. It pours out of your eyes and smile and mouth and heart until you don't care what you look like anymore. It wraps you up and holds you close. It pushes you out of the nest then swoops in to catch you just before you fall flat on your face. This love, it lives and breathes. Breathes life and salvation and redemption and freedom.

I would never lie to you, it costs. It costs you everything, but in return for what you give you gain eternity. An eternity like this, loved.

Roomies the Show

A year ago I shared an idea with my best friend. She, being the encouraging and amazing bestie she is, demanded that I make something happen with the script. She pushed and coached and ran along side me because she believed in my story, and in me.

With the help of a very talented cast and crew we created a glimpse of that story, about one very lost soul and his two very strange guides. Now I want to share that glimpse with all of you, in hopes that you will share it with others.

These characters have kept me company over the last few years and I am so excited to introduce them to the world. Writing this story has made me a true believer in the show's tag line; sometimes being lost is the only way to get found. I hope you all enjoy!

Watch then share:
Trailer
Teaser
Behind the Scenes

Like what you see? Then comment, share with your friends or write us at roomiestheshow@gmail.com.

101 Ways to Move You With Oooo

Once upon a time there was a girl with a broken heart. One day she turned on the TV to find two beautiful people singing to each other with freedom and excitement that seemed familiar to her. She had to learn more. So she listen to their music, then she listened again, then she couldn't stop listening.

Then a strange and beautiful thing happened; the girl began to hope again. These musicians, these lovers, they were doing something so daring and so extremely rare; they were living their dreams and loving each other out loud and on purpose. Their boldness, wit, and fury made her go back to the closets where she locked away her dreams. She blew away the dust and tried them on again.

The songs of these two beautiful people became the new anthems for this chapter of her life. And she was truly, deeply grateful to them.

Ladies and gentlemen, Jonnyswim.