My “best yes” last week was saying “no” to the things pressing in my life and saying “yes,” to more time with God in prayer.

Lately, I’ve been rushing through my fellowship with God. It’s been more like a quick cup of Jo with an endearing friend, than a breakfast feast with a miraculous God. To be honest, He often gets squeezed when my plate becomes full of “must do’s.” Before long, my soul becomes dry and thirsty for Living Water. And it takes time to refill the desiccated crevices of my heart. You just can’t live on a few sips of Jesus a day.

Therefore, I chose to say “no” to my to do list, and “yes” to my need for God. Grabbing my bible, I settled into my over stuffed chocolate brown chair and stared at the blue sky outside of my window. It was sort of my way of knocking on heaven’s door to say, “I’m here for a good long visit.”

At first, I felt uneasy just sitting there with God waiting on His presence to draw near, His power to fill my soul, and His words to guide me. But I stuck it out. I did so even although my mind tried to wonder. A pile of wrinkled clothes that needed folding—now ironed—called to me from the laundry room. Emails and phone calls awaited my attention. And there was my book! The clock was ticking and the deadline pressing. Why am I sitting here? I thought. Anxiety was rising within.

Then, I whispered a phrase that’s become a part of my everyday life now. “Unrush me, Lord.” Taking a deep breath, I turned my tangled thoughts toward God. As I began acknowledging His majesty, the greatness of His Name, His holiness, His mighty acts, and His immeasurable love towards me, the warmth of His presence began to fall and wrap me like a warm blanket.

It was worth the wait. My time wasn’t lost or unfruitful. Adoration is what led me into fellowship with God, and there, I was renewed, strengthened, and assured of His faithfulness, power, and presence. The day suddenly didn’t seem so urgent. I knew that whatever got done was enough and I could be at peace with that.

Pushing away my heavy schedule to do what matters most—sit before God was my “best yes.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE TREE WINNERS OF #TheBestYes are….

Kathy at kwhittamore@gmail.com

Mona at monawa89@yahoo.com

Courtney at courtney.d.jackson1@gmail.com

Congratulations!!! Please send me your address at miccacampbell@comcast.net

The traffic was horrific. I could hardly wait to get home. The drive before me was long—eight hours to be exact. The week before I had been in Charlotte for our annual She Speaks conference. Then, I flew home long enough to pick up my daughter and drive to Indiana for an interview. All went well, but I told my daughter “when I get home, I’m not doing a thing.” I meant it too. That’s when my cell rang.

“Hey, what are you doing?” The caller asked. It was my friend, Mr. Shannon who runs the football club at my son’s high school. I’ve known him for years. He married one of my besties.

“I’m stuck in traffic.” I complained.

“I’m calling to make sure you’re going to be at the school tomorrow. You signed up to sell season passes.” He added.

I almost passed out right there on some bridge located in the middle of Indiana. How could I have forgotten? I thought to myself. It couldn’t be because I’m writing a book, just spent a week at a large conference, and took a road trip for a 15-minute spot on the Harvest Show. Not to mention I hadn’t slept in my own bed in the past nine days. How could it slip my mind? It did so because I said, “yes” to one more thing when I should have said, “no.” My schedule was already overcrowded, but like Lysa says in her book… I have a “disease to please.”

Everything inside of me said, just tell him. Explain that you simply can’t do one more thing. Even though you signed up, it was a mistake. You already have too much on your plate and what you really need is some good rest.

It sounded good in my head but what came out of my mouth was, “Sure. What time do I need to be there?” My daughter looked at me in disbelief and then shook her head. We practiced saying the word, “no” over the next couple of hours in the car.

The next day, I showed up at the high school to pick up my box of tickets, t-shirts, and money for change. As Shannon explained the instructions, I listened carefully. I even repeated them back before heading to my station. We have two elementary schools in our area that feed into the same high school—Madison Creek and Beech Elementary. I was to sell tickets at Madison Creek Elementary.

When I showed up, someone else was already working at the booth. He also had a box full of t-shirts and tickets.

“Did Shannon send you here with a box too?” questioned the worker.

“Yep. I don’t know why,” I answered. “I just do what I’m told.”

We had been selling our items for about an hour when Mr. Shannon called my cell.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?” asked Shannon.

“I’m at Madison Creek.” I responded with a matter of fact tone in my voice. The guy working beside me leaned over and whispered, “No, you’re not. You’re at Beech Elementary.”

Oops. (That would explain why we both were working the same spot.)

Panic set in.

Still on the cell with Mr. Shannon, he also infomed me of my whereabouts. “You can’t be  at Madison Creek because that’s where I am and you’re not!” I wanted to fade into the brick wall behind me. After many apologies on my part, I left completely embarrassed!

How can a person be in one location but believe she is in another? Apparently, I can. And it’s not the first time I ended up where I didn’t belong. I’ll spare you the details and me the red face.

On the up side, I’m reading Lysa’s book, The Best Yes. For me it’s timely, and I believe it will be for many others. We live in such a busy, fast-paced world we don’t know if we’re coming or going. Our schedules are so full we leave no room for a divine assignment. I wonder if we would even hear it?

I’m learning that sometimes saying, “no” IS my best “yes.” That’s not all. When the rush of life pressures me, I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and pray, “Lord, unrush me.” Then I give myself permission to take a break and be still before God. That when something magical happens. The warmth of His Presence and the gift of His peace washes over me in those still, quiet moments. Eventually, I believe these moments can merge together creating a life unrushed.

GIVE AWAY!!!

If you can identify, then you need this book. It’s changing me and I like it. And because I’m so thrilled over Lysa’s message, I’m giving away 3 copies of The Best Yes. Leave a comment about why you need The Best Yes and you automatically enter to win! Good luck!