Cause we get to - not have to.

This year subconciously or maybe conciously I decided that it would be the year to get my act together. Of course I didn’t phrase like that - but thats what deep down I was beating myself with the bat -  “Get it together.”

Being a sentimental person I thought it was a brilliant. I was born on the 17th, 7 is my favourite number and 7 is often the number used for the number where God does something no human can do, 6 is where we get to but 7 is where God breathes & extraordinary things unfold.

Recently I had a revelation -  I was trying to do this in my own strength. I was pridefully thinking 'It's okay God, just watch this." "You can help out with the radical things but I can handle this okay?" To moments of "God why?" "Why did this happen?" "Why can’t I get it together?" "Why am I not perfect?" (We don’t say that - but we often put that standard on ourselves.) 

I’ve noticed a lot lately when people talk about how its okay if someone does something to them but not okay if its done to family or a friend. And I found myself thinking why do we do this? Why is it okay to let others talk/ do something they shouldn’t to us. Why do we beat ourselves with our perfectionistic standards. 

It's been hard on social media for a while now. The flawless lives & beautiful images that only capture a fraction of whats really going on. I love it when I feel inspired by beautiful artwork, inspiring quotes or genuinely feel happy for someone about what happened in their lives. But again I say its not the full picture.

I don’t think our minds quite get that.  Whatever you feed your mind matters! When you’re scrolling down and you see amazing photo after amazing photo perfectly curated - it affects you. 

R has an amazing work ethic, J is so good with people, A is beautiful, smart, kind & so talented. I mean come on! Yes those could be true. I’m not saying to take pleasure in thinking how others might have it bad in other areas. But in reality.. we all have our stuff, we all have things we don’t enjoy or struggle with or dark thoughts that we shouldn’t be entertaining. 

I’ve just recently started trying to have a new mindset about this all. I don’t need to get it all together - I never will be able to. 

SO this is how I've tried to shift perspective - 
Not we have to but we get to; move our bodies because endorphins are amazing, being strong is beautiful & it incredible to do something that benefits your mind, your health and your attitude about life. 

You get to eat well because you love food & learn about what food groups affect what organ etc. How our amazing Creator crafted such incredible, colourful things to experiment with and nourish our bodies. Carrots for your eyes, almonds for your headaches, sweet potatoes for…you get the picture.

You get to go on social media to be inspired OR log out for a while to give yourself a breather, to remember whats right in front of you- to appreciate what God is doing, what is happening & what could happen if you set your mind to it. To listen to that still small voice & call to God for help, wisdom & joy for the journey ahead.

You get to be a better friend, you get to write notes of encouragement to brighten their day. You get to listen to how they are doing, feeling, thinking, excited about & terrified for. 

You get to pursue your dreams, work hard on your goals and run hard after what God has for you. Remembering grace & new mercy everyday. But not leaving holiness behind. Learning to be obedient to what God has called you to because His way is always best.

You get a fresh start today. That's why its amazing. Because we get to. We get to choose to embrace this one insane, beautiful, messy life. 

We get to choose gratitude, to choose to do what fills up our souls & unplug from things that don’t. We get to run, we get to eat that amazing bowl of fruit, we get to make another cup of coffee or tea & write down what todays going to be about, how we’re going to love people & how we’re going to react when things go off course. 


We get to, lets partner with Jesus. Lets run and dance, lets cry & hug, lets sleep and read, lets have adventures and work hard. Lets also remember to leave room for God to surprise us.

Lets go.