(My desk with multi-tasking on laptop with second screen and iPad. This view shows that the studio-library-office is in transition with boxes.  Since then, there’s less boxes beside the computer – with a few layers of individual photo boxes. Still, the process is a cluttered one while I continue to de-clutter)

POST: Have you ever tried to fix something and found it just kept getting worse? Or even work at a major downsize and find you have a lot more work to do than you thought?  That’s the season for us right now.  But all of life is a learning process.

I’ve usually been the type who does well with people, but not computers.  However, I became a social media coordinator to a travelling prophetic storyteller back in September 2016.  I’ve learned about Weebly websites, Mailchimp bulk email programs, scheduling Facebook ministry page posts, and the like.  Coordinating social media is a fairly new field, and I’m glad I’ve been able to learn it and bless Darren Canning as I do it.  It’s preparation for when Tony and I are on the mission field full time ourselves.

This is the same for trying to condense the belongings of a 980 square foot apartment condo into a closet, four suitcases, an ipad (for books), hard drives for digitized music (reel to reels, cassettes, LPs and cds) and digitized videos (dvds and VHS tapes). And then there’s the clothes (and my art).  I’ve been working on digitizing photos and have gone through over four huge paper ream boxes, with more to go.  The books are the hardest thing to work with- many of the books that I want to keep are not available to re-buy on Kindle, Kobo or iBooks.  So instead, these printed gems will be packed away in a few boxes in the care of someone who can also read them in my absence.  Heritage crystal goes in the care of another friend – as long as it’s properly packed in bubble wrap and plastic storage containers.

Our apartment is to be rented to a long term renter fully furnished – so for a responsible person or couple who doesn’t have dishes, linens, pots, pans, stereo, tv and furniture (but only their clothes, computer etc).  This is an adventure, as we learn just what it is that we need to do our future volunteer work and live in another community.  We have to have faith it will work out in the end.

This is where positivity comes in.  I’ve written an earlier post on having a negativity fast.  What I’m speaking about goes beyond this.  We need to actively remember that although we have responsibility over our own choices and actions, that we’re not in the control.  We aren’t God.  I’m not even going to attempt to go there – I have, and burn out was the result.  (I haven’t even mentioned visa preparations!)

So stop!
Take a deep breath. Be still and know that he is God (Psalm 42).

Remember that God is God and you are not. Psalm 16:8 (NIV) reminds me (us) to “keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”  Psalm 55:22 continues on this theme:  “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”  My boss Darren often says, “Don’t worry, God has this” – despite going through difficulties. But he does have this. Imagine how it is for the persecuted church in Islamic countries – or the communist countries.  That’s difficulty.  But God also has them. Our struggle ultimately isn’t with people, to-do lists and software, as challenging as these can be.  There is a spiritual component – especially if what you’re doing is for the purpose of pushing forward the kingdom of God.  Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) tells us that  ^“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

So, press on, persevere, keep praying and keeping our eyes on Jesus:  for inspiration, energy, direction and insight.  He is our all in all.

Every once and a while I go back to what gives me joy – drawing.  It’s a great way to re-orient you.  I’ve been working on art in the context of worship.  I wish you blessings and creativity. Remember, keep positive!

Blessings, Laurie-Ann