Welcome back to Porch,
your go-to weekend companion.
Discover a fresh perspective.
your go-to weekend companion.
Discover a fresh perspective.
Energize your mind.
Receive spiritual sustenance.
Receive spiritual sustenance.
Get unstuck.
Share your story.
Share your story.
I'm not interested in what you can't do.
I'm interested in what you CAN do.
- Tim Stoll -
One of the unfortunate side effects of life as we've come to know it is our increasing focus on what we can't do.
Conversations seem to end up revolving around our limited options. The loss of unfettered freedom that accompanied a lifestyle of coming and going as we pleased. Shelved gatherings, long-awaited celebrations, and dreams of travel. Feeling out of sorts in not being able to worship side by side with others. The bewildering low-grade melancholy that's become an unwelcome companion.
Over the past few years, our personal worlds have shrunk even as our angst has increased. Left untended, this isolating world view easily becomes a fear-fueled slippery slope toward a powerless victimhood. We end up defining ourselves by what we can't do.
Instead of who we are in Christ.
*
Tim's got it right. 'I'm interested in what you CAN do' has been his mentoring philosophy for years. More than ever, I think the man's on target.
And Kate Bowler asks, 'What is possible today? I find that a really exciting question because it is honest, it is loving, and it still asks us to show up to the day and to our lives with what it requires.'
Choices you CAN make!
8. live out this sacred invitation - Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things ... and the God of peace will be with you'
- Philippians 4:8-9.
Praising God that our identity is found in Him, not in our circumstances ~
Linda
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sharing Porch with
Jeanne/Lisa J & Richella & Lisa
Jeanne/Lisa J & Richella & Lisa
Yes, low-grade melancholy is such an apt description! I, too, loved Debby's post. Thanks especially for the Philippians passage, it's just what I needed this morning. Another lovely visit on your porch!
ReplyDeleteThose words from Paul re-calibrate me every time. It's too easy to head in the other direction, especially these days. Reminds me of how we talked about having purpose and living a purposeful life last week!
DeleteOne day at a time.
Meanwhile, have a cozy weekend, friend.
Focusing on what I CAN do instead of what I cannot do is a much better approach to life. This quote reminds me of the serenity prayer. May God give us the wisdom to discern the things we CAN do and leave everything else to him. First time visiting your porch today and I am glad I did. Thanks for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're here, too, Yvonne. It's good to reconnect again. Thanks for the Serenity Prayer reminder ...
DeleteIt's no wonder that simple prayer has been a lifeline for so many in crisis for so long!
This is a good reminder to keep our focus on Christ, Linda, "We end up defining ourselves by what we can't do. Instead of who we are in Christ."
ReplyDeleteLisa, yes please to keeping His vision of who we are, in Him, front and center!
DeleteThank you for this lovely collection of curated links. The song was the perfect way to bless my day, and the blog posts added to some great reading for the day.
ReplyDeleteYour husband is a wise man. I want to focus on what I CAN do. I also love the question, "What is possible today?" I'm going to add that to my morning when I wake up. Happy New Year blessings to you.
And a happy new year to you, friend. I'm grateful our paths are crossing as we head into 2022. God is good.
DeleteMeanwhile, I'll be singing that blessing with you ...
You are right, Linda. Our negative attitudes and thinking always lead us to what we cannot do; rather than focus on the many gifts God gave us.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that has held me back in life is that I cannot knit a scarf with spaghetti. Whenever I try, there is tomato sauce everywhere. I could have been rich and famous with edible knitwear ... if only!
God bless.
Edible knitwear, huh?!
DeleteMy Dad was from Scotland and for years he sold beautiful knitwear from his home country even after he settled into the U.S. We were never in want for something plaid or woolen ... and that stuff lasted forever.
For years I've been trying to find a place called Woven in Scotland. I remember all our knitwear had a label saying: Woven in Scotland.
DeleteThere's a shop in Edinburgh who will search for your tartan clan colours if you give them your surname. They failed to find mine. So I made my own on my tartan crest - right margin of my Blog.
God bless.
Designing your own crest is a brilliant ideas ... I bet yours has a laughing man right in the middle of it.
Delete;-}
This "Can Do" mindset is just what I needed to kick off the weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit. I have a mug cozy that I can slip around my (smaller) mugs, but it would be nice to have one that can cover the entire mug!
I had no idea that there actually is something called a mug cozy! I just found a slew of them on Amazon. Too fun!
Delete;-}
Great post Linda, we get drawn into all of the "can't do's" and the swirling negativity around that. I love your focus on the myriad things we CAN do!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not big on resolutions and stuff but this is something I want to keep front and center in the months ahead. I'm too prone to go in the opposite direction.
DeleteWe were on the same wavelength today with our posts! And I like your description of "bewildering low-grade melancholy". That sums it up well, but it is important to remember that there are choices we can make. I like the Kate Bowler quote.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love when you find out that a friend has had the exact same subject on her mind, too?!
DeleteI've been up this endless night,
ReplyDeletefor pain has made me restive,
and didn't read your intro right:
"Discover a fish perspective"?
Well, ok, I call you wise,
so that is what I'm gonna do,
and live now in the odd surmise
that I swim the ocean blue,
and glance with pity to the shore
and all that itchy sand.
It really must be quite the bore,
living on dry land,
and further... here, oh, looky, look!
This worm surely can't hide a hook!
Nothing fishy going on around here, man.
DeleteUnless we all head over to the ocean. But it's way too blustery for all that today.
Have a good one!
Good advice. Yes, we should focus on what we can do during these times. I've always continued to live as much as I've been able/allowed to do.
ReplyDeleteIt's too tiring to live with the can'ts, isn't it.
DeleteI'm claiming all the cans I can!
;-}
This reflects a recent conversation we had here about the constant change in plans, especially for travel. We are so weary of what we can't do. I love the can do focus of your message! Needed that. Thanks
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's all become so wearying, especially the cancellations of long anticipated events. I hear you, friend.
DeleteI appreciate this "can do" edition. I really need to stay focused on the things I CAN do in this season instead of all the things I'm not able to do. The shift in perspective can prove critical for my mental health. Thanks for the nudge, Linda!
ReplyDelete'The shift in perspective can prove critical for my mental health.'
DeleteThat's been my experience, Lisa.
i relish being who I am in Christ. To me there is nothing better than to say "I am His and He is mine." I love being loved by a wife who thinks I am fantastic (I have covered her eyes well you know?) and two girls who still love their dad. A grandson who, although he is 15, still doesn't consider me a dinosaur (yet). While my life as a pastor does not allow me the freedom to leave my phone(although I do silence it when it needs to be), I love doing what I do. Thanks Linda for reminding me to take delight in the simple things.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point, Bill, that not everyone has the freedom to silence their phones. My hat's off to all who live life on call ... pastors, chaplains, the self-employed, medical and all emergency services personnel.
DeleteAnd parents of young adults. Children of elderly parents.
Etc.
I love Tim’s perspective, Linda. Constantly thinking and reading about everything we’ve lost and haven’t been able to do these last few years seems to breed even more angst and discouragement. Choosing instead to focus on those things spelled out in Philippians 4 might be a bit countercultural right now, but it also seems like the better way.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Lois. It's all bred 'even more angst and discouragment' and if we somehow can't get a handle on it, our emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual life will be impacted even more than it already has.
DeletePhilippians 4 is our byword.
This landed in my inbox this morning, MLK Day.
ReplyDeleteI have so much sympathy for your rummaging around in the entrails of your MailChimp and short circuiting a post. If there were a way I could blog using my old turquoise manual Smith-Corona typewriter, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
'Rummaging around in the entrails!!!'
DeleteThat's just TOO funny, friend. I thought of you often in the process because we're certainly in the same boat.
Thanks for making me smile!
Hello Linda. I am so glad you figured out what you had done and now I see this post. If I dwell on what I don’t have, it robs me of gratefulness for all I do have! I am warm and have plenty to eat, most of the world can’t say that today. Gratitude must be my choice each and every day. I love the Philippians scripture, thank you Linda.
ReplyDelete'If I dwell on what I don’t have, it robs me of gratefulness.'
DeleteNo truer words were spoken, Pam. The enemy is having a field day in the midst of this ongoing unsettledness.
In Jesus name, we bid him far far away.
Worship and give thanks!
ReplyDeletePraising with you at the end of a long few days ...
DeleteI would much rather approach life with "what I can do instead of what I can't do". It sure keeps my mind healthy when I have that approach. Right now dear Linda....I am saying I think I can, I think I can.....And...somehow I CAN! Hugs and blessings to you dear lady. You are precious. Cindy
ReplyDeleteLet's hear it for healthy minds!
DeleteLinda, I received your email! Thanks for the exhortation to keep a "can do" mindset. In a season where so many things feel like they're out of my control, there are things I can do, choices I can make that point my heart toward Jesus and enable me to fulfill the callings He places in my life.
ReplyDeleteYes, please, to choices that point our hearts toward Jesus and His calling on our lives. It's far too easy to let everything else distract us elsewhere. Thanks for this nudge heavenward, friend.
DeleteComplacency is a tool from the enemy.
Linda, as someone with chronic illnesses, I often struggle with "can do". However, I must say as my relationship with Christ grows and I draw nearer to him each day, my "can do" with him is ever strengthened. Thank you for sharing this fantastic encouraging list. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, we lean on Jesus and His strength becomes ours. Chronic illness is a hard journey. Thank you for sharing what encourages you, Paula.
Delete