Share Four Somethings: August 2022

Finding my fall rhythm after my girls go back to school is always a challenge. This year, it’s been especially tricky, though I can’t put my finger on exactly why.

I’m getting things done, but something is off inside. I can feel it acutely, but other than naming a few uncharacteristic (for me) symptoms, I can’t really describe it.

This too shall pass, I tell myself. I’ve experienced it before; I know it to be true.

The weather will cool down, the sun will start rising later in the morning.

The rhythms will kick in, the fog will lift.

Until it all changes again, of course. Which is how life works.

One thing that hasn’t changed, at least for the rest of this year, is my monthly recounting of Four Somethings. Starting with:

• Something Loved

Years ago, I used to do a regular post called Song of the Month. I phased that out in late 2016, but I still occasionally share music that is speaking to my heart.

It seems to come in waves. As my family will attest, I tend to listen to the same songs over and over. Then all of sudden, I find a whole new batch of songs to love and I’m listening to those tunes on repeat.

Like “Take it to Jesus,” a timely invitation from Anna Golden and Kari Jobe:

Also “Faithfully,” a poignant testimony from TobyMac:

Finally, a song called “Bloom,” which speaks to this gardener’s heart on so many levels:

• Something Gleaned

This summer, a friend and I have been reading Waymaker: Finding the Way to the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of together. So far, I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite Ann Voskamp book—The Broken Way holds that distinction for a variety of reasons (including those explained here).

That said, I’ve still found plenty to underline, ponder and, yes, share with you. Like these insightful thoughts about …

What God does instead of answering our every prayer:

“If your prayers always happened, then you would happen to be God,” Voskamp writes. “If God thought it best to hand out the answer key to all the haunting questions, He would. … But instead, He slips His hand through ours because the key to all the questions is being with Him, the answers found in laying our head close enough to hear the thrumming lovingkindness of His heart. He is God, and I am not. He is the Word; let Him write whatever story He deems right and best.”

What God gives us:

“What if you beg God for a fish and He gives you a stone?” Voskamp asks. “Does that mean God has a stone heart, or does that mean He knows you have a fish allergy, and He knows you’ll need a stone to start a fire, grind some wheat, ad make some bread? What if God doesn’t hand you what you want, but hands you what you didn’t know you needed, and that’s when the tenderness of His spellbinding, bonding hand brushes yours?”

How to find joy:

“There is always something to be worked up about if you want. But the reality is that God is always at work, and there is always something to be thankful for, which is what makes you joyful if you want.”

What life is really about:

“Life isn’t about how far you’ve come, or how far you have to go,” Voskamp says. “It isn’t about detours, roadblocks, wrong ways, wildernesses, deep valleys, steep mountains or the overwhelm that has you between a rock and hard place. Life is about distance, in relation to God, and living constantly in the direction of God. No measurement in the world matters but the distance between us and God.” 

• Something Learned

Sometimes, we pray and pray and pray some more—about broad topics and very specific concerns—and it seems like nothing ever changes.

Then, one day, an answer comes. Maybe not like a flashing neon sign, but as a gradual realization or subtle turn. Eventually, we see, and we know. God was there all along, working things out for our good and His glory.

The other prayers are still out there, waiting on replies we can comprehend. New problems will arise and other situations will bring us to our knees.

The lesson, here, is to remember the one answer as we wait on the others. I’m not saying we should rest on our laurels or live in the past or anything like that. But reflecting on God’s goodness in the past can be a helpful way to build faith for the future.

God has heard our prayers. He is faithful. That might be all we have to go on, but perhaps we need to let it be enough.

• Something Achieved

In last month’s Share Four Somethings, I mused about what I was going to save as I went through a collection of storage containers holding all sorts of toys, clothing and memorabilia from my girls’ younger years. This month, I am happy to report that I actually got through the entire mess and was able to edit out what amounted to an entire Rubbermaid tub.

Lilly and Molly went through the old school papers, cards and art projects that I had saved. We were able to discard a lot this way—one is far less sentimental than the other, but both are less sentimental than me. (Apparently, those little squiggles that represent a child’s first attempts at writing mean more to moms than daughters.)

I’m guessing this won’t be the last time I go through all these boxes with hopes of paring them down even more. For now, though, I’m thankful to be done with it.

• • • 

Have you read any good books, heard any compelling music or learned any poignant lessons lately? Or maybe you have your own version of Four Somethings you’d like to share. Chime in … these are some of my favorite conversations around here.

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Share Four Somethings, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth