“Your Yes For 2015” June Check-In

Welcome to the June check-in for our “Your Yes for 2015” Adventure. If you’re joining us today for the first time, find the index of all of the days here.

What happened to the second quarter of 2015? Has anyone seen it? It seems to have slipped right past me!

If you’re paying attention, you’ve notice that I was negligent in doing “Your Yes” check-ins for April and May. I could barrage you with a cavalcade of excuses. And they are good ones too…

But instead I’ll just share that I wasn’t able to write this because I was off in a series of places, giving God my “Yes”.

When today’s calendar clicked to the 15th, I wondered if I should just drop this whole thing. I mean, we’ve missed two months of re-examining the commitments we made those first fifteen days of the year, right? And my blogging has been so sporadic of late that sometimes I wonder if anyone is even out there reading this little spot on the blogosphere. Why even bother?

I’m bothering, because the commitments that I made back in January matter, honestly now more than ever. Your commitments may be different than mine, but together we prayerfully agreed to live this year fully for God:

Each day, for fifteen days, we will walk through the various graces that contribute to fully giving our best to God, our Church, our communities and our families. Inspiration from scripture, saints, Church fathers and other helpful resources will be included. Based on the concepts of The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living, this project is designed to be an ongoing commitment to giving your best to God and to the world around you.

Today, June 15th, is not only the midway point in this project. It’s also my 52nd birthday. (I know that because as of this writing, 400+ friends have written me on Facebook to remind me that I’m old). I think there’s something very fabulous about being in your fifties! While I’m not ready to settle in to my rocker just yet, I feel an amazing sense of joy at being this age. Though my body continues to age, my heart is light and spirited. Interestingly, I am feeling this way in the midst of some of the busiest and potentially most stressful times I’ve ever experienced.

What accounts for this positive attitude I’m feeling?

I have to say that for me, much of this has to do with understanding and praying for my own commitments to a Yes mentality. Understanding that when things don’t exactly go as I’ve planned it’s a part of a larger purpose has me more readily able to cope with some of the craziness that’s gone on in my life this Spring both personally and professionally.

Do I “walk” that attitude perfectly? Nope! But I’m definitely getting more attuned to remembering to prayerfully check in with God when a “Yes” is needed that I don’t feel excited about or qualified to be giving. In the real world, those of us who live in families (and yes, Church is a family) will not ever have total control over our days. And there is great joy to be found in consenting to this and seeing the distractions that keep us from our beloved productivity as “Yes” moments when we fully attune our unique wills to God’s!

Is it easy? No. And sometimes my “Yes” is given with kicks and screams that rival a toddler’s. But in retrospect, post-tantrum, when you can look back and see what’s actually happened that most caused you frustration, anger or pain, you may be surprised as I’ve been this Spring! And I think you’ll line up with me in the “joy” line.

Because God is good.

And God never calls us to more than he’s equipped us to handle.

Have you given up on “Your Yes for 2015”? If your answer is “Yes” (but not the right kind of “Yes”), I’m extending a hand and giving you the chance to reignite your fire. Because God’s will doesn’t pay attention to calendars.

And your “Yes” is always worth it!

May the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep by the blood of the eternal covenant, Jesus our Lord furnish you with all that is good, that you may do his will. May he carry out in you what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever [and ever]. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

A question for you: How has pondering and trying to live “The Grace of Yes” impacted your life this year?

If you have read and enjoyed The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living by Lisa Hendey, please consider sharing the book with a friend or leaving a review for this book at Amazon.

“Your Yes for 2015” June Check-In