Category: RESTORE – 2017 word of the year

Yes, I’m writing about NOT writing…

Lori TisdaleLeave a comment

OK – I’ve been “brewing up a blog post” or ten for like ten months now.  And my over-whelmed brain just keeps brewing and brewing and brewing, and not putting anything out.

I could find all sorts of excuses… say blame it on the fact that I moved AGAIN, that I changed jobs AGAIN, that I went on 100% more work trips than I did the year prior, that I have a pool that distracts me on.the.regular…. that I’m working HARD, etc.  But they’re just excuses. I know enough to know that when I want something bad enough I just find a way to make it happen.

  • Like the summer between my sophomore and junior year of high school when I couldn’t stand the thought of ANOTHER 3 week long summer road trip (I was dealing with what was ‘restless leg syndrome’ and we didn’t know there was a name for it WAY back then)… so I went out and found a job so I had an excuse to stay home and NOT be sitting still in the car with the family.
  • Like when I wanted to go to summer camp so I pitched in to help pay for the registration (split the cost with my parents 50 / 50) by doing odds and ends jobs for family / friends to earn the money to do so.
  • Like working a 2nd job to pay off college debt so I could have the extra money on a monthly basis to pay for a car payment (meaning, I was upgrading my car situation).
  • Like when I wanted to learn a new skill and took time out of my evenings and weekends to dedicate to teaching myself that new skill.
  • This list could go on and on… literally!

 

I know me well… when I want something bad enough I commit to “doing the work” and make the necessary sacrifices (and few excuses) to make it a reality. This is my resilience. This is my success.

So, what’s holding me back on NOT writing?  I’m not real sure. But I’m not ignoring the writer’s block. I’m “brewing” still, and I’m processing the emotions of it all, and I’ll be sure to share it here when I figure it out… you know me, I’m an over-sharer.

 

My word for the year is RESTORE… and while I haven’t done much blogging about it, I feel the topic percolating to the surface in a number of areas of my life. So stay tuned on that front.  It just looks different right now.

Thanks for being here, thanks for checking out the blog when I post, thanks for being my friend.

 

That’s enough writing about NOT writing.  (grin)

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I work to worship God…

Lori TisdaleLeave a comment

This week brought about a change in my professional career.  Actually, a bit of a revival, a restoration even (restore = my word for the year).  And through even this transition I am amazed at the spiritual and emotional growth God is taking me through.

Why am I still amazed when He does that?!

For the past 25 years I’ve worked in the investment industry… but due to a number of circumstances I have been in the senior care / housing industry for the past 10 months. Having learned a lot and met some amazing people … I am beyond grateful for this most recent chapter.

Long story short, an exciting opportunity in the investment industry presented itself and I jumped at it.  And I’ll be honest with you, I have greatly anticipated an eventual return to “my happy place”.  I have been given an opportunity to work in my strengths and put my skill set to work in a way that will make a difference daily.  And for that I am so very grateful!

I so love how God skillfully shows us who He created us to be…

God took me away from my happy place to remind me of the strengths He created me with and was so gracious to give me.  And then He showed me His love by restoring me to my happy place and planting me in a new place to flourish!

 

Earlier this week as I was bidding adieu to the former set of co-workers I felt led by God to leave them with a few thoughts.  During our morning staff meeting I made a comment about my dedication to doing my job well and working with integrity.  I explained that was my way of doing my best for God’s purpose.  My commitment to doing good work was not for anyone walking this planet – it was out of a desire to please my Heavenly Father.

get-to-work

I knew it was of God that I share this at this morning staff meeting … and I know that the people in the room in that moment needed to hear it for some reason (a reason I may never understand).  Even in that moment I was honoring Him by being obedient to what He asked me to do.

We often fall in to a singular focus of self-advancement in the workplace.  We can easily get distracted with office politics, hurt feelings, and so much more.  And yet when we are not focused on self and rather on working for the One who created us we are ultimately performing an act of worship to the one who created us!

And a light bulb when on as two things came to me this morning during my daily coffee-infusion with the “Morning worship” YouTube playlist going.  The groggy haze was lifting as I ran across a topic I wanted to do a biblical word-study on: Avodah (the transliteration of the Hebrew word for worship and work).  About half-way through the song called “To Worship You I Live” that spiritual light bulb came on. I call these God-moments… He’s talking to me in word and song, and I know it’s time to stop what I’m doing and just listen to Him.

And so I share with you today’s encouragement – work to worship.  This is your worth-ship.

God created us for one reason: to worship him.

We do that in word, in deed, and in heart.  Worship isn’t merely singing a song in church.  Worship isn’t always hands raised or kneeling at the altar.  Worship is every day.  Worship is found in our words, our thoughts, our priorities, our obedience to do what He asks us to do, setting aside personal wishes for an eternal legacy, our willingness to be bold about our faith… worship is our heart-nature.

How are you worshiping Him today?

RESTORE – 2017 word of the year

Lori Tisdale3 Comments

 

 

2016 was hard…

My word of the year for 2016 was “flourish“.  Now, as I look back on the importance, I realize how much of a struggle it is every day to survive and thrive and flourish.  I was focused on nourishment, I was focused on getting stronger, I was focused on looking UP, I was focused on growing… the list goes on.

Each year as I start out the year, like so many people do these days, I pick a word or theme.  Actually, it’s more accurate to say that God picks a word or theme… and He impresses it upon me.  I don’t know why… but I walk through the year with that filter over all of the daily lessons, struggles, and victories.  As I look back on FLOURISH for 2016 I see that it was a bit different than what I expected it to be.  The word initially meant “it’s time to shine!” and towards the end of the year it meant more of “live on, lady – one day at a time!”…  live through another day, rely on God daily for your needs… He’s there for you and will give you what you need for today.  And He’ll do the same for tomorrow.  Just keep looking UP!  Maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic… but well…

 

2017 is here

So, as I go into 2017 and know that my word for the year is RESTORE I look forward to seeing what it will unveil over the next 12 months.

I feel the inner workings of a renewal happening.  I feel an excitement bubbling up.  I feel roots digging deep and reaching for nourishment for the purpose of growing UP!  It’s still a bit of a struggle, but it’s easier knowing that there is a focus word / them for the year.

So what will this year look like with the word “restore” in front of me?

restore

[ri-stawr, –stohr]

verb (used with object), restored, restoring.
1. to bring back into existence, use, or the like; reestablish: to restore order.
2. to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition, as a building, statue, or painting.
3. to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor.
4. to put back to a former place, or to a former position, rank, etc.
5. to give back; make return or restitution of (anything taken away or lost).
6. to reproduce or reconstruct (an ancient building, extinct animal, etc) in the original state.
We’ll see… we aren’t building a structure (at least not that we currently have planned) and we haven’t commissioned an artist to restore a painting.
So what does God have for us in this word?  We’ll just see… and as epiphanies happen I’ll share what I can.
What’s YOUR word for the year?  I’d love to know!