Our lives don’t look anything like we plan at times and we are frustrated over not being able to control all the details. But what if that is exactly what God is trying to teach us? What if the lesson is learning we are not in charge, but instead we are being asked to release the details to God?
My friend LeeAnn Taylor is asking those very questions. She is learning to release the details of the path her life is taking by changing her perspective about where God currently is calling her to be. Instead of feeling stifled by ordinary life, LeeAnn is embracing the here and now. Her words are a testimony to what #bravefaith looks like.
For me, being brave in this season looks like staying put. In the middle of the day-to-day routine of working outside the home, parenting, loving my husband, managing my home, serving others, navigating financial pressures and more, the anxiety feels crushing some days.
Sometimes in the midst of the whirlwind, in the quiet moments of my daily commute, my mind wanders. I dream of all the possibilities for pursuing my passions, those things that stir my heart and make me come alive with excitement and purpose. But then I remember the weight of my current responsibilities and the discouragement creeps in.
I heard someone say recently that during the times we feel buried, maybe instead we’re actually being planted.
There it is, the change in perspective. What if I stopped viewing my current situation as limiting and started casting off that feeling of being buried under all the responsibilities. What if instead I recognized this season as one of being brave as I stay put. God is planting me and growing me in faith so I can begin to grasp the depth and breadth of His love for me!
[Tweet “God plants us where we are to teach us the depth and breadth of His love. @leeanngtaylor #bravefaith”]
LeeAnn is a maker of memories & believes perspective is everything. A wife to Chuck & a working mom to 3 spunky kiddos, she’s on a journey of releasing fear, growing in faith, and embracing the freedom Christ came to offer. LeeAnn writes at The Mosaic Life, where she fosters a community seeking to parent with purpose and trust their broken pieces to the Ultimate Artist. You can connect with LeeAnn on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
God’s love carries us through the seasons when brave looks like staying put exactly where we are.
Mary
Click on the button to catch up on any posts you may have missed in this 31 day series on brave faith.
Gosh, staying put seems so hard for me sometimes, but I am learning I’m not in control..and wow how uncomfortable until I finally let go and abide in God’s love..remembering this is what matters most whether we’re traveling the world, serving our families and communities..or in waiting. Lovely post!
Releasing everything to God is hard and messy, but in order to proceed on the path to brave faith that is exactly what we need to do. God can only work in us when we empty ourselves of ourselves and find room for Him. May we all bravely serve God right where we are for this time!
Oh, my! This is a challenging word. I can relate to LeeAnn says on so many levels. The perspective of being planted vs. being buried is hugely liberating. For me, it doesn’t mean a place, so much as a spiritual season. Thank you, Mary for hosting LeeAnn, thank you, LeeAnn for your brave, insightful words! Blessings to you both!
LeeAnn has spoken into many hearts with those words of being planted vs. being buried. You are one of many who have felt their impact. I am blessed that LeeAnn joined me to share her brave words.
I love love LOVE the idea that when we feel buried we are actually being planted. In retrospect, (isn’t it great how 20/20 hindsight is?) that has been the case every single time.
This whole post is great. I’m in a season where I HAVE to bloom where I planted as moving or changing is pretty impossible EXCEPT for the idea of changing my perspective. Thanks!
Those were beautiful words from LeeAnn. Those words have caused a lot of introspection from all who visited and commented. It does seem that hindsight reveals many answers. So glad you stopped by today.
That Ephesians 3 chapter is at the top of my favorite list. Just love how very great is His love!
We can never go wrong with God’s word especially when it speaks of His unfailing love for us. Ephesians 3 is amazing and I am glad LeeAnn brought this into her words today that you shared with all of us. Thank you for stopping by!
Love LeeAnn’s words here. It is amazing what a change of perspective can do…isn’t it? I love the image of that when we feel like we are being buried, perhaps we are actually being planted. That change of perspective can totally do wonders for me.
Perspective seems to drive us in our lives. It either moves us forward and keeps us stuck depending on how we look at our circumstances. Perspective through God’s eyes will always give us the best view. So glad you are here today, Tara!
Perspective really does make a difference, doesn’t it? I’m so grateful to my husband who is the first one who started teaching me the importance of this!
I love the positivity and faithful expectation in these words:”God is planting me and growing me in faith so I can begin to grasp the depth and breadth of His love for me!” So often we feel like dormant bulbs waiting for our season to spring into life while our circumstances remain wintry hard and unyielding. What we tend to forget is how God so often does His best work in the dark and secret places of our souls as we are buried deep in Him. Abiding and resting seem counter-intuitive to pressing on with our hopes and dreams. But the more we trust in God’s timing and His hidden work still in progress, the more we can remain calm and content during these seasons. Thank you, LeeAnn and Mary, for this insightful and hope-filled post! Blessings to both of you as you exert your brave faith in the midst of hard times.
LeeAnn did beautiful job of sharing her heart so we all could learn from her experience. Her words blessed me! I love how you wrote “the more we trust in God’s timing and His hidden work still in progress, the more we remain calm and content during the seasons”. Amen! Thank you for being here to cheer us both on today, Joy!
Oh, I loved this! The scene on your ride as you pondered your life and what excites you and yet what is right in front of you is the strangling reality.
I’ve lived that. In some ways, I live that now. In fact, I am sure that everyone deals with things that they’d rather not.
But those are our appointments, whether we like them or not.
So what if we go ahead and settle in and decide to own those pesky problems?
And therein lies peace, and joy. God will meet us there.
Yes, what if we decide to own those pesky problems?? Great question to ponder as we learn what it means to be brave right where we are. LeeAnn did a beautiful job of sharing her own real life example of brave in the staying and the perspective change alone has been powerful for me. Thank you for being here today.
When we’re buried maybe instead we’re being planted. Love that!!!
Thank you Kari for being here! Those words sure have impacted a lot of people!
“I heard someone say recently that during the times we feel buried, maybe instead we’re actually being planted.” – Wow, what a neat thought! This post hits home for me, as we’re at the almost empty nest stage, and I had definite plans and dreams for it, yet now we are taking care of my m-i-l in our home, and those plans once again have to be shifted off-center. I remind myself often that what important are God’s plans for me, not mine, but I do still chafe at the situation sometimes and have to keep reminding myself. But He is faithful to give grace, strength, and ability.
God is always faithful even though we do not see it at the time. It seems the words of this post today go along with what you wrote about in yours from Elisabeth Elliot’s words. We need to have assurance always that Christ is in us. God’s shift in our plans are for our good and I know when I wrap my brain around that, then all is well. Blessed to have you here today!
I love the perspective shift here … during the times we feel buried, maybe instead we’re actually being planted.
Yes Dianne, that was such a game changer for me! While I don’t know what type of fruit may be produced in the future, it helps me stay hopeful for what is to come.
I love how so many have been impacted by that one quote that LeeAnn shared today. The image is powerful and speaks of God’s redemption right where we are. Thank you for being here, Dianne!
My take-away? This: “I heard someone say recently that during the times we feel buried, maybe instead we’re actually being planted.” Love that quote.
That quote was an eye opener for me too. Such powerful words to take away from this and reflect on in our own lives. Thank you for being here Susan!
Love this perspective of being planted, Lee Ann. What a beautiful metaphor and such an encouraging way to view our circumstances. You are doing a fabulous job where you are planted…trust that and trust God’s heart to meet the desires of your heart too. Love you!!
You are amazing LeeAnn and I love seeing how God is using you as a mom and wife at this time in your life. Your children are thriving and that shows you are blooming where you are planted right now. Thanks for being here Holly!!!
Thank you (as always!) for your encouragement Holly and Mary. I don’t always FEEL like I’m doing a great job but I’m learning ever so slowly to trust God’s TRUTH about who I am in Him, not my feelings alone. I’m so grateful He fills in the gaps!
Mary and Lee Ann…so glorious to read this post knowing the authors a bit. This image of being brave under burdens is going to grow my confidence this week for sure! God is a tender gardener isn’t He?
I love the image of God as a gardener who cultivates us and gently sees to our needs. Even when life’s burdens weigh us down, God’s gentle care will lift us up. LeeAnn did a beautiful job of describing brave when staying put and her words have given me food for thought. Love having you here today, Jenn!
This is amazing. God Plants us where we are to teach us! That’s the point when we learn then we can go on to the next life lesson.
Thank you Lee-ann and Mary.
Sweet Blessings to you both
PS: Be encouraged in your series friend, you are doing a great job.
Thank you for encouraging me as I get close to the halfway point of my 31 days series. LeeAnn’s words impacted me by reminding me that sometimes when life is not what I want all I need to do is shift my perspective away from myself to God. Blooming where you are planted honors God in accepting that His will is your will. Hugs to you my friend!