Saying ‘Yes,’ Even in My Mess

Kisses from Katie

Sometimes the life I’m living feels different than the life I thought I’d live. 

Don’t get me wrong, I love my life. I don’t think I can say often enough how very blessed I am and how much joy there is in the life God has given me.

Sometimes, though, what I thought I knew about life or what I planned to do, be, or accomplish in any given day (or month or year!!!) just doesn’t line up with reality.

See, I’m an idealist. I have big ideas and lofty expectations, all sprinkled over with a good dose of wishful thinking. I know how I want things to go, so when I have to reconcile my ideal world with reality? Well, that’s not always easy for me. 

For a long time, I’ve let the fear of chaos, unknowns and mess keep me from acting. If I don’t have all my ducks in a row or know how things will turn out, I avoid saying yes.

From avoiding the task of taking all three kids by myself to an event in the middle of winter, all the way to attempting to cook a new meal with three little rug rats under foot during the witching hour, I want to figure things out then act. I want to chuck uncertainty and risk out the window and know how things will turn out.

As a result, I say no — a lot.

Sometimes saying no is good, but in this context, for me, most of my no’s mean one thing: I’m missing out on the fuller, deeper, richer life that God is weaving around me.

Friends, I want to be a yes person.

I’m learning that life is not about perfection, it’s more about the process. I don’t need to have everything figured out; I can figure it out along the way. A lot of times, the fun is revealed in the chaos and the plan becomes more clear along the way.

It’s about saying yes, even in my mess, and soon all that mess begins to look a lot more beautiful.

Every yes matters. Every act of obedience results in deeper joy and brings us one step closer to the calling many of us are so desperate to find.

Our callings aren’t for somedays, they are for today. We are called to be faithful right here, right now.

Faithfulness and obedience in our current seasons of life always lead to the dreams God has placed within us.

Faithful today. Yes in my mess.

Sometimes life is different than what I expected. Sometimes harder. Sometimes more mundane. Sometimes more risky. So many times life is different than what I expected because in all the rawness and refinement, life is so much more beautiful.

About Rhinestone Jesus

Speaking of saying yes in my mess, Kristen Welch’s book, Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God when Sparkly, Safe Faith is No Longer Enough, releases today!  

I have followed Kristen’s story of Mercy House Kenya since nearly the beginning, so I knew I’d enjoy her book. However, I was caught off guard by how much it affected me and spoke to my heart.

Similar to reading Kisses from Katie, Kristen’s example of faithful living right where you are, saying “yes” right here, challenged me, driving me to my knees in repentance for how I’ve turned my back on so many small areas God has asked me to be faithful and softening my heart to look for where He’s asking me to say yes, even in my mess. Moms, this isn’t just a book for you, but I think it’s one that will encourage you, inspire you, and move you to action.

To view the book trailer, click here, or to order, click over to Amazon.

Giveaway!

I am super excited to share Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God when Sparkly, Safe Faith is No Longer Enough with two of you! To enter this giveaway, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below and don’t forget to order your copy of Rhinestone Jesus!

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{This giveaway is open from May 1, 2014 at 12:00 am Central until May 8, 2014 at 11:59 pm. The winners will be notified by e-mail and must respond with their postal address within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. Shipping is only available to US postal addresses. Thanks for understanding!}