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Encouraging Joy & Grace

Sagacity is Not a Cuss Word

9/16/2018

3 Comments

 
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This is what a one mile run after almost three years of nothing feels like. Painful. Slow. Fantastic. It feels fantastic. I've been trying to talk myself into any level of movement for the past couple of months. I have successfully stopped eating full bags of gummy bears on a regular basis. So there's that. 

Earlier this week I sent a text to my spouse.  "Help.  There are cookies and cupcakes here at the office. Remind me why I don't want to eat them all?".  His reply "I'm sure there is something you want more. Think of that one thing."

Such.    Good.    Advice. 

I really want my pants to fit.  And I want to model good habits for my daughters.  And I want to stave off the diabetes in my genetic pool.  

I am currently working my way through Karen Swallow Prior's new book "On Reading Well".  I just finished the first chapter and I love it already. I've been following KS Prior on Instagram and Twitter for the last two years and I'm impressed with her intellect, her character, courage and wit. She was hit by a bus six months ago and watching her recovery is inspirational. Her book is brilliant. It's about how reading good books can help you live a better and more virtuous life.  I love a book that makes me want to read more books. 

I underlined this quote last night. 

"Prudence is love that chooses with sagacity between that which hinders it and that which helps it".  Augustine.

I had to look up sagacity in the dictionary. 

Definition of sagacity: the quality of being sagacious

Helpful.  So helpful. 

Further research revealed sagacity (and sagacious) refer to making decisions with discernment, with wisdom, with slowing down long enough to think through the decision
.  

I sat in the bathtub last night pondering a life where my decisions about my behavior are based on love choosing what is going to increase love and what is going to hinder love. Hmmmm.

Our pastor this morning preached about the gospel of grace. I loved the message. Jesus died on the cross for you. His death and resurrection took away your sin. You can be given brand new life simply by accepting that gift. No other requirements. No other checklists.  Grace. That's it.  

So today after church I was curled up in my recliner pondering if I was going to spend the afternoon playing on my phone or if in fact I was going to put on my shoes and go for a run.

My typical pattern of fighting with myself can spiral into a large load of guilt. Not inspiring. Shame makes me want to eat cookies. But the sermon this morning encouraged us to embrace the freedom of grace. I don't live under shame. I'm not on a treadmill of works hoping I balance out the crud in my life with enough discipline to sneak by. God loves me regardless. 

The glorious truth is Grace gives me the freedom to choose.

Love wants me to choose what will increase love and to shun what will decrease love. 

Playing on my phone all afternoon will hinder love. I'll ignore my kids. I'll snap at my spouse. I'll feel groggy and gross. I'll start to listen to the shame cycle. Putting on my shoes will be a choice to take care of the body I've been given.  It'll shake out the sludge in my brain. It'll validate my courageous sister who has been running and texting me her progress. 

So I hauled up and put on my shoes and ran a mile. 

Not because I had to.  Because I chose to. 

So my friends. Choose this day. Go running. Call your doctor. Forgive your friend. Cut up the credit card. Burn the porn. Make an appointment with the counselor. Quit smoking.  

Try again on that one thing you know is hindering love.  

Grace wants to give you a gift of freedom. 
3 Comments
Dina Elizabeth Hovde
9/16/2018 09:07:34 pm

Ahhh. Good! Except for the Cup O' Salt earlier. ;) Today my sermon had a related grace theme: He meets us where we are. He loves who we are. We don't earn it. Etc. Non-anxious love: Ahhhh. I will sagaciously strive to love people like that, too.

Reply
Armida Nunez-Finley
9/16/2018 09:26:26 pm

Mindy, you are sagacious beyond your years.

Thank you for this reminder to approach my everyday decisions without shame but with a true desire to increase love. What activity that I can engage in next will yield more love, for myself and others?
And I’ll partake of a portion of freedom-giving grace.

Love you!
Armida

Reply
Amy K Lindell
9/17/2018 05:59:27 am

Our sermon was about how uncomfortable doing it right can be. For instance there has to be dark to have light. We will all face fear in those things that we should be doing. But knowing that God has us (even if it's not the way we think he should) is what helps us to step off into faith. I struggle with those same things you spoke of in your blog. But I am some what afraid to be present in life. Too overwhelming, requires too much energy, too hurtful, etc. But I find the more often that I'm present the happier my family is and consequently I feel better and have more courage for my daily challenges.

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