Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how we use the word ‘spiritual’ – what qualifies? What is something if it isn’t spiritual? How do we know? Like most of these episodes, today’s is personal, touching on something I think a lot of us can relate to but maybe haven’t considered how it impacts our spiritual life.
Because the truth is, in the midst of a busy schedule, a load of laundry, a painful diagnosis, a confusing conversation, and prep for that upcoming trip, it’s easy to forget your center. It’s easy to forget who we are.
Some of our self seems to always remain hidden beneath piles of daily activity that we can see and shadows of shame that we can’t see.
Perhaps today, your next right step is simply to release something you no longer need so that you can move one step closer to becoming who you already are.
Links + Resources From This Episode:
- Living In Christ’s Presence by John Ortberg and Dallas Willard
- Breathing Room by Leeana Tankersley
- My Stitch Fix Reviews
- Grace for the Good Girl by me
- Seasons of Your Heart by Macrina Wiederkehr
Ginger Hudock says
October 17, 2017 at 9:08 AMToday’s episode, entitled “Wear Better Pants” hit me between the eyes.I have had a lot of anxiety over the past six months to a year.I felt a great deal of frustration and anxiety as my pants became too tight to wear comfortably. I was also anxious because, as a natural health nutritionist, I do not like using medicine to treat illness. As the months went on, I tried a more consistent exercise program with a trainer at a gym. This made me feel a lot better and my strength and flexibility improved too. But my pants were still too tight! I began feeling more and more heart palpitations and told myself at first that these were just anxiety about my pants being too tight. But then my trainer encouraged me to see a cardiologist.Back to the pants podcast. About a month ago I decided to get rid of all the clothes I have that don’t fit. They were uncomfortable to wear and did not look good either because they were too tight in the middle. Normally I would have taken everything to be donated to the Salvation Army, but am temporarily holding them in my closet to take them to a consignment sale our church is holding early November. They are in bags in my closet and I feel a sense of freedom even now because all of clothes in my closet and drawers now fit me comfortably., I am thankful to God that the doctors have figured out what my heart problems are. I will need at least two procedures, but one is scheduled for Nov 2 and I am trusting God that it will be successful and stop my A-Fib attacks.God is teaching me to do what I can and then leave the rest to Him. Get rid of the tight clothes, which falsely convict. Wear yoga pants. Eat healthy foods. Exercise to my ability level. Take the blood thinner to prevent strokes. Trust the skilled physicians I have found at University Cardiology. Having done all that I can, trust him to heal me.
Deitra Shoemaker says
October 17, 2017 at 3:52 PMPerfect timing Emily! We talked about spiritual disciplines today in my women’s group and are discovering, along with you, that sometimes spiritual disciplines can be very different than what we expect. God has “a million little ways” 🙂 He wants to connect with us…we just need to be present to His presence and how He shows up. This was a “sacred echo” to what the women in our group verbalized today so I’m sending this to them because I know it will bless them with God’s confirmation to them. Thanks for taking the time to share your life with Jesus….it really does impact others in marvelous ways.
Susan says
October 18, 2017 at 1:12 PMWhat page in macrina wiederkehr’s book is the prayer you read? Very moving.
Traci Hardy says
October 18, 2017 at 1:58 PMThat prayer would be on page 71.
Nancy R says
October 18, 2017 at 1:38 PMThanks Emily. I struggle with depression and for several recent years I was unable to attend church most of the time. I also had a hard time praying with God. This dry desert place really taught me that I cannot earn my salvation. Church attendance and praying wouldn’t save me. I have taught that to my Sunday school classes but now I have internalized that. My spiritual discipline right now is seeing God’s little blessings every day in the little things such as a bluebird nesting at our place this summer, or the gorgeous fall we are having. He has been gentle with me and our relationship is slowly maturing again. I have to really work at not falling back into the Good Girl charade. I can now attend church without weeping with almost every song because I was unworthy.
Keri Brown says
October 20, 2017 at 8:19 PMAnother week, another Next Right Thing podcast that made me take a deep breath and start pondering. Thank you, thank you!
Spilledmilkandsunsets says
October 21, 2017 at 12:11 AMEmily I was listening to this post in my bedroom wearing uncomfortable pants and literally took them off and put them in a donation bag as I listened. And filled four more. You may have unwittingly started a decluttering frenzy across your listeners. But seriously I love your work. My husband a non blog reading academic walked in during your post and said ‘ I really like the way she thinks.’ High praise trust me. Anyway thanks for calming and deepening my thinking today xx Nikki
Emily says
October 22, 2017 at 5:21 PMOh Emily, this is exactly where I am. It seems that behind everything I do lately there is a sense of ‘earning.’ I am so thankful to be surrounded by a community and a husband who help me rest in my true identity, and for this episode that draws my mind back to truth and freedom. What a gift.
Janee says
December 17, 2017 at 8:26 AMYou asked, the other day, which of your podcasts was our favorite. This one. Hands down. This one.
After losing 45 lbs last year, I had to buy all new clothes. After gaining 20 lbs back, I was embarrassed and uncomfortable in my jeans and work clothes. BUT, after listening to this podcast, I headed straight to the store and bought a new pair of jeans and a few pairs of pants for work. I may not be comfortable with the weight (re)gain, but I’m extremely comfortable in my new clothes. And now that I’ve embraced where I’m at, I can let go and move forward.
?❤️ and comfy?
Abbie says
March 6, 2018 at 4:14 PMI love so many things about this podcast and the comments. We are all beautiful. Clothes exist that fit well AND make us feel beautiful, but it takes heart and soul work too. God can tell us how lovely we are if we can learn to listen. I pray that for each of you and myself.