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We spent this past weekend with our grandkids: Hannah, 21 (on 1.21.18), and Simon, 14+ (15 on 5.28.18). To say we enjoy our time with these two is the understatement of the century! We love to. We got to Liberty University campus about noon on Saturday, picked up our girl and the four of us headed for Appomattox VA – which is about 30 minutes from Lynchburg. Before we were even out of eye-shot of campus we were discussing our morning devotion time and soul-care.
Hannah speaking, “My professor this past week mentioned how important self care is.”
Me, “I like to call self-care ‘soul-care,’ tending our souls – our minds.”
Hannah, “Yeah – like checking my [social media] feeds in the morning – I do that first thing and wish I didn’t.”
Me, “Hey! I have an idea – let’s form an accountability partnership. No social media until our souls are fed.”
Hannah, “Mimz, there’s a blogpost in this!”
Simon, “I wanna do it too.”
Me, “Let’s brainstorm a title at lunch.”
So, there we sat in a crummy little hole-in-the-wall cafe scribbling on a paper napkin and that’s how the title of this blogpost was born! We now have a three-way chat set up. Hannah wants to wake up at 5:30 to assure her of one hour of feeding her soul; I picked 6 o’clock; Simon will choose a time somewhere between 6 and 7! When Han’ gets up and settled she will text us with just one word, “here.” Then, I will do the same; then Simon. Simon suggested IF what we read/devote/pray speaks to us then we can text one another the encouragement. We have commit to Monday through Friday, this entire semester of school.
It’s our very own three-strand cord and holding one another accountable.Ā I love this!
Are we minding our “feeds” OR feeding our souls?
My friends, isn’t it easy to wake up, get that cuppa and go straight to our phones or computers?
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1.35 (NIV)
There’s no better example than Jesus Himself. IF He found it necessary to awaken early and talk to His Father – how much more do I need to? O! I desperately need to.
This, in no way, is a condemnation of smartphones, computers, or any other electronic – I love our conveniences to stay connected but I just need to rein it in and January seems a perfect time of year to do so.
Am I minding my feeds OR feeding my soul?
I am looking forward to hearing those soft purrs in my text, “Here.”
I’m all in!
xo
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This week I’ll be linking up with:
Well, doggone it, I just cried happy tears again, Susan. You’ve exemplified the Titus 2 woman I mentioned on FB yesterday. You are to your grandkids especially, but also to me and so many more online, what my now-dancing-with-Jesus friends Sara, Helen and Betty were to me. The very best models of Christ in a modern world, complete with love and fun and accountability. I love your three strands.
I just removed social media stuff off my phone, except skype since I use it to keep in touch with my kids, because I too often had my face in my phone when my husband was speaking to me. As I’ve fought to stay in my marriage, to make myself more of the kind of wife the Lord calls us to be, it just dawned on me a few days how absolutely disrespectful and plain rude that was.
Your Hannah is a wise young woman to see that she did that which she did not want to do and call foul. And Simon… I just love Simon stories.
Beautiful post, my Titus 2 friend.
Honored, Shelby. NOT flattered, HONORED.
Thanks Sestra. I have been trying to do this since 1/1 and was doing great until the great living room collapse, the flu and the SC Writers Group interrupted.
Our minds get so full of other stuff, sometimes it is hard to “get away with my BFF, Jesus and my Dad”. I like to imagine a boat on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, a cup of good coffee, my journal which would record the conversation automatically, and Holy Spirit pushing the boat off with me in it, He hops in and off we go to meet in the middle where we drop our “nets” and get food for the day.
I hear the Sea calling me.
OOOOOOH, I like it, Sestra!
Truly there can be no greater joy than the 3 of you encouraging and spurring one another on! Just beautiful!
I mean, right? Am I walking out this 3 John 4 by way of my grandchildren? YES, LORD.
I love this! And the book idea, spot on!
XO
Thanks, friend.
Dear friend, you have fed my soul with this today! Everything about it makes my heart (and face) smile. xo
Debby, now tell me when you first saw the photo did you say, “Hm, that looks familiar!” DUH!!!
This is just awesome. I love the relationship you have with your grandkids and now the way you are building one another up in the Lord is just amazing.
And, you have begun this grandma-relationship with yours. It only gets richer my smart and literary friend in ME!!!
Oh, this is perfect timing for me too! I woke up early, with my mind crammed full of thoughts about this whole blog-switch-up that I’m working though, wanting to “fix it all.” But the Lord, whispered “sit with me here, first.” So thankful for His voice! And what a gift that you can spend this beautiful time with your Grands!
GAKAT, Bettie. God Already Knew About That and has it all under control. Did He tell you that when you met with Him?
Yes He did! And He keeps saying it too! š
Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. ā„
Nice blog Mimz! There’s nothing like feeding our souls… because how can one pour from an empty vessel.
Tell me, how? NOT possible. xo
Oh Susan, I love this! The first thing I do in the morning is the weather and then check to see if I have any messages. This has been on my heart also to do is not check anything till I check in with Abba first. Love ya honey, thank you for this.
HM, I think we all get under “this” conviction. Let’s hold one another accountable. OK?
Yes honey!
Susan,
What a wonderful time! Praying this is the beginning of life-long, life-giving habits for your grandchildren! I stopped over via Holley Gerth’s linkup today.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Sherry, my greatest hope and prayer!
You, my friend, are amazing……….absolutely amazing.
Kathy
HARDLY. BUT our God IS!!!
Just stating my very own opinion. *smile*
And I welcome it and love you for it.
What a fun collaboration! I was blessed to be the oldest grandchild and great-grandchild, and I have a treasure trove of good memories with my grandparents. Blessings to you, friend!
Sarah, my grandparent memories are my best!
Love this! What a special relationship you must have cultivated with your Grandkids to be in this place! What a treasure!
Becky, we only have TWO but we.have.worked.at.it.
Susan! I LOVE your title and especially the way you came up with it. What a special thing to do with your grandkids, and for them to want to do it with you just shows what a wonderful influence you are on them too!
Lois, this has been the great prayer of my heart. God is faithful, amen? Even when I’m not – HE IS. Love Him so.
My first text today was from our Gainesville grandson, Timmy, thanking me for the album I made recently with memories of our Wyoming trip /first time airplane/seeing snow/ Buffalo/moose. Godās creatures. He n brother Corey were 9/11. He said it was awesome. He will now have his first child in Sept and will make memories to treasure. Keep making memories for one day we will be gone and grands can look back with smiles.
THAT is absolute TRUTH, Merry —
Thank you, Susan for this wonderful reminder. Its so important to feed our souls and it has to be first in our priority list. Your post really helped me. Blessings to you!
Elizabeth – IT HELPED ME!!! Thank you for your kindness.
Susan, what a wonderful idea! This is going to be a blessing to you and your grandkids and a special bond. I love it!
Blessings to you, my lovely friend! xo
And to you, my lovely friend who encourages me to write poetry!!!
I seriously love this. Such an easy idea to get started and to hold each other accountable. In fact, I might use this same idea with the ladies Iām discipline. Iāll keep you posted.
On a side note, I love the relationship you have with your grandkids. What a blessing!
Mary, the little “here” check-in is working quite well with our three stranded cord!!! Our grandkids are easy to love and bless — they are so appreciative. We are greatly blessed.
I love the title you came up with and it’s great that you and your grandchildren are doing this together and encouraging one another!
Thanks Lesley… how did I miss you today as I made the rounds?
Love this!! Accountability is so so important. So very thankful for those the Lord has gifted me to be accountable to (thank you, Bettie ). Love that your grandkids are pursuing God like this with you. May God continue to strengthen your bond in HIM.
Anna, BettieG is your accountability partner? How blessed are you!
Gah! I love this so much!!! For all the reasons! And that line about forming your very own three-strand cord… pow! Right in the feels!
xoxo
POW! xo
Wow!! How precious that you and your grandkids have this kind of relationship. What a blessing that must be to all of you!! Thanks for sharing about this!
Bethany, I know how blessed I am and I do not take it for granted. It’s everything to me.
Such a beautiful thing to do with your grandkids! I absolutely love this. I pray that it will go well and much fruit will come out of this, both in your vertical relationships with God and your horizontal relationships with each other. A great bond!
Lisa, I love the imagery of the vertical and horizontal relationships — rich!
Wonderful post. I know I’m guilty of this and struggle at times with disciplining myself to feed my soul first. I love the relationships with your gran kids… so beautiful. Great job!!
Blessings
Thank you Lureta, it’s been worth the building!
It could just be my kids getting older, but I LOVE this! The idea that you are CONNECTING with them for accountability! There is SO much of my heart celebrating over this. Love your heart sweet friend! Can you adopt me too??!! š
This is absolutely beautiful. Your grandkids are very very blessed. This post serves as such an encouragement! Thank you for sharing. š
Stacey, thank YOU for visiting and reading!
It sounds like that time with your grandchildren was precious AND productive.
Paula, it always is!
What a beautiful relationship you have with your grandkids! May God richly bless and encourage the three of you as you feed your souls each morning!
Anita, and you are working on a great relationship with yours already. It only gets better!
I commend your resolve. I know that God delights in us when we put Him first. Great read – love that your grandkids are joined with you in this!
It’s been a successful first week!
Wow sister. That is powerful. Am I minding my social media feeds or feeding my soul? I need to ask myself this every morning. Thank you!!!