happy toddsday, and a reminder about the times.

Because right now this world could use more photos of genuinely happy people, I would like to take this opportunity to dedicate this Tuesday to Todd, who works tirelessly and stays optimistic and loves us all so well.

Remember, y'all.  We know how the story ends: good wins.  It is currently winning, even when it is hard to see sometimes.  Perfection will come.  And in the meantime, God commands us to a life of joy, of hope, of optimism.  He commands us to live our small lives well.  To be faithful and obedient in our own small spheres, and to trust him to take care of the ripple effect.

Friend.  If you only truly hear one thing today, let it be this:  You are not big enough to save the world - thank the good Lord that God is on the throne.  You do not have to carry a burden that is too big for you, and you do not have to be anxious.  

Here is your job: look at the thing in front of you today, the small thing you're being asked to be faithful in, and do that thing.  Be obedient today in how you spend your time, how you speak to your kids, how you love your husband, how you pursue the human-scale acts of righteousness you're called to in the Bible, and let that be enough for you.  This is not cowardice, it is not denial.  This is courageous faithfulness, and it truly is enough to change the world when it's handed over to God.

And if you are able to hear one more thing today, let it be this: maybe get off your phone.  Lift your eyes away from the hopelessness and go love on your people well.  It may not seem like you're doing much, but the reality is that drowning yourself in the news cycle and the endless threads on social media are not actually doing anything at all.  So go actively act in love, in the strength of the Holy Spirit, rather than drown passively in hopelessness.

I have been meditating on Psalm 16 for the last week or so, as a comfort and a teacher, and verse eight comes to mind: "I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."  I am purposing to set the Lord before me more often, and setting my phone before me less often.  And I am trusting that this is the only way to not feel shaken.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

you hold my lot.

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; 

indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.

...

You make known to me the path of life; 

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.