CCFS Newsletter
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Working Hard
February 18, 2023
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"It is a good thing to go to bed tired."
Dear Friends and Family
As you know, a lot takes place in such a short amount of time. Our lives get full of activities, commitments; places to go and people to see. Before we know it, the week has passed; so has the month and so has half a half-a-year. I need to confess that sometimes my busy schedule is driven by an underlying belief that people need me. That is not a good place for me to be.
These last seven weeks of 2023 have felt like a whirlwind. Too much too fast.
When we get here (when I get here), it is important for us to ask: Where is God? or Can I see God at work in my heart and life?
What is going on in our heart?
This question surfaces as a priority-one question when commitments mount, stress increases, and especially when anxiety and depression seem to flourish.
On the other hand, if we can put our finger on the handiwork of God, then busyness may not be such a bad thing. I know every parent runs themselves to the ground serving and supporting their children - providing for them, teaching them, feeding them, praying with them, listening to them, disciplining them, and...fill in the blank.
Marriages, too, need time and attention, and all our efforts may very well be us walking in obedience by faith. If so, then that is a good place to be.
I shared with a client this week: It is a good thing to go to bed tired...especially when all our labor that day was us walking in obedience by faith.
God has given all of us work to do: Marriages to tend to, children to raise, vocations to excel in and do excellent work, homes to maintain, neighbors to be hospitable to, etc.
When the Christian responds to God's call to labor under his banner; seeing their work as an extension of their worship, our bodies do grow weary and tired but for all the right reasons. Thus, at the end of the day, if we are tired and see ourselves in need of rest, that is a good thing.
Maybe Paul's remarks in Philippians resonates
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
[Philippians 2:14-18 NIV]
All that to say...
I have not been able to make time for new content this week nor have I been able to keep on track with my writing plan. I will tidy up two school papers this weekend. This weekend will be full. So, I wanted to share two small resources I've used in sessions this week.
One is a small diagram I use when trying to coach couples in basic communication in high conflict zones. I title it He Said, She Said. I hope this will be an intuitive tool.
The aim is to teach as methodically as possible: Be quick to listen, Slow to speak. When conflict ensues, we are prone to listening slowly and speaking quickly...and to our own detriment.
The other is a creative feeling and emotions wheel to help build our emotions vocabulary. This is a colorful, concise and very helpful display of the array of vocabulary words of emotions.
You can find the Feelings and Emotions Wheel here. I've used this wheel with adolescents, adults and couples. I hope you find this helpful.
QUICK WAYS TO PRAY
1. I am putting together my internship with my church soon. Pray for wisdom.
2. I am finishing my 3rd Term with seminary in two weeks. This also means that the 3rd issue of Canon City Chronicles will be coming out around March 8th. I have a piece for Theology (Re)Told where I am unpacking Gen 3:20. I can hardly wait to share what I've been thinking through on that important verse.
Thank you for reading today's CCFS Newsletter. I am praying for your heart today.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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Looking to Christ
Edward
