Today I’m delighted to welcome Stacy Monson to the blog. Stacy’s latest book, Open Circle, releases this week, and it looks like an excellent read. And she has a giveaway! And it’s open internationally! One random commenter will be chosen.
Psalms for Busy Women
Life can be crazy busy. Rather than put your head down and power through each day, find those touchpoint moments when you can seek God’s calm and strength. They need only be long enough to remember who He is, and who you are in Him.
Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
– Psalm 103:2
It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of each busy day and forget to see where God is at work. He is at work, just rarely in big moments that involve fireworks, thunderous applause, and flashing lights (unless you count the miracle of nature all around us). He’s there in the smile of a child after a tantrum, the hug of a friend in the midst of bad news. The cry of a newborn, and the understanding tears of one who knows infertility.
It’s important to look back and recognize moments when we received exactly what we needed—a phone call, a hug, a job offer, unexpected good news. He surrounds us with people who know us and love us (anyway). He provides what we need to face each day.
Instead of focusing on what’s lacking, pause throughout your busy day to thank Him for all the blessings He showers over you, and praise Him with every fiber of your being.
Be still and know that I am God.
– Psalm 46:10
This isn’t a request—it’s a two-fold command. God knows there is little stillness in our high-tech lives. With calendars crammed full of activities, there’s no time to be still! So we must make the time. God tells us Be still. Only then can we know who He is. And this verse tells us He wants us to know Him. Amazing.
When we are still (in the car waiting for the kids, in the silence of early morning, or on a break at work), that’s when we can hear His voice, feel His presence, know He’s there. He is who He says He is: Creator of heaven and earth, lover of our soul, Lord over our calendars.
The God who created you knows you better than you know yourself, and loves you with a perfect, all-consuming love. When you take the time to be still, you can know who He is as well.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
– Psalm 143:10
One of a woman’s greatest strengths can also be her greatest weakness. We are do-ers. When something needs doing, we jump in with both feet. Wobbling on our heels, we race from this commitment to that, leaping over obstacles, praying we stay upright as we take on yet another request. The flip side of this is burnout, resentment, and exhaustion.
How often do we pause and ask God if this new “opportunity” is what He wants for us? Instead of seeking His will for our many options, we make decisions based on the warm, fuzzy feeling of being needed, then we ask Him to save us from the issues of our own making.
The next time an offer comes your way, pause and turn your attention to the One who wants only the very best for you. Let Him teach you to say yes or no, to live on the firm footing of His purpose for you.
Great thoughts, Stacy. Thanks for sharing!
About Stacy Monson
Stacy Monson is the award-winning author of The Chain of Lakes series, including Shattered Image, Dance of Grace, and The Color of Truth. Her stories reveal an extraordinary God at work in ordinary life. Residing in the Twin Cities in Minnesota, she is the wife of a juggling, unicycling physical education teacher, mom to two amazing kids and two wonderful in-law kids, and a very proud grandma of 3 (and counting) grands.
You can find Stacy online at:
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
Her newest book, Open Circle, releases June 21 (available for pre-order HERE!). Here’s a bit about the story:
Mindy Lee “Minnie” Carlson’s dream job has dropped into her hands, but there’s a catch. She has four months to revive Open Circle, the town’s only Senior Adult Day Center, or the doors will close, leaving her jobless, and the seniors she cares for stranded.
After decades traveling the globe and documenting the forgotten people of the world, Jackson Young discovers his beloved Grandma Em is still alive in Minnie’s small town. Overjoyed, he races back to his hometown to reconnect with her, only to discover she’s been Minnie’s surrogate grandmother for the past twenty years.
When Grandma Em has a stroke, his ideas about her care pit him against Minnie’s determination and expertise. For Grandma Em’s sake, and the future of Open Circle, they’ll need to do the impossible – find a way to work together.
To celebrate, Stacy is giving away a fun canvas tote bag with a paperback copy of Open Circle and other goodies!
(For a winner in the U.S. An international winner will receive an Amazon gift card of comparable value).
Fear takes over when I am sick with a cold or flu or just feeling tired and emotionally weak and face anything upsetting. The good thing is that I know that The Good Lord is sitting right beside me to help me through it! I also have 2 favorite bible verses that help. The first is The 23rd Psalm and the second is Isaiah 40:31.
Psalm 23 is always a good one to go to when fear is taking over. And I love Isaiah 40:31. What a fabulous promise. Thanks for sharing those, Jennifer.
Fear can take over every and any day, if you allow it to. Most recently for me, it was when I debated about applying for a new job. The idea of leaving what I was comfortable with and good at for the challenge of learning a new position, filled me with fear and almost kept me from applying. I applied, went through the scary interview (it’d been 9 years since my last interview), and was offered the position. I took it all as signs and affirmation that this was the right decision. I’ve been in my new position for two days and there is a lot to learn! But I know that God is with me and wants me there.
Arletta, I’m glad you took that step of faith! I know I’ve let fear guide my decisions in the past instead of God, and I’ve always regretted it. Praying this new job turns out to be the perfect fit!
Fear overtakes me when I have to go for follow up scans. There is always the fear that this could be the time when the cancer reappears.
That’s a frightening thing to have to face repeatedly, Sonnetta. Praying you remain cancer-free!
Very interesting since I don’t know the author. Love it when authors share their favorite Scripture. Lately, Psalm 139 is the Psalm that God has led me to. I read it out loud when I’m putting on the Armor of God. This one has so much information in it. So I pray it over the Persecuted church and ALL my sisters & brothers in Christ.
I look forward to reading two new Authors! Thanks!
I love Psalm 139, Denise! What could be better than being reminded of who created us and how much He loves us?? I reread that one a lot.
When my children are put in situations I have no control over.
This is tough. My children are now teens, so the eventual letting go is all too close!
That has always been a scary time for me too, Susanne. And now that I have 3.5 grandchildren, it’s an added layer! But we can only do our best as we raise them, and then cover them with prayer.
Not so much fear, but anxiety can try to overtake me because of a past abusive marriage,, whenever I am out of my comfort zone.
Fear and anxiety can be two sides of the same coin, can’t they? As Cherie says, we have to remember there is nothing to fear in Christ. God bless!
Fear of change is my biggest stronghold. I am terrified by any sort of change so I tend to limit myself from new experiences. It is a constant struggle for me, despite my heart’s knowledge of there being nothing to fear in Christ.
I think fear of change is a big one for many of us. We’re happy in our bubble … or not happy, but worry that change will leave us even worse off.
But you’re right: we have nothing to fear in Christ. Let’s remember that and rejoice!
Cherie, I don’t like change either. I’m learning to take a deep breath when something new comes up and mentally hand my fear over to God. We may “know” there’s nothing to fear with God as our foundation, but we’re human!