Why filters are our friends

I walked into the kitchen to find my husband staring at the counter with a puzzled look on his face. Coffee poured from above our pot and onto the counters.

"Oh, no, it's broken!" I declared, visions of coffee-less mornings parading through my mind like a low budget horror flick.

But after living with me for years it didn't take long for my husband to figure out what really happened.

He turned to me with a grin he just couldn't help, "Did someone forget the filter?"

Woopsie.

As I mopped up the mess, I thought about more than coffee (because my entire life is one big spiritual analogy). I thought about how every "no" we say acts like a filter in our lives.

Now, let me tell you ladies, I love the word "Yes". 

It's my favorite one in the universe (besides "chocolate" and "nap" of course).

Because I like it so much, I say it a lot.

And at the time, it always seems like a really good idea. I'm happy and excited about whatever I'm saying "yes" to...but then the coffee grinds hit the counter, my calendar hits overload, I'm worn out and I realize that a filter sure would have been helpful.

Woopsie.

I'm learning there's a big difference between choosing based on God's purpose for my life and simply chasing after everything that comes my way.

Sometimes a little "no" is actually a great big "YES" to what matters most.

My dear friend Amy Hale recently forwarded a devo from Rick Warren about this very thing (thanks again, girl!). Rick says...

You have just enough time to do God's will while you're here on earth. You've been given just enough time to fulfill your purpose. When you try to do more than God planned for you, it's only natural that you'll find yourself constantly out of time or stressed over your schedule.

If it doesn't fit the purpose of your life, God doesn't want you doing it. In fact, he may be overjoyed that you finally got the message and stopped doing meaningless activities. He may even want you to add "rest" or "have fun" to your to-do list.

My prayer for you is that you will find relief from stress and a new sense of satisfaction as you do only the things God created you to do.

Yes and amen. I know I'm called to write, counsel, and love on those God has entrusted to me.

So I'm raising my coffee cup in a much-needed toast which my counter and calendar will surely both appreciate... 

Cheers to filters! 

I'd love your wisdom, girls! What helps you filter? Leave a comment letting me know by midnight on Saturday and you'll be entered to win this Memo Board from DaySpring's Ever Grateful Collection (quite the fabulously cute filtering tool, in my humble opinion).

*Update: Congrats to Melissa Brotherton for winning the Memo Easel from the Ever Grateful collection!*

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Comments

[Alexis]

Simply beautiful and so true of a message, Holley!

Thank you for sharing these pearls of wisdom which spoke directly to my experience today!

May God continue to use you to accomplish His will.

[Sara]

You're so cute, Holley! I would totally panic if I had "coffee-less morning horror flicks" parading through my head, too! And thanks again for another great note of encouragement!

[Sue]

"What helps you filter?" I remember that Jesus is in me, the hope of glory. It doesn't matter what life throws at me. Through His Holy Spirit He gives me all I need to handle the situation. And if its something I can't handle I know without a doubt He can handle it.

[Ann Voskamp]

What helps me filter?

Sisters like you carrying His word out into the world to women like me standing her looking at some of her messes saying, "Whoopsie." :)

Thanks for helping me mop things up, girl --- and handing me a filter. (I LOVE that your life is one big spiritual analogy! It IS! It always is.... He can't stop speaking...)

SO much love,
Ann

[Laurie Wallin]

Yes and amen, girl! I'm going through this right now and I feel like what you shared really helped answer a prayer today about a new opportunity I have!

And you're not alone... I think us teacher types are always thinking how things relate to the bigger spiritual picture. One of my filters, actually, is to choose to spend more time living my life than processing it mentally for future articles or talks :).

-Laurie

[Betsy]

I love your words of wisdom! I really needed this note of encouragement!

[Kristen]

Several years ago, one of our pastors said during a sermon, "Sometimes the right thing to do is to say no to a good thing." I needed that. Of course, it was easy to say no to things that weren't good or healthy, but how could I say no to things that are? Babysitting extra days in the nursery? Heading up this committee? Bringing meals for this or that family? All those are very good things, but not always things God knows are good for me to do in every season.

Here's to more white space on that calendar (clink, clink!) :)

[Barbie]

I am a brand new follower. The thing that helps me filter is being still and knowing that He is God. When I get into His presence, my perspective about everything changes!

[TJ]

My husband is a good help with this. I will often run things by him and he will help me see if it fits in with what we need to do as a family. If I say I need to talk to my husband about it, it also gives me time to think it through.

[Becky]

Dear Holley,

I, too, love how your "entire life is one big spiritual analogy". And I sure wish that God spoke so clearly to me as He does to you. But I am glad that you so freely share the wisdom He's shared with you with us.

I honestly don't know what my purpose in life is. My whole life changed a couple years ago and I'm floundering now and feel very lost. But I think the "tool" I depend on so much would also be a good filter -- prayer.

Love and blessings,

[Mary Joy @Seeds of Encouragement Sewn with Grace]

I love your post. Filters are so important in our lives...I have learned this the hard way over and over again in my life. One of more recent lessons was learning to filter and say no to some good things when it comes to my blogging. There was a time when I got so wrapped up in blogging that I neglected the actual wonder and beauty of living life more than writing about it. God guided me to take a break and regain my perspective...it was very hard for me to do but I am so glad that I did! Seeing life through His amazing eyes with His perfect vision is so much better than through mine alone. I am so blessed in my life and now that I use the filter of His Word every morning and prayer when deciding what to add to my daily schedule...I do so much better with balancing all of the areas of my life!!! Again...love the post!!! So relate!!! :-)

[Candace]

I am soooooooo bad at this. I used to be busy, busy, busy. But, God used the struggle with depression to literally slow.me.down. He has shown me that when I'm so busy, I'm too busy to pray, too busy to worship, to busy to love Him. I need that time with Him, desperately...and so I'm learning to say no. I've said no a lot of times over the past year. But it's still hard...and I'm still learning...I'm asking for clarity in which things are from Him for me and which things are not.

[Holley Gerth]

So glad to know I'm not the only one who has a little trouble filtering sometimes. Appreciate your wisdom and encouragement, girls! (:

[Dee Snyder]

How true are your "coffee" filter words. Those of us who are a tad older, limited by dr.s order to only drink one cup of coffe a day, filters in our lives are really necessary. Frustration and no evidence of the fruit of the Spirit results when we don't filter out the unnecessary or non priority activities out of our busy lives. Thank you for reminding us in such a sweet and honest way. Yep, naps are an essential in lives in Cambodia. If one doesn't take one, he/she quickly becomes "unuseable"/unfiltered. Unfiltered coffee can be very bitter!

[Michele]

What a timely message! I had a revolving door of visitors yesterday that left me with no margin...all because of that silly three letter word! :)

I am learning the power of letting go control and giving the gift of giving others in my life the opportunity to help me. I've found that being humble and saying "yes" when others offer to help has allowed them, as well as me, to be blessed in the process.

[Debbie Feller]

This was just perfect today and I shared it with a dear friend whose filter just kicked in! What helps me filter? hmmm . . .I think just keeping tabs on my heart attitude, spending time with Jesus . . .lots of time . . .so I can know when I'm out of whack and running all over the counter, needing a filter! ;) God bless you, sweet Holley! deb

[Keisha]

Having just moved to a new place and in a new phase of my career, my first instinct is to say "yes" to every patient, every family, every group that calls upon me to use my skills. Yet, I am reminded from this wonderful post that many times saying "yes" to others means saying "no" to myself and to God. Saying "no" to the good opportunities allows me time for exercise, for reflection and to truly enjoy the world that God has made for me. Thank you for the reminder!

[Petra]

Hi Holley! As usual you're words are just right for me. I have real problems with overloading my schedule, I'm always vaguely aware that Theres Something I Haven't Done! So what helps me filter is this; I write a list and commit it to the Lord. He's very good at helping me to get my priorities right, and seeing the list means I can tick things off, this makes me realise all the things I have achieved and helps me not to focus on the things I haven't. God bless, Holley

[Chris]

Excellent Holley. I always used to say yes to everything because I thought I could be a big help. My children actually said to me one day "mom you say Yes to to many things". My children were my filter at that moment but I didn't actually realize it.I am so thankful for them. I recently heard someone on the radio have the same problem, she was a "yes" woman. She said a thought that I'll now remember,"I'm capable, but am I called" good to remember before you say yes.

[Kelly Heaton]

Great message today Holley....

I do photography and as I stand on a very early morning watching the sun come up it helps me realize how great our Lord is. Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to me and brings to mind scriptures I should put with the image. As I photograph this beautiful world, He has made, it helps to remind me to slow down and realize that He is in control...

[pam]

Holley, not only can i relate the filter story, im a witness to it. five weeks ago, i fell, and broke my left wrist. i was mad, it messed with my busy life, such an inconvience to me. poor me. actually, since it happened, i have slowed down, spent lots more time with the Lord, and have been better to myself. things happen for a reason, even though we think they are such huge inconviences. thanks holley, your always right on the money. blessings to you.

[CECE]

What is my filter? Going to God in prayer, seeking out God's wisdom and will before I do something. I have found if it is of God it brings me peace. I have had to learn the hard way about filtering. God stopped me in my tracks and made me filter, slow down. I am so appreciative of God's Grace. If not for the Grace of God.

CeCe

[SandyE]

Thanks again Holley, for another spot-on message! I'm finally learning to use the word "no" - after many years of not feeling like I was 'allowed' to....of feeling like I might offend or hurt someone if I did. I'm so grateful for the reminder that my job is to listen to what God tells me to do and do it. And not worry so much about saying "no" when I need to. What a great reminder!! <3

[Carol Reed]

Hi Holley ~ Such wonderful words of wisdom. It took me too long to figure out that "NO" can be a good thing in our journey with God. I use to say "YES" before I even thought about asking God if He wanted me to take it on. Then in the midst of doing my yes thing I would think "why is this so hard?" and then I would dawn on me - I forgot to ask - oops.

Thanks for reminding us to always look to the ONE and ONLY for the right answers!

[Diane Clark]

After a stormy visit yesterday from my mother, I really needed this devotional and encouragement this morning to "mop up" from her cutting remarks yesterday. In trying to find the good in it, I'm grateful that she lives 2-1/2 hrs away and seldom visits or calls-praise God. She is lost and without hope. Gratefully, I have a delightful Mother-In-Love (instead of mother-in-law)who we spend quality time with often and adore. Thanks, Holley, for your words of wisdom and encouragement.