“Who Told You That?”

I’ve felt very distracted today and wasn’t able to focus enough to write. After writing an instragm post, I was waylaid by social media and was glued, mindlessly, to my phone. Oh, it’s getting late and I’m still in my robe! So I decided to go outside, get some fresh air and take my daily walk to clear my head. It helped for awhile.

Then I made myself a delicious lunch and cleaned up the kitchen. Both making lunch and doing the dishes were a bit of a stalling tactic because I still wasn’t FEELING it yet, writing I mean. But I climbed the stairs and chose to start. It’s a matter of the will Rachel. So I sat down beside my Christmas tree to gather my thoughts and begin to write. I love this spot beside my tree.

I’ve enjoyed sitting in my upper loft area with my Christmas tree lit, for weeks now. It is peaceful and tranquil and once I sit down, I never want to get up. I put the tree up early in November because I knew my December was filled with the normal activities and additional speaking engagements. I’ll admit I had a little battle in my mind over whether or not I should put up the tree so early. It went something like this.

Rachel you usually wait until after Thanksgiving to put up the tree. You should get the most out of the season of thankfulness without moving on to the Christmas season. But I am thankful always no matter what month it is. Don’t rush into it. It’s too early, you can’t have people over in November, before Thanksgiving, with a tree up! You really can’t put it up yet it’s too early.

Then I heard myself ask aloud, “Who told you that?” What? Who told you that? YEAH, who? I’m free to do it if I want. NOW is when I have time. Besides, it isn’t a God commandment, Rachel it is only your own thoughts and the influence of others around who may wonder about it… but I decided…I’m going to put up the Christmas tree. SO WHAT? I’m a free agent.

Even though it took me two or three days to put up the tree this year, I had a wonderful time. The outcome was splendid. A few years ago the “pre- lit” tree was no longer “lit,” so I had to put all new lights on this year, 2,300 of them! But Im glad I did it in November because had many free days and I had a few gatherings in my home. I knew it would be good to have the warmth and the festive atmosphere for these things:

• My parents visit and “Sisters Weekend” (See past blog: Push Past Disappointment- Onward )
• Life Group
• “Salad supper and share your testimony” with ladies from Bible Study
• Prayer times with friends
• House Guests for four nights
• Family Christmas
• Morning coffee with my husband before work

Let me turn a corner and have you read these words from Genesis 3:8-11a

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called the man and said to him, “Where are you? “And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked?

One time I heard a pastor say, “Ask yourself, “Who to you that…”

Who told you that:

• You can’t put up your Christmas tree yet!
• You won’t be able to concentrate long enough to get it done.
• You’re not smart!
• You’re too short!
• Your situation will never change!
• You don’t have a bright future.
• You aren’t able to do/become/have_____________(fill in the blank)

Word for the wise…It might be good to ask yourself, Who told you that?

Yeah, who told you that you were too distracted and wouldn’t finish a blog post?

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Christmas gift ideas http://rachelinouye.org/store.cfm

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-real-deal/id1448869614?mt=2

https://www.madisontravel.com/inouye/

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