Being in pajamas early and having some time to relax has been somewhat normal for me lately. Currently that is where I am at, hair unwashed, make up still on, in a red set of one-piece pajamas that I got at a thrift store in Westcliffe. You know, like the long underwear you see in the movies with the trap door in the back? These pajamas are kinda like that. They do not (sad face) have a trap door in the back, but they do have a missing button on the top…and a pocket! They are a little too short in the legs and a little too big in the waist. They don’t fit me perfectly, yet somehow they are still quite comfortable. And I enjoy wearing them.
I can relate this awesome thrift-store-find to the season of life I am in. God has brought me into a season of listening. Listening…truly listening…is something that I struggle with, something that doesn’t seem to fit me quite right. I am the one with the solutions, the answers. I am constantly chasing the next advancement, the next best thing. I am the overthinker with all of the possible scenarios and ideas, and listening sometimes (most times) is not my forte. Thrift store pajamas have never been my forte either. Yet here we are, listening…in thrift store pajamas. And I am at peace with where He has brought me even if I feel like its a little awkward.
I am tired of going a million miles an hour and I am ready to listen.
The world says pursue, chase the big corporation and the big title. The world says gain, you’ll find fulfillment in more money and more stuff. The world says strive and everything you have will make you content. So we listen to the world and we pray for worldy things and then….
BAM! We get there and before you know it we start chasing the next best thing ALL OVER AGAIN for our own gain and our own glory, just to be left empty when its all said and done.
How many times have you looked for the next best thing? How many times have you pushed to advance? How many times have you pursued, strived, gained, hustled, labored, and dug in just to get a little more ahead? Just to get more stuff? It is where we become overworked, overtired, and unfulfilled. Gain with no satisfaction. All the while we ignore what God has to say. We tell ourselves, I want the best most expensive pajamas because I will sleep better at night.
I sleep just fine in my 5-dollar-thrift-store-find, just so you know.
I’ve been brought low, to a place where I have to listen to what God has to say. As much as I feel like it doesn’t fit because I am so used to chasing all the things, God says differently. I am ok with that. God says, don’t pursue, be content where I place you (James 1:2, Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds). Don’t gain, be fulfilled with what I give you (Philippians 4:11, Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content). Don’t strive, be thankful for how I’ve blessed you (2 Corinthians 12:9, But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness). Don’t glorify self, do everything to the best of your ability with the gifts I have given to you (Psalm 115:1, Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness; Ephesians 2:10, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do). All we have to do is just listen. It is that easy and it is that profound.
I am tired of the chase and I am ready for what God has to say, loud and clear. I no longer want to push for the next best thing, but I want to open my eyes to where God has placed me and I want to honor Him through that. I want to feel all the feelings, smell all the smells, walk by all the people, do all the work, and listen to all the things in this season that I have been placed in. I want the discomfort of growth and the revelation of self-reflection.
I want the thrift store pajamas. They aren’t any less valuable or any less fulfilling.
What season does God have you in, sister?
Proverbs 2:1-5, My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
feed yourself, girl 