Gifts are to be Shared

Your gifts are dangling right in front of you; grab them!

Has Satan written you off as a slave because he knows you are part of the 96% of people who make goals, but never make a plan of action of achieve them? How are you doing on those things (we won't call them Resolutions) you wanted to do for the New Year?

Do you want to be a mom with more patience, but don't memorize Scripture about patience or ask someone to pray for you? Do you try it on your own? Do you want to have a better prayer life and stand in the gap for your husband and kids, but you don't set a timer to remind you to pray or write down specific prayers when they cross your mind? Do you want to be a better cook for your family, but do not prepare with cookbooks or shopping lists? Do you have regrets? Do you use words like 'should have', 'could have', 'if only'?

Change that recorder in your mind. Tell Satan he has no hold on you anymore. "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world,"1 John 4:4.

"Has Satan written you off as a slave?"

I heard that in a song yesterday. If only 4% of people who make goals ask for help with those goals, I wonder how many women stay trapped in the lie that they have nothing to contribute to anyone. Satan is sneaky that way. He will keep feeding you a lie that you do not have a gift, time or talent; therefore you do not ask for help to find it or to use it. Are you a Christian guided by the Lord that strives to use her Spiritual gifts (maybe unrealized gift at this point) OR are you a Christian distracted by Satan because you do not PURSUE your goals by making a plan and asking for help? You are probably one or the other.

Do you trust God has made you with special Spiritual gifts to further his Kingdom or do you float around with no direction, no goal, no passion thinking you are nothing special...Satan loves this attitude and has written you off as a slave.

Choose today before we go forward, to pursue your Spiritual gift given to you from the heavenly realm. Don't float around lost, unfulfilled and confused in the playground of Satan.

Erin E. McEndree is a Life Coach who helps struggling women understand their story and step into their purpose by helping them identify their God-anointed gifts. Her specialty is helping women with adoption issues free themselves of pain, guilt and fear. For more information go to www.steepedinpurpose.com and shop the store for programs that can help you plan and execute your ideal self.

A Letter of Rejection from an Adoptee

Dear 2021,

I admit I lost the word I chose for 2020. Since everything was topsy-turvy, I was out of sorts and I misplaced my word. I didn't reject it. I just neglected it, actually.

In years past I have had a word to strive for like Impactful (2016), Obedient (2017), Breakthrough (2018) and Chosen (2019) when I started my book about my adoption journey. However, I had to go looking for my 2020 word in some notes to recall it. It was EQUIPT.

These words actually mean something and I can trace what I have learned and what they taught me.

I have adopted a word for 2021, have you? My word is BUILD. I can't wait to see what I can build this year in my business, my book and my family.

For me to build, I must admit I have to reject things that are counter productive to building. I have to reject the Nay-Sayers. I have to reject those that do not support me. I have to reject the ones that feel the need to change MY story. I have to admit my weakness and let go of things that hold back construction. So, I have decided to choose a word to reject this year.

The word I have chosen to reject is DISTRACTION. Distraction kills. Attention builds.

So, 2021, you have been put on notice! I am charging forward with ambition and purpose. I am going to discern where my time wasters are coming from and refuse to accept their enticing and alluring temptation. I choose to aim my attention to things that build something positive in my life.

These distractions are different for everyone. Some things that cause me to loose focus may not do the same for you. I'd love to know what distracts you from being your ideal self.

Need some help focusing this year? Need to find purpose in your life? Need to overcome fears that distract you from using your God-anointed gifts? You can peruse my website, sign up for my Purpose Periodicals, shop my programs or Contact me for a free chat.

www.steepedinpurpose.com

3 Ways to Curb Overwhelm

To be overwhelmed is to have to many things to deal with all at the same time. Women are said to be good at multitasking, but honestly it makes our brain and body tired. Our brains are like a network of wires all connected to one another and they all affect each other. We can simultaneously think about what to wear, tomorrows dinner, clothes to put in the dryer (OH! just a moment. I’ll be right back.), our kids lunch, the volleyball game, our husband’s clothes at the cleaners and 5 other things.

Here are some strategies to help you cope with Overwhelm… only if you apply them and intentionally put them in your schedule.

1. Live in the moment. Turn your brain off! Focus on just the task you are doing. Take your brain out of overdrive and intentionally live in the slow lane. You can only drive in one lane at a time. I’ve been in taxi caps in New York. When they wanted to get in the other lane, they would just drive in both so no one would swerve around them and cut them off. AND, they got honked at all the time. Driving in two lanes makes people upset around you and takes more energy than if you just stay focused in one. Don’t let your mind run away from you. Take every thought captive, 2 Corinthians 10:5. Live in the moment, not in the moment that will happen in 30 minutes or two hours from the moment. Doesn’t everyone deserve your undivided attention?

Take every thought captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5

2. Look back. Looking forward, as stated in #1, causes an almost panic attack thinking about all the things you have to get done in the next few minutes, hours or days. Right now, I have to get clothes to cleaners, pay bills, buy stamps to mail bills (yes, I still use snail mail), grade homework for my Life Coach students, make an appointment for my daughter, send back my diamond anniversary band because it broke after six days, go to grocery store, make a list for grocery store………WAIT! I’m panicked now! I’m doing the exact opposite of my own advice. Let me try again. Yesterday, I gave two presentations to the high school about the local benevolence center where I work. I finished the end of the month report. I put gas in my jeep. I picked up my son from school on time. I made dinner. I located all the bills and put them on the table. I got an excellent latte after my speeches made with pecan roasted coffee beans. I made cinnamon scones because they were on a Hallmark movie I finally finished. See, this list is making me feel accomplished already. Looking back helps me say, “I can get so many things done! I did it yesterday and I can do it today!” When I look back at my accomplishments instead of panicking about all the things I have to do, I calm my mind and my body follows.

3. Walk in slow motion. Load the dish washer in slow motion. Talk to your kids in slow motion (they will love that). Have you ever tried this? It’s hard, but so soothing. It resets your body rhythm like downshifting a standard. Focus on your soul’s health and slow down or burnout is sure to follow. Seriously try this and please let me know how it makes you feel.

I really can’t fix how many responsibilities I have. I mean, I can’t not fix dinner or not put gas in the car or not do laundry. But, if I focus on my tasks in a different way, I can acquire some coping skills that put a smile on my face and some peace into my life.

For more of my Purpose Periodicals, go to www.steepedinpurpose.com and sign up for by blog, upcoming vlog and free Life Puzzle Guide soon to be available.