He folded the towel the wrong way.
I noticed it a couple of days after we were married.
Fold in half. Fold again. One more time. Done.
Whoah. Um, no. That’s not how you fold a towel buddy. That’s not the right way.
Fold in half. Fold again. Quarter fold. Quarter fold. Done.
That’s how you do it. Bam!
Sometimes we do something for so long that we have defined it as the “right way” to do it. The problem isn’t the towel. It’s that I’m resistant to doing something different.
Moving past what you cannot change requires flexibility. You are going to be asked to communicate in a different way (name the pain, don’t blame). You are going to be asked to think in a new way. You are going to be asked to put down your burden, when it kind of feels like comfort.
Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past (Isaiah 43:18).
He has new thought patterns for you. He has new things for you to do. You might be in the same old situation, but he’s asking you to think about them in a whole new way.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17)!
The emphasis in this scripture isn’t just on new, it’s on the first part of that verse: If anyone is in Christ. This is a you-and-God adventure. It’s not going to be easy, but discovering the new is worth it. You’ll learn through mistakes. You’ll learn through practice. You’ll learn as you trust God’s voice over your heart, as he leads you into the new.
Maybe you’ve been folding towels the “right” way for 20 years. I want you to go and refold them. Change it up. I know it sounds silly, but it’s symbolic.
You aren’t afraid to do things different.
You aren’t afraid to redefine your definition of normal.
You aren’t afraid by the new God wants to give you.
It’s not going to feel “right” in the beginning, and that’s okay.
Growth is awkward. Your growth might not even feel right to those who live closest. Maybe they’ll look at you and say, “Woah, where has my wife/mom/friend/daughter” gone?”
Take out the towel. Fold it however you want. Show them that you are flexible, and that you are willing to bend, grow, or change direction to receive all that God has for you.
Suzie
Day #20 of Moving Past What You Cannot Change
Listen to last night’s Gathering live broadcast. There’s an assignment waiting for you in this teaching. After listening, answer these questions.
Q: What is the rock you carry, and what is the Rock that you stand on?
Q: What is the new that God is trying to do in you?
[bctt tweet=”Exchange the rock you carry for the Rock you can stand on. #livingfreetogether ” username=”suzanneeller”]
Rocks and gardens don’t mix well. At work, we plant a garden with my class each summer. We plant and nurture 10 2×4 foot above ground container boxes. Somehow we keep finding rocks (and weeds). We have determined the rocks are in the way for our garden to grow. As a class we are working on removing meanness and mistrust to find some compassion and kindness. I have tough and hurting kids. My rock of guardedness has hindered me in the past from really growing my faith with God. I need to daily put aside that rock so the Love and Grace of our God shines through me. In Christ alone I can walk that journey. As God plants and nurtures new life in me, I can now with confidence share my growing faith and journey with those whose path I may cross each day. Thanks, Suzie for sharing your Christ-filled heart.
Hi Debbie, what a beautiful visual and healing activity you and your class are walking through. The Gardener is doing a mighty work in you, friend. I see His rays of Sonshine beaming from you each day as you reach out and encourage others. ❤️
Amen! And rocks are not always the problem………..some plants even love rocks. For example, maguey plants love rocky soil.
For years I’ve been upset at certain people for breaking the promises they have planned with me. I held them accountable for my sadness, for my not getting to go to an certain event, and for breaking the plans I wanted so badly to do. I blamed them for my misery, for my feeling worthless and unwanted.
So my rock that held me down has been blame. I will no longer blame them and hold them accountable. My rock I will stand on is forgiveness.
I can definitely relate, Sheila, thought they canceled because of me instead of the truth which usually revolved around finances or scheduling conflicts. Now, despite my fear of going places by myself, I go anyway. I have done a lot of traveling by myself and you know what? It’s fun! I am forced to meet new people.praying for God to bless you today and everyday!!
I am exchanging the rock of chasing acceptance for His Rock of unconditional love.
My main rock (because well, there are several) is the feeling of failure. I made some pretty terrible choices while raising my daughter, I failed to protect her. I have failed at several business attempts. I fear failure so much that it has stopped my writing before I have even started. I fear failure so much I don’t even try. No more!! I am putting down this small but very heavy rock in exchange for God’s grace, mercy and love. Standing on the rock that is on solid ground. I am redeemed, a new creation and God has great plans for me.
But look at who you are now. <3 You ooze freedom, mercy and love.
As my children starting getting old enough to help with household chores, I would wait until they were asleep and then go “fix” everything they’d helped with that wasn’t done “right.” When my husband would help with things, I’d politely correct him, or grit my teeth while watching him do something that was completely the opposite of how I would’ve done it. Now that my body won’t allow me to “do it all, be it all” I’ve had to let go of so much of that perfectionism when it comes to household duties. I’ll admit it hasn’t been easy. My obsession over everything being “just so” has had to chill out. I’ve had to relinquish duties and be good with however those have been completed (to a certain degree, obviously). Even thinking about the towel folding has me in a sweat, because I was just that particular about EVERYTHING. I must have been a peach to live with, right?!
I’m so stinking grateful for God’s new mercies every morning! Goodness gracious! He has brought me a long way from where I once was. But there’s still a work to be done in me. I need to surrender to Him and what he’s asking of me. I need to allow Him to replace fears with peace. I’m open, Lord. Change me again. I’m standing upon Your Rock.
Yes, this is so true! When my children developed mental health challenges, I had to learn to do things differently. If I wanted to be a part of their recovery I needed to change my ways. It was difficult my ways worked for me but not for them. The pull up the boot straps and get moving attitude just wouldn’t work anymore for them. Of course, their were many more ways I had to change to make an environment where they could grow and recover.
Thank you for your post. Now if I could only let go of the towel folding.
For years I have carried the rock of hurt, hurt by family, hurt by close friend, hurt by former church. Today, with God’s help, I stand on the rock of Freedom. Free of the weight that embedded hurt caused my heart and free to be the person God created me to be. 😊