Hey friends, I’m not going back! Are you?
Crises have a way of teaching us what really matters and what doesn’t. The problem is we learn those lessons and we make a ton of promises, and when “normalcy” comes we stumble right back into the old junk.
I don’t want to go back.
So, how do we avoid that? We replace empty promises with a plan. It won’t be perfect. We’ll tweak it along the way, but if we make a plan we have a chance of holding on to the good we carried out of that not-so-great season.
In today’s More Than Small Talk podcast, Holley, Jennifer, and I share the lessons we are learning about ourselves in this pandemic.
- Holley has discovered that her inner critic is a lot quieter in quarantine. She’s reflecting on that, trying to figure out how to hold on to that beautiful, unexpected gift.
- Jennifer is learning that hustle doesn’t equal holy. She can serve God without trying to do it all. In fact, she’s finding ways to serve him that are unique and new.
And me?
- I’m learning that standing 6-10 feet from people I care about is painful. I need face-to-face community. I need touch and hugs and lots of people. While that’s not possible right now, I have to be honest and admit that I let a lot of things get in front of this “need.” If this is a way that God fills me up, why am I constantly putting everything else above that?
So, I’m making tangible plans — putting priority on some things over others — so that when normalcy returns, it won’t be the same ‘ole, same ‘ole.
What are you discovering during this season? What is one thing you’ll do different in the future?
Suzie
Resources and Giveaway
I hope you’ll tune in to today’s More Than Small Talk podcast. You can find all the ways to do that right here.
I also want to offer a giveaway just for fun.
If you follow either my FB ministry page, Instagram, or the More Than Small Talk FB group, let me know in the comments.
I’ll draw three names next Monday and send you (or a friend) an autographed copy of my Come With Me Devotional or my book, Come With Me: Discovering the Beauty of Following Where He Leads.
I hope you’ll tune in to today’s More Than Small Talk podcast. 
Following Jesus was never meant to be complicated. It was meant to change you forever. It’s discovering what God already knows about you, and discovering what it means to walk daily with Jesus and how that changes not only you, but the world around you. Faith is not a set of rules but a life-giving adventure.
If you are interested in finding out more about either of these books, you can do that at https://tsuzanneeller.com/books/come-with-me/.
You’ll be able to download and read a couple of chapters. There are free study videos and other resources just for you.
Yes I follow
I just started following the FB page, thanks!
I follow the Facebook page.
Susie,
I follow all three. Come with me was an invaluable resource for me during a very tough season in my life a few years ago. Thank you for all you do and praying for your continued healing and recovery.
I follow on FB and IG. Loved the Come with me book AND the devotional, and would love a copy to give a friend.
I follow on face book and instagram. Thanks for opening up about everything that is going on. I now spend more time in the Word and praying. Being kind,encouraging, and thoughtful is even more important now. Lord,heal our land and change our hearts to truly love one another as You have first taught us to love. 1 John 4:7 “Beloved,let us love one another,for love is from God,and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
I follow you on facebook and Instagram. Thank you for being a word of calm, peace and comfort in such a difficult year for our country. You have been a bright light of God’s strength throughout your own difficulties this year. Continuing to pray for complete healing for you.
I’m following all three. Thank you for sharing your beautiful heart!!
Even in this, it has been a time of reflecting. I don’t know that the normal will be the same. I think it’s opened up new ways of doing things, even more blessings!
I have your devotional. I do not have the book. I am journeying through the devotional. I have been a Christian as far back as I can remember. I grew up in a disfunctional family. I am sorry to admit I have never truly known how to truly follow Jesus. I feel I am now finally coming to a realization of how grand it will be to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Praise God that He is faithful and pursues me even when I am not faithful to Him. I am 59 years old. God reminded me once, when I was afraid and praying, that a day is like a thousand years and a thousand year is like a day. Also, He reminded me that He will never leave me not forsake me. I am finally seeing my PTSD become less severe. Satan wants me to feel shame but God reminds me that I am His beloved. Praise God!!
Cindy, It brings my heart joy this morning as I read your comment. I myself have been a Christian for many years and participated in all of the commonly practiced activities that most Christian women do (Sunday school, Bible study, children’s ministry ect…) Then one day, through the words of another woman a light clicked on in my mind and shinned slivers into my heart that began changing my whole perspective. It was an instantaneous moment and the begining of a long continuing road of re evaluating what I believed being a daughter of God was and what it really is. Learning what it truly means to follow Jesus. That road continues today, praise the Lord. I too am so very great full that He is so very patient with all of our “Squirrel” moment’s (dog from the movie up lol) and never ceases to begin moving us closer to Him again when we look up. (not meaning that He stops working on our behalf while we are choosing to not actively listen) May you be kind to yourself and not spend time looking back with thoughts of If Only’s and instead rejoice in the Now. I am 58 yrs old and wasted sometime in the world of wishing that I had been open & available to hear the Holy Spirit earlier. I am trying to let that go and stay focused on – from this moment forward. Hug’s
While right now I am on a FB fast until June 14 I usually follow your ministry page and the More than Small Talk FB group too.
I have both books and who ever wins will be blessed!
Facebook and instagram but read your emails more than anything else. More than Small Talk has been a safe haven for me. Your vulnerability is inspiring. I’ve never been good at letting people in, what if they don’t like what they see. Your writing and podcasts always leave me feeling hopeful, accepted and even if I am that eccentric, that’s okay and embrace it because that’s who God made me to be. Thank you and bless all of you.
Gay, God made eccentric people for many amazing reasons and for some simple ones… Myself being the simple one in this scenario. I am a pretty reclusive person naturally and have to fight off my hunker in desires, but It is usually those eccentric people who are full of wonderful ideas and shine happy light that draw me out into the crowd and give me glimpses of new ways to view things. So I praise God for the eccentric people and how they challenge my straight line thinking in such a good way.
I follow you and I totally enjoy each & every one of my emails.
At this time I am experiencing “vertigo” and find it difficult to walk. I am 67 years old and my loving husband and daughter are helping me more than they know. It is difficult for me to get around except with the aide of a walker.
But through it all, the LORD has been with me – guiding me and helping me get through. God bless you!
I loved this……..thank you!
Suzie, I have followed you for years. From P 31, to Facebook and blog’s. I too come from a genetically challenged family when it comes to physical health and hearing your story grabbed me from the start. My daughter’s have also inherited that gene and it has reared it’s ugly head for them now as well. Not the same challenge as yours, but life altering on every level with a lifetime of daily challenges. I feel blessed that you have allowed all of us to see your rawness, your struggles and your faith in Jesus through it all. When I have those moment’s or day’s when I just want to put on my whiney pants and curl up and pout I am encouraged by your words/life to instead open my Bible and seek truth. I own the Unburdened heart & the Mended Heart, both of which helped me walk through some tough things, so thank you for those pages. I still go back and re read pieces in times of need. I have recommended those books to other women consistently, for whatever our story, we all have things that we need to let go of and places within that need healing in order for us to move forward joyfully with Jesus. I would love to journey with you through Come with Me. Hug’s
I follow all three places
I’ve been following and reading you ministry fb page and your blogs and writing here on this website for some years now. 🙂
Always inspirations and definitely gives food for thought.
I follow on Instagram and listen to the podcasts. Great words.
Hi Suzanne. I follow you on Facebook and Instagram.
Thank you for your insight. I’m truly blessed when I read what you write.
God bless.
I love all your emails and I love your group small talk on Facebook
Hi there, I follow you on Facebook and have been a proud user for one month😂! I met you at She Speaks two years ago and you liked my crazy teal blue Converse! I voiced my reluctance to you at that time about joining social media but I REALLY wished I’d taken your advice back then and joined. I’ve figured out how to use it to best suit my needs and yours is a ministry that I’ve been blessed by. The transparency of your heart is refreshing. Do I want to return back to “normal”? I think God has shown us that the way we were living as a people was anything but. It has shaken many of us out of our comfortable places and I see where He is calling me to stretch and grow.
Michele, you are a winner of either Come With Me (the book) or Come With Me Devotional. Just let me know which you prefer and we’ll get it to you!
Thank you so much! I’d love the book! Please let me know how to send my mailing info. God Bless!
Hi Suzi!!
I’m a 4th chair friend and listen to the podcasts. I follow you and More than Small Talk on fb.
Great question. Less drama right now with less people in the office…and I’m not going back to the drama, no thanks.
I love this post. I too despise the distancing and need the hug and communication but I also believe that God has a greater purpose through this for us.
I have changed in my walk and it is all due to God. Nothing I could do is worth much but only through Him. He is stretching me and growing me in ways I thought would never happen. Yet they are! Why? Because God decided and is moving.
Thank you for this post.
It is the first time I am posting here so thank you for your ministry and encouragement as well.
Oops. I forgot to say I just started following you page on FB and will listen to your podcast.
Donna, you are a winner of either Come With Me (the book) or Come With Me Devotional. Let me know which you prefer and we’ll get it to you!
I love your IG Ministry Page! Thank you for the much needed conversations you have.
Thank you I do follow you on FB, and enjoy God Bless
I follow your posts on my email. I also have your “Come with me” Devotional book. I enjoy it so much. I’m unable to listen on I tunes. But I enjoy your writings & also Holly Gerth’s. I’m just getting familiar with Ms.
I’m always blessed whenever I read your write-ups. God bless you. I follow you on all three.