I’ve learned some great lessons over the years… from muppets. (Yeah, I said it.)
Growing up, it was Sesame Street… Big Bird, Mr. Snuffleupagus, Oscar the Grouch, Burt and Ernie… I learned that sharing is the right thing to do, that C is for cookie (that’s good enough for me, cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C!–Anybody else remember that song?) and many other life lessons that have served me well the last 27 and a half years.
I’ve also learned a lot from other muppets– perhaps the more widely known clan… Yes, THE MUPPETS. Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear (Waka, waka!) and of course~ Kermit the Frog.
In one of my brand-spanking-new-mama late night feeding sessions with Baby Charis, a thought from Kermit came back to me:
It ain’t easy being green.
I know. Weird thought, right? But I let this idea marinate. What exactly does he mean, it ain’t easy being green? Green isn’t really a positive color to be I guess (at least according to Kermit.) He wrote an entire song about it– wanting to be a different color, more bright and brilliant and noticeable.
Green doesn’t have the best connotation in our world either… Check it out:
Green can denote inexperience: “Oh look at the new guy… over there fumbling around. He’s so green. (Or what a greenhorn.)”
It is the color of envy… Which is one of the seven deadly sins. “When I saw her new necklace, I was green with envy.” Uh, not good.
And finally, it signifies a “sick” look. “Are you ok? Was that roller coaster a little too much for you? You look a little green.” (Insert vomit noise here.)
But as I mentioned, this random “being green” thought came to me one drowsy morning around 3am. After I pondered the worldly connotations, it brought me to one of my favorite Bible verses from Jeremiah.
âBut blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.â ~Jeremiah 17:7-8
Huh. Who knew, right? I want to be green. I want to be THAT tree, planted by the stream who is not afraid because I KNOW that God has my back.
This current season of life as a new mama is a blessing (as I write this, I am playing “Beat the Clock” as Baby Charis kicks and squirms beside me on the floor… hoping I can get a good chunk of this knocked out before she gets bored.) But as blessed as being a new mama is… It’s still FREAKING HARD. Which I knew it would be. But still. SHEESH. (Love you baby girl!)
I’ve been pretty green lately… in most of the ways mentioned above. Feeling like a greenhorn not having a clue what I am doing have the time with this 7 lb ball of needy, adorable love. I admittedly have been a little green with envy of others who still drive their own schedule– or who have survived the initial hard season of newbornhood. And yes, I have been even a little green with nausea on occasion. (Not really from being grossed out– but just with the prospect of being solely responsible for this little life. Dear Lord, help me.)
In this season of different shades of green– I am reassured that yes, it ain’t easy being green… But when it comes to following Christ, I want to be that tree. I want my leaves to always be green and bear fruit.
Are you in a “green” season? One of growth and bearing fruit? Or in a time of the drought where you are just trying to make it through one day at a time? How do you cling to God in those times? I always welcome your thoughts– leave a comment below.
Today friends, I leave you with this thought from a Godly perspective– it’s ain’t easy being that tree, always trusting in the Lord– nope, it ain’t easy being green. But being that green tree and placing our confidence in Him sure is worth it.
Growing and greening up for Jesus,
SGK
“Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” ~Genesis 9:3 NIV
Blog Niche Nada– GIVEAWAY!
Keep reading for the GIVEAWAY details! đ
Hi there compadres.
Long time no blog. (Ok. It’s only been like 10 days. But it feel like forever.)
It’s been an intense past week and a half unpacking, organizing, decorating (ish) and acclimating to our new home. We are plus or minus settled in at our humble little Washington abode (thank you, Jesus!) so it’s back to business as usual.
Well. Sorta.
Remember how in my “Brief Little Breather” post I told you that there were some exciting things coming up for 7 Days Time? Well, now you get to hear all about it… AND potentially win some cool prizes (Yes, plural!) for your very valuable input.
I’ve been praying about this for a while, and God is slowly and gently nudging me to move forward. I am one interview away from receiving my Spiritual Leadership Coaching Certification from Blackaby Ministries. (Yahoo!) That being said, things are going to shift a little bit here at 7 Days Time.
Whoa, WHOA, don’t panic!! I’m still gonna be blogging and bringing you little Jesus snippets three times per week… But I feel the call to expand and add a coaching dimension to this ministry. (With a website revamp.)
For the last 2 years and 400+ blog posts (seriously? That long and that many? Good job, Jesus!) I’ve been wondering what my “blog niche” was. You know what I mean… “They” (whoever “they” are) say that you MUST have a blogging niche to be successful… Which is sorta true-ish. Some folks blog on agriculture or homeschooling or domestic-crafty things or leadership or… etc… and they are very successful.
I, on the other hand, blog about life. The little things of everyday… how Jesus showed up and/or what lesson He is teaching me/wants me to share with you.
So for the longest time, I was convinced I didn’t have a “niche.” I was feeling a bit blog niche nada. Â I thought I just blogged on whatever. But let’s be honest. Jesus isn’t whatever.
Thus today, my friends, as I (slowly) start to make some tweaks and expansions to this ministry, I celebrate 2 years and 400+ blog posts worth of writing, plus a call to coach… And I need your help.
Right now, the “tagline” for 7 Days Time is “Limited Time. Spend it Wisely. Live for God.” I haven’t really “worked” that line lately (did you even know it existed?) and while it was sufficient for the last couple of years, things are changing up a bit.
I *think* my new tagline is going to be more active… something about finding Jesus in the everyday. But I’m stuck on what verb to use.
That’s where YOU (and the giveaway) come in.
I will be giving away TWO PRIZES! One $25 gift card to a locale/store of your choice (as long as I can access it in person or online to hook you up… AKA Target, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, the possibilities are endless.) A second lucky Jesus-lover will receive a journal and a suh-weet inky legit writing pen. (Only because I’m a nerd like that.)
So here’s how to enter… Comment below with your verb preference  of the following tagline options for 7 Days Time.
A) COACHING you to find Jesus in the everyday.
B) HELPING you find Jesus in the everyday.
C) ENCOURAGING you to find Jesus in the everyday.
D) INSPIRING you to find Jesus in the everyday.
E) None of the above…. (And leave your own suggestion.)
You can be entered multiple times… Once for leaving a comment with your “choice” of tagline verbage (make it a double entry if you tell me WHY you chose that), then again if you share on Facebook, Twitter, via email etc.. Just comment to let me know that you did.
(Sidenote: Sorry the giveaway entering isn’t nice and neat and has to be done all via commenting… but Rafflecopter doesn’t work on wordpress.com. Fun fact, right? And another reason there might be some website upgrade-age in the future.)
Oh. And the giveaway starts NOW (aka once this is posted) and ends at 12am on Sunday night/Monday morning. Â Winners will be announced on next Monday’s blog on August 19th.
So get to voting… Tell your friends. And get pumped for the new direction and Jesus adventures here at 7 Days Time!
Ready? GO! (And be blessed in the meantime!)
Many thanks (and fist bumps,)
SGK
“God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus.” ~1 Corinthians 1:8 MSG
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