How often are you letting the "Son-Shine" in your life?
Do you ever have those days?
The days where things just do not seem to be going right? Maybe a cake flopped? Or overflowed in the oven? A co-worker said or did something that made you angry. Your spouse didn't pick up the slack around the house. You didn't get something done by your deadline. Someone else got a better deal than you did. That list could keep going on and on with all the things that could happen.
I have to be honest...I have those days in my life too!
It's easy to let the things in this life get you down. We can very easily fall into that bad habit of comparing our life to someone else's "perfect" life and wishing we could be more like them or have what they have.
A few weeks ago I was sitting at the kitchen table doing some work. Ok, I was really surfing through Pinterest looking at different pictures from some pretty awesome bloggers. That doesn't see to be a problem...at first.
Where the problem started was when I started comparing myself and my pictures to those "perfect" ones. That thinking started to spiral out of control pretty quickly when I jumped on Facebook and saw how others pages were doing so much better than my own. That starts the whole debate of why? Why am I doing all this work and not seeing results? Why am I not at the same place others are, and I started before them? Why this? Why that?
You can see how this type of thinking starts to get out of control pretty quickly!!
When I finally got a hold of myself and realized what a bad attitude I was in, I also noticed that I had not opened my curtains in our room that morning.
You see our house is situated so that all the light and sun comes streaming in the back windows where our room is. With the curtains open, this room is the brightest spot in the whole house. Our room is also just off the dining room/kitchen, so that light spills out there, so I can see it as I work.
Most mornings I open our bedroom curtains, and enjoy a cup of coffee while I do my quiet time. And you know what? Those days I am more grounded. I am more at peace with myself and others. Things don't bother me because I know that God has my back and will provide everything I need...when I need it. That's the key!
1 Peter 3:4 "Your beauty should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."
I realized that along with not opening the curtains, I had gotten into a bad routine of doing my work first, and then getting to my quiet times later in the day...if I even did them. My priorities were way off balance.
At that point I knew I needed a huge reset! I pulled those curtains back and watched the light shine into the room, and all of a sudden I had a revelation. My life with God is just like that curtain and light. If I open my heart up to Him each morning, He will let his Son shine truth in me and through me.
Too often I let the cares of this world cloud my life. I keep those "curtains" pulled closed because other things become more important to me.
Mark 4:19 "But the worries about this life, the love for riches, and all other kinds of desires crowd in and choke the message, and they do not bear fruit."
I do not want my life to be consumed with thoughts on how to become the best of the best, on how to increase my paycheck, or how to get ahead in life. Because really in the end, does any of that matter?
My life should reflect God and all His truths to those around me. I need to remember that I am Second. I need to be more concerned with sharing Christ through my actions and attitudes when things go wrong. Or how can I be a blessing to those around me just by being gentle and quiet.
There is great value in just being still and not always doing. In the world today, too many people have bought into the thinking that we need to be completely successful in life.
And to be honest, there is nothing wrong with being successful! I think the danger is how you get to the top of that success list AND how satisfied are you with what you have been given. Along with that, how do you help others with what you have?
Matthew 6:33 "Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what He requires of you, and He will provide you with all these other things."
My thoughts and prayers are that each day I take time letting the "Son-Shine" in and through my life. Opening those curtains of darkness and having that quiet time of letting God speak to me is (and needs to be) more important than anything else.
I want my life to reflect Christ in everything I do!!
Matthew 5:16 "In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven."
Kelli Kane
In a world where people are often scared or too intimidated to speak of God, I thank you Jocelyn for not being scared to share Christ with the world 🙂 I've had this blog saved in my email for quite some time and I open it up every now and again when I need to be reminded to let the Sonshine in. Thank you for posting it, and thank you for being you!!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much Kelli! It makes me smile knowing that God is using blog posts like these in people's lives. I am encouraged to share more knowing that you have read it more than one time as a reminder in your own life! Thank you for letting me know!!!
Jenna
This is so great! I just got around to reading this post this morning, and it is a perfect start to the week! I have never heard the "Son-Shine" saying before, but everyone should live by that! It is very refreshing to read a food blog that ties in faith! Thanks for not holding back.
Jocelyn
Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed my ramblings on what I'm learning and how I'm struggling. It is great to hear that others enjoy this type of post here and there, even though I'm mostly a food blog!
Cakespy
Very sweet and refreshing post, Jocelyn. I admire you and your ability to speak your truth and to make sure that you are in things for the right reasons. <3
Jocelyn
Thank you so much!!! Sometimes it is hard to push publish on things like this because I never know what others might think. But then I realize it doesn't matter what they think because I know I'm following God's leading to share what I'm learning!!!
Andrea D
Thank you for this Jocelyn - LOVED it! btw, I don't always read your recipes (but keep them) but I ALWAYS read the columns when you are sharing from the hearts. Keep them comin. so!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much for stopping by. It is so good to hear that these type of posts are welcome and looked for. I'm sure God will keep prompting my heart to share things I'm learning.
Margo
God is faithful!
Jocelyn
Amen and Hallelujah!!!
Glory/Glorious Treats
Beautiful post! Thanks for the important reminders! As a silly side note, growing up I lived on a street that my parents had the first house on, so they got to name the street and they named it "Sonshine Lane" =)
Jocelyn
Thank you so much, Glory! Sometimes God keeps bringing things up and telling me to share them with others. I hope they are an encouragement! And too funny about that street...I have never seen it anywhere else!
Sara
What a lovely reminder! Thank you for sharing it!
Jocelyn
You are very welcome! And thank you so much for stopping by and reading my thoughts and reflections!
Maureen Blackburn
You always find your way back to where you need to be, and sharing your journey is an inspiration worth so very much more than the best recipe out there.......of course, I know you DO have the best recipes ever!!!!!!!!!!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much! Sometimes God just puts some thoughts and reflections on my heart and tells me to share them. I resist most times, but in the end I follow through because I can't shake the feeling. He knows what He is doing more than I do, that's for sure!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
I needed to read this today. Thank you! Also, love that verse in Peter. It's always been a fave of mine.
Jocelyn
I am so glad it could be an encouragement to you, Ashley. It's easy in the job that we have to compare and get discouraged, but God gives us what we need for the moment, so all we need to do is trust in Him. That verse is one of my favorites too 🙂
Mary Beth
Jocelyn, thank you for your musings about yourself in Christ! We can always lift each other up in encouragement when we share what we know and even our slacking in our spiritual lives. How refreshing to hear scriptures and thoughts from 'someone just like me!' I am speaking to myself, too, when I say that we cannot refrain from spending time with God to renew & get fresh perspectives on ourselves with no interruptions!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much! I am so happy that my ramblings about what God is teaching me can help and encourage others who might be in the same situation.
Beth
I have a lot of those days too! Everybody is happier, smarter, more organized, more motivated and the list can go on and on and on! I absolutely love your blog and appreciate all the hard work and dedication you put into it! Thank you for such a heart-warming and inspiring post. May God bless you and your family!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much for reading the ramblings of my heart! Some days I just feel compelled to share what is on my heart, and I hope God uses it to help others struggling just like I do.
Joanne
This is a beautiful post, and these words said it all: There is great value in just being still and not always doing. I learned years ago not to compare myself to others. Everyday, I count my blessings and thank God for my wonderful husband and family. I have been blessed with a very nice life and for that I am thankful. You have a beautiful family, too!
Jocelyn
Counting your blessings each and every morning is a great way to get your focus right for the day! Love this!
Melanie | Melanie Makes
So well said, J - and always worth pausing to remember!
Jocelyn
Thank you, Melanie! It's definitely something I always have to stop and remember each morning!
Vicki
I was having that very discussion (with myself!) this morning! (I blew it this morning.) Once I let my mind begin thinking about my plans for the day, I can't seem to concentrate on my reading or praying, etc. My quiet time REALLY needs to come first. Even when I have that time the first thing in the morning, I keep a notepad next to my things so that when, out of the blue, my mind remembers something I need to do later, I can quickly jot it down and then I can let go of it!
You do such a fantastic job. I really get excited when I see your email pop up!! Your pictures and recipes are great!!! Thank you so much for sharing and putting smiles on so many faces!
Jocelyn
What a great idea to have a pen and paper handy to jot the "must do's" down and then let them go until later. My goal lately has been to do my reading first thing before touching the computer and phone. It definitely helps set the tone for the day so much better when I'm focused on God first!
And thank you so much for loving my posts. It made my day to think about how others enjoy getting them in their inboxes 🙂
Vicki
...a big YES to "before touching the computer and phone"!!!!
Clyde
Insightful thoughts Jocelyn. There are usually two things that happen when we compare ourselves to others, neither is desirable. If we think that we are better, we become prideful. If we think of ourselves as less than another, we believe that we are inadequate or imperfect. Neither of these is God’s plan for our lives.
Jocelyn
I whole heartedly agree with your two points! It's easy to let ourselves compare and then get upset with how life looks for us. God wants us to be thankful and happy with what He has chosen for us.
Shelly
Thanks Jocelyn! This is a good reminder for all of us!
Jocelyn
I'm glad you enjoyed the ramblings from my heart!
Ellen
Beautiful and inspiring post! I think we all need to be reminded to keep our priorities straight. Thank-you!
Jocelyn
Thank you! It's so easy to get distracted and get our priorities out of order!