by Sandra Tener | Mar 19, 2020 | 21 Day of Connection Resources, Connect to Yourself, Connection
Hey everyone, I know I missed a day already in my
goal to produce 21 Connection Blogs in 21 days.
I am a big believer that we need more GRACE in our world. GRACE for each
other & GRACE for ourselves. So I will chose to model the principle that GRACE isn’t
just for others. I think I’ll switch my
goal to 21 blogs over the next month ?.
We are all in uncharted waters, and things are
changing daily. Please my dear sisters
& brothers have GRACE 1st for yourself & then for those around you as
we figure out how to keep moving forward.
Let’s encourage each other by getting honest. What is one thing that you need to give yourself grace for today?
by Sandra Tener | Mar 18, 2020 | 21 Day of Connection Resources, Connect to God, Connect to Yourself |
As our world continues to rapidly change around us it is easy to start to feel overwhelmed. It is important for us to be self aware enough to have systems in place that help us to snap out of the spiral of anxiety and growing fears.
In the study guide for “The Road Back To You” authors Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile introduce the concept of SNAP. It is a quick and simple way to redirect our thinking and become more aware of God’s presence in the here & now.
Stop – for a few minutes to consciously come home to yourself and to God. Take four or five deep, prayerful breaths to ground yourself in your body and return to the present moment.
Notice – what is going on around you & in you. Are things around you calm or chaotic? How are you relating to what is going on? How are other people responding to you? Are you in a good space or using reactive behaviors? Observe what you are feeling. At this point don’t label, or analyze, simply notice.
Ask – now that you are awake to the present moment & what is happening, ask yourself a few questions that will help get you back on track if you need it.
- What am I believing right now?
- How does it make me feel?
- Is it true?
- Who would I be if I let go of that belief?
Pivot – now that you’ve become more self-aware you are freed up to make different, healthier, more spiritual choices that line up with your true self rather than defaulting to your autopilot responses.
What SNAP does is help us to interrupt our self-limiting thoughts, feelings and actions associated with our personality. It helps us to wake up to God’s presence and sovereignty in the moment. It can be done anywhere and anytime. You can devote a few quick minutes several times a day or a week long retreat to this process. It takes some practice, but it can tremendously increase your self-awareness while decreasing fear and anxiety.
Do you have a go to verse or quote for when you are feeling overwhelmed? What other actions help you overcome your fears? Share your thoughts in the comments below. I’ll continue to add your input to the following Pinterest Board. Watch the list grow & come back often for encouragement.
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by Sandra Tener | Mar 16, 2020 | 21 Day of Connection Resources, Connect to Others |
Are you already stressing about what you are going to do
with your kids on their “extended spring break” while practicing Social
Distancing?
A new routine (or lack there of) is sure to cause some
amount of stress in every home. You are
not a bad parent because your kids are getting on your nerves or driving you
crazy saying they’re bored. There is
safety & security in the pattern of our routines, for both children &
adults. And when those routines get
interrupted, everyone feels a little less secure.
Grace & planning are going to be your friends during
this time. Give yourself, & everyone
around you, the grace of time to figure things out. Things won’t be perfect on the first
day.
Sit down together and make a plan. Take some time to hear each person’s concerns
& fears and address them. If your
child’s biggest concern is missing friends, consider giving them a certain amount
of facetime to stay connected.
Spend some time clarifying expectations. Establish some structure to your days by
setting specific times to read, play games, study, do a craft project, watch
TV, eat lunch. Maybe even make a
schedule to put on the fridge. This way
everyone knows what to expect & you can find new security in new patterns
& routine.
Maybe specific times sounds too restrictive for your
household. Then don’t assign times but make
a list of say 3 things we want to do today.
We want to complete homework, make lunch together & read a book. Then have a reward at the end if they all get
accomplished that day. Make it work for
your household & the people in it.
Remember that keeping your family healthy through social
distancing does not mean you are alone or without resources. I’ve been seeing some amazing options popping
up all over social media. Help me build
a compiled list for easy reference by jumping over to
EmbracingConnection.com/blog. Watch the
list grow & come back often for fresh ideas.
I’ve been seeing some amazing options popping up all over social media. Help me build a compiled list for easy reference by sharing your resources in the comments below. I’ll continue to add your suggestions to the Pinterest Board so you can easily search for ideas when you need them. Watch the list grow & come back often for fresh ideas.
by Sandra Tener | Mar 14, 2020 | Connect to God, Connection |
No matter if it is the Coronavirus, upset stomach, migraine or a bad hair day that is keeping you home on a Sunday morning it doesn’t mean you have to miss church. Actually it opens up an incredible number of possibilities. Today’s technology allows you to live stream services from all over the world. Most will allow you to rewind to catch that scripture verse you missed or even pause for bathroom breaks. And if you get there late, no one will know!
Streaming church services does not replace the connection we feel sitting next to, praying next to, or shaking hands with our church family. But it does provide us with a God connection. It can help us to maintain the discipline of setting time aside to prioritize our faith. Praising, renewing & growing our connection with The Savior. And who knows, it may make you miss & appreciate your home church a little more.
So if you are home on your couch this week, don’t just skip church. Try something different. Watch a friends church. Watch the church of a Christian author you enjoy. Or randomly pick one from the comments below.
If your church steams your services post the link below in the comments with your service times. Or maybe you already have a service or two that you like to watch on line for a mid week lift, please share them below.
