Yes, Lord, Yes is Not Just a Song 11-25-25

Going to bed last night (at 10:30) and waking up this morning, the thoughts in my head are of repeated failure and repentance – again. Getting back from multiple errands yesterday, while listening to some great teaching on how to walk in obedience and defeat sin by walking in the love of God, I made dinner, watched a TV program with my husband and … spent 4 hours scrolling again.

The information I promised to send to a friend earlier in the day is still unsent. The exercise I said I wanted to start was half-heartedly attempted when some of the reels that came up got me off the couch for a few minutes. There are still dishes in the sink. The book study that begins December 1 is not yet announced and posted. I spent zero time yesterday cleaning or organizing anything in the house and I am having Thanksgiving dinner here in now two days. And I’m going to be gone a good portion of the day today. The temptation to feel condemned is pretty strong right now. But that’s not going to change any of these things.

As I wake up, reviewing the day, confessing my refusal to listen to that still, small voice at 7:30, 8:10, 9:15 and one more time at 10:05 to put my phone down and finally getting ready for bed at 10:18 (yes, that many times) and what could have been done, still needing to be taken care of this morning, I remember another part of a teaching on how to pray by Dan Mohler yesterday. Instead of condemning myself, complaining, and whining – ok, not instead of. After starting to beat myself up and repenting for wasting precious time, I’m changing my starting point. Not praying from condemnation, need or crisis, but in gratitude, affirming God’s love and moving forward in that faith. “I do love You Lord and I want to walk with You – all day today, I thank You for Your correction and for empowering me to walk in Your purposes for me today.” The ideas pop into my head for the announcement, reading James 1 – 5 in the 5 days we have left in November, oh, yeah, the downloaded papers I need to send are in this file, and prayer dock is in 2 hours. But first, “I thank You Lord that because of You, I CAN walk in Your light and not waste time today. I can rest in You AND do what needs doing. I CAN go for a walk today, get the remaining things I need for pie day and Thanksgiving, clean another part of the house and send what needs sending, as an act of worship, and move forward. Yes. I can.”

Some of the words in Paul’s epistles pop into my head: “Pray continually”, “Look out for the interests of others”, “whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not for men”… “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” “Yes, Lord, Yes” isn’t just a song. It’s renewing my mind so I can be transformed, know Him better, live in a way that doesn’t hold regrets for things undone, and enjoy every waking, breathing moment of purpose and rest. Scrolling can’t replace that. Nothing can. It’s not about avoiding defeat. It’s about loving God back, because He loves me first. And then releasing that love to the people around me – purposefully, intentionally, consistently as He opens the doors and creates the opportunities to do that. A new day in You, with new mercies and compassions that never fail… here we go!