no strings attached
I am like a puppet. The best image I can think of to describe it is one of those marionettes, or puppets that have strings attached to them and everything about that puppet is controlled by those strings.
I realized I had quite a few strings controlling me.
One day I started thinking about it and imagined how many of my strings have power over me. If God is the puppeteer of my life, how effective can I be all tangled up like that with so much pulling me in so many directions.
How many of those strings are good and beneficial? What things am I doing just because someone asked? What do I really enjoy? What allows me to spend time with my family? What would Jesus want me to do? What strings frustrate me, or make me uncomfortable? What takes up too much time or wastes too much time?
It was a wake-up call to realize I am a YES girl. I show up because I feel like I have to show up. I say yes because I feel like I have to say yes. I do many things that I don’t even enjoy. I smile when I don’t feel like it. I say I am fine, hope you are and I keep going. I stay busy and I am rarely still.
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
So, I started to see things that take any of my time away from God, my family, or work and I thought of them as strings. I saw how wrapped up I was in all of those strings, some tied really tight. I saw in many ways how those strings controlled me. It was a constant pull on me to go, do, be – on stage all the time…new audience, new performance. Don’t get caught without your make-up! Lights, camera, action! You are on!
I knew right away that I should cut some of those strings. I knew God was asking me to cut those strings. I knew it would be hard for me. I didn’t want to disappoint, and the hardest part was having to answer why. The hardest part has always been answering why…. just say yes, nod your head and do it, and you don’t have to explain why you may be uncomfortable, or may not want to and what does that mean, and what will happen?
I would think of a string and ask myself is this what God asked me to do? Did I pray and seek Him? Does it honor Him? Does it afford me time with or away from my family? Little by little I began to see each string as a rope that was squeezing the life out of me. So I cut each string, one by one…a few are still dangling because of commitments that will end very soon. And then, I will take a deep breath and rest.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
I will use this time to slow down and enjoy my blessings. I will read books that will minister to my heart.
I will take the time to smell the flowers. I will marvel at their beauty realizing that this season won’t be forever. Like the leaves of fall, I am just changing.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born, and a time to die
a time to plant, and a time to uproot
a time to kill, and a time to heal
a time to tear down, and a time to build
a time to weep, and a time to laugh
a time to mourn, and a time to dance
a time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing
a time to search, and a time to give up
a time to keep, and a time to throw away
a time to tear, and a time to mend
a time to be silent, and a time to speak
a time to love, and a time to hate
a time for war, and a time for peace.
I will cut the strings for this season, and when my arms and legs are free I will look up to the Master puppeteer, My Jesus, and let him hold me and enjoy His sweet fellowship and company. No performance, just the comfort of His joy and peace.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart.
I will offer each string up to him and say tie to me what you would have me do, and forgive me for all the times I say Yes without seeking you first. Lead me.
Psalm 31:3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and
guide me.
guide me.
Psalm 43:3 Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.
Psalm 143:10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God, may your good spirit lead me on level ground.
It’s okay to be a yes girl, when the one you say yes to is Jesus!
James 4:7-10 The Message
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.
