Restore Issue 14: July 2023

By contributor Rachael Adams

from my heart to yours

I’m a word girl, always have been. So much so that I subscribe to the Merriam-Webster word of the day email. �� (Today’s word was abscond, in case you were wondering.)

Because words matter so much to me, I carefully choose each word/theme for each issue of Restore Magazine. This month, it’s flourish.

Here’s the definition, according to Merriam-Webster:

flourish: verb

to grow luxuriantly: thrive to achieve success: prosper; to be in a state of activity or production; to reach a height of development or influence to make bold and sweeping gestures

It’s around this time of the summer where we might not feel like we’re flourishing. Maybe we’re tired of the heat. Maybe our kids are bored and needy. Or perhaps we’re running them all over town to camps and activities. Our homes might be overflowing with laundry and suitcases because of trips we’re planning for or have recently returned from.

Summer is wonderful, but it can be a lot. If you’re feeling a little bit wilted and weary right now, know you’re not alone.

I pray this issue will be the rain shower you need to help you thrive this month. May it help you find your way back to flourishing.

Question of the Month:

Who or what helps you flourish?

Friends who listen and help problem solve when you're ready for that step.

Joelle Hodson

Long random conversations with friends, worship team, pouring into my voice students and seeing them grow, and my prayer group where we constantly keep up with each other day by day.

Tabby Burt

“May the LORD cause you to flourish, both you and your children.

May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth..”

Just Begin

by Rachael Adams

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10a NLT

Our dreams can feel lofty, overwhelming, and unattainable, so we quit before we even begin. Or we expect results instantaneously, so when we don’t see evidence of our effort, we assume we don’t have what it takes. Or we wonder whether perhaps we started with the wrong goal to begin with.

The devil wants us to stay stuck in this struggle. He wins when we give up and stop chasing the dreams and goals God has put on our hearts. But the good news is, we have God on our side working in and through us. And even He works little by little. In Genesis, He could have created the world in an instant, but He chose to create it a day at a time and to rest on the seventh. Throughout the Bible, His rescue, provision, and sanctification also occurred little by little.

Since this was the case for God, more often than not, our progress happens gradually too. But slow, small progress is still progress. The key for us is to be patient and persevere, not comparing where we are to where others are or where we want to be but rather being content and trusting that God is guiding us every step of the way.

The prophet Zechariah encourages us in this regard. A remnant of Jews who had returned to Judah to rebuild the temple and their nation were disheartened when they realized this new temple would not match the size and splendor of the previous temple built during King Solomon’s reign. Zechariah gave the people encouragement from God by saying,

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (4:10, NLT).

Zechariah was trying to communicate to them that it wasn’t even necessarily about what they were building, but what was important was that the presence of God was on the inside of the temple. It was about the heart, motive, and purpose of what they were building. The same is true for us.

Whatever you are working toward and building, simply be faithful to keep going no matter how small or slow your progress may seem. Remember, the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.

Reflection:

What is God asking you to begin or begin again today?

What little step can you take today?

Let’s Pray:

Father, thank You for rejoicing when I begin. Forgive me for the times I’ve quit. Help me to persevere and believe that You are working in and through me little by little. Remind me that although I start at the beginning, You have a beautiful ending in store. Amen.

Author of A Little Goes a Long Way* and host of The Love Offering podcast, Rachael Adams hopes to help women realize their God-given purpose and significance.

She and her husband, Bryan, run a family business and farm in Kentucky with their two children, Will and Kate, and two dogs.

Her work has been featured on GMA, Crosswalk, iBelieve, Today Parenting, and YouVersion.

Connect with her by visiting rachaelkadams.com, by searching @rachaeladamsauthor on social media, and by tuning in to The Love Offering podcast every Tuesday on your favorite listening platform

JOMO vs FOMO

by Andrea Fortenberry

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

1 Corinthians 4:12 NIV

A year or two ago, I was texting with a friend about how she was really bummed about missing our church's women's retreat . They were closing on a house that week and would be moving in over the weekend, so it just wasn’t the best time for her to get away. She said she had major FOMO about it all.

FOMO, the fear of missing out, is a real thing. But so is JOMO. Have you heard of it?

I heard about it on two different podcasts around that time and told my friend about it: it’s the joy of missing out.

Right now it’s summer, which means you’re likely scrolling your social media feed and seeing pictures of everyone on their vacations. It’s fun isn’t it? But it can also make us compare and feel a little jealous of all the fun things other people are doing that we’re not.

Instead of feeling FOMO, let’s turn it into JOMO! Let’s remember that there really is joy in missing out sometimes.

I can think of two times within the past year that I wasn’t invited to something and was totally bummed. Seeing the pictures on social media all weekend reminded me that I had not been invited.

But when I really thought about it, the schedule included activities that I wouldn’t enjoy and would feel uncomfortable either having to decline or reluctantly go along with. While it would have been nice to receive an invite, the JOMO eventually outweighed my FOMO.

The next time we’re feeling envious of someone else’s fun vacation, home, new car, etc., we can remember that there’s joy for us in missing out on those things.

Perhaps you’re doing more of a staycation for summer break (aka staying at home) and you can find joy in not having to run around like a crazy woman preparing for all the things your family needs to do for an out-of-town trip. You can find joy in not spending a lot of money for a vacation. Maybe staying close to home is just what everyone in your family needs this year.

The next time you see that your friends went out and didn’t invite you or you couldn’t make it because of your schedule, focus on the joy you experienced doing whatever you were doing. When someone gets that thing you think you want, look around and be grateful and joyful about the things you have. We can choose joy in the here and now, friends.

I believe we can both celebrate what our friends are doing and enjoy what we’re doing (or not doing). Let’s replace our FOMO with JOMO!

What's New on the Podcast

This summer, tune into our Body & Soul Summer Series! I have some amazing episodes for you.

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