Friday, April 22, 2011

We Settle

Post by Amanda Torres
I don't see a way out.  We settle.

I'm not sure I can find something better.  We settle.

It's the best I can do.  We settle.

I'm not sure I can pull this off.  We settle.

I really want to do this, but I there's no way to get it done.  We settle.

We settle.  We settle.  We settle.

Maybe I'm only speaking from my own experiences here, but I have a feeling it's human nature to settle.  It's in our nature to cut ourselves short.  It's in our nature to doubt our abilities.  It's in our nature to see what we can't do instead of what we could do.  Is it just my nature here?

Let me rephrase that...

Was it in my nature?  I can recall so many times I settled because my little mind couldn't wrap around a solution to whatever I was facing.  I didn't see a way to quit my job.  I didn't see a way to move into a larger house.  I didn't see a way to reach other people.  I didn't see my place in this world.  All of these things crossed my mind.  Then I started getting serious about losing the focus of me, and putting the focus in my relationship with God. 

Now when I come against something that doesn't allow me to see a humanly way to fix it, I focus on what God can do.  Since He can do anything, it relieves my tension.  Suddenly, I'm not settling anymore.  I'm hoping for something big.  A lot of times the answer is small, but the result is big.  Here's a case in point.

Since quitting my job two years ago, we've lived on a pretty tight budget.  Our entertainment budget went way down.  Steven and I were completely okay with that.  Okay until we wanted our kids to become involved in physical activities. I didn't see a way this was possible.  I could only see the amount it was going to cost to put two kids in a sport, and the money wasn't there to do it.  I was about to settle, and accept that we wouldn't be able to do sports this season. 

Thank goodness I didn't!  Instead of settling, I prayed.  I just asked God for a way the kids would be able to participate without breaking the bank.  The answer came within a month. 

A former cheerleader I coached emailed and asked if I would be willing to teach a few gymnastics classes during the week.  I was interested.  I love working with kids and I love gymnastics.  I called the director.  After getting the details I asked if it were possible for me to work in place of my kids tuition.  Her answer..."The kids make one class each for free if you are a teacher." 
 
It's been almost a year now that I've worked at Almighty Gymnastics.  The kids love it.  They're learning the basics of every sport...balance, coordination, strength, flexibility...and I get to keep my paycheck.  Better than that, I've had an opportunity to sow seeds in other boys and girls that are in my classes.  A double blessing.

So before you're about to settle.  Stop.  Ask for help.  You'll get an answer.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

I can attest that this verse is true.  If you've got a burning desire in your heart that's pure.  It's there for a reason.  Don't settle!  There's something big awaiting you.  Now, go enjoy your day.  Expect great things.  Over and out.
 
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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thank you Amanda for the post! It really hit home with me this morning. I have settled so many times cause I didnt think I could do something or accomplish it. The last 4 months have been a life changing experiance for me and I am not settling anymore or think I can't do something. I have accomplished more in those months and STUCK WITH IT then I EVER have in my 36 yrs on this earth. With God's help I can do anything he allows me to do. Anyway sorry for the long comment, just felt the need to share. :-) oh yea and my weight this week was 158.4- Misty