Enjoying A “Spirit Led” Freedom …Too Good to Be True?

Hi ladies, as I continue to find ways to simplify and embrace a minimalist lifestyle, and share my journey with you, I’ve had to accept the reality of a consuming teaching job-nothing simple about it!

We’ve just began a new school year, and teaching these days is not at all what it used to be. The pandemic has changed how school is done; it’s way more complicated than it was.

Can you still find balance within an all-consuming career and still enjoy the joys of a simple, lighthearted life?

This is what I’ve set out to do, and what I feel led to share on this platformthe how tos of my personal experience.

Have you’ve ever wanted to add a new routine, change a habit, minimize your schedule, etc. and fall short? You’re not alone. I’ve realized that “GRIT” won’t do it.

GRIT is the theme of our school this year. And of course, our admin would like the faculty and all staff to be role models of GRIT- to have grit means you have courage and show the strength of your character.

Having courage and showing strength of character alone won’t cut it these days. Without wisdom and personal revelation from our Wise Heavenly Father, we won’t know what the best options for us are.

We are living in days that are confusing and everchanging, so calling on the God of Truth and Wisdom for help in our times of need is a crucial necessity.

So where do I find the time, energy, clarity, and revelation to simplify my life? It’s been by acknowledging my cluelessness, depending totally on God, and abiding in His presence day in and day out -period.

As I seek the help of our Helper, Companion, and Friend-The Holy Spirit of God-I seem to find a way when there is no way. I seem to flow in areas where I once seemed to get stuck and with frustration try to figure them out with human reasoning and deep thought-not enjoyable at all.

Being guided by the Holy Spirit feels childlike and so simple, that it seems too good to be true-it IS.

Lately, I’ve begun reading verses from the book of John 14:15-24, which we all read during our first encounter with the Word of God-during our first Love affair with Jesus. Here I was reminded of the works and role of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives. I thought to myself , “I need this more now than life itself.”

Then I noticed what the book of Galatians says… “I began in the Spirit”, thought it was too easy, and went back living by the “Works of the Law”. Therefore, living by rules doesn’t bring the life of joy and freedom you and I desire.

Let me stop the preaching and get back to practical ways to embrace simplicity and bring back balance to our everyday living. The following are a few steps to live in touch with the Spirit of Balance and Simplicity:

  • Sit at the feet of Jesus and learn His ways of doing things-Be a Mary not a Martha, Luke 10:38-42
  • Draw Wisdom from the Holy Spirit of God-Read Galatians 5
  • Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit for your life and needs-God’s still, small voice
  • Don’t apologize for your newfound joy and peace-shed guilt-Unmerited Favor is not earned
  • Enjoy freely the abundant life of balance and simplicity-GRACE

                           With much Love and Grace, Giselle     

Within My Plans To Blog Away My Heart, I Came Across This Beauty…

Hey guys! Being a school teacher, we’re daily consumed by the busyness, the deadlines, and the continuous giving of ourselves, so my yearning this summer break was to simply chill and publish my blog regularly. Of course, uninterrupted by morning alarms, constant distractions, and time consuming schedules. Well, guess what? My dream of lightheartedness, simple pleasures, writing, and a schedule free summer came to a halt, when I encountered this female puppy we now call Bella. She came uninvited, undesired, and unexpected, but I couldn’t resist this tiny Chiweenie with greenish, hazel eyes. You guessed it! I kept her, but within a week I was already having second thoughts about keeping her. This beautiful puppy was going to disturb my planned, fun-filled summer, full of self care, creative cooking, visits to my local island destination-Key Biscayne. She would disrupt my blogging space, which is about simplifying our lives and living a Grace-filled, spiritual walk. How can I write, be carefree, and enjoy the simple life, when I’d be continuously tending to a very lively 3 month old Chiweenie puppy? This is when God’s Grace shows up in our time of need. His Spirit picks up where I left off, by giving me the grace to patiently and joyfully tend to her, but most importantly, be a lovely addition instead of a hindrance to my “Simply Balanced” lifestyle blog project. My key verse today says, “Philippians 4:13 ESV-I can do ALL things through Him who strengthens me.”❤️

I Embraced Grace For My Struggling, Good Girl Heart…

My stumble with Grace happened a short time ago, after years of working hard to win the favor of my Heavenly Father. I learned that Grace is: the “freely” given, “unmerited” Favor and Love Of God, and the influence of the Spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them. (Dictionary.com) And all this time, I thought I had to check off all the boxes of rules and expectations that God had of me, with the goal of being loved and accepted just as I was-unconditionally. The good girl syndrome had not worked thus far. Wow, I was so relieved! Then, what Is Grace? Grace is the opposite of karma, which is all about getting what you deserve. God’s Grace is getting what you don’t deserve. Us good girls, can suffer from being too judgmental of ourselves and too obsessive-compulsive about our decisions, feelings, etc.. Our Lord wants us free and confident of receiving His Grace in our times of need. That means, forgiveness for ourselves and patience with our humanity, always trusting that His Spirit is always available to give us His help, favor, and wisdom when we don’t have it in our own power. This is so liberating! I have to thank Pastor JosephPrince.com, for eloquently presenting God’s unmerited Favor in such a “simply balanced” way.  I hope these truths hit home! Bye for now!