After encouraging my short legged, exploratory wiener dog to “walk Abby walk”; “run Abby run”…she finally decides a little exercise wouldn’t hurt and develops her sensory overload sniffing excursion into a mild jog, allowing me to get in a steady walk (although not brisk)!
We turn the corner and approach the house of a familiar dog who barks incessantly each time we pass by…her squeals would make anyone think she was injured and in pain! She beckons to us as her little heart desires to run freely for a moment of much needed attention - but her memory tells her that if she steps over that boundary of the dreaded invisible fence, she will experience a shock which she would rather not feel.
Her agonizing cries of longing continue as we pass her by (all the time, I talk to her…”it’s o.k. baby – we wish could come and play with you too! It’s o.k.”)
Her excitement suddenly turns to calm as some familiar scent calls out to her and she wanders over to sniff the grounds, still within the parameters of her confines.
I glance back over my shoulder to see that she sits quietly now, resigned to the life she’s destined to on her side of the invisible boundary.
My mind starts connecting the dots to those moments of my own resignations throughout life; when I’ve placed an invisible fence around my heart.
How often do we succumb to resignation when something in the back of our minds (“could it be…satan?”) says... “this is it -- life stinks -- there is no reason to try -- why bother -- just go back to your comfort zone where it’s safe -- the world doesn’t really need your input", etc!
Yet doesn’t it make your heart feel like yelping - -
“NO, there IS much more life to be experienced beyond this invisible fence”!!!
If only I could step out side of the comfort zone and grab hold of the freedom which is waiting there... It feels so close, yet so far…
If I try, I might fail - but if I don’t try, I’ll never know! What would be worse? Then the fear of being shocked and hurt again keeps me locked inside my boundary. I settle into a familiar place where I know I won’t be harmed….RESIGNATION!
Webster says: “Resignation: act of quitting or giving up. The feeling that something unpleasant is going to happen and cannot be changed."
“We accepted the news with resignation." "A sigh of resignation.”
I define it as a lack of desire; or a desire stifled by a voice (a voice warring to steal our hearts from God) which daunts:
“You can’t!
You never will!
You’re not good enough!"
But….Guess what?!
T h e v o i c e i s a L i e !
Do not sigh…Rise up from your slumber and try!
You were created for a special glory,
Keep your head up high!
There is a place for you…
No-one else can fill,
A place of belonging - within God’s will,
To do…
What He created you to do…
A place that sets you free,
To be...
What He created you to be!
So don't resign...
Get up and live!
You’ve been designed…
With a gift to give!
Don’t doubt…believe!
Don’t sit…retrieve!The fence is invisible,
It can’t keep you bound…
The lie is inadmissible
There is glory to be found…Grab hold -- of Him -- and live!
(written by Lorraine Brown, copyright 2011)
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23 comments:
What a good word!!
Love this post and the truth therein!!!
Your poem is life-giving!
Deborah xoxo
Excellent post you have truly inspired me!! So very poignant....
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xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Another master piece. I love your words of encouragement. My hubby can really benefits from reading this now so I'm going to send him your blog link. :) Thank you so much for sharing.
Amy
xoxoxo
This is just awesome...a very timely word for me and another confirmation of the truth that our pastor preached on last night....both go hand in hand. I loved this...wow, I think God is telling me something loud and clear. Thanks for sharing.
Oh by the way at church last night one of the songs was "I Surrender All"....
Now I need to step again outside my comfort zone and live!! Thanks so much what a great way to start my day.
Such a beautiful way to start the day, reading this is a great reminder for all of us. So many times we let doubt stop us from reaching our full potential.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words.
-Gina-
Very good message! And the illustration is great. How many times do we let fear or some other invisible fence keep us from accomplishing more?
Also: I like this song you have on here (Don't fence me in)! Has to be Willie Nelson, right?
Such beautiful words of wisdom...Life does begin at the end of your comfort zone, when you realize that there is more to life then just waking up in the morning and everything is catered to your needs by the ones who love you, take care of you, and comfort you. Sometimes, God takes you out of that "realm" and makes you an independent person who must chose to either "sink" or "swim."
Life does throw some mysterious curves our way sometimes to make us realize why we are here on this earth, and not always think of only ourselves, but to serve others, as well!!!
Ah, Lorraine, these words come at a perfect time. I've had a very hard time with, of all things, our church lately. I'm so tempted to just give up and look for another instead of continuing to press forward and fit in here. Thank you, my friend.
Great post, Lorraine! It's neat to find a fellow blogger who is inspired by her pets. Love your poem! Thanks for stopping by Life Lessons! I appreciate your sweet words of encouragement. Precious seems no worse for her little 'adventure' and appears to be quite happy in her 'bark park'(which is surrounded by an invisible fence!). Have a beautiful week listening for the clear direction of the Master and following His call for your life. God bless!
GREAT song, and this poem...sigh....it awakens the soul! The only thing more tragic than "the lie" itself is the life that we live (or don't live) because of it....
YOU SPEAK TRUTH SISTER!
I love the simple quote, life begins at the end of your comfort zone. So much around me has become comfortable. This is a one-liner worth giving out again and again. I know it's been a while, but I am glad I stopped by!
Such a great message, Lorraine! I think many of us need to focus on this daily...thanks for the inspirational words~
My dog has an invisible fence connected to a physical fence, yet he routinely takes the hit to jump, given the right motivation on the other side. You inspire me to think more like my Jackson. :)
What he created you to be...
A place that sets you free...
Love that!
Good to hear your voice today.
I love this picture! I talk to kids and women all the time about fences in setting appropriate boundaries, but I love this idea of invisible fences! Thank you so much. It's one more word picture to tuck away in my mind.
Oh girlfriend.. I was at the fence line for many of years.. in EVERY area.. of life..
I watched from a distant soooooo much,,i gave into satans lie toooo.. I wanted to lead a womens bible study, and I felt God telling me to do it,,but Satan was quick to remind me of my past..and that everyone knew my past,and the problems I had had in my marriage, and what kinda woman did i think i was, that any woman would even want to listen to what I had to say.. but I stepped over the invisible fence and it was AWESOME.. I had the best time leading womans bible study,,and we had a very large class...and then I started blogging and woman started feeling encouraged when they saw what I had been through and that with Jesus there was HOPE...Now in all areas of my life.. I no longer watch from the corners of the yard,, I want to be front and center.. I dont want to miss a single thing God has placed infront of me to miss its enjoyment, or the oppurtinity to share my MESS and turn it into Gods MESSAGE... For I come to bring you life.. life abundant.. (not confind to a invisible fence).. Love ya girl..thanks for a wonderful post as usuall.. love the poem...
loved this! SO encouraging =]
Aaaah, that definitely touched on something for me. I too often come across an invisible fence in my life that keeps me from growth. For me it is often a fear of failure. I really needed to hear this today as I have been pondering a directional change in my life. There is no opportunity cost, just the chance of humiliation if I fail. Sorry if I'm being to abstract but this is just what I needed to hear today. Thank you!
Amen, Amen, and Amen, that was amazing. We should not let our fear keep us from what God has for us. I love that quote about life beginning, when you step out of your comfort zone. Thanks for sharing. I so needed to hear this.
I love this, Lorraine! I just wrote a similar devotional to crack the whip on everyone. But I need to preach it to myself once in a while.
Your story about ambling Abby made me laugh out loud. Our Otis is old, and can only make it a few blocks now. I'm old too - but I still feel like running...well, maybe not running, but walking briskly!
I love your posts! This was so encouraging. I really don't like it when the enemy tries to steal our courage! God always allows us hope when all hope is gone and we don't have to listen to the lies because the truth and the only truth is our weapon! :)
You are so right! Comfort zones are often so very difficult to break out of. I guess it all boils down to a lack of faith and not trusting God.
Exactly! Grab hold of Him and Live! That is why the voice which tells us there is no use trying is not the voice of God. He came so that we would have life and life abundant!
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
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