I just finished the book, The Best Yes, by Lysa Terkeurst. Having the patience to read a book (that doesn't just have pictures) is quite the accomplishment for me, let alone finish a book...doesn't happen very often. But this book had so much wisdom and everyday practicality in it, along with being very entertaining...I just kept reading!
Maybe it helped that the cover matched my newly made seat covers, with it's charcoal, aqua and white cover, or the artistic, chalk art-style font? Probably...aesthetics always help me out. It's why Mr. Fix-it created a budget spreadsheet on pink paper and a calligraphy font for me:( Don't know if it helped in that area.
Lysa just hits the nail on the head in this book. Life is full of decision-making. It's so hard to determine what's best...with big decisions and small. And when we say yes too much, it not only can send us in the wrong direction, it can make us miserable in our attitudes, which in turn affects everyone around us.
My highlighter was working overtime as I was reading. Let me share just a portion of some of my underlined passages, so you get a sampling:
Lysa makes the statement that most of us operate from "Other people's requests dictate the decisions we make." We end up living "reactive lives instead of proactive." Sounds a little like salivating dogs from psychology, but it's true. Many times what we're doing is based on what others around us are asking us to do...kids, parents, friends, spouse's, work, church. The demands totally fill up our days, and is that what we're really supposed to be accomplishing? She gives a little list of some dreams that may be lurking in your head:
Lysa explains that she looked at how she spent every minute of her day. She came up with 3.5 hours that she had to choose to follow her internal heart passion if it was ever to come to fruition. "Instead of waiting for the time to get started to simply appear one day, we need to be intentional with scheduling it." She gives an example of turning down a friend's playdate at McDonalds, to instead stay home and write. She is now a New York Times bestselling author.
Lysa makes this decision-making process practical. She breaks it down in bite-size chunks, encouraging the reader to analyze their motivations and hindrances.
So many times, saying no feels selfish. Lysa talks through how saying a "simple no", can be best for the other person, and for yourself.
She talks about gathering knowledge and insight, which will bring about discernment in making decisions. Prayer, God's Word, and Wise Counsel are all involved. She then talks about moving forward. There's usually not a beacon of light focused on what you should do, unfortunately. Many times it's a good/good decision. Neither one is wrong...it's just what's the best yes for your life and what God wants to do with you.
I really appreciated her focus on our attitude, "My attitude of love must be fiercely guarded when considering adding activities. My attitude of love must not be sacrificed on the altar of activity." Ouch, right? God doesn't care how many things we've got going. He wants us to have a loving, Christ-like attitude in it all. If we're doing too much, that won't happen.
Personally, this book just hit home. I am a strategic thinker, and I am constantly wanting to think through what I'm participating in (and my kids), and if it's what God wants me to be doing. Last year I was a Community Bible Study core group leader, and helped lead worship. It was a wonderful experience. I loved encouraging my core group of 10 ladies to go deeper in their study, and let God's Word change their lives. I loved communing with the leadership team, and enjoyed their friendhship. It was refreshing to focus on something other than junk restoration.
Good vs. Good decisions are hard; the best yes decision is figuring out your soul passion, and working out the details of your life around it. This year, I felt that God was telling me that I could encourage 10+ ladies through CBS, or I could focus on our store and our blog and encourage 100+ ladies a day. I know many others that are capable bible study leaders, but feel like God has given us this business and ministry for a reason. My best yes is right here. Best for my family, best for me, best for you, and best in God's sight.
The Best Yes is available at the Proverbs31 website, HERE and many other places that sell books. I actually got mine at Walmart. Good Luck with discovering your best Yes!
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