Build Boundaries NOT Walls/ Finding a Balance between The Mary & Martha Within

Build Boundaries NOT Walls........ Finding a Balance Between the Mary  & Martha Within 

Now this is a *GEM* I cannot take credit for. It its courtesy of my Diamond of a Deacon Stephanie. 

Sidebar: She spoke this *GEM* as she prayed for me during a extremely rough patch this year( be mindful who you let pray for you and over you more on that later) I truly don't think she knows just how much she blesses me. I believe I will send a card saying so. My grandmother used to send cards for EVERYTHING!!! I never fully understood why, now that I am older its all making sense. So in this instant microwave society we live in; its something about going to the mailbox and receiving something written from the heart.  

Anyhoo back to the actual topic. 

This year I have learnt  the hard lesson of not being able to let everyone in, not sharing every single thing in every moment & most importantly venting to anyone other than GOD. This can be a lonely quiet season; and is not easy at all. 

And so boundaries in my life were born......

When most Christians hear the word boundaries they immediately think in relation to courting  , but boundaries can be in ALL aspects of life. 

Please know that this is a lesson that is still being learnt daily. 

*GEM* Sometimes we let folks talk us right out of our blessing!

God has just given you an amazing only God coulda done it revelation;you run and jump on the phone/facebook/twitter/ the gram and tell the first person who will listen or comment. Now I am all for sharing a Praise Report and giving God his props. BUT..... 

We have to be careful in our sharing.

I have had plans, ideas, dreams if you will and God has confirmed them only for me to get on the phone with some Bitter Betty/Negative Nancy who proceeded to cut down everything God just said. And that is the door the enemy walks right through bringing doubt and fear with him. 

Before you know it you are stagnant and have done nothing the Lord told you to do, and your blessing has found a home with someone else. 

This brought me to begin practicing the Pause boundary. When something is placed in my spirit I Pause. I may say a quick prayer or jot it down in my journal or my phone. 

I share as the spirit leads me. I cannot afford to be talked out of my blessings....can you? 

* GEM* Some people are only checking in to see if you failed yet!(yea I said it)

Moment Of Transparency 
I had grown so weary of serving. You serve and serve and serve. No one appreciates that you halted your life, cancelled plans, overlooked your home, depleted your funds. Please no one even says thank you most times. With all of that I realized I had been attempting to operate in my own power; rather than Gods Grace. Doing things because they were expected of me not because they had been God led.There is a measure of Grace for each and every thing God has called you to. When you accept His gift of Grace you find yourself finding the time and the balance and the energy. The spirit can sit at the Masters feet and the hands be full of service toward others. 
*GEM* Just because someone can picture you doing something does not mean its apart of God's portrait for you. Don't get caught up in service for man and not the smile of heaven. *Motives Check

The key to setting boundaries for me at this point

1. Making sure they are properly motivated. *GEM* Do not create a boundary in anger or to be petty or spiteful.That ends up being a Wall. 
2. Boundaries should encourage Growth and Positives in your life.Outside of that you will become stagnant and block your own blessing. Wall. 
3. Remembering to let the Holy Spirit have its way, sometimes the boundary gets thrown out the window. Be spirit led. Seeking the kingdom first. 

So I'd like to share 3 of my  boundaries that I have incorporated in the past year just to encourage my time management.

1. Putting my phone on "Do Not Disturb" at 8pm. This encourages me to concentrate on winding down and preparing for bed. Having a nightly routine has encouraged better sleep patterns, which have assisted in my getting up earlier and being able to have my quiet time in the morning.  People who really have an emergency that cannot wait have my home phone number, or if they call back to back it will bypass the Do Not Disturb.
2. I do not check my phone while getting ready. Checking alerts of any kind can distract you from getting out on time. Mindless scrolling is such a trap. Being punctual is important to me. 
3. I do not agree to things late in the evening. Example: A text message at 9:30/10pm  "Can you do xyz (sing, babysit, take a extra shift)?" Sounds good in the moment. *GEM* Every good idea isn't a God idea.  I like to look at it in the morning with fresh eyes. Not just jump to agree to things without out thought. 

Now to some, these boundaries may seem insignificant. But over time there has been a noticeable difference. Listen I just want to be the best version of myself to serve God better. 
I also realize that life is meant to be lived not tied down to a phone or device trying to compete with the highlight reel!

What boundaries do you have in place to help you grow???? 

You can share them with me on Twitter @Judeasyn using the hashtag #buildboundariesnotwalls 

Also thank you everyone for the Birthday wishes!!!!!