This year, I’m using the Present Over Perfect Guided Journal. I read Shauna Neiquist’s Present Over Perfect book when it came out a few years ago and so much of it just connected with me. When I saw she had created a journal, I knew it was right for this season of my life. The journal has small excerpts from the book and prompts to help you think, reflect, and write. I’ll be sharing some of the prompts and my responses.
Prompt (pg. 150): How can you answer the invitation in front of you?
What is the invitation in front of me? Pastoring and living a more integrated life. Living a life worth my calling.
Answering that call seems to hard. I am never not all three at the same time. And yet I can be fully present in each moment. I can attend to the people in front of me. I can enjoy the moments of joy and laughter.
I can use my strengths and gifts to serve and lead. I can say yes to others using their strengths and gifts.
And I can roll with it. I can listen and be flexible. I can be ok when life seems crazy.
I can answer the invitation by being fully me. Strong and weak. Outgoing and introspective. Adventurous and homebody. Dedicated wife and mother and faithful pastor.
Rev. Kris Mares 