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Graceologie Episode 46: Kate Merrick

Kate Merrick on the Graceologie with Gwen Smith podcast

RELATED LINKS:

WEBSITE: kmerrick.com

GRACEOLOGIE episode #6 with Kate: on Apple Podcast / on the website

KATE on FACEBOOK

Do the FREE DIGITAL DETOX

ORDER the BOOK: Here, Now

ORDER Kate's Other BOOK: And She Still Laughs

EPISODE SPONSORS:

FabFitFun {Use code: GRACEOLOGIE to get 20% OFF your first box!}

Covenant Eyes {Use code: GRACEOLOGIE to get your first 30 days FREE!}

OVERVIEW:

Kate Merrick joins me to talk about her newest book, HERE, NOW. She shares some practical ways you and I can live beyond the distractions of the world to live FOR and FOCUS ON the peace and presence of JESUS.

If you’ve ever needed a digital detox, been distracted by doubts, or struggled to prioritize what really matters, then this episode with Kate Merrick is going to help move you toward the COURAGE and CALM that your soul’s longing for.

QUOTES & NOTES:

"We tend to focus on the beginning and the end, but it's the collection of all the in-between moments that actually make up a life, a whole God-given, genuine life." - Here, Now

"I can control how I spend my time, what's worth my focus and attention, what words I say, how well I love." - Here, Now

"Practicing presence nurtures PEACE and CONTENTMENT." - Here, Now

"There is purpose and beauty in each season, in each circumstance... We are not meant to see it all at once. We are meant to breathe in today, and only today." Here, Now

"It's only when we practice presence that we slow down enough to see how lovely our own lives are; it's when we notice all the ways God's hand is on it." - Here, Now

"Everything we walk through cries out to us not to miss it, not to manipulate it to go our way but to just be present in the middle of it. To accept it for what it is, to engage fully and not give away what God has for us during that time in exchange for lesser things." - Here, Now

"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

Practical ways we can  get over FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and move toward being present in the here & now?

  • Turn off electronic notifications (Pause the pings, people!)
  • Take breaks from WIFI
  • Unfollow social media accounts that stir your discontentment and jealousy
  • Establish boundaries on the amount of time you spend on social media
  • Stop comparing your life to other people's lives
  • Pinpoint your personal problem with Jesus. Get with God. Ask Him to show you what is distracting your heart. (Do I have an addiction to FB, shopping, food...?)
  • Ask God what you need? What's causing you discontentment?
  • Prioritize real actual connection. Invite friends over for dinner. Hang out with people. Have a play date. Look each other in the eye.
  • Phone a friend
  • Put your digital life into submission
  • Determine your priorities. Figure out what matters
  • Do a digital detox (7 days of leaning into Jesus and fasting from something that consumes lots of your time or causes you distraction.)

DREAM. FILL IN THE BLANK:  I would love to _________________ . (Then go do it!)