The mammogram room. The one place on earth where I feel utterly out of control and well, exposed. If you haven’t had one yet, don’t worry; it’s not so bad. It’s about as pleasant as you would imagine. For the uninitiated, try this to get a similar effect: Strip down in kitchen, open refrigerator door, insert one breast, allow strange woman to slam door on it, hold your breath, die a little inside. Switch sides. Repeat.
I got my yearly mammogram recently, and as usual, a familiar fidgety anxiety rose up in me. It’s not the procedure itself that bothers me the most. It’s the callback.
Every year, a nurse recommends that I return to the office for follow-up testing because my breast tissue is very dense, which makes tumor detection difficult. (I’m a little emotional over the fact that you and I have already become so close that, by paragraph three of this blog post, we can talk openly about breast density.)
After my last mammogram, I got another callback and returned for a follow-up ultrasound. The ultrasounds are typically lengthy because my breasts are not only dense but scattered with cysts. Those cysts, on first glance, can look like tumors. As you can imagine, the ultrasound appointment is pretty stressful until they check everything out and give me the all clear.
At my recent appointment, the ultrasound technician remarked about my cystic, tangled breast tissue: “My, my,” she said, waving an ultrasound wand at the screen, “you have very busy breasts.”
Yep. Busy breasts. It’s a thing. Go figure, even my boobs are busy.
I’ve always been a busy girl. Maybe you can relate. People ask you how you’ve been, and more often than not, your answer is “busy.” You are busy from head to foot — and in my case, a couple of places in between. Busyness is the natural by-product of a responsible woman like you, whom others depend on. You never intended to hop on the hamster wheel, but once you find yourself spinning, you aren’t sure how to get off.
And it gets worse during seasons like this, when holiday preparations are in full force. Allow me to overuse this mammogram metaphor by saying it like this: the holidays often put us in a . . . squeeze. (Ba-dum-bump!)
I am reminded every year at this time that I need to move away from busy so I can confidently live at my best.
One way to move from “busy” to “best” is by taking the advice of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Her advice is found in John 2:5: “Do whatever He tells you.”
She spoke those words in Cana, at a wedding reception, where the servants discovered that the wine had run out. This would have been considered a major faux pas in first-century Galilee.
I totally love how Mary responded. She took decisive action, marched up to her son, and delivered the news: “They have no more wine.”
Jesus answered her, “Dear woman, that’s not our problem” (John 2:3-4 NLT).
At that point, Mary could have taken matters into her own hands and headed to the market to buy the wine. But because she trusted Jesus, she spun toward the servants and said, “Do whatever He tells you.”
Do whatever He tells you. This, my friend, is the original #FixItJesus.
Imagine what our lives would be like if we let go of our lists and did whatever Jesus told us to do.
“Do whatever He tells you.” Ask the Lord every day for your instructions.
“Do whatever He tells you.” Say yes to the invitation to partner with Him.
“Do whatever He tells you.” No matter the task, the assignment, the deadline. Ask Him to guide you, and then obey His commands.
“Do whatever He tells you.” Become so intimately familiar with the voice of Jesus that you can recognize it. Then say yes to the things He’s asking you to do.
Do whatever He tells you.
I think that’s fantastic advice for all of us as we enter a busy holiday season, bombarded by choices and decisions about everything from how much to spend to how many times you’ll watch Elf.
When I get anxious and overwhelmed this holiday season, I’m going to apply Mary’s advice. It reminds me that God’s plans are bigger than mine.
Are you with me?
As we step into all that God has for us during this holy season, let’s respond wholeheartedly to the common “Do whatever He tells you.”
Maybe you’ll wonder how you’ll know. I promise you, you will. Set aside your own to-do list for a moment. Simply pray: “Dear God, never let me be so busy that I can’t hear Your voice.”
Adapted from It’s All Under Control: A Journey of Letting Go, Hanging On, and Finding a Peace You Almost Forgot Was Possible by Jennifer Dukes Lee. Used with permission by Tyndale House Publishers.
Imagine what our lives would be like if we let go of our lists and did whatever Jesus told us to do. -@dukeslee: Click To Tweet
by Jennifer Dukes Lee
Jennifer Dukes Lee
Thank you for sharing & for your transparency! This is something we can all relate to.
Thank you, Susie. 🙂
Chuckling, but wincing too as I feel the holiday squeeze coming on. I’m grateful for God’s direction, and you’ve sharpened my intention to be listening for His voice.
Wishing you a most blessed holiday season, Michele — one that is filled with the peace, joy, and rest of Jesus.
Jennifer,
Oh YES…you shared the Busy Breasts story lol!! But so true….every part of us gets busy this time of year. Oh how I need to go to “Fix it Jesus”!! I need to get my marching orders from Him. Sometimes that takes being still for a moment and asking for His guidance. I tend to just plow onward without sitting, being still, and praying for His instruction. Thank you for this very timely message so as to avoid the holiday “squeeze” – ouch!
Blessings sweet friend,
Bev xo
I thought some of my early book readers might recognize this story. 🙂 It seemed like the “just right” one to kick off the season. Have a most blessed season, dear Bev.
I know your opening paragraph was meant to be humorous, but I am so concerned that it may scare women away from mammograms. My mother is a breast cancer survivor so it is an especially sensitive topic. Yes, mammograms can sometimes be uncomfortable (though they don’t particularly bother me), but mammograms save lives. Please, ladies, do not be fearful of discomfort. May all have blessed holidays and good health.
Your sensitive heart for others blesses me, Elizabeth. I understood the author’s point, but I also appreciate you looking out for those of us who may be a wee bit scared of the procedure. Thank you for encouraging us to look at the big picture. (Not the boob picture…sorry, couldn’t help it! Lol)
I absolutely understand the author’s point. I’m just especially sensitive given my mother’s history. I don’t want anyone to be scared of a relatively minor test.
Hi Elizabeth and Pearl,
Yes. It’s meant in fun, not in discouragement. 🙂 … As a woman who has many women in her life (relatives and friends) who have dealt with breast cancer, I would never want to discourage anyone from having a mammogram. Having told this story in public, I know that this one has actually has encouraged women to go get there’s done, because they were able to laugh, instead of fear it. I truly think that most people will get that this is not a fear tactic, but a storytelling tactic. Yet I do appreciate your concern.
Love this!
Thank you for being here, Ashley.
Jennifer, thank you for your transparency and openness. I recently had a needle biopsy in one of my breasts (all is benign – Praise God!), and that experience beckoned me to slow down and just be with my Savior. Thank you for the reminder to just stop being a “busy bee” and just “bee” with our Lord.
Joy in Jesus,
Lara
Thank you, Jesus, for the “all clear” on Lara’s mammogram! What a gift. xo
I work retail and it’s sad to see the STUFF that is bought. Huge baskets filled with just that – STUFF. I wonder about Jesus and how many truly celebrate His birth. So in my own little way I wish all the shoppers Merry CHRISTmas hoping they do the same.
So glad you are coming in contact with customers daily, to give them the gentle reminder that it’s all about Jesus. xo
Love, love, love this…. I am bombarded with a lot of non-desirable life decisions right now, and this is perfect timing. I want to know, without his even saying, that he will take care of (it)- like Mary did. I want to trust him that much! I want to hear his voice “out of the storm”. Thank you for sharing this very personal account.
Thanks for being here, Verna. We here at (in)courage hope you have a most blessed, and peace-filled, holiday season.
Jennifer,
The holidays can be a hectic time for many. We must be intentional & change our priorities. Let’s ask Jesus what He would have us do. Sure there are work & church parties, parades, shopping, decorating, etc. None of that is bad. It can take away form the true meaning of Christmas. I go back to Charlie Brown: “Doesn’t anyone know the real meaning of Christmas?” It seems in all our squeezing/hustle bustle we forgot. No one says Merry Christmas any more. It’s happy holidays. It’s more about the gift buying than the birth of a Savior. We need to slow down & ask Jesus just what He wants us to do this year. Let’s have a #FixitJesus kind of Christmas.
Blessings 🙂
Ahhhhh…. Good ol’ Charlie Brown is a great teacher.
Boy did I need this reminder today, as my to-do list is sucking all the joy out of life. God has been tugging on my heart lately to seek obedience in even the small daily tasks, and to take my to-do list to Him in prayer. I’ve gotten off track the last couple weeks and it shows. Thanks, Jennifer. Great message.
I’m right there with you, in need of course-correction. Grateful that He offers it so generously and graciously.
Thank you for a great early morning laugh! I can totally relate to busy boobs and mammograms! I love the line “Become so intimately familiar with the voice of Jesus that you can recognize it.”
So glad that this spoke to you, Susan. And hey … solidarity on the busy boobs situation. It can be stressful, right? 🙂
So true this message. Busy boobs… How hilarious. We get so consumed with so much that we forget to listen to His voice. We push His voice aside and listen to what this world, this society tells us what and how to go about our days being filled up by staying busy. If we are not busy, then something is wrong with us, the world tells us. I am at a point in my life where I refuse to stay busy or keep my kids busy with sports or other activities to make me look normal. I love my family and that is why I want my kids to understand that it is okay to have days where we don’t do a thing and take time to enjoy what God have provided for us. Let us be reminded of His beauty surrounding us and take some time to tune out the noise even during this busy time of the year.
Maylee,
This is so true, what you say here: “If we are not busy, then something is wrong with us, the world tells us.” Let’s buck against that trend, shall we?
I just loved this! Seems like each year at the holidays I plan on not getting too busy but find it’s almost impossible….never quite sure how to let go ,so I loved the advice to truly listen to and discern (that’s a huge one) what exactly HE wants us to do. So interesting that as I was on my way to yet another task, I sensed Him telling me to stop and read my devotion in my inbox, and here this was! Obviously He needed to remind me
I love knowing that God timed this message just right for you, Leslie.
Jennifer, I completely love this! (Ok, everything except the mammogram…not looking forward to those.) It confirms what God reminded me of earlier this week, that it doesn’t have to go the way I plan – it just has to turn out awesome. And with Him, it ultimately does. So, how many times DID you decide to watch Elf? Thanks again!!!
Hi Pearl! Thanks so much for being here. As for the mammogram, it’s not as bad as my prone-to-exaggeration self made it out to be. 😉 … Just poking a little fun at myself. I’ve had such gracious mammogram technicians who have pretty much held my hand during some of those scares.
As for ELF, I actually think you can never watch it too many times. 🙂
Girl – you have no idea how I needed this. THANK YOU! God bless you for your gift of writing and humor and honesty. I am emotional about how close we are too! 🙂 Amazing how God spoke through you to me and made me laugh and cry at the same time. THANK YOU!
So glad this touched you, Debbie. xo
Awesome all around!! Thanks for being so open and honest!!
You are so welcome, Tonya. 🙂
I just love every single little thing about this post. xoxo
Aw, thanks friend. xo
I’m a little behind in responding because I’ve been BUSY. (*face palm*). But this was so good!
Thank you Jennifer for your authentic self and openness! I love this: “Become so intimately familiar with the voice of Jesus that you can recognize it. Then say yes to the things He’s asking you to do.” DO WHAT HE TELLS YOU. I need to quiet my soul and listen to the one Voice that matters the most, especially in the holiday commotion.
All of God’s BEST to you Sister (*which includes multiple viewings of Elf 😉
Becky
Oh, I just love your heart, Becky. Yes to all things ELF. Glad you’re here, my dear.
I’m living this lesson right now. Had emergency surgery mid October. Had just recovered from that when it became clear I needed a complete hysterectomy… So I hustled to complete Christmas preparations in just 10 days and had this surgery last week. Normally I’m the Queen of Lists, especially during Christmas… But this year there is one thing on the list… Just BE, rest & recover… It’s a strange feeling!