friday was a fun day! although i have to say i was up, with the whole family, at 4:00 a.m. i didn't really give much thought as to how i was going to get my early morning prayer in today, i just knew that we'd all be up really early. the kids and i had a day of fun and swimming with friends which meant that my husband had to wake up late (or should i say got to sleep in) while we woke up very early so as to drive him to work to use the shared family car during the day.
i really did drop the ball here. i could have better planned to spend time with the Lord, even if it was only thirty minutes. i totally was not intentional here!
saturday was a bust as well. my husband awoke unusually early and made the coffee and tended to the children as they awoke, gifting me some extra time in bed. it really was a wonderful gift for him to do that for me, but i still had guilt about sleeping in and not spending quiet time with the Lord before the house got noisy.
that night when my husband was setting the clock for the next day (sunday) i was half asleep and didn't set my own clock on my side of the bed too. at 7:00 a.m. i woke up to the sound of silence. squinting without my glasses on, i tried to read his clock - and of coarse it didn't go off! it was set for p.m. not a.m.
grace is good, always. even if you need to have it for yourself. i really think i was more upset about missing my mornings with the Lord, three mornings in a row, then the Lord was. i will chalk it up to excitement for monday morning's coffee date with the King.
so that is my update on how i've been doing with intentionally getting up to spend my morning with the Lord. i was really hoping to be able to post every night how each and every day went, but as life can be very unpredictable, i have to remember to allow flexibility in my evenings. this allows for impromptu late night trips to the craft store with the whole family, and unexpected dates out with my husband! and being available to receive these as gifts! gifts from a God who loves to love on us!! thank you Jesus!!
i want to finish sharing with you elizabeth george's five feats prayer accomplishes in our heart and life. this comes from her book life management for busy women living out God's plan with passion and purpose. it is such a good book and has really helped me to drawl closer to the Lord. i highly recommend this book if your in need of meat to feed your soul!
feat #3.) prayer guides us in the path of righteousness. this part of the book is so good i'm going to quote elizabeth george right from the book off page 37. "we've already discussed the necessity of praying before we read God's Word. why? because we so desperately need a soft, pliable heart so as not to miss God's message to us as we read. and there are other reasons we must pray for God's direction. for instance, because we so desperately desire to live in obedience. because we so desperately want God's leading as we make decisions, both large and small, ranging from our service to God to the schedule we make for our busy day. because we so desperately require God's help in order to live our lives His way. because looking to God helps us to love others. because our hearts are so desperately wicked (jeremiah 17:9 (niv) the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure, who can understand it?)! through prayer we open up our hearts to God. and when we do He searches them, ferrets out our motives, and afford us the opportunity to bring our wills into line with His plan." their is no better way to say it! summarizing that one would have really been a disservice!
feat #4.) prayer assists our relationship with God. elizabeth george says, "the daily discipline and act of prayer helps maintain our relationship with God. and, when we fail, it also restores it.
psalm 32:5 (niv) then i acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. i said, "i will confess my transgressions to the Lord" - and you forgave the guilt of me sin.
psalm 51:1,12 (niv) (1) have mercy on me, oh God, according to your unfailing love, according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. (12) restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
judges 16:23-31 although samson did not always walk closely with God he asked God to "remember" him one more time and to "strengthen" him. the Lord answered his prayer and used samson to destroy a "pagan temple and it's evil worshipers."
feat #5.) prayer strengthens us against our tendency to sin. again i'm going to quote elizabeth george right from her book on page 38. what does the bible say to do instead of fretting, worrying, and anxiety? pray.
phillippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
mark 11:25(niv) and when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
what does the bible say to do instead of hating those who hurt us? pray.
matthew 5:44 (niv) but i tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
when you are tempted to sin, pray, dear one, instead."
good stuff, yes? yes! i can't say enough good things about this book and so i want to encourage you if you can, buy it or borrow it from someone! it's by elizabeth george and it's called life management for busy women living out God's plan with passion and purpose. i'm only going to be sharing from the third chapter called developing a passion for prayer, but the rest of the book is just as good as this special chapter!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
the privilege and nurturing of prayer
this morning i woke up at 6:23 a.m. ( what is it with that time? isn't that when i was able to finally go back to bed the other day? ) noticing the time and the silence i woke up to, no clocking beep-beep-beeping me yet, i rolled over, snuggled back under the covers and shut my eyes.
i waited. i snuggled down a little more, already very comfortable. i waited - again. sighed - and by golly i couldn't go back to sleep! up earlier then that dreaded alarm clock and i was up and at 'em!
'okay, Lord' i thought getting dressed, 'i'm up.' so i guess that internal clock i've heard about is starting to adjust?
i'm loving my morning prayer time with the Most High! my "direct line with the Creator of the Universe!" i gotta say though, i'm noticing that if i'm sitting still for a very long period of time that i get a little "off track." my mind starts to wonder. it's not that i'm even done praying. i'm wondering, i even asked God Himself, if He minded that i do laundry while we talked? somehow i felt more focused but i'll be sure to keep asking him until i have peace about it.
the other really cool thing about early morning prayer, and i just keep praying until the kids wake up, that i'm finding myself telling the Lord, "okay the kids are getting up but i'm not ready to "hang up" yet?" as if saying, "in Jesus name i pray Amen" is like saying that it's over - isn't that funny? i've been telling the Lord, "i'm gonna say, "in Jesus' name i pray Amen," but i'm not ready to "hang up" yet so could you please just stay?" and the cool thing is - that He does!
okay, now i sound like a loony tune, but i'm okay with that if you are =) the kids get dressed and have a cup of milk and my prayer time spills over into their prayer time and it - is - so - sweet! encouraging them to start the day in prayer and bible study is so important why not make an example of it? i love listening to young children pray and so does The Almighty! so this is one area of our lives that my waking up early to spend time alone with God has effected others in the family.
i'd like to share a little with you from elizabeth george's book life management for busy women living out God's plan with passion & purpose. again, i truly hope i'm not violating any copy write laws here and also i really want to encourage you to buy or borrow a copy of this book! it's such great meat to feed your soul - i know i've said that before, but it's true!
she talks about "five feats prayer accomplishes in our heart and life" today i'm gonna touch on two of them..
feat #1.) prayer is a privilege. ( more a reality then a feat) "prayer is one way we commune with the God of the universe! she goes on to talk about how lonely people can be and how truly not alone we really are. she says, "the ears of the Creator of the world - the One who can do anything! - are open to your prayers!"
1 peter 3:12a for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer. He wants to be your best friend!
proverbs 18:24 a man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is Friend who sticks closer than a brother.He is the only one who will never leave nor forsake you!
hebrews 13: 5 keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
feat #2.) prayer nurtures our trust in God. elizabeth george says "a good father would never neglect his children. and neither does your Heavenly Father."
matthew 7:11 if you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
psalm 5:3 in the morning, o Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning i lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
james 5:16-18 therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. elijah was a man just like us. he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
those first two feats are a big deal! i am still marveling at the first one! the first time i read this book, almost five years ago, it hit me big time - and that statement,"the ears of the Creator of the world - the One who can do anything! - are open to your prayers!" hits me big time still! it is my prayer that it always does! and that it hits you big time too!
the second one, prayer nurtures our trust in God is so wonderfully true too! i know from experience that daily practice of prayer helps in the difficult times to too! instead of wallowing in the muck and mire of life, it is so much easier and i will much more quickly run to God in prayer.
elizabeth george's five feats of prayer tomorrow. again please bare with me as i'm learning that waking up early is expecting to go to bed early too. both me and my kids are resetting our schedules and our internal clocks it seems.
this post was actually written four days ago - i just forgot to post it - so sorry!
i waited. i snuggled down a little more, already very comfortable. i waited - again. sighed - and by golly i couldn't go back to sleep! up earlier then that dreaded alarm clock and i was up and at 'em!
'okay, Lord' i thought getting dressed, 'i'm up.' so i guess that internal clock i've heard about is starting to adjust?
i'm loving my morning prayer time with the Most High! my "direct line with the Creator of the Universe!" i gotta say though, i'm noticing that if i'm sitting still for a very long period of time that i get a little "off track." my mind starts to wonder. it's not that i'm even done praying. i'm wondering, i even asked God Himself, if He minded that i do laundry while we talked? somehow i felt more focused but i'll be sure to keep asking him until i have peace about it.
the other really cool thing about early morning prayer, and i just keep praying until the kids wake up, that i'm finding myself telling the Lord, "okay the kids are getting up but i'm not ready to "hang up" yet?" as if saying, "in Jesus name i pray Amen" is like saying that it's over - isn't that funny? i've been telling the Lord, "i'm gonna say, "in Jesus' name i pray Amen," but i'm not ready to "hang up" yet so could you please just stay?" and the cool thing is - that He does!
okay, now i sound like a loony tune, but i'm okay with that if you are =) the kids get dressed and have a cup of milk and my prayer time spills over into their prayer time and it - is - so - sweet! encouraging them to start the day in prayer and bible study is so important why not make an example of it? i love listening to young children pray and so does The Almighty! so this is one area of our lives that my waking up early to spend time alone with God has effected others in the family.
i'd like to share a little with you from elizabeth george's book life management for busy women living out God's plan with passion & purpose. again, i truly hope i'm not violating any copy write laws here and also i really want to encourage you to buy or borrow a copy of this book! it's such great meat to feed your soul - i know i've said that before, but it's true!
she talks about "five feats prayer accomplishes in our heart and life" today i'm gonna touch on two of them..
feat #1.) prayer is a privilege. ( more a reality then a feat) "prayer is one way we commune with the God of the universe! she goes on to talk about how lonely people can be and how truly not alone we really are. she says, "the ears of the Creator of the world - the One who can do anything! - are open to your prayers!"
1 peter 3:12a for the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer. He wants to be your best friend!
proverbs 18:24 a man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is Friend who sticks closer than a brother.He is the only one who will never leave nor forsake you!
hebrews 13: 5 keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
feat #2.) prayer nurtures our trust in God. elizabeth george says "a good father would never neglect his children. and neither does your Heavenly Father."
matthew 7:11 if you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
psalm 5:3 in the morning, o Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning i lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
james 5:16-18 therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. elijah was a man just like us. he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
those first two feats are a big deal! i am still marveling at the first one! the first time i read this book, almost five years ago, it hit me big time - and that statement,"the ears of the Creator of the world - the One who can do anything! - are open to your prayers!" hits me big time still! it is my prayer that it always does! and that it hits you big time too!
the second one, prayer nurtures our trust in God is so wonderfully true too! i know from experience that daily practice of prayer helps in the difficult times to too! instead of wallowing in the muck and mire of life, it is so much easier and i will much more quickly run to God in prayer.
elizabeth george's five feats of prayer tomorrow. again please bare with me as i'm learning that waking up early is expecting to go to bed early too. both me and my kids are resetting our schedules and our internal clocks it seems.
this post was actually written four days ago - i just forgot to post it - so sorry!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
our call to prayer
whoa! today was a near miss! my challenge of intentionally waking up early to spend time alone with the Lord in prayer was sabotaged by my teething two year old! up at 4:00 a.m., i'm guessing because her children's ibuprofen was wearing off, we didn't get back to bed until 6: 23! not good when the clock is about to go off at 7:00.
climbing back into bed i prayed, "dear Lord, you know my heart, you know my desire for sleep, pleeeease! make it work" and i was off into a land of heavy slumber.
the clock did go off at 7:00, i did wake up to turn it off, and then laid back down and shut. my. eyes!
oooooh ~ nooooo!
again waking up a little after 8:00 i immediately remembered my coffee date and felt horrible! waiting for it, i listened for the pitter-patter of feet from my son in the hall. slowing my panicked heart, i strained to hear my daughter awake in her crib. nothing. not. one. sound.
'thank you Lord!!!!' i leaned over and pressed brew and ya know what? i got a good two hours of quiet time with the Lord!! it was so much needed and so much appreciated! i really was afraid that loosing 2 1/2 hours of sleep early in the morning was gonna really mess it all up, and He totally gifted me our time together! i loved it so much!!
i have to say praying over family members, friends, needs even desires does something to me. i'm not quite sure what it is but i have to say, i love it! could it be the act of taking it all and laying it at Jesus' feet i feel freer to experience the rest of what the day has to offer? could it be the recognition that i don't have it all under control and the appreciation of not having to have everything under control? could it be the lack of clutter that usually rattles around in my brain during most days is suddenly missing? either way - i love it!
i really want to share some of the chapter from a book, that really has me convicted to intentionally start my day early with the Lord - alone. this book is called life management for busy women living out God's plan with passion and purpose by elizabeth george. i sincerely hope i don't get into trouble by sharing some of the key points from the chapter that spoke loudly to me. here are the first few:
a.)"observed duties maintain our credit, but secret duties maintain our life." "john flavel, a seventeenth-century english clergyman who loved to teach and write about practical religion and piety." i loved this and am still thinking on it.
she talks about prayer being a secret duty. now you're asking yourself, "why, if it's supposed to be a secret, is this blogger writing about it?'
honest enough - i'll tell you - honestly. because it's something i have been struggling to do. something that i love to do and want to get back into the practice of. my striving for intention blog is my way of intentionally doing my all each and every day for the Lord. i think this is a great way to start the day and in this book i learned of it's importance. i love to to share it with whomever is interested, whomever wants to take up the daily challenge of striving to be intentional for God too. this is perhaps, the best place to start. so i hope i don't write about it in a haughty-look-at-me kind of way, that's not my intention here. but to say, "i have had the struggle of doing this in the present and i want the struggle to end."
elizabeth george says, (b) "prayer is a secret duty...more a privilege-and responsibility. it is a privilege because of our relationship with God as His children. and it is a responsibility and a duty because of the many commands in Scripture that call us to a life of faithful prayer."
she goes on to say that our call to prayer is from the very beginning of the bible to the very end when (c) "men and women of faith are seen (and heard!) crying out to God. indeed, whole prayers are recorded for us word for word."
some examples elizabeth george gives are:
jeremiah 33:3 (niv) call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
james 1:5 (niv) if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
matthew 7:7 (niv) ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
matthew 6:6 (niv) but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen, then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
of course these are but a few commands from God to pray but the important thing here is that you know it is a command. before reading this book i did not know this.
tomorrow i will share with you elizabeth george's "five feats that prayer accomplishes in our heart and lives" but might i encourage you, buy or borrow this treasured book. it is full of meat that will feed your soul.
this is thursday afternoon that i am rereading this post. i originally wrote it tuesday night, half asleep. i so wanted to write about my morning and share the first part of the chapter right away. however, i am finding that waking up two hours earlier has me wanting to go to sleep two hours earlier as well. why did i not see this coming? so while i was finishing i was nodding .... off .... (for real) and decided not to post just yet - we all know about my poor grammar while i'm fully awake =) i assumed the same thing would happen last night as i was quite tired very early and just simply went to bed. i do hope to catch the blog up today but please bare with me as i figure out a new schedual for both myself and my family.
a.) life management for busy women by elizabeth george pg. 35
b.) life management for busy women by elizabeth george pg. 35
c.) life management for busy women by elizabeth george pg. 36
climbing back into bed i prayed, "dear Lord, you know my heart, you know my desire for sleep, pleeeease! make it work" and i was off into a land of heavy slumber.
the clock did go off at 7:00, i did wake up to turn it off, and then laid back down and shut. my. eyes!
oooooh ~ nooooo!
again waking up a little after 8:00 i immediately remembered my coffee date and felt horrible! waiting for it, i listened for the pitter-patter of feet from my son in the hall. slowing my panicked heart, i strained to hear my daughter awake in her crib. nothing. not. one. sound.
'thank you Lord!!!!' i leaned over and pressed brew and ya know what? i got a good two hours of quiet time with the Lord!! it was so much needed and so much appreciated! i really was afraid that loosing 2 1/2 hours of sleep early in the morning was gonna really mess it all up, and He totally gifted me our time together! i loved it so much!!
i have to say praying over family members, friends, needs even desires does something to me. i'm not quite sure what it is but i have to say, i love it! could it be the act of taking it all and laying it at Jesus' feet i feel freer to experience the rest of what the day has to offer? could it be the recognition that i don't have it all under control and the appreciation of not having to have everything under control? could it be the lack of clutter that usually rattles around in my brain during most days is suddenly missing? either way - i love it!
i really want to share some of the chapter from a book, that really has me convicted to intentionally start my day early with the Lord - alone. this book is called life management for busy women living out God's plan with passion and purpose by elizabeth george. i sincerely hope i don't get into trouble by sharing some of the key points from the chapter that spoke loudly to me. here are the first few:
a.)"observed duties maintain our credit, but secret duties maintain our life." "john flavel, a seventeenth-century english clergyman who loved to teach and write about practical religion and piety." i loved this and am still thinking on it.
she talks about prayer being a secret duty. now you're asking yourself, "why, if it's supposed to be a secret, is this blogger writing about it?'
honest enough - i'll tell you - honestly. because it's something i have been struggling to do. something that i love to do and want to get back into the practice of. my striving for intention blog is my way of intentionally doing my all each and every day for the Lord. i think this is a great way to start the day and in this book i learned of it's importance. i love to to share it with whomever is interested, whomever wants to take up the daily challenge of striving to be intentional for God too. this is perhaps, the best place to start. so i hope i don't write about it in a haughty-look-at-me kind of way, that's not my intention here. but to say, "i have had the struggle of doing this in the present and i want the struggle to end."
elizabeth george says, (b) "prayer is a secret duty...more a privilege-and responsibility. it is a privilege because of our relationship with God as His children. and it is a responsibility and a duty because of the many commands in Scripture that call us to a life of faithful prayer."
she goes on to say that our call to prayer is from the very beginning of the bible to the very end when (c) "men and women of faith are seen (and heard!) crying out to God. indeed, whole prayers are recorded for us word for word."
some examples elizabeth george gives are:
jeremiah 33:3 (niv) call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
james 1:5 (niv) if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
matthew 7:7 (niv) ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
matthew 6:6 (niv) but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen, then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.
of course these are but a few commands from God to pray but the important thing here is that you know it is a command. before reading this book i did not know this.
tomorrow i will share with you elizabeth george's "five feats that prayer accomplishes in our heart and lives" but might i encourage you, buy or borrow this treasured book. it is full of meat that will feed your soul.
this is thursday afternoon that i am rereading this post. i originally wrote it tuesday night, half asleep. i so wanted to write about my morning and share the first part of the chapter right away. however, i am finding that waking up two hours earlier has me wanting to go to sleep two hours earlier as well. why did i not see this coming? so while i was finishing i was nodding .... off .... (for real) and decided not to post just yet - we all know about my poor grammar while i'm fully awake =) i assumed the same thing would happen last night as i was quite tired very early and just simply went to bed. i do hope to catch the blog up today but please bare with me as i figure out a new schedual for both myself and my family.
a.) life management for busy women by elizabeth george pg. 35
b.) life management for busy women by elizabeth george pg. 35
c.) life management for busy women by elizabeth george pg. 36
Monday, August 1, 2011
developing a passion for prayer
my blog my accountability ~ in a previous post in another blog i wrote about coffee with the king. here is a link in case you're interested: http://onthesunnysideatthevillavillekulla.blogspot.com/2011/03/coffee-with-king.html if in case you're not, this post is simply about how at one time in my life i used to wake up early, sometimes very early and have my morning coffee while i had my quiet time with the Lord. it was a precious time in my life and i have been trying (although not hard enough) to get back at it.
their is always something i can blame for not getting up early to spend the crack of dawn with the maker of the whole universe, but really? is their anything other to blame then laziness? selfishness? my honest to goodness list could go on and on but i won't let it.
instead i'll tell you about a book that really convinced me that waking up early to spend time with the Lord was not only important but a "privilege". elizabeth george wrote the book life management for busy women and in it is a chapter called developing a passion for prayer. oh boy, did it ever develop a passion for prayer in me. every time i try to get back to it something is always in the way, my alarm clock braking, my children being up all night, not having coffee filters for the pot that sits by my bedside (yes, a small coffee pot gets set the night before so that when i turn my alarm off i can also just push brew and lie there and wait as it perks) these answers are all just ploys of an enemy that does not want me to have communion with the great I AM. sound silly? it's not really.
so this week that is my big challenge. i know it doesn't seem like much but let me tell you, i really like to sleep. this morning went pretty well. i had my coffee pot and alarm clock set the night before - intentionally so that i could get up early. at 7:00 a.m. i was startled awake and wondering why i didn't have one of those clocks that somehow monitor your heart rate and breathing and wake you up at a not so sound sleeping point. jarring is not quite strong enough of a word to how i felt when it woke me, but i woke nonetheless. except - i fell back to sleep forgetting my intention was to push brew and actually wake up! this goes to show how long it's been since i've had to wake up with a clock - lucky me! thankfully only ten minutes slipped by and i woke up and instantly remembered my coffee date. pressing brew i got up and got dressed.
it was a beautiful morning on our front stoop, coffee in hand and eyes turned up. i have to say i only got 47 minutes alone with the Lord until i heard my daughter crying in her crib. that's okay though! those 47 minutes are 47 minutes more then i have had alone with my Heavenly Father in a loooong time!
so for now, that is my big intentional challenge for the week. along with it, i will practice my doing my all, one thing at a time, for the Lord, and for no one else. this also ties in with my non-multitasking on top of my multitasking. which lends itself to s-l-o-w-i-n-g down. let me tell you - i have loved that whole s-l-o-w-i-n-g down thing! today i slowed down so much that i fell asleep! at least it was while i was nursing my daughter before nap time. we ended up napping together while my son snuggled up and watched thumbelina right beside us! who knew s-l-o-w-i-n-g- down could be so comfy?
throughout the week i'd like to share some from this elizabeth george book that really convicted me of the importance of early quiet time with the Lord and also fill you in on how it trickles down throughout the rest of my day, and throughout the rest of my family.
being that i'm getting up earlier now, i'm also having to get to bed early too - so with that in mind - goodnight!
their is always something i can blame for not getting up early to spend the crack of dawn with the maker of the whole universe, but really? is their anything other to blame then laziness? selfishness? my honest to goodness list could go on and on but i won't let it.
instead i'll tell you about a book that really convinced me that waking up early to spend time with the Lord was not only important but a "privilege". elizabeth george wrote the book life management for busy women and in it is a chapter called developing a passion for prayer. oh boy, did it ever develop a passion for prayer in me. every time i try to get back to it something is always in the way, my alarm clock braking, my children being up all night, not having coffee filters for the pot that sits by my bedside (yes, a small coffee pot gets set the night before so that when i turn my alarm off i can also just push brew and lie there and wait as it perks) these answers are all just ploys of an enemy that does not want me to have communion with the great I AM. sound silly? it's not really.
so this week that is my big challenge. i know it doesn't seem like much but let me tell you, i really like to sleep. this morning went pretty well. i had my coffee pot and alarm clock set the night before - intentionally so that i could get up early. at 7:00 a.m. i was startled awake and wondering why i didn't have one of those clocks that somehow monitor your heart rate and breathing and wake you up at a not so sound sleeping point. jarring is not quite strong enough of a word to how i felt when it woke me, but i woke nonetheless. except - i fell back to sleep forgetting my intention was to push brew and actually wake up! this goes to show how long it's been since i've had to wake up with a clock - lucky me! thankfully only ten minutes slipped by and i woke up and instantly remembered my coffee date. pressing brew i got up and got dressed.
it was a beautiful morning on our front stoop, coffee in hand and eyes turned up. i have to say i only got 47 minutes alone with the Lord until i heard my daughter crying in her crib. that's okay though! those 47 minutes are 47 minutes more then i have had alone with my Heavenly Father in a loooong time!
so for now, that is my big intentional challenge for the week. along with it, i will practice my doing my all, one thing at a time, for the Lord, and for no one else. this also ties in with my non-multitasking on top of my multitasking. which lends itself to s-l-o-w-i-n-g down. let me tell you - i have loved that whole s-l-o-w-i-n-g down thing! today i slowed down so much that i fell asleep! at least it was while i was nursing my daughter before nap time. we ended up napping together while my son snuggled up and watched thumbelina right beside us! who knew s-l-o-w-i-n-g- down could be so comfy?
throughout the week i'd like to share some from this elizabeth george book that really convicted me of the importance of early quiet time with the Lord and also fill you in on how it trickles down throughout the rest of my day, and throughout the rest of my family.
being that i'm getting up earlier now, i'm also having to get to bed early too - so with that in mind - goodnight!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
not abandoned - i promise:)
hi there! my last two weeks have been very busy! as i strive for intention i'm learning the importance of s-l-o-w-i-n-g down and saying "no" to somethings. these past two weeks i have had to set my blogs on the back burner, or the "top shelf" as i say in the video clip, as to better focus on some more important things i had going on. like visiting with family and friends that we don't get to see on a regular basis and on vacation bible school.
i'm glad i took the vacation from writing in my blogs in one sense because i just had a lot more on my plate then usual. i think adding another thing on top of everything else would have been too much. in the other sense, i so wanted to write in my blogs because i did have a lot going on that i wanted to share. hopefully i'll be able to catch my blogs up. if not, i'm sure all the next days of my life will be full of more mulling over what the Lord has to teach to me =)
here is a short video clip i filmed while folding towels. i had wanted to post it last wednesday just to be sure you knew i hadn't abandoned my striving for intention blog and also to give encouragement to anyone who was in need. it was taking a very long time to upload and i didn't have time to be near my computer to make sure all went well ... and it didn't go well. right now though, i'll be sewing some snaps on a project that i'm finishing, so i figure i'll give it another try. i hope you enjoy it =)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
the broken gift
***this post has a PG 13 rating due an important quote that holds a four letter word ***
( it happens to appear a lot in this post)
saturday was a big challenge day! here were my intentional challenges:
1.) intentionally not multitasking on top my multitasking
2.) intentionally doing one thing at a time and doing it intentionally for the Lord
3.) intentionally slowing down
4.) intentionally not worry about my children while i'm out for the day
5) intentionally remember that God's got everything under control and He doesn't need me to micromanage
6.) intentionally be present and all there, in each moment, not looking ahead or behind, but enjoying each moment.
i know! that is a lot! i've been practicing 1-3 for a few day now and while i could use much practice before it just simply happens, i've been pretty good at catching myself when i slip up. 4-6 were mostly for the bridal shower i that went to, here's how the day went.
waking up, i knew i still needed to get a gift for this bridal shower i was attending later that day. i really wanted to go to the williams sonoma store but realized i needed to get a card, wrapping paper and a gift bag too. i'd never been to williams sonoma before so i didn't know if they'd have all that i needed, or even if any of the gifts on the registry were still available there. target it was. i had just been to target close my house the day before and i wasn't satisfied with the selection there. so i was off to the one in the next town.
kids in tow, we listened to "the kids cookie brake" on our local radio station and sang along to character building music sung to the happy tunes of eighties sitcoms and jingles.
when we finally got there i picked a beautiful white pedestal plate and several kitchen utensils off the registry. we choose a pretty gift bag, wrapping paper, tissue paper and a card. my son noticed a spiderman watch and tossed it into the cart.
"mikey!" i gasped, "pleeeease don't throw stuff in the cart, if you do the pedestal plate may brake." lowering my voice i even said OUT LOUD, "and if it does brake, i just know it'll be your fault."
can i just pause here and say, my face is red as i type this? YUCK all over my bad attitude!
we made it home safely and i was so thankful and full of praise to the Lord that we didn't encounter any traffic, non on the highway or through town. we were able to find something quickly and get it home safely. the children were so well behaved and we had such good conversations on the way home and with no radio on. it all seemed so perfect!
when we pulled up the drive way my husband greeted us at the front door and we stood outside chatting about how wonderful our morning was! walking up the the rest of the stairs into the house and just about to set all the bags on the dinning table, i heard it. a fall and a crash. glass braking.
it didn't register at first what had happened. in fact, i called back through the house and asked 'what happened' as if it didn't just occur right in front of me, at my own feet. denial for a good 30-40 seconds. then my heart sank down onto the floor with the bag that slipped from my hand, and shattered in a pile of disbelief among the shards of white porcelain, the pedestal plate.
"what was that mommy?" my small boy came running.
i sat in a chair and buried my head in my hands. i had broken the pedestal plate. i had previously scolded my son for being uncareful around it and even mentioned that he would be the culprit for braking it, if it were to brake. i drove far to find something that i could have picked up yesterday but didn't because of my indecisiveness. we had a perfectly wonderful morning fetching the perfect gift and this is how is ends? i've never even been to a bridal shower before and now i either have to get their super late so i can bring a gift in one piece, or show up on time with a gift shattered in pieces.
"Lord," i prayed, "what is the lesson is all this?" always looking for the lesson in everything. not all that concerned with the "why" in what is going on but the lesson to be learned. "i just don't see what the lesson in this could be?" sobbing and dripping a mess on the dinning room table, my husband came in and gave me my response.
"sometimes," he started, "sh*t happens. theirs just no reason."
"maybe this is a test?" i ask almost ignoring his response. "maybe the Lord wants to see how i'd react to braking the plate?"
"or maybe sh*t happens?" my husband, always so eloquent.
"what am i to do?"
"go get another one," was his response.
quickly i get ready for the shower trying to decide if rushing around to get another one and arriving late to the shower was the best choice. 'what would emily post do at a time like this?' i wondered. 'emily post would have had this gift purchased, wrapped and waiting in an appropriate box safely in the trunk the day after the invite arrived in the mail. or perhaps, in these modern times, she'd have her assistant do it for her.
it was decided, headed down the road, i step heavy on the gas and ask the Lord for forgiveness for my speeding. quickly checking the time i realised i would have to leave my house in fifteen minutes to arrive to the shower on time. i was headed out of town only to drive a possible 40 minutes one way in the opposite direction.
"Lord, what is the answer?"
i heard the words "slow down".
yeah, the speeding, i guess if were really sorry i'd not be speeding.
the voice again, "slow down"
oh yeah, i am supposed to be intentionally slow today. immediately pulling into a driveway i stop the car.'what will it take for the Lord to get me to slow down today. i certainly don't need a car wreck.' i think to myself as i turn the car around and head back home.
walking into the house, my husband's face bewildered, "i'm home to wrap a broken pedestal plate."
i'm still not sure what the answer would have been here other then having been better prepared and not waiting last minute to buy the gift. wrapping up the broken pedestal plate i had watchful two year old eyes on my every move, "watch-ya doin' mommy?" my daughter asked, cheeto in hand.
"wrapping a broken gift," my response with a sigh.
always empathic my sweet, cheesy daughter leaned over and wrapped me in a tight hug. i guessed it's only perfect that i not only arrive with a broken gift but with tiny, bright orange finger prints all over my nice clothes.
the bridal shower turned out to be great! always gracious my aunt, cousin and the bride to be, told me that the important thing was my presence and not my presents. i hadn't even given any thought about the well being of my children, they were home with daddy. it was easy for me to stay the moment even though i was so sad about having arrived with a broken gift. i was able to be present and enjoy the bridal shower and even made a new friend! i hadn't remembered about not trying to micromanage God and maybe that was what i was trying to do by heading back to target? it was kind of a freak accident. i have no idea how it happened. perhaps God did tug on the bag, perhaps he was testing my attitude, my heart? perhaps He just wants me to know that sometimes "sh*t happens." i don't know. although it sure was the pretties, nicest first bridal shower i could have ever attented and with some of the nicest and most thoughtful people to spend the afternoon with.
as for the broken pedestal plate? i have big plans for that. let's just say it involves crazy glue, a shelf in the dinning room and fake pile of poo. what can i say? it would make a nice reminder that sometimes, "sh*t happens."
( it happens to appear a lot in this post)
saturday was a big challenge day! here were my intentional challenges:
1.) intentionally not multitasking on top my multitasking
2.) intentionally doing one thing at a time and doing it intentionally for the Lord
3.) intentionally slowing down
4.) intentionally not worry about my children while i'm out for the day
5) intentionally remember that God's got everything under control and He doesn't need me to micromanage
6.) intentionally be present and all there, in each moment, not looking ahead or behind, but enjoying each moment.
i know! that is a lot! i've been practicing 1-3 for a few day now and while i could use much practice before it just simply happens, i've been pretty good at catching myself when i slip up. 4-6 were mostly for the bridal shower i that went to, here's how the day went.
waking up, i knew i still needed to get a gift for this bridal shower i was attending later that day. i really wanted to go to the williams sonoma store but realized i needed to get a card, wrapping paper and a gift bag too. i'd never been to williams sonoma before so i didn't know if they'd have all that i needed, or even if any of the gifts on the registry were still available there. target it was. i had just been to target close my house the day before and i wasn't satisfied with the selection there. so i was off to the one in the next town.
kids in tow, we listened to "the kids cookie brake" on our local radio station and sang along to character building music sung to the happy tunes of eighties sitcoms and jingles.
when we finally got there i picked a beautiful white pedestal plate and several kitchen utensils off the registry. we choose a pretty gift bag, wrapping paper, tissue paper and a card. my son noticed a spiderman watch and tossed it into the cart.
"mikey!" i gasped, "pleeeease don't throw stuff in the cart, if you do the pedestal plate may brake." lowering my voice i even said OUT LOUD, "and if it does brake, i just know it'll be your fault."
can i just pause here and say, my face is red as i type this? YUCK all over my bad attitude!
we made it home safely and i was so thankful and full of praise to the Lord that we didn't encounter any traffic, non on the highway or through town. we were able to find something quickly and get it home safely. the children were so well behaved and we had such good conversations on the way home and with no radio on. it all seemed so perfect!
when we pulled up the drive way my husband greeted us at the front door and we stood outside chatting about how wonderful our morning was! walking up the the rest of the stairs into the house and just about to set all the bags on the dinning table, i heard it. a fall and a crash. glass braking.
it didn't register at first what had happened. in fact, i called back through the house and asked 'what happened' as if it didn't just occur right in front of me, at my own feet. denial for a good 30-40 seconds. then my heart sank down onto the floor with the bag that slipped from my hand, and shattered in a pile of disbelief among the shards of white porcelain, the pedestal plate.
"what was that mommy?" my small boy came running.
i sat in a chair and buried my head in my hands. i had broken the pedestal plate. i had previously scolded my son for being uncareful around it and even mentioned that he would be the culprit for braking it, if it were to brake. i drove far to find something that i could have picked up yesterday but didn't because of my indecisiveness. we had a perfectly wonderful morning fetching the perfect gift and this is how is ends? i've never even been to a bridal shower before and now i either have to get their super late so i can bring a gift in one piece, or show up on time with a gift shattered in pieces.
"Lord," i prayed, "what is the lesson is all this?" always looking for the lesson in everything. not all that concerned with the "why" in what is going on but the lesson to be learned. "i just don't see what the lesson in this could be?" sobbing and dripping a mess on the dinning room table, my husband came in and gave me my response.
"sometimes," he started, "sh*t happens. theirs just no reason."
"maybe this is a test?" i ask almost ignoring his response. "maybe the Lord wants to see how i'd react to braking the plate?"
"or maybe sh*t happens?" my husband, always so eloquent.
"what am i to do?"
"go get another one," was his response.
quickly i get ready for the shower trying to decide if rushing around to get another one and arriving late to the shower was the best choice. 'what would emily post do at a time like this?' i wondered. 'emily post would have had this gift purchased, wrapped and waiting in an appropriate box safely in the trunk the day after the invite arrived in the mail. or perhaps, in these modern times, she'd have her assistant do it for her.
it was decided, headed down the road, i step heavy on the gas and ask the Lord for forgiveness for my speeding. quickly checking the time i realised i would have to leave my house in fifteen minutes to arrive to the shower on time. i was headed out of town only to drive a possible 40 minutes one way in the opposite direction.
"Lord, what is the answer?"
i heard the words "slow down".
yeah, the speeding, i guess if were really sorry i'd not be speeding.
the voice again, "slow down"
oh yeah, i am supposed to be intentionally slow today. immediately pulling into a driveway i stop the car.'what will it take for the Lord to get me to slow down today. i certainly don't need a car wreck.' i think to myself as i turn the car around and head back home.
walking into the house, my husband's face bewildered, "i'm home to wrap a broken pedestal plate."
i'm still not sure what the answer would have been here other then having been better prepared and not waiting last minute to buy the gift. wrapping up the broken pedestal plate i had watchful two year old eyes on my every move, "watch-ya doin' mommy?" my daughter asked, cheeto in hand.
"wrapping a broken gift," my response with a sigh.
always empathic my sweet, cheesy daughter leaned over and wrapped me in a tight hug. i guessed it's only perfect that i not only arrive with a broken gift but with tiny, bright orange finger prints all over my nice clothes.
the bridal shower turned out to be great! always gracious my aunt, cousin and the bride to be, told me that the important thing was my presence and not my presents. i hadn't even given any thought about the well being of my children, they were home with daddy. it was easy for me to stay the moment even though i was so sad about having arrived with a broken gift. i was able to be present and enjoy the bridal shower and even made a new friend! i hadn't remembered about not trying to micromanage God and maybe that was what i was trying to do by heading back to target? it was kind of a freak accident. i have no idea how it happened. perhaps God did tug on the bag, perhaps he was testing my attitude, my heart? perhaps He just wants me to know that sometimes "sh*t happens." i don't know. although it sure was the pretties, nicest first bridal shower i could have ever attented and with some of the nicest and most thoughtful people to spend the afternoon with.
as for the broken pedestal plate? i have big plans for that. let's just say it involves crazy glue, a shelf in the dinning room and fake pile of poo. what can i say? it would make a nice reminder that sometimes, "sh*t happens."
Friday, July 15, 2011
the unexpected cuts
today started early at 5:00 a.m. and i was hoping to have all my errands done by 10:00. only problem? with a start time of five in the morning that meant that nap time should take place at ten. i wasn't nearly done with running errands. i was debating weather to stop for nap time or to push on through my day encouraging my small kids to sleep in the car off and on. that really makes for no good nap. i was determined though, and weighing my options while unloading the dish washer.
stacking one smaller glass inside another and carring them in my right hand, left hand also carrying two glasses nestled loosely, i was reminded that one of my intentional challenges today was to stop multitasking my multitasking.
'this isn't multitasking my multitasking, ' i think to myself, 'this is just how we stack these glasses.' moving quickly trying to decide how my children's nap was going to fit into my busy day, i banged the right handful of glasses on the outside of the cabinet, dropping first the taller, skinny glass, then the shorter, wider glass to the ground.
in slow motion i watched as the taller glass bounced once, brace for the shatter, twice, and i wince as i notice it didn't brake. still falling to the ground i watch as the shorter, wider glass bounces once on the ground, again expecting the shatter of shard's splinter throughout the quiet of thoughts, bounces twice and lands, whole.
"you okay mommy?" my small boy asks from the other room.
still in disbelief that glass isn't glittering linoleum, i call back, "yeah but don't come in here until i clean it all up."
i swear i thought i heard a crack. shaking my head, bending over to pick up the taller of the two i see it. the smaller, wider glass in the left hand, the one i was still holding, cracked and missing a huge peace of glass. standing up i wonder how in the world are the two glasses i dropped absolutely fine and the one i'm holding perfectly tight is broken?
left hand starting to ache i realised i braced for the shattering of broking glass by gripping the others so as not to drop them too. my grip on the glass is what broke it.
shards poking palm i pull the taller glass out of the shorter now broken one. death grip on glass, bracing for the expected.
is it the unexpected that cuts, death grip and all?
when i step out and fall, i bounce. when i hold tight, gripped, full of anxiety, i brake.
when stepping out, taking action leads to a fall, i bounce - at least i tried. when i hold tight, don't move, only wonder, i brake. stewing over this perfect illustration i rinse sparkled shards down the drain, off the palm, and remember, "i am supposed to slow down today. intentionally slow down."
it is decided. we will all lye down and nap at 10:00 a.m. any other day we would still be rubbing sleep out of our eyes. the kids must nap and i must intentionally slow down. i will slow to a sleep.
the day went well. the day was fun. i may not have gotten everything accomplished that i really wanted to but who does? thankfully i am not a heart surgeon but a wife and mother; running errands and trying to be intentional about choosing to be nearer to God. to experience more and more of Him.
tomorrow i will now intentionally practice my non-multitasking on top of multitasking. as well as intentionally only doing one thing at a time, and doing it all for the Lord.
i say practice because i really want this to become me. i want it to be part of the fabric of who i am - this is how much of a good difference if has made. grant it, it's only been two days. but i cannot see how these two things can be a bad thing. the whole intentionally not multitasking on top of multitasking has made me notice, that when i have the desire to do too many things at once, but force myself to stop and choose which thing i will do first, i breath deeper. from my diaphragm, not up in my chest all shallow. i. relax. i enjoy what i am doing. perhaps it's because i know Who i do it for? i know Who is watching and Who is appreciating and i am even less lonely these past two days. the conversations with my Lord are even easier flowing and not choppy and not mostly cries for help.
i will also intentionally practice slowing down too. i don't need any more shattered glass in my hands, on the the floor or any where for that matter.
tomorrow will be very different. i am used to being home mostly and with my family always. a bridal shower will have me stepping into a potentially uncomfortably nervous mind frame. being a stay at home wife and mother has made me feel slightly "off" in adult communication. leaving me to feel slightly insecure with conversation that don't involve super hero's, strawberry shortcake and, quite honestly, poop. i want to intentioanlly not worry about my children. intentionally remember that God's got every thing and doesn't need me to micromange. i want to intentionally be present in each moment and to be all there.
i better go get an index card and write all this down to keep in my pocket. i might need to refer back it to throught my day. as long as i'm not reading it while i'm doing anything else right? ;)
stacking one smaller glass inside another and carring them in my right hand, left hand also carrying two glasses nestled loosely, i was reminded that one of my intentional challenges today was to stop multitasking my multitasking.
'this isn't multitasking my multitasking, ' i think to myself, 'this is just how we stack these glasses.' moving quickly trying to decide how my children's nap was going to fit into my busy day, i banged the right handful of glasses on the outside of the cabinet, dropping first the taller, skinny glass, then the shorter, wider glass to the ground.
in slow motion i watched as the taller glass bounced once, brace for the shatter, twice, and i wince as i notice it didn't brake. still falling to the ground i watch as the shorter, wider glass bounces once on the ground, again expecting the shatter of shard's splinter throughout the quiet of thoughts, bounces twice and lands, whole.
"you okay mommy?" my small boy asks from the other room.
still in disbelief that glass isn't glittering linoleum, i call back, "yeah but don't come in here until i clean it all up."
i swear i thought i heard a crack. shaking my head, bending over to pick up the taller of the two i see it. the smaller, wider glass in the left hand, the one i was still holding, cracked and missing a huge peace of glass. standing up i wonder how in the world are the two glasses i dropped absolutely fine and the one i'm holding perfectly tight is broken?
left hand starting to ache i realised i braced for the shattering of broking glass by gripping the others so as not to drop them too. my grip on the glass is what broke it.
shards poking palm i pull the taller glass out of the shorter now broken one. death grip on glass, bracing for the expected.
is it the unexpected that cuts, death grip and all?
when i step out and fall, i bounce. when i hold tight, gripped, full of anxiety, i brake.
when stepping out, taking action leads to a fall, i bounce - at least i tried. when i hold tight, don't move, only wonder, i brake. stewing over this perfect illustration i rinse sparkled shards down the drain, off the palm, and remember, "i am supposed to slow down today. intentionally slow down."
it is decided. we will all lye down and nap at 10:00 a.m. any other day we would still be rubbing sleep out of our eyes. the kids must nap and i must intentionally slow down. i will slow to a sleep.
the day went well. the day was fun. i may not have gotten everything accomplished that i really wanted to but who does? thankfully i am not a heart surgeon but a wife and mother; running errands and trying to be intentional about choosing to be nearer to God. to experience more and more of Him.
tomorrow i will now intentionally practice my non-multitasking on top of multitasking. as well as intentionally only doing one thing at a time, and doing it all for the Lord.
i say practice because i really want this to become me. i want it to be part of the fabric of who i am - this is how much of a good difference if has made. grant it, it's only been two days. but i cannot see how these two things can be a bad thing. the whole intentionally not multitasking on top of multitasking has made me notice, that when i have the desire to do too many things at once, but force myself to stop and choose which thing i will do first, i breath deeper. from my diaphragm, not up in my chest all shallow. i. relax. i enjoy what i am doing. perhaps it's because i know Who i do it for? i know Who is watching and Who is appreciating and i am even less lonely these past two days. the conversations with my Lord are even easier flowing and not choppy and not mostly cries for help.
i will also intentionally practice slowing down too. i don't need any more shattered glass in my hands, on the the floor or any where for that matter.
tomorrow will be very different. i am used to being home mostly and with my family always. a bridal shower will have me stepping into a potentially uncomfortably nervous mind frame. being a stay at home wife and mother has made me feel slightly "off" in adult communication. leaving me to feel slightly insecure with conversation that don't involve super hero's, strawberry shortcake and, quite honestly, poop. i want to intentioanlly not worry about my children. intentionally remember that God's got every thing and doesn't need me to micromange. i want to intentionally be present in each moment and to be all there.
i better go get an index card and write all this down to keep in my pocket. i might need to refer back it to throught my day. as long as i'm not reading it while i'm doing anything else right? ;)
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