Hey Sis…I REALLY needed to get my life! Like, all the way together. Unorganization is a slippery slope that comes quickly, catches me off guard, and has many bumps along the way. Bumps like tiredness, feelings of being overwhelmed, unmotivated, disheveled. It causes things to pile up, too. Things like dishes and laundry and bills and homework. Appointments are at risk of getting forgotten and missed. One small mess had quickly turned into a mountain of UGH!
Clearly, I have a lot going on right now. And lately I have felt like I was the only act in the circus. I sat in a pile of tears one evening, frustrated, angry, disturbed…all emotions I had no business giving life too. I laid on the floor, and I talked to God. It wasn’t “Thank you God for this day…”. It wasn’t a quickie prayer. It was real, live prayer. “God I feel overwhelmed, and this is why…”, “God I don’t feel I have support, and this is why…”, “God if pork bacon were bad for us, you would not have given us the pig. Help them to understand! Bacon is good!”…”God thank you for keeping me right now! It’s only because of you that I’m still fighting”….”Lord if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew, show me what to put down, and give me the strength to do it”. I cried out to God, literally and figuratively, and realized, this is what was missing: time with God.
I had gotten so busy with life, that I allowed things to edge God out. I had reduced our daily conversation to a “hey” in the morning, maybe a quick blurb on the way to work during commercial breaks on the radio…I’d shoot him a hearty “Thank you Jesus” when we had good weather. But I had lost the intimacy of “God you are awesome…thank you”…”God I’m seeking you, I want to know more of you…reveal more to me”. I didn’t feel comfortable asking for things I wanted or needed. Even though He is there to supply. I felt convicted, as if I was using Him for what He could do for me, and not appreciating who He IS to me. We all know relationships dwindle/suffer and cease to exist without good communication and time spent together. Our relationship with Christ is no different.
And sis let me tell you, when we don’t pray, our lives will pay!
We spent a long time that evening, and by the time I had said amen, I felt better. I had more energy. I felt refreshed. I conquered some homework, and some laundry. I ate some bacon. My point is, when I spend time with God in prayer and reading His Word, I end up having time for everything else. When I don’t give Him what is due, my day is hard and lopsided. You wanna even out your day? Have grace for whatever you are going to face that day? Wanna have peace and rest, even in the overwhelming situations of your day? Start your day with God. And continue it throughout the day.
God is able, and even better, He is WILLING to restore smiles, mend brokenness, heal hurts, and help with overcoming negative feelings. He wants to! But it all starts with a relationship with Him!
