Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Lightbulb Moment

I apologize for my lack of blogging lately! My mind and heart are focused on "Live, Love, Laugh" and I'm finding it hard to concentrate on anything else. Although, I believe that is the way God intends for me to be this week...so I guess I don't really need to apologize.

Yesterday, I told you that I had a cool thing to share with you, then I got sidetracked trying to catch up on laundry, clean bathrooms, strip beds, educate my children....and then those little things had the nerve to tell me they were starving! Needless to say, I didn't get back around to sharing this thought with you.

I'm calling it a lightbulb moment. Freedom's Call was sitting in Murphy's upper room(bonus room) having our Bible study. (We are going through an incredible book called "The Heart of the Artist") She shared that over the last couple of weeks during her morning study she doesn't say "Amen" during her prayer time. She waits until she's putting her head on the pillow at night and then says.."Lord, thank you for today and all we experienced...in Jesus name...Amen"

I was taken by this and said it was kind of like having a phone conversation but never hanging up the phone...leaving the line open. In essence, her conversation with the Lord is becoming a continual and unending day of prayer. She is aware that He is listening and right with her.

For some reason, that just excited me. What would happen in our day to day life if we left the "phone line" to God open? I bet some of our conversation would be totally different.

I felt the Holy Spirit say, "But I do hear everything, I do experience your day with you, I cringe at some of the things you think! I don't hang up the phone, you just choose to ignore me!"

Yikes...that hit a tender spot.

Honestly, this week as I'm preparing to lead worship, it has been easier to leave the line open so to say. But on a regular week, I don't live with this mindset. Sure I pray and send up sentence prayers throughout the day, but to live moment by moment aware of His presence....I don't always do that.

My prayer is that I will "leave the line open" every day. That I will acknowledge the presence of God with each breath that I take.

Do you know what else? I believe that in doing this, I'm going to see Him do things and move in areas that I've never been aware of before. I can't wait to see what I've been missing, and I don't ever want to go back!

I'm posting the part of the lyrics to a song I wrote several years ago...I'll be honest, it's my least favorite song musically but the lyrics kind of fit here! Maybe I'll work on it some more. :)

I DON'T WANT TO LIVE UNMOVED

Alarm rings its 6:00 am, another day begins.

Laundry and lunches, groceries and carpool oh does it ever end.

When halfway through the day, I haven't even stopped to pray.

Forgive me, what can I say.

My soul's yearning for more of Your Word, but I pick up a magazine.

Thumb through the pages; get depressed, I'm not what they say I should be.

When your quiet voice inside me gently draws me to my knees,

Change me, Lord change me.

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I don’t wanna live another day, unmoved by you.

Cause any day without you, is the day I'm set to fall.

I don't wanna take another step, without you in my sight.

I need you Father, moving in my life.

I need you Jesus, walking by me side.

I need you Spirit, to always be my guide.

I don't wanna live unmoved by you.
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Copyright Stephanie Parson 2004

9 comments:

Fran said...

So very beautiful Stephanie and I couldn't agree more. I desperately want to leave that line open too. I don't want to hang up on the Lord, but how often I do...intentional or unintentional.

You've just blessed me so much.
I'm praying for all of you this weekend. You know I'd give anything to come! :)

Carol said...

Good stuff. What a beautiful song. I'll have to tell you a funny story sometime about not saying "amen."

Meg said...

Me too...don't want to be unmoved by Him. Yes! Have a great time this weekend.

Anonymous said...

I have often thought of the same thing. To say "Amen" or especially, "In Jesus Name, Amen", seems so formal and final. I like to keep it open ended too. :)

Cheri said...

What a wonderful way of praying with the Father. A friendly conversation that lasts all day!

Love the lyrics to the song!

Have a great weekend!

Leah Adams said...

I LOVE those lyrics!! They just fit with everyday life and our feelings so well. I'd love to hear it with music!!

Praying for you this weekend!

Leah

The Stokes Family said...

I needed to read that this morning, thank you! It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of our days and remain 'unmoved'by our Lord. I LOVE the concept of 'leaving the line open'--that is going to be my goal! You are SUCH an encouragement, Stephanie!

Blessings,
Amanda

BethAnne said...

I love this!!! I am sooooo doing this. Isn't it funny how fickly we Christians are. When we are knee deep in teaching Bible Study or in your case leading worship, we stay close and spend lots of time in prayer, but at other times we are so far away from God. Oh we still pray, but we dont have that closeness - we need it! Oh how I need that! I was just thinking the other day how I am close to God when leading Bible study, but what about when I am on vacation? I dont spend half the time praying or studying during vacation.
I totally hear what you're saying here and let me tell you these words were meant for me.

DeAnna said...

You know... I have never really thought about that concept before. But, it really makes since. What a GREAT way to go about your day with the Lord, and then to "hang up" when you close your eyes at night.