It's starting.
The busy season.
Part of me loves it. The shopping, decorations, the music, the food...I love the busy time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The other part of my loathes this time of year. As much as I LOVE the season, far too often I feel suffocated by all the commitments we try to cram into the last 6 weeks of the year. We become tired, irritable and before we know it the season is over.
Lately, I've been talking to God about how to NOT be overwhelmed, tired and irritable during this season. (I really want to enjoy this season without the drama that comes from exhaustion...do you hear me here!) He's been pretty good about sending me to passages that tell me how to do that.
Here was the first and the most important to me:
Ecclesiastes 8:3 "Do not be in a hurry to leave the King's presence....."
In other words...don't rush Him. Oh boy I'm guilty of this especially during the holidays. I will be sitting reading my Bible and find my mind drifting toward my to do list. All the stuff I need to accomplish. (Does your to do list go on steroids around November 1 too?) The list is not bad, the things ON the list are not bad. BUT when hearing what God Almighty has to say to me takes backseat to "the list", THAT my friend is bad.
One of favorite verses is Psalm 90:14
"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."
If I'm going to have a godly attitude and love for those around me, if I want to ooze Jesus while I'm doing life during this very busy time...I have to start my day with Jesus. It just isn't an option.
Being in the Word doesn't mean that every day is going to be picture perfect and look like a Norman Rockwell painting.
Being in the Word doesn't mean that we will skip through this season and into the New Year without drama...um have you met my family??? JUST KIDDING, sort of....
Being in the Word means that God is going to give me what I need for today, for this time. His Word is life. It is our daily energy drink and if there is ever a time when we need an extra dose, it's this time of year!!
Jeremiah 15:16 says
"When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name o Lord God Almighty!"
God help me to hang on just a little longer. To listen a little harder and NOT RUSH my time with you during this season. Help me to savor each minute I have with you. You really are my joy and my heart's delight! It's only you that satisfies me...remind me of that when I become distracted.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Hang On For Just a Minute Longer
Posted by ocean mommy at 11/15/2008 12:53:00 PM
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9 comments:
"Help me to savor each moment" - I love that. I have decided that simplicity is going to be the beauty this year and savor each moment with my loved ones instead of frazzling mind, my body and my pocketbook with all of the comings and goings.
Thanks for sharing. -Laurie
Thank you for this post! I needed a reminder.
Much love!
Haley
I like you have torn emotions about the holidays..I love the festivity, just dislike the hurried busy schedule, and all the preparation...
I am praying with you that this holiday season...HE will just be first in all I do, and always sitting at HIS feet, without thinking of my to-do list.
Love you Princess!
I want the same thing you do,to spend time with Jesus and not worry about the craziness of the holiday so much this year. Great post.
What a great post. I went through a couple of Christmas seasons when I actually dreaded all the "stuff" that went along with it.
Last year I asked the Lord to help me focus totally on Jesus and to bring back my joy during this season.
Thanks for the great encouragement.
Oh man, can you say "convicted?" Thanks for this post, Stephanie. It really spoke to my heart.
Much love,
~Cheryl
I posted something similar to this today....lately life has been getting in the way of what is important and I do not like it at all. Not just this time of year, but all year long, it seems that I am a slave to a schedule and I dont even work outside the home!!!! What up with that? Anyway, I totally agree with you.....if I am not grounded in the word, this ship runs aground.
Loved this!
I especially love "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight"...I'm going to try to implement this type of diet instead of the traditional, holiday one! :o)
Hugs,
Melinda
You know after the email I sent you that I'm hanging on to Him and clinging closer to Him more than ever. I don't want to lose this feeling of desperate need though.
As hard as it is....its so awesome too!
I love ya!!!
Fran
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