The Savior's Manger

Last year around this time, I wrote about how amazing I find it that Jesus came down from heaven to be born as a baby.     How absolutely unfathomable it is to me, that the King of the universe CHOSE, not to just come down and live as a human among us, spend His life serving those who hated Him, and die a horrible death to save us, but that He came as an unborn child.   It literally blows my mind to think of Jesus, the Son of God, choosing to be carried for 9 months in a womb, born, and have to grow from a baby into a man, diaper changes and runny noses and everything.   It has given me a whole new perspective on the depth and enormity of His sacrifice.    But then this year as I thought about all of this again, I starting thinking about Mary.    Maybe it's because I am 18 weeks pregnant myself, but I cannot even imagine what it must have been like for her.     Young, scared, pregnant with the Son of God (talk about crazy!) and having to travel, in labor, on a donkey.   I think it can be really easy to read the stories in scripture, and without meaning to, romanticize them a bit.  The way we might an old memory where we forget all of the unpleasantness and only think about the good moments.    But just think about this for a moment.   Really think about it.   You’re a teenager, no parents or relatives anywhere near, traveling with your husband, sitting on a donkey in excruciating pain...no drugs, knowing that you would soon be giving birth to the child you were told was the Son of God, scared half to death.   You arrive at our destination only to be told that you can't even have a regular bed, in a regular room, with bedding and walls, and privacy.....so you have to give birth, with no assistance, in a barn, sitting on hay and who knows what else, surrounded by smelly, loud, dirty creatures, and all of their filth, no soap, no nurses, no blankets or sheets, or anything to even cut the umbilical cord with.    And while I would like to think that maybe God gave her some extra grace considering the circumstances, He really didn't roll out the red carpet for Jesus's entrance at all.    And this is what amazes me about our Savior.     As if His life and death and resurrection weren’t enough.     He came as an unborn child.   To be born in quite possible the worst circumstances a pregnant woman could possibly dream up for giving birth in, and spent the first few hours of His life, surrounded by animals, and smells, in the most unglamorous environment.     God could have provided a room, He could have given His son a little more flash and cleanliness, He could have poured out His provision and made every accommodation to make sure His son had everything He needed from the moment He was born for His comfort and happiness.   Instead, He allowed the humblest beginning.    As I to indicate from the start, the course of His life lived in humility.   This Christmas, I will worship Him with a little more gratitude than normal.   Because while I look at my nativity as a charming addition to my piano decorations, the truth is....it was the humble beginning of a humble King, who came to serve and love and give His life.   And didn't even for a moment, even before He took His first breath as a newborn, stray from the humble heart He came to show the world.     My what a King we serve.   I am so thankful this season for my Savior.

We are God's Poetry

Hey everyone!   Man has it been a while since I sat down to write.   Funny how life does that…. You blink and a month goes by. 

Recently I had the privilege of being a part of the worship team for the Women’s retreat that my church held, at a State Park in Alabama.   We drove down on Friday and honestly, I had no idea what to expect.   I know that sounds a little silly to say out loud, but I have never been on a women’s retreat before and while I was thrilled to go, and I knew that the speakers (all friends of mine) would be awesome, I was honestly a little intimidated.      Man, oh man did the Lord show up!    It was a weekend filled with incredible fellowship and wonderful times of worship.    But the part that stuck out to me the most…. the part I am still chewing on, was the story God told through the speakers.   I thought I would share a few of the highlights of what was shared, and a few of my thoughts, as I process everything the Lord did on this weekend.

 They each shared in the theme of Poetry with a focus on Ephesians 2:10” For We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

That word Workmanship, (also translated Masterpiece or Handiwork) comes from the word Poiema, which means a Masters Piece of Work.  We are literally Gods Master Pieces.   Each one of us.   He is the author and we are His poems.    Not an accident or unintentional story.   A beautiful piece of art that is being penned by the creator of the universe.    One of my favorite quotes from this past weekend was this “The Presence of the Poem, proves the existence of the poet”.     It is indeed the poet that gives a poem value, not the poem itself.  

A few of the ways that the enemy tries to attack our story is by minimizing it, threatening it, isolating it, and tempting us to compare it to others.    But we are God’s unique creation, each of us.   Called to tell our own story, make our God known, and lift others up who may also struggle through the sharing of what God has done.

When we find ourselves struggling to believe in our value, it is most likely due to things we are hanging onto in our lives that are not of Him.    Things like Jealously, Offenses, Unforgiveness, Comparison, and Bitterness.    But Ephesians 1:3 tells us that we have been blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.   Which means that we don’t have to fight for power, strive for strength, or find courage within ourselves to walk in the fullness of who we are created to be.    God has already given us the power, so if we are lacking, it is not Him... it’s us.   We are choosing not to walk in the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit.  We are choosing to try and write our own story.    And the only territory the enemy has is what we give him.    Which means we need to take that territory back.   Refuse to fall into His lies.   Trust and Believe that we are more than conquerors in Christ and walk in that victory, letting God remain the author of our lives.  

So, what are some of the areas where we have allowed the enemy access or power in our lives that maybe we don’t even realize, because after so long it has just become our “normal”.   Maybe we think of it as “who we are” when God is telling you “This is not a part of the poem I am writing”.

He has good works planned for us, just like Ephesians tells us.   So maybe it’s time to take a look at those places where the enemy has convinced us that this is the story we are stuck with, and start allowing the Lord to write His story over us.   It may not look the way we planned, or dreamed it to look, but the story, the poem of the King is the beautiful story of repentance, healing, authority, boldness, forgiveness, love, joy, peace, hope…. this is the story I want for my life.    

One of the things I was left with this weekend was the idea that sometimes to get back to His story and out of the one we are trying to write for ourselves, is to pray over what good work the Lord may be calling you to as an act of obedience.   It doesn’t need to be a huge grandiose work.   It doesn’t even need to be public…. just something the Lord is saying “This is what I need you to do for right now”.    Maybe in preparation for something more, maybe just as way to clear out some for the junk.  Maybe it’s something as small as committing to wash the dishes every day because your spouse hates doing it and it would bless your marriage to take that job on, or committing to that quiet time you always say you will take but seldom do.   For me it was something rather simple, but actually rather difficult for me.   And to many of you this will sound silly but I know that the Lord has called me to this as my good work.  What His full purpose is for this in my story I may never know.     I lead worship often at my church for different events.   This means that almost daily I am working on new songs, spending time in worship on my own, and going over the songs I plan to do at the next event.   I have a keyboard, and now we also have a piano in the living room.     But since the piano has arrived, I rarely play it when anyone else is home because I am terribly self-conscious worshipping in front of my family.    It’s 100% the enemy and I know that.    They don’t care, and even if they did it shouldn’t matter to me at all.    But this has been a struggle for me for many years, so I generally hide away in my room to worship/prepare/write.   It has become clear to me that this is my way of hiding a vulnerable place in me, from those who I trust the most.   The Lord called me out this weekend, that my Good Work, is to start playing on the piano no matter who is home.   That I am to walk in boldness as a worshipper in this way.    It truly challenges me, to worship without distraction or concern for what others are thinking and it will be an act of obedience.   I imagine after a while I won’t think about it anymore….and maybe it will be just the thing my family needs.   But it is a challenge none the less.   I was sure to tell my husband as I wanted to voice my commitment so that I could not back out of it.  

 I want to encourage you to pray over what good work the Lord may have for you.   The enemy wants to silence our voices.   To make us ineffective for the kingdom.   Whether by fear, or by keeping us occupied, or distracted.   Maybe by telling us we have nothing to say of any value.   But the Lord has something to say through each of us.   We are His poems and we are His beautiful handiwork.   It’s time to take back our story and hand it over to the author and finisher of our faith.    

That Is What We Are!

Often times in Long term relationships, friendship or romantic, you reach a point where there is a shift that takes place.   You move from a learning to a knowing.  From an unfamiliarity to a familiarity.  Where most of the questions have turned to answers, roots have been planted, and the love has developed into a foundational element of the relationship.  No longer a question mark, but a truth.   Love becomes more about the act of showing rather than proving or earning.  There is a security in this kind of love.  But love never starts out this way.   And isn't always an easy path to get to.  Even when you do arrive at this kind of love, It requires a lot of time, attention, and work to keep it strong. 

I was thinking about my husband recently.  How our relationship has grown over the years.  We are both very stubborn, and while that most definitely presents its challenges, there is a hidden blessing in that neither one of us are quitters.   Neither one of us run when faced with difficulties.   We fight for each other and push each other.     This has helped to build a foundational element of security in the love between us, over the past 9 years.   We are by no means professionals at marriage, nor do we have the best marriage possible.   But it has really helped me to see more of God's love for me in watching my husband love, and watching our relationship grow.

I believe God designed marriage as an earthly example of His love toward us and desire for intimate relationship with His people.   And while our relationships contain many cracks and holes, It can help us to see a tangible picture of what His love looks like.   

He doesn't give up on us, or turn His back when we turn ours.   He doesn't deny us grace because we make a mistake or hold against us the things we do that are not honoring to Him.   He loves us just the same, through difficult circumstances, Joy's and pain, heartache and victory.  Even when it doesnt make sense, the love remains.  

    

One of the big differences in His love for us though, is that He loved us first.  Before we even knew Him, before we ever had a chance to fall in love with Him.   Before we ever heard His voice or read His words.    He already loves us, and He has already proven it.  His word says "We love Him because He first loved us"    But that's it really...there is no catch!   We dont have to do anything to earn it or deserve it.  He already knows us more intimately than we could ever hope to know our best friend or significant other, and loves us so much that He chose to give His life, the ultimate sacrifice of love for us.   That is what makes His love for us so incredible.  Even the best human relationships have struggles, and difficult seasons.  Even the most dedicated, loyal people fail at times to love unconditionally.  His love for us is complete.   His love is perfect.  Whole.  Full.  Safe.  Unchanging.  

I think the part that amazes me the most when I think about our Savior is that He would have died just for me.  Even if I was the only person in the earth.   And He would have died for you just the same.   That amazes me, and I hope it always amazes me.   To love others this way is the call we have on our lives.  Our purpose really.   Not just our best friend or spouse but to love others as we love ourselves.  To love our neighbors as ourselves.  To love as Jesus loves.  And He doesn't tell us to "Do what I say and not as I do", in fact His word says in 1st John 3:19 "This is how we know that what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.   And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.".   And even more, He has given us all we need to love the way He loves, through the power of the Hoy Spirit.  

People don't always seem lovable.   Sometimes they really aren't from human standards.   And frankly it can be an inconvenience to love others well....But I think the conviction level rises for me when I think about the fact that I just turned 34, which means I have now been on this earth longer than Jesus was.    And have I spent this time loving others?    Or am I more worried about the things I need, and want, and care about?  Have I done everything I can do to love well, not just when its convenient, easy, or makes me look good?  

So here is the tough question part..... How would marriages improve if we loved our spouse the way Jesus calls us to love?   How would our friendships improve?   Relationships with kids or neighbors?   Even the way we treat people we see on the street or in the market.    What about our enemies?   What if we chose to love them?      

What if we woke up each morning and asked the Lord, how can I love well today?    What would change?

Will it be easy?   Absolutely not!   Will it require sacrifice?   100% of the time!    But will it be worth it?   Without question!    Just imagine the impact it would have in the church and in the world around us, if we started living in the true calling and purpose of a believer.  To "Love not with words or speech but with actions and in truth".   Our world needs it now more than ever.

1 John 3:1a "See what great love the Father has lavished upon us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!"

 

A Beautiful Reminder

So my husband and I bought a new car a few weeks ago.   It's the car I have been wanting and hoping for, for about 5 years.    I was waiting for the right timing and after praying over it, felt peace to to go ahead and make the trade from my current car.      I spent hours cleaning the old car, and making it look as shiny and new as possible.   I took everything out of it, and sorted all the paperwork and on Friday evening we went to the dealership.  After a few hours, we we off in our brand new, beautiful, car.  It was exciting.   This car checked all of the boxes for our family, you know?  Like extra seats the fold down in the back, and extra trunk space for the groceries I deliver for my part time job.  It was great and we were thankful.   I have had a few cars over the last 10 years or so, and this one, for me, for some reason, was the most exciting.   I was already picturing this car, as the one we would use to take kids to games, or pick them up from school, go on road trips, or teach my stepson to drive in.   Oh how dreams change as we get older haha....anyway back to the story

So, the next day my stepson had a soccer game.  I was so excited to drive the new car to the game.   We loaded up the camping chairs and soccer gear and headed out.   It was an early one, at least for a Saturday, (I mean who plans games for 9 am on a Saturday?) and we had to be there even earlier so my stepson could change into his uniform.   So at 8:30 we rolled into the parking lot, still drinking our morning coffee, and grabbed our lawn chairs and prepared to watch the kids play, along side dozens of other parents.     After the game, we loaded back into the car, and I started to back out of the spot.   This car has a rear camera which I am still getting use to, but this was only the second time I had used it, so I watched carefully as I pulled out of the spot.    I needed a little more room so I pulled forward slightly, and then preceded to put the car back into reverse to back up a few more feet. Just as I was about to pull forward the rest of the way to leave, we noticed in the rear camera a person backing up....before I could even honk my horn he had rear ended us.    Less than 24 hours after leaving the dealership, we had been hit.   I sat a little stunned for a minute while my husband got out of the car to talk to the other driver and then I pulled into another spot to see the damage.    Everyone was fine.   No injuries, and really, minimal damage.   But my bumper was no longer in it's new, pristine condition and my heart sank as I looked over the new scratches and dents.    I have been in accidents before, but never with a brand new car....and never a car that meant so much.   Somehow I held it together.    We exchanged insurance information, while the other driver apologized and admitted he did not look behind him as he was backing out.    While this didn't fix anything, I knew we would be able to resolve this situation.   But man was I bummed.    As I sit here my husband is researching a collision center for us to take the car too, so hopefully soon she...yes it's a she ;) will be good as new.  

That Sunday (the day after the accident) I was leading worship in the middle school room at our church.   I originally thought I would just keep the news to myself and not make a fuss, but then the Lord reminded me of something.     When we are in these kinds of situations, we have a choice.   A choice of how we are going to respond.   How we are going to handle these moments.     Our reaction is a choice, and we are the only ones who can make that choice.    I prayed, and continue to pray, that the Lord would use this story for good, and for His glory.    But what it led me tp think about, and what I also explained to the kids, is that this is the same kind of opportunity we have during our time worship.   We have a choice.   When His presence comes crashing in, disrupting our comfortable normal....pushing away our comfort zone or squeezing us out of our hiding places, what will our reaction be?   Will we choose to push Him away and stay in our safe place?   Will we choose to walk through the motions, simply standing and singing because it's what is expected, or because our friends are doing it?   Or will we choose to take a step closer, dive a little deeper, let the Holy Spirit have His way?    He already knows what we hide away.   The messy bits, and all the cracks.  But He won't force it on us, we have to choose it....Respond to it.  
When we feel disconnected from His presence, it's not Him, it's us.   We are the ones who drift away, letting our focus turn to ourselves or the things going on around us.  We are the ones who are being pulled in so many different directions that we forget to look up.    But like the song says "When You walk into the room, sickness starts to vanish, every hopeless situation ceases to exist, When You walk into the room, the dead begin to rise, cause there is resurrection life in all You do...." And that is the kind of encounter I want, that is the reaction I want to have in His presence.     So from now on, when I get in my car, or think about that accident, it will forever be a reminder to me to consider my response.     To make a choice.    To engage with the Father and choose His presence.    Who knew an accident could turn into such a beautiful reminder.  

Order and Chaos

The older I get the more OCD I become.   I know I know...this is a cliche thing to say these days, but it's honestly true.  Sometimes I literally drive myself nuts with the amount of time I spend thinking about the little things that need doing.   Stuff my husband wouldn't notice in 100 years, stands out to me like a highlighted line in a text book.    I haven't always been this way...I used to ignore dirty floors, or nail holes in the wall.   But I like order, cleanliness and precision.

Recently, This got me thinking about how we were created in the Lord's image.   Genesis 1:27 says it twice, as if to make sure you don't miss it the first time, "So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them."      No two people are the same, and that in and of itself speaks to the tremendous depth, and complexity of our Father, and of the gifts He has poured into each of us.

But the thing that strikes me and continues to amaze me as I think about it more and more, is that God is a God of order and clarity.  It tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:33, that He is a God of peace, not disorder.    He is by His very nature, organized, precise, and intentional.   He created a world with such structure and precision, that we are so deeply engrained with, It's easy to completely miss the Creator evidence all around us.   They are things we take for granted as "normal".  
We know the world is a fallen world, due to sin, and within that there is much chaos, hardship, brokenness, and calamity but...  
                                       His design was perfect.   His design reflects His character.
  He has given us the Grace to recognize and build upon some of these truths for our benefit, enjoyment, and development.   Things like Math, rhythm, Architecture, decorating, cooking... all come back to our God given ability to recognize pattern, structure, function, and plan....that already existed.   Other things like, law, government, schools, even jails....comes back to our God breathed ability and guidance to recognize order, growth, and peace....that already existed.   We did not create these things, we simply saw them around us and developed them into patterns, order, and function.

Think about music.   Rhythm itself, is just patterns.   So what turns it into music?  a melody, maybe some harmony, perhaps an instrument, layered over another.   But how do we even know what music is? Or have the ability to recognize when a note works with another, or a sound fits with another sound?    Even my husband, who does not sing and cannot play an instrument, can recognize a good song when it comes on the radio, or notice when someone sings flat...why?   What we know of as music, was built into the fabric of creation.   We are engrained with these principles by a creator who designed every detail down to the finest detail.  

Even our bodies recognize patterns and rhythms.   How often fo you wake up on a Saturday at the time when your alarm goes off Mon-Fri, even though you don't have too?   Or find yourself getting hungry the same times each day?
In our house, even our dogs have a schedule.   And they except us to follow it each day without exception.   They know what to expect and when to expect it....without a watch or calendar to look at.      I love this about the Lord's design.   I love that it shows the detail and great thought He put into His creation.  And how it speaks to an intelligent designer.  It reminds me of the passage that tells us "Even the rocks will cry out".   His creation speaks to His glory....even if we don't notice it.

As I looked up scripture related to chaos, what I noticed was this.  Who causes chaos in most cases?   We do.

Due to the Original Sin: Genesis 3:6-19
Due to Disobedience: Isaiah 24:5-6
Due to Wickedness: Genesis 6:5-7
Due to Pride: Jeremiah 49:31-32
Due to Hardened Hearts: Ephesians 4:18-19

What is the opposite of chaos?  peace.  And peace comes from the Lord

We are called to live in Peace: John 14:27
We are called to live in order:1 Corinthians 14:40
We are called to walk in obedience: Jonah 3:3
We are called to live in righteousness: Isaiah 32:17-18
We are called to dwell with Him: Psalm 91


Psalm 46:2-6 tells says "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.    There is a river who's streams make glad the city of God.  The Holy place where the Most High dwells.  God is within her, she will not fall: God will help her at break of day.   Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall, He lifts His voice, the earth melts."

God is a God of peace and the creator of the universe.   In Romans 1:20 we read "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities- His eternal power and divine nature-Have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.  
If He can build this amazing, complex, intricate world, full of creator evidence, that within it exists things like structure, order, function, and logic, all the while weaving throughout time and space the story of Love, Hope and Redemption, then surely He can keep us, protect us, and guide us today.

Press On

About...goodness, 9 or 10 years ago now, I went through a bit of a rough spiritual season.  It wasn't something that happened overnight, but just a gradual distance that I allowed to develop between the Father and I.  I started walking on a path that was not the one I knew in my heart, (but chose to ignore) that He had for me,  making some choices that were not stupendous, I had stopped going to church or reading the word, didn't pray much.....pretty much parked my faith on the back burner.    Looking back now, I can see the Lord's hand all over that season, in His protection, covering, and guidance, even in my choices.   But at the time, though I knew in my heart He was with me, I did not live in that truth.   Around the time I had reached a point that was probably the lowest for me, there were a few circumstances that began to turn the spiritual tide of my heart.    After a short period of time I found myself back in church, involved in a young adults study, digging into the word with an intensity and passion I had never had before and pouring myself out in worship every day for hours at a time.   I fell in love with the Lord in a new way.   A way I had never really known His love in my life....much I imagine, like the prodigal son coming home.   The group of friends who I had grown close to throughout this season (many of whom I am still good friends with now), were all coming out of similar seasons.   We joined together as kindred spirits, all seeking to know this king who had redeemed us.   Desperate for His presence, and  thankful for what He brought us out of.   It was a time of spiritual growth like I have never experienced before.   Still to this day, I look back at that time with such joy and gratitude.  
    A few days ago I was thinking about that season.  About how much I missed those Bible studies, sitting in a living room with a few dozen friends, praying and worshipping, discussing books or passages of scripture.    Encouraging one another and experiencing what I can only describe as an Acts like fellowship.
Since that time we have scattered.   Most of us married, many with kids.   A few of us moved on to work in different ministries, some left to go to another church, some have moved away, a few of us stayed behind where it all began.    But regardless it was a season that has shaped me even to this day.    And at times I think "If I could only go back" or "I wish things were like they were then"
But the Lord reminded me recently,  that while the memories are precious and the season fruitful, it was just that....a season.    And to dwell in the past, no matter how amazing it was, will not help but rather harm me in the present.   Not because we should forget, or because we should not be reminded of His faithfulness to us.   But because if we are looking back at the past, we aren't looking forward toward Him.   That season served its purpose....a great one, and I don't think I would have been adequately prepared for all He has called me to over the last decade had it not been for that sweet time in my life.   I am thankful, but we are called to press on toward the goal to win the prize, not get stuck on mile marker 23.   And maybe that verse is in scripture, partly to act as a reminder for us to keep moving forward regardless of what season we just came out of, or are moving into.    Not to get stuck in a moment in time, good or bad, that has shaped us for better or worse.  But rather to press on, take that next step, move forward trusting...knowing that the Lord will use every moment for His glory.   That He will redeem every tear, and polish every scratch, He will mend the broken heart, or use the victory for the good of the kingdom....but we have to be willing to take the next step.  We have to be willing to move on and let the Lord do the rest.

A Thousand Times a Day

Happy new year!   It's hard to believe it's already 2018.   Seems like yesterday I had finally gotten use to signing checks with 17 on them, and now it's a whole new year.    This period of time when we reflect on a year over, with a new one lying ahead, is always for me, a time of remembering with sentimentality mixed with sadness, on what has been that will never be again.   Paired along side excitement and anticipation toward the newness, the possibilities and the potential, that a new year brings.   I was thinking a few days ago about all that happened this past year.   So much change, challenge, and growth.    So much business.   So very busy.   And while it was good things mostly, I realized that to some extent it has become a my normal to be busy.  Culturally we have conditioned ourselves that change is good, being busy means you are achieving something, and the quicker we can get things done the better.   Our food has gotten faster, our jobs suck up more hours, our errands can be done online, so that we don't even have to stop what we are doing to go to the store.   This started me thinking about my parents.     They are an older generation.   A generation that grew up without the choices and options we have today.   And my parents, who are by no means behind the times, bare the evidence of this in their lives.   They have lived in the same house for almost 30 years, and they have stayed with the same insurance company throughout this entire span of time.  They have the same phone service (AT&T) they have had since the day my dad brought home his first brick cell phone.  They even have some of the same furniture they had when we moved into the house....and I love it.   Every time I think about it, it fills me with a sense of peace and stability.  now don't get me wrong, there can be benefit to shopping around for a cheaper rate on your home owners insurance, or switching cell phone carriers to the unlimited plan.   But the thing I can't help but think is....it's a mindset.   They aren't trying to constantly change or upgrade everything, comparing themselves with their neighbor's plan or feeling unsatisfied because they have an older car or a less "trendy" landscaping.   they are just happy with what they have.    This mentality is missing I think, from a lot of the current cultural trends and attitudes.    And I think it can affect us spiritually if we aren't careful.   We want a fast food faith.     Memes and one liners fill our social media feeds.  We have church on line or on tv.    And even when we go to a service, we want it to fit within a time frame we have decided is appropriate for a Sunday service.  If it goes to long, or doesn't follow a certain format we expect, we begin to grow impatient.   We want that part of our lives to fit neatly into the portion of time we designate for it.    But here is the thing,  a fast food faith will produce low quality fruit.   We have to make the choice ourselves to take the time with the Lord.   Prioritize Him.   To ask Him what we can do for Him, instead of asking Him to fit into our lives.    Even good things, can be bad things, if they pull us away from His presence.   I am the worst of them all when it comes to this.     I struggle with the idea that it is not only ok, but for our good to stop.   To rest.   To wait on the Lord.  

Brother Lawerence said it best in his book The Practice of the Presence of God

"Whatever we do, even if we are reading the Word or praying, we should stop for a few minutes-as often as possible-to praise God from the depths of our hearts, to enjoy Him there in secret. Since we believe that God is always with us, no matter what we may be doing, why shouldn't we stop for a while to adore Him, to praise Him, to petition Him, to offer Him our hearts, and to thank Him?
What could please God more than for us to leave the cares of the world temporarily in order to worship Him in our spirits? These momentary retreats serve to free us from our selfishness, which can only exist in the world.  In short, we cannot show our loyalty to God more than by renouncing our worldly selves as much as a thousand times a day to enjoy even a single moment with Him.   This doesn't mean we must ignore the duties of the world forever; that would be impossible.  Let prudence be our guide.  However, I do believe that it is a common mistake of Spirit-filled people not to leave the cares of the world periodically to praise God in their spirits and to rest in the peace of His divine presence for a few moments."

I pray that 2018 would be a year of resting in His presence.   Not rushed or hurried.     That our business would be an inconvenience to spending time in His presence, rather than the other way around, and that we would choose to stop a thousand times a day if necessary to be with Him, thank Him, praise Him, and worship Him.