One of the many areas I need to improve in my life is being constantly aware of the Presence of God. Brother Lawrence was a monk who desired to spend every moment in constant fellowship with God. Here are a few quotes from Brother Lawrence that I found helpful in my journey. These quotes come from the book The Practice of the Presence of God with Spiritual Maxims.
"In the beginning of his novitiate he spent the hours appointed for private prayer in thinking of God, so as to convince his mind of, and to impress deeply upon his heart, the divine existence, rather by devout sentiments, and submission to the lights of faith, than by studied reasonings and elaborate meditations." (p. 28)
Instead of studing Scripture to grasp some big theological issue, Brother Lawrance spent his time on studying who God is, and filling his thoughts with the character of God. When spending daily time in prayer, we can so easily get distracted by interpreting and understanding different passages, that we often fail to notice how God is revealing himself in the passage.
Brother Lawrence also chose to focuse on conversing with God rather than elaborate prayers. I am sure we have all experienced praying with women who have prayed for show rather than out of a sincere fervancy to commune with God.
"he exercised himself in the knowledge and love of God, resolving to use his utmost endeavor to line in a continual sense of His presence, and, if possible never to forget Him more." (p. 29)
I wish I could say that I exercised myself in the knowledge and love of God that I was never pulled away from the continuous thought of my Awesome God. Yet, for me personally, when I go about my daily tasks, I am often pulled away from meditation on God and my thoughts turn towards my present endeavors.
I will share more at another time, but here are some small tidbits to chew on. I would love to hear how you focus your mind and thoughts to continually focus on God.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
The Horrors of Being a Task Oriented Person
I did something horrible last week. My girls were excited, they were going to be spending an entire day and night at a friends house while Daddy and I spent a special day with their brothers. The boys were excited to go see Cars 2, and we were thrilled to be able to give them some personal time. Everything was going to be great!
Early in the morning (before their friend was even awake), I dropped the girls off. They had everything they needed. I said goodbye, and climbed back in the car to head home and pick up the rest of the family. Before I pulled out of the driveway I saw my youngest at the door. I poked my head out and asked if she needed anything. She walked away from the door, and despite the feeling in my stomach that I should go to her, I pulled out of the driveway and headed home.
I was so focused on the task of dropping the girls off and picking up my boys that I didn't even realize that I left the girls without giving them hugs, kisses, or even saying I LOVE YOU!
By the time I got home, I realized what I had done. The girls were now fifteen minutes away, and we were going to be driving several hours away with the boys. I ended up spending the day in prayer -- praying that God would keep us safe so I could get back home to my girls to hug, kiss them, and tell them I LOVE YOU!
Yes, I had a wonderful time with my boys, but I can't tell you how thankful I was to get back home safely. You see, I am very much a task oriented person. While this does allow me to get a lot of things accomplished in a short amount of time, it destroys one of the most important things in life - Relationships. Unfortunately, I had to ruin a wonderful day with anxiety all because I was more task focused the relationally focused. I pray the Lord will help me to remember when I need to set the task aside and focus on the relationship that needs to be built. We were put here on earth for a relationship with God. This itself should be enough to remind me to focus on God and people and not on tasks.
I don't think my girls really even noticed, but next time I hope I will stop and remember to express my love.
Just a side: The girls did enjoy the hugging, tickle fest they received when we got back home!
Early in the morning (before their friend was even awake), I dropped the girls off. They had everything they needed. I said goodbye, and climbed back in the car to head home and pick up the rest of the family. Before I pulled out of the driveway I saw my youngest at the door. I poked my head out and asked if she needed anything. She walked away from the door, and despite the feeling in my stomach that I should go to her, I pulled out of the driveway and headed home.
I was so focused on the task of dropping the girls off and picking up my boys that I didn't even realize that I left the girls without giving them hugs, kisses, or even saying I LOVE YOU!
By the time I got home, I realized what I had done. The girls were now fifteen minutes away, and we were going to be driving several hours away with the boys. I ended up spending the day in prayer -- praying that God would keep us safe so I could get back home to my girls to hug, kiss them, and tell them I LOVE YOU!
Yes, I had a wonderful time with my boys, but I can't tell you how thankful I was to get back home safely. You see, I am very much a task oriented person. While this does allow me to get a lot of things accomplished in a short amount of time, it destroys one of the most important things in life - Relationships. Unfortunately, I had to ruin a wonderful day with anxiety all because I was more task focused the relationally focused. I pray the Lord will help me to remember when I need to set the task aside and focus on the relationship that needs to be built. We were put here on earth for a relationship with God. This itself should be enough to remind me to focus on God and people and not on tasks.
I don't think my girls really even noticed, but next time I hope I will stop and remember to express my love.
Just a side: The girls did enjoy the hugging, tickle fest they received when we got back home!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Abundance of Blessings
26. The gift of a beautiful piano
27. Tomatoes ripening from the garden
28. Discussing with my children the Nativity Movie
29. Watching two little boys sword fight
30. Vacation Bible School
31. Teaching my kids to play Uno
32. Playing uno with a two year old -- Gives you plenty of laughs
33. Four children crammed into a toddler pool jumping and splashing
34. The ability to water my garden with a hose instead of hauling water by the bucket full
35. Precious time spent with distant family
36. Baking with my oldest
37. Rainchecks!
38. A special date with my husband
39. Listening to my daughter practice music
40. A running air conditioner during the heat of summer
God gives us so many blessings and gifts. Everyday I am thankful for the precious blessings He has placed in my hands.
Thank you Father for teaching me to love.
27. Tomatoes ripening from the garden
28. Discussing with my children the Nativity Movie
29. Watching two little boys sword fight
30. Vacation Bible School
31. Teaching my kids to play Uno
32. Playing uno with a two year old -- Gives you plenty of laughs
33. Four children crammed into a toddler pool jumping and splashing
34. The ability to water my garden with a hose instead of hauling water by the bucket full
35. Precious time spent with distant family
36. Baking with my oldest
37. Rainchecks!
38. A special date with my husband
39. Listening to my daughter practice music
40. A running air conditioner during the heat of summer
God gives us so many blessings and gifts. Everyday I am thankful for the precious blessings He has placed in my hands.
Thank you Father for teaching me to love.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Keeping my thoughts silent
He was hurt, extremely hurt. I don't think the deacon that criticized the sermon realized just how much pain he inflicted. Weekly I watch my husband pray and toil for several hours over each sermon he prepares. His prayer is that every word he speaks behind the pulpit is that which God would have him speak. Yet, at that very moment I could see my husband's dreams begin to crumble. All because of words unfitly spoken.
In that moment, I saw what my words have done to my husband. No, I didn't criticize my husband's sermon - this week. I know I have spoken unfit words to my husband, and I imagine that it crushed his spirit much more than this man's words have. Sunday, I learned that I have an important role in my husband's life. My role is not to help him "improve" his sermons. My role is not to disagree or correct what he says. My role is to love him, to encourage him, and to PRAISE him for the blessing his sermon was to my heart.
Sunday night, as I sat in the pew with four very disobedient hearts (they all chose the same service to act up in), I fought with my mind to try to glean one aspect of the sermon that I could praise him for. Fighting my tears and the desire to pack up all the children, quietly sneak out of the service and take them home to put to bed, I sat and listened, and I prayed. I prayed that the Lord would clear my thoughts of the desire to flee, and give me a heart for these people who try so hard to distance themselves. I prayed that the Lord would silence my thoughts of lonliness and help me to realize my husband is even more lonely. I prayed that the Lord would free me of my discouragement so I could be the encourager my husband needs.
I can't promise that I won't ever utter a word unfitly spoken - I am after all nothing more than a sinner saved by God's wonderous grace. But I am content. God has brought us here to a hard field. One that will not yield all the fruit we expect to yield as we plant and toil. But just as a farmer faces good years and bad, fertile fields and stoney fields. We will rejoice. For though we labor, God will bring the increase. My job is not to reign over my husband but to stand beside him and encourage him.
My goal is to speak words of praise to my husband so that next time his sermon is criticized, he will have peace knowing that when he comes home his wife will encourage and love him.
In that moment, I saw what my words have done to my husband. No, I didn't criticize my husband's sermon - this week. I know I have spoken unfit words to my husband, and I imagine that it crushed his spirit much more than this man's words have. Sunday, I learned that I have an important role in my husband's life. My role is not to help him "improve" his sermons. My role is not to disagree or correct what he says. My role is to love him, to encourage him, and to PRAISE him for the blessing his sermon was to my heart.
Sunday night, as I sat in the pew with four very disobedient hearts (they all chose the same service to act up in), I fought with my mind to try to glean one aspect of the sermon that I could praise him for. Fighting my tears and the desire to pack up all the children, quietly sneak out of the service and take them home to put to bed, I sat and listened, and I prayed. I prayed that the Lord would clear my thoughts of the desire to flee, and give me a heart for these people who try so hard to distance themselves. I prayed that the Lord would silence my thoughts of lonliness and help me to realize my husband is even more lonely. I prayed that the Lord would free me of my discouragement so I could be the encourager my husband needs.
I can't promise that I won't ever utter a word unfitly spoken - I am after all nothing more than a sinner saved by God's wonderous grace. But I am content. God has brought us here to a hard field. One that will not yield all the fruit we expect to yield as we plant and toil. But just as a farmer faces good years and bad, fertile fields and stoney fields. We will rejoice. For though we labor, God will bring the increase. My job is not to reign over my husband but to stand beside him and encourage him.
My goal is to speak words of praise to my husband so that next time his sermon is criticized, he will have peace knowing that when he comes home his wife will encourage and love him.
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