Response to Feeling Stuck on Doorposts Blog
I was trying to have my quiet time this morning. I had a hard time waking up, as usual, but I did get up before the children and things were going well. I was reading the bible and praying and then I could see the baby moving around on the baby monitor. He cried a little. I begged him in my mind. Go back to sleep. But he didn't. I went upstairs and grabbed him and tried to continue my quiet time while nursing. It was okay and possible but it was a bit too late. I was frustrated. I prayed to God: Lord, I believe it is your will for me to have quiet time with you. But why is it so difficult? Why does it always feel like its a struggle? I struggle enough trying to keep from being distracted. I struggle enough with my fears and insecurities that can make it really difficult to connect. Lord, you gave me these children, don't let them keep me from you. Make a way for me to connect with you.
I guess I was pretty much giving up and began to check my email. I had an email from Doorpost titled "Feeling Stuck."The blog stared at me as the answer to my prayer. A similar situation was even one of the examples given: "I’m resentful that I missed my Bible reading time because I was up with children during the night or too early in the morning."
And the solution was even given there in plain english: Make back-up plans for Bible study at other times during the day, because mornings are just not predictable in this season of life.
Back up plans. Simple but genius. I am a determined person. When I decide to do something it is frustrating if others get in my way. However, I need to see things differently. When I am not being able to have my quiet time in the morning it is not a failure. Spiritually speaking it makes sense that there will be opposition to me having a quiet time. Instead of seeing resorting to a back up plan as a failure, I should see it so much more as a victory. It is perseverance. It is showing that even if things don't go perfectly, so that I can spend some quiet time in the morning in worship, prayer, the word, etc., I will not give up. It is still going to happen. Because it is important to me. Because I believe its important to God. For me, frustration seems to be a close companion to determination. But it doesn't need to be. I need to hope in the Lord and his guiding hand in my life.
A verse that comes to mind:
Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulation also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience, and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.
I guess I was pretty much giving up and began to check my email. I had an email from Doorpost titled "Feeling Stuck."The blog stared at me as the answer to my prayer. A similar situation was even one of the examples given: "I’m resentful that I missed my Bible reading time because I was up with children during the night or too early in the morning."
And the solution was even given there in plain english: Make back-up plans for Bible study at other times during the day, because mornings are just not predictable in this season of life.
Back up plans. Simple but genius. I am a determined person. When I decide to do something it is frustrating if others get in my way. However, I need to see things differently. When I am not being able to have my quiet time in the morning it is not a failure. Spiritually speaking it makes sense that there will be opposition to me having a quiet time. Instead of seeing resorting to a back up plan as a failure, I should see it so much more as a victory. It is perseverance. It is showing that even if things don't go perfectly, so that I can spend some quiet time in the morning in worship, prayer, the word, etc., I will not give up. It is still going to happen. Because it is important to me. Because I believe its important to God. For me, frustration seems to be a close companion to determination. But it doesn't need to be. I need to hope in the Lord and his guiding hand in my life.
A verse that comes to mind:
Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulation also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience, and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.
So true! Back-up plans are victory, not failure.
ReplyDeleteI love this! Victory means there's going to be battles!
ReplyDelete"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."