"So many people run from those seasons of loneliness out of fear. They never take the time to learn the lesson they're mean to learn from being alone. So you're lonely. Big deal! A little loneliness never hurt anyone. Learn to sit with it. Learn to appreciate the loneliness for the gift that it truly is--a chance for God to finally get you alone so He can go to work on building a relationship with you. People need a little loneliness in life. Loneliness is where you find peace, reclaim your joy, and get to know the God who obviously loves you so much that He is going to great extremes to remove the distractions from your life so you can draw near to Him."
-Mandy Hale, I've Never Been to Vegas, But My Luggage Has
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Pray
Got to bed on time. Woke up on time.
Poured myself a mug of coffee (on this 50 degree summer morning!! Sheesh!) and pulled on a cozy sweatshirt then snuggled onto the couch in my 'prayer area.'
And I realized how long it felt since I had done this. I pray daily. And often. But something was different. I was still. Inside and out. I was open. I was calm. I wasn't checking the time.
He was there. But He always is. This time I was really there.
I can't describe it, friends. But I was convicted in a gentle way. Because now that I have more time...I'm not always using it as I should. Sometimes I choose the fiction book. Or the internet browsing. Or the bedtime snack. Instead of the purposeful coming away from the world, choosing quiet so that I can hear Him and rest in Him (Mark 6:31).
I've been anxious. Fearful. Restless. My mind has been wrestling with a few different things.
But these past couple days as I've been more intentional with 'coming away' to pray-- really pray (the coffee shop prayers), not just go through the motions or talk to God distractedly, I've felt the peace trickle in once again. Did it solve all my fears and anxiety? No. But it reminded me what I've been missing. That all the other relaxing or enjoyable things I might pursue in the summertime cannot give me the rest or joy that true heartfelt prayer does.
So this week I'm choosing to prioritize prayer. To decrease distractions-- the inside ones and the outside ones.
Will you keep me accountable? Do you want to join me?
Whether your summer is lonely or busy, lazy or crazy, there's a Father who waits for us with all the love, strength, guidance, comfort, and protection our feminine hearts desire.
Poured myself a mug of coffee (on this 50 degree summer morning!! Sheesh!) and pulled on a cozy sweatshirt then snuggled onto the couch in my 'prayer area.'
And I realized how long it felt since I had done this. I pray daily. And often. But something was different. I was still. Inside and out. I was open. I was calm. I wasn't checking the time.
He was there. But He always is. This time I was really there.
I can't describe it, friends. But I was convicted in a gentle way. Because now that I have more time...I'm not always using it as I should. Sometimes I choose the fiction book. Or the internet browsing. Or the bedtime snack. Instead of the purposeful coming away from the world, choosing quiet so that I can hear Him and rest in Him (Mark 6:31).
I've been anxious. Fearful. Restless. My mind has been wrestling with a few different things.
But these past couple days as I've been more intentional with 'coming away' to pray-- really pray (the coffee shop prayers), not just go through the motions or talk to God distractedly, I've felt the peace trickle in once again. Did it solve all my fears and anxiety? No. But it reminded me what I've been missing. That all the other relaxing or enjoyable things I might pursue in the summertime cannot give me the rest or joy that true heartfelt prayer does.
So this week I'm choosing to prioritize prayer. To decrease distractions-- the inside ones and the outside ones.
Will you keep me accountable? Do you want to join me?
Whether your summer is lonely or busy, lazy or crazy, there's a Father who waits for us with all the love, strength, guidance, comfort, and protection our feminine hearts desire.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Wisdom for Wednesdays
"All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle."
-St. Francis
Friday, July 4, 2014
Happy Independence Day!
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| (photo credit to my friend K., who took this picture last night at the river fireworks with me!) |
Life is beautiful. And it doesn't end here. I heard this timely and appropriate thought on the radio this week: may God bless America, but more importantly we need to pray that America will bless God...with the laws we pass, the words we speak and the truths we defend...as well as the quiet witness of our daily lives and the love we reflect to others.
Watch some fireworks this weekend!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Wisdom for Wednesdays
"As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live."
-Saint John Paul II
-Saint John Paul II
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