Have you taken time to sit down lately?

Have you taken time to sit down lately?

As a child (and into my college and early adult years) I would complain “I don’t have enough time!” when I was stressed.  My Gram would simply say, “You have the same amount of time as everybody else, it is how you use it that determines how much actual “time” you have.”  I never quite understood this philosophy ~ How was I suppose to get everything done on time and be everywhere I was supposed to be? I didn’t quite grasp the concept yet I could see how relaxed my Gram was and how she let life happen, not worrying about tomorrow. I think this concept is a continuation of yesterday’s post…it is about choices.  My Gram was correct ~ we each have the same twenty-four hours and seven days available to us (Lord willing) to use as we choose, our choices will determine how much time is wasted and how much time is cherished. 

There are times when I will find myself whining “I don’t have enough time to do all this!” and the uglier side of me comes out.  This is not healthy nor a good reflection of Jesus to my family and others around me.  If I don’t have enough time, then there are two options at the root of my discontent.  Either I’m doing too much/taking on too much or I’m not carving time into my day to spend with my best friend, Jesus.  Plain and simple – sometimes it is busyness and over planning that causes me to whine and become overwhelmed while others it is because I, I am focused on the tasks and lists and not God.  My focus needs to be on Him and not myself.  Instead of having my Bible and chair sitting alone and idle each day, I should purposely and whole-heartedly plop myself down and enjoy time of refreshing, refueling and refilling.  The choice is mine…to sit or not to sit!  I NEED to choose to sit…I’m easier to live with, leave a better reflection on those around me and no matter how long the lists are ~ when I’m not alone, it is always a more enjoyable and peaceful task. 

I’m choosing to rest in His hands…not mine!  God’s hands will hold me, guide me and comfort me.  His right hand will uphold me.

One of my older writings - March 2006
            I envision an enormous hand larger than the earth opened with the fingers slightly bent at the tips, as if cupping a ring of security around me.  This hand, although large is soft and tender, warm and gentle and most of all – loving, forgiving and constant.
            I am standing within this hand with my arms stretched up into the sky above me…absorbing the magnitude of the Lord’s power with each breath while praising the Lord as I send this love and power back to Him.
            The clouds below this hand have formed a ladder, allowing those I care about to join me, absorbing the power and love of the Lord.  Although my friends and family are on different levels, the Lord has clouds of protection big enough to uphold them at their current level, loving them and providing the stairway to the Lord’s pure love and joy.
            As I am upheld through though times, the Lord invites not only Himself but just the right person to join me in outstretched arms in prayer and reflection. For with Him, I am never alone.  He will hold me up every day and uphold me ever higher in times of trouble.
            My response to this unfailing, constant and powerful love should be one of joy and contentment.  Living each day as if I had experienced this power and strength first hand,  I should share the joy and emotion this thought and idea stirs within my heart and soul; sharing it with all my friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and anyone I may come in contact with.  This sharing need not be verbal. I want the world to see “in” me this love and joy.  Witnessing for the Lord with a pure heart allows Him to cup His hands and tighten the ring of security around me while witnessing the magnitude of His ability in an outward manner enticing others to come to know and trust Him, moving up that ladder of clouds in this life time recognizing Jesus Christ as his/her Savior and taking comfort in the Lord’s love for each of us, individually.  I will be able to look up and ahead to see others resting safely in the Lord’s palm, secure and loved like they have never experienced.  Amen