July 3
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your doings, and let me dwell with you in this place. Jeremiah 7:3
Summer is here! The 4th of July festivities begin and we are going to one of my daughters’ homes to celebrate. Still, this day before, there is preparation on my part; cooking to be done, things to organize and pack up, people to visit and call before we can leave. It seems days are never long enough and I find myself busy, busy as the hours fly by.
How this passage struck me this morning! For many reasons I do have to change my ways, even though many actually, have been certainly changed for me already. Out of necessity, it’s important to recognize and prioritize what takes up my energy. Still, I have come to understand that I could putter all day with something – and enjoy it! It’s my nature. But in that busyness, I can wear myself out and end up not participating in some of the things I’d hoped to.
And here God is, calling me, calling you, calling each of us to stop and take a few minutes to simply allow Him to be with us! He’s not asking us to be with Him! He, wants to be with us. How that tugs at my heart! We assume that whatever time we “give” to God, in it we are doing the “right” thing, doing what we should be, what is expected of us – what He wants. Yet He doesn’t want it! He doesn’t even need our giving! He is already here with us! All we have to do is stop and let Him in – right where we are, in whatever place we are in.
Lord, wherever we are in our busy and leisure hours these summer days, you are with us. We open our hearts to you and thank you for your presence and loving care. Abba! Father! We are yours!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your doings, and let me dwell with you in this place. Jeremiah 7:3
Summer is here! The 4th of July festivities begin and we are going to one of my daughters’ homes to celebrate. Still, this day before, there is preparation on my part; cooking to be done, things to organize and pack up, people to visit and call before we can leave. It seems days are never long enough and I find myself busy, busy as the hours fly by.
How this passage struck me this morning! For many reasons I do have to change my ways, even though many actually, have been certainly changed for me already. Out of necessity, it’s important to recognize and prioritize what takes up my energy. Still, I have come to understand that I could putter all day with something – and enjoy it! It’s my nature. But in that busyness, I can wear myself out and end up not participating in some of the things I’d hoped to.
And here God is, calling me, calling you, calling each of us to stop and take a few minutes to simply allow Him to be with us! He’s not asking us to be with Him! He, wants to be with us. How that tugs at my heart! We assume that whatever time we “give” to God, in it we are doing the “right” thing, doing what we should be, what is expected of us – what He wants. Yet He doesn’t want it! He doesn’t even need our giving! He is already here with us! All we have to do is stop and let Him in – right where we are, in whatever place we are in.
Lord, wherever we are in our busy and leisure hours these summer days, you are with us. We open our hearts to you and thank you for your presence and loving care. Abba! Father! We are yours!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson