May. What a whirlwind of a month! I know I’m not alone, because everyone I’ve talked to is hanging onto this crazy ride until summer arrives. It’s been two weeks packed with activities, most of which have been great fun, but also very time consuming. I have a to do list a mile long that seems to be growing each time I check off an item. And my refrigerator and pantry are bare, because I haven’t carved out time for a grocery run. We have had to get creative with lunch a lot lately, and have had a few too many “fend for yourselves” nights, meaning my children make their own meals. (To my sweet family and friends: this is not a cry for help. I’m heading to the store today!)
Though more of our days recently have been fun outings for our kids, I see a restless spirit and a touch of selfishness growing in each of us. And all I can think is “Recenter.” We are slightly off course right now, with minimal prayer time and lack of family devotions. One more week like this, and it will be much harder to get everyone back on course.
A few days ago, I was helping one of my girls learn to drive an ATV. Though her steering was pretty good, there were moments she would get distracted and take her eyes off of the path in front of her. That split second caused our direction to change slightly, but because I was there to prompt her, she recentered quickly with no harm done. But what would have happened if she had remained distracted? One glance ahead revealed multiple trees, which may have caused a dangerous collision.
That’s what my life is like right now. I can feel the Holy Spirit calling me to recenter as quickly as possible and take my eyes off the distractions. If I continue this way, danger is a certainty. But with so many important events, how is this even possible? Well, I’m starting with a simple prayer that God will show me what is necessary and what I need to abandon. It is the hardest thing in the world for me to give up something to which I’ve committed, but I realize that NOTHING is as important as my relationship with my Father.
This is a regular thing for me- start off on course, become distracted, recenter, repeat process. It’s also a regular thing for the rest of my family. My job is to daily open the door to my children’s hearts to see what’s inside. Is it bare like our refrigerator right now? Or is there plenty of spiritual fruit inside? I can’t completely control that, but I can direct them on where to find the fruit. I can pour wisdom into them through reading and explaning the Word, through praying over them, and through modeling a right relationship with God. The same is true for my husband. I should be looking for ways to encourage him in weaknesses, praying specifically for needs he may have.
Busyness is one strategy the enemy uses to get women to tear their homes apart rather than building them up. But God gives us wisdom to recognize the distractions before we get too far off course.
Lord, help us to organize our days according to Your plan. As we determine to make You the center of our lives, allow us to rest in the peace that You give. Show us which activities to eliminate, trusting Your way is best. Replace any desire we have of pleasing others with a desire to please You alone. Give us the wisdom to know how to encourage and reach the hearts of our family members as we direct them to You. Thank You for granting us Your Spirit to convict us when we stray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” Proverbs 16:1
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.” Proverbs 16:2
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9
“The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.” Proverbs 16:17
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 16:25