Breathe

We received these wonderful little journals for Mother's Day from my church.  Each year the church gives out a little gift to honor Mothers and these gifts are always so thoughtful and lovely.  I enjoy using them so much.  This year's prayer journal is called "Bouquet of Blessings."  It encourages its readers to focus on or reply to specific statements and then has a call to action for the day. I love daily journals like this, they are just enough to spur a thought or action, but not so big that they overwhelm. The perfect addition to my "God time."

So Friday morning was one of those....crazy chaos.  There was so very much to accomplish and so little time to do it in.  My goal was to be able to go to the kitten/cat adoption center to help out that day. We are in the middle of the busiest kitten season yet, so extra hands are needed whenever possible. But there were so many other responsibilities to tend to before that happened.  Let's face it, it wasn't just one of those days, but one of those weeks!!  LOL  I was really getting stressed out that day though.  My head was spinning with things needing to be done!  You know those days when you accomplish one thing and four others needing doing immediately pop into your head.

All this being said, even on the busiest of days, I am determined to spend time in the morning with the Lord.  I need it.  And on days like this it's these little journals and devotionals that give me that sweet few minutes of peace with Him.  As I sat down, opening up this booklet to the next page I was to do, I of course open to the "wrong" page.  I ended up somewhere in the middle of the book, about six or seven pages from where I am supposed to be....but God had a different idea of where I belonged.  He had the perfect spot for that day!  The opening statement or jumping off point the author desired us to run with that day, "Help me focus on You, Jesus.  For the next few minutes, let me rest in You."  To do lists, where I have to go, what I have to do, time schedules, errands, needs.....my thoughts a cyclonic swirl of activity and chaos.  But what was needed most...Jesus. What was it Jesus told Martha when He and the disciples came to visit her and her family?  As she hurried about, her sister sat at Jesus' feet just soaking in His presence and teaching...He said to Martha,"My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about.  Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."  

God took a small booklet, with just one sentence, to focus and realign my thinking to what was most important.  Just that few minutes of time, settled me and reconnected me to my Savior.  What refreshment!  That is why we need this time with Him everyday, many times a day!

The writer then encouraged us to read Psalm 23 and pick one or two verses that really speak to us and think about them throughout the day.  Mine choices were verses 1, 2, 3a: The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.  And verse 6a:  Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.  

I encourage you to read it (Psalm 23) for yourself today and pick your own verses to ponder as you walk through your day's journey.

Lord, thank You for the little moments, the oasis of peace that I find when I am with You.  Let me never neglect this time....it restores me, strengthens me and makes me ready to face the day.  Help me and all of us to carry it throughout our daily walk.   Help us all to make a priority our time spent with You.  It is so needed!   Love this song!  It make me laugh, because a lot of it hits way to close to home!!