Today was a crisp cool winter Saturday morning and the perfect opportunity for me to sleep late. Saturday seems to be the one day I feel that I can justify sleeping in. But today, I had not counted on Mark coming in to talk for an hour before rising from my warm down covered bed. The hour long conversation took the time I would have had in my corner chair doing my quiet time. I’m not blaming Mark; after all, I’m the one who chose to sleep in! Already running late for the day, I made the decision to go ahead and prepare breakfast with the intent of having my quiet time once Mark left for the gym. After all, it was late and we needed to eat! I had planned on trying a new recipe of pecan praline waffles. So on with breakfast it was! Afterwards, Mark left for the gym and I cleaned up the kitchen, then the inside of the refrigerator, the freezer, put a load of laundry in, began to clean bathrooms, reorganized the back bedroom that is being used for storage, cleaned out old materials and papers from the bookcase in the guest bedroom and dusted the entire house. I know you are getting the picture- Martha kicked in to gear!
I had missed my time in my corner chair where I daily receive direction and guidance. I was going through my day without having spoken to my Heavenly Father first thing, getting His instructions, His wisdom, His guidance, and His indwelling for the day.
As a result, I accomplished a great deal in the way of house cleaning and projects. But, I had to consider what I lost as a result of missing my time with Him. I lost out on His peace, His power, His presence, His purpose for the day, His patience, and His authority.
That night, in the stillness of the dark I thought back over my day, I didn’t have a sense of accomplishment but a sense of shame and regret. God began to reveal to me some things I had done that day that were displeasing to Him. I lay there tearful, remorseful and repentant that I hadn’t started my day in my corner chair with Him. I began to confess my impatience with Mark, my allowing the enemy to discourage me and cause me to question God’s ability to care for us, and for writing an e-mail stating some things that I hadn’t prayed about or sought the Holy Spirit’s direction on before writing. I didn’t stop to ask the Lord what I was to say; therefore I stepped out from under His authority. Also, I had spoken for Mark without his permission. Therefore, I had stepped out from under his authority as the head of our home. All these sins were a result of choosing to gratify my flesh and sacrifice my time with my Heavenly father. I gained a few extra hours of sleep and accomplished a lot of tasks, but I lost an entire day of walking closer to Him.
“Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. But Martha was distracted… The Lord said to her, “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.” Luke 10: 39-42 NLV
“But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.” Psalm 38:18 NLV
“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to You and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3
Father, I am grateful for Your patience and for Your unconditional love. You came tonight gently speaking truth into my heart and You have forgiven me. Help me to daily desire my time with You in my corner chair. Lord, help me to say with the Psalmist, “My heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with Me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming!”
dianne