An Extra Day
by Marilyn Ehle
**Dealing with demands? http://thelife.com/study/lovebusters.html?section=dealing_demands&ft=BSG-OS
“You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed” (Luke 10:41, 42).
What do you do with an extra day? A medical procedure I had scheduled for the morning was unexpectedly cancelled. The procedure, though minor, necessitated detailed and somewhat time-consuming preparation, so when informed of the change, I realized I had several hours free. My calendar is normally tightly scheduled but now—totally unplanned—there was SPACE.
Like a character from “Alice in Wonderland,” tumbling thoughts immediately surfaced in my mind: “What to do? What to do?” Finally get busy on those minor housekeeping chores too frequently ignored? Write those long-postponed letters? Shop at the just-announced department store sale? Clean and sort the desperately muddled computer files?
Or what if…? What if I just took this time to sit with Jesus? He once said that a woman who sat at his feet “listening to what he said” had chosen what was better.
I decided to sit and listen and what an amazing conversation ensued! Actually, it wasn’t really a conversation: I didn’t say much, but God spoke volumes. Tears flowed. God reached deep into my heart with firm but loving words, words that I had not realized were even on his mind. I walked away from our time together humbled and healed, wounded yet strong, empty but filled.
An extra day just may turn into a regularly scheduled event.
~ Father, You know me inside and out. You know exactly when I need to hear Your voice speaking to the core of my being. Help me focus on what is truly important: listening to You.
Questions: How would you fill an “extra day”? Tell us about a time when you sat with Jesus. How would that time with Jesus help with our being “… worried and upset about many things… ”
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/authors/marilyn-ehle/
i sat at my computer one morning staring at a blank screne just talking to The Lord craing asking for Him to watch over my family and to forgive me for being such acomplainer at times. i know what you mean by extra days i took care of my dad for four years before his death when he passed i had nothing to do my day had beenfilled with things for him. so i had more time for the Bible aand to lisson to the Lord. forgive my bad spelling i need to keep a dictionary close at hand. spelling never was my thing.
Blessings to all
sharon
Dororthy!!
You are, too! And have walked in those “homeschooling shoes” with just one and know how it is. And am able to share how great the rewards will be, too! Am lifting you right now..and appreciate your comments on here so much..and others do, too! (((Dorothy)))
FRAN D.
Thank you for your words of encouragement! You’re an inspiration!
Today has been a busy day for me. It’s just been one of those days that have been non-stop, so like Suzanna, I have been talking to GOD on while on the run. It looks like tomorrow will be the same.
DEAR GOD,
AS YOU ARE WELL AWARE, I’LL BE BUSY. I ASK YOU LORD TO FIND SOME TIME TO BE WITH JUST YOU AND HAVE OUR LITTLE TALK.
YOUR LOVING SERVENT
CURIS
I finished work today at 13.00 hr. I came in the door made a cuppa. I should have put the washing out that finished while I was at work, but, as we in Cornwall uk are having good weather, I decided to leave the the washing do a quick shopping list and walk the long way to the shops going through the park land. There I sat for 45 mins just talking to the Lord about everything and anything that came to mind.
As I returned home I felt refreshed and sang praises for His creation, His free gift of life.
Sometime’s we really need to drop ALL and give ALL to the Lord.
Praise the Lord for He is so worthy to be praised!
Gods Blessing to all who read this!
Renae,
Your words described my experience with Him, too! I talk to Him all day long..It is a connection that is always on! Thank you for your words which described how my heart feels for Him, too! Like Chris, though, if I do become distracted? And alllll humans do, He takes whatever measures necessary to get my attention again. Have had the experience, also, at night, when He’ll awaken me and have me pray for a particular person. Later will find out they needed that prayer. Sometimes, He brings a face to me and I know am to pray. He calls us into intercession any time, night or day. And? The neat thing about that? We know He has done that for us, too, when we needed it! Amen!!
This devotional is great. I get thinking about other things thou out the day and wonder where all the time has gone(and I don’t even work). I try to take the time to listen to what GOD is telling me but sometimes it doesn’t sink in right away or I end up having to(for lack of a better way to put it)have my block knocked off.
I do thank GOD everyday for the friends that I have who remind me to take some time for GOD.
Sounds like we all can relate to “other” things occupying our time with the Lord. Talking to Him, studying, praying, etc. is definitely time we need to make with Him. I think it’s more for our good when we spend time with Him, He’s looking for ways to love us, reveal things and even help us to rest. I find that most of the time I feel like I talk to Him all throughout the day. I have my regular prayer time but I feel like I can talk to Him wherever just as if He were right in front of me. Sometimes I laugh at myself thinking if anybody heard me talking out loud like I sometimes do with Him, they may wonder about me. It’s all good though.
There have been on occasion where I have been impressed to get home, my room or somewhere to be quiet with Him and pray right then. Sometimes you don’t know for who or what situation but a lot of times the Lord will reveal to you in some way why He needed you right then.
A defining moment in my life was when I was seeking the gift of speaking in tongues. I was home alone, spent time studying, lit a sweet smelling candle and had worship music playing. After I finished studying, I began to pray and worship the Lord. It wasn’t long at all before I audibly began to speak with a new language. The coolest part was over an hour had gone by and seemed like seconds. Once I was done praying it was like a load had been lifted and there was nothing but love and worship within me for Him at a new level. My prayer life and praying with others has taken on a whole new dimension. The Holy Spirit is definitely the POWER going out from the Lord. I know many people question this gift but I would never want to be without it or the gifts the Holy Spirit empowers us to do at different times as well…I wouldn’t be the same and I don’t want to be either.
We are in such a fast-paced society..that we feel guilty when our calendars aren’t filled up! But, Maia’s comment hit the nail on the head..and so did the devotional writer..that sometimes? Our calendars “are” cleared by Divine intervention so we can sit with HIM and “FILL UP”! And as the writer said “LISTEN”, too! And it is an amazing thing that when we do? The rest of the day goes soooo much better! Things that seemed overwhelming become “more than possible” with HIM just like His Word Promises (Luke 18:27). Maybe a suddenly cleared schedule is also a “Divine invitation”! Thank you, Maia!
Dorothy, I homeschooled our son and it was a rewarding and productive experience. He is 27 now and called us this past weekend and told us how much that experience had taught him about self discipline and using time wisely and is helping him make the most of his daily schedule in a demanding field today. Your Having 4 to teach, at one time, and on different levels is a challenge, for sure! But wanted to encourage you that the LORD will help all the way! You’ll be so glad you did your homeschool for however long you choose to do it! He went to H.S. in 10th grade and got scholarships for 7 years of college after that (undergrad and MFA). The Lord helped all the way! Bless You!
I know God is speaking to me about my time with him. I am guilty of getting busy with other things instead of taking the time to talk to Jesus. I pray to the Lord during my day for people who talk to me about different things going on in their lives. But I know this isn’t talking, talking to Jesus. I know he wants quit times with me alone to strengthen me in my christian walk. Help me Lord to take more time out for you. I know you love me and want to be more in my life. Bind the power of the enemy in making me to tired or get to busy with other things. Amen
I felt like you were talking about me, Maia. God saying “hello, remember me” so touched my heart this morning. I woke up early today and thought, instead of picking up my book, I would just listen and pray. But then ‘things’ take over my mind and the moment is gone. Please God help me to put you first, to spend precious time with you before dashing off into my morning, or afternoon, or evening. Knowing he is always there is a marvellous feeling, isn’t it? He is always waiting to hear from us, so why is it so easy to forget?
What a great devotion! I think when we get that extra time it’s not by chance, maybe God is saying “hello remember me? I cleared your calender so we could talk.” I have missed many ocassions, when my day at the shop was slow and I panic over money and things that should be done when I realize now, God cleared my secdual so I would talk with him..Lord forgive me for not looking at the big picture, for focusing on the empty app. book and not the empty heart that you are waiting to fill, help me to listen to your voice and rest at your feet, and thank you that you are never to busy to listen, and thank you that your calender is always clear for your children.
I am saving this beautiful reminder! The few times that that has happened to me, I would like to say that “choosing Jesus” was my first consideration, but usually other choices fill my head first. We are so task-oriented in this life, it almost feels wrong to take some quiet time with our Lord in the middle of the day. What a ploy that thought is!
What a wonderful thought for today! I spend the time in the morning, wanting desperately to seek God before the day begins – knowing I need the time if nothing more than to pray for patience before our school day begins (I homeschool our 4). But as the day winds down and I climb into bed, I feel as though it had been such a long time since I had spoke to God. This reminded me that I need to find those short and brief quiet times during the day just to hear Him. Thank you for that reminder this morning!