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Jeremiah 33:3 – Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. (ESV)
Recently, I was in a hurry getting the children and myself ready for school. So, this particular morning, I picked up my shoes and made my way to the living room to sit down, as I encouraged the children to switch off and move away from their gadgets and get their paraphernalia together, in every sense.
As I bent forward to put on my shoes, I looked down and saw that they were not a pair. They were different makes and both the same side of a pair. I was sure that I had picked up two shoes together, which I had, but apparently not the right two shoes! Oh dear! So, off to the bedroom I went to find the companion to one set of shoes. In the process, I wondered how I had managed to misjudge so badly in picking up my shoes.
Sometimes, I am in a rush in the morning, half asleep. Okay, quite often, I am in a rush in the morning during term-time to get the children and myself into the car and off.
This school journey is something that I will miss in September because Zoë goes up to start secondary school, and she will walk there with her friends. Zoë is usually quite talkative, and so, the car journey will be quieter, as Sophia will not have to compete with her elder sister to be heard, and hopefully, I will be better able to concentrate on the driving.
I know that God wants to have a conversation with us in the morning. He asks us to put aside time to be quiet and peaceful in His presence, rather than being in too much of a rush to get on with the chores and tasks of the day ahead.
I often rush off into the day and find that, not unlike my mismatched shoes, I have not brought my Travel Companion with me. In some manner, I have become one-sided, having left Jesus behind. So, this has left me in need to catch up with God through the day, relying on His grace, until I find Him the space so that I am able to receive and to hear from Jesus, and in return, lift up those people and situations on my heart in need of prayer.
Let each one of us take time to pair up with God this morning, so that we have checked in with Jesus before getting on with the chores of the day.
Prayer: Lord, You are gracious and compassionate in the patience that You show towards us every day. Please forgive us when we presume to get on with the day without inviting You in to our lives and situations. Prompt us to remember that You always want to be paired up with us and have a conversation. May we know Your presence with us and receive Your Word for us today. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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Thank you Rod.
Thanks for the reminder, Rod.
Thanks for an interesting devotional – and challenging too.
Thank you, Rod. I agree…that morning time with God is so important.
Thank you, Rod, for sharing this devotional reminder with us. Blessings.
Thank you for your email devotional.
(Manitoba)
My brother you sure do love the Lord! It came across loud and clear in this devotional as it does in every devotional you write. Thank you.
Rod Marshall,
Thank you for today’s devotional because I’d used The Garden this afternoon as an extended care facility. I know how much you do for your family. your writings have been invaluable to me.
(BC)
Thanks, Rod, for this very meaningful devotional. AND, its sentiments are so true.
Several of our grandchildren are here this weekend. They are helping with the ranch chores and being generally wonderful.
Your writings are a blessing.
Thanks for a good word Rod! It seems like you were just writing about Zoe’s birth and now here she is going off to high school!!! Are we getting old or are we getting old!
Have a great day and maybe you should check your socks as well as your shoes.
Blessings.
Hi Rod,
Your experience – I can sure relate to it. Thank you for the reminder to invite the Lord into my life each day, instead of rushing into my schedule alone, leaving Jesus somewhere behind me, watching me go… What a wonderful God we have, as He is always with us. Thank you again and blessings on you and your family!
(BC)
Happily, I am an early riser and getting going in the morning is not an issue. I have ample time to think and read and pray, and sometimes sing when I am out walking the dogs. The challenge is to focus. Not letting my mind be distracted by the expected events of the day and all the preparation that will need to go into it. The thing I struggle with is self-discipline: spiritually, mentally, physically. It seems to be a lost art for so many of us. Self-control is one of the fruits of the spirit and while love and joy and gentleness and kindness get good press, self-control is not a word our society promotes. Self-indulgence is everywhere and a real challenge to over-come.
I have that problem too at deadline time. And I feel really bereft.
But being busy with children?
I am sure the one who said, let the children come to me, would understand just fine!
Dear Rod Marshall,
This is my prayer too from day to day:
Prompt us to remember that You always want to be paired up with us and have a conversation. May we know Your presence with us and receive Your Word for us today. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
I like to pray the Lord’s Prayer in the morning.
God bless you. Keep writing.
Thanks for your prayer.