{From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18}
You know, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 has been absolutely bombarding my past week. Every other blog I read mentions it, my morning devotions, and even podcasts that I listened to. When that happens, I really feel like God might just be trying to get my attention!
But before I share those, you should know that the morning I read this verse (well, one of them, since it did come up a lot last week!), was not my best morning. I was a cranky, unpleasant mess of a thing let me tell you. The night before, I had not slept very well and stayed up with my brother for the bulk of the night (he couldn't sleep either). I did, however, try to be productive because I had crafted a list of things I wanted to do in the wee hours in the morning after I did wake up. I was going to make homemade cinnamon rolls for my family, do my devotions, go for a walk with my dog, and have some coffee or tea. It was all supposed to be perfect, uninterrupted, rhythmic time of solitude and servitude between me and my Creator- a way to kind of get my head and heart on straight for the day ahead. Well, with the restless night, I was in for a bumpier start! My brother, who decided to pull an all-nighter, ended up cooking this massive breakfast... which RARELY ever happens! My mom also decided to wake up and come downstairs BEFORE six A.M. So my morning plan felt like it had been foiled completely! I admit, it was childish, but I was very upset. I even had the nerve to tell God that my whole morning was ruined because I didn't have my plans work- not even one thing on that list happened that morning.
I was feeling discouraged, tired, cranky and self-centered that morning. And when I communicated to God, acknowledging my frustrations, do you know what He impressed on my Spirit? He brought back to memory many of the times in life where I had tried to plan every detail out, and where He changed it for something that threw me off. I'd had the same reaction before. Getting all fussed up about the "change of plans." (My friend sent me a Bible joke of the day just the day before: "Want to make God laugh? Make a plan!" No kidding! ) I felt like in my moment of morning frustration, God was reminding me that He has to interrupt my plans sometimes. Even when they are good, like doing devotions in the morning! Because maybe, maybe He wants me to spend time with my family too.
So when I did get to do my devotions later that afternoon, and I stumbled across that verse in 1 Thessalonians again, I realized that instead of focusing on the negativity of what was going wrong in my own little world, the way of God says to focus our mindset to "rejoice always" and "pray continually" and "give thanks in all circumstances."
{to be continued...}
~~~~~~~
The next post will be up on Thursday, 8:00 A.M. Pacific Time!
Until then,
Melly XOXO
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances."
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 , NIVMy reflective response to these three, short verses reminded me of two things in particular that I wanted to share with you all- which I will do in later posts this week and the beginning of next week.
But before I share those, you should know that the morning I read this verse (well, one of them, since it did come up a lot last week!), was not my best morning. I was a cranky, unpleasant mess of a thing let me tell you. The night before, I had not slept very well and stayed up with my brother for the bulk of the night (he couldn't sleep either). I did, however, try to be productive because I had crafted a list of things I wanted to do in the wee hours in the morning after I did wake up. I was going to make homemade cinnamon rolls for my family, do my devotions, go for a walk with my dog, and have some coffee or tea. It was all supposed to be perfect, uninterrupted, rhythmic time of solitude and servitude between me and my Creator- a way to kind of get my head and heart on straight for the day ahead. Well, with the restless night, I was in for a bumpier start! My brother, who decided to pull an all-nighter, ended up cooking this massive breakfast... which RARELY ever happens! My mom also decided to wake up and come downstairs BEFORE six A.M. So my morning plan felt like it had been foiled completely! I admit, it was childish, but I was very upset. I even had the nerve to tell God that my whole morning was ruined because I didn't have my plans work- not even one thing on that list happened that morning.
I was feeling discouraged, tired, cranky and self-centered that morning. And when I communicated to God, acknowledging my frustrations, do you know what He impressed on my Spirit? He brought back to memory many of the times in life where I had tried to plan every detail out, and where He changed it for something that threw me off. I'd had the same reaction before. Getting all fussed up about the "change of plans." (My friend sent me a Bible joke of the day just the day before: "Want to make God laugh? Make a plan!" No kidding! ) I felt like in my moment of morning frustration, God was reminding me that He has to interrupt my plans sometimes. Even when they are good, like doing devotions in the morning! Because maybe, maybe He wants me to spend time with my family too.
So when I did get to do my devotions later that afternoon, and I stumbled across that verse in 1 Thessalonians again, I realized that instead of focusing on the negativity of what was going wrong in my own little world, the way of God says to focus our mindset to "rejoice always" and "pray continually" and "give thanks in all circumstances."
{to be continued...}
~~~~~~~
The next post will be up on Thursday, 8:00 A.M. Pacific Time!
Until then,
Melly XOXO
Comments
Post a Comment