Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Pick up the Brush and Go

   How does God speak to me as I go into another day? Is it always through the quiet time in Scripture or in prayer or meditation?

   It can be that way, but, often for me, it seems like it is more in the things that I hear and see and experience out in my world. Let me illustrate in this way:

   When I woke this morning, I did not have much time before a breakfast meeting with a friend. I did take a few minutes to read a Psalm or two, then a short time of prayer, then I was off. I just prayed for my day, that I would be open to see and hear what He had for me this day.

   As I listened to my friend talk about his life right now, I found myself being thankful. First of all, because his work was picking up after a long slow period, and secondly for the blessings that I knew God had put in my life and my situation. There is nothing like hearing someone else speak of their life that causes me to appreciate mine.

   As I returned home I thought of the things that were on my calendar for today. I know that the day will hold more than just those, but these are appointments that need to be taken care of. I knew that there were others that would need attention, but just realized that flexibility needed to mark this day.

   So I get home and have a chance to sit down and finish my study, write and then get to the business of the day. But the business is sitting right here with me, and on my computer screen, and it is hard to concentrate on any spiritual aspect.

   There are the two pieces of mail sitting on my sofa, staring at me even now. They both point to calls that have to be made to get something straightened out. They might be inconsequential or they might be a problem, but I have to make the calls to find out and then deal with them with that information in hand.

   Then there is that email from my grandson, one that is filled with his thoughts, his questions and his conclusions. That needs my attention in a concentrated way. I want to answer those statements and questions from a college sophomore in an intelligent, loving and Christian way. I want what I say to have an impact and lead him in the right way, without turning him off to anything else that I might want to say in the future. He took the time to think and to write and I need to do the same.

   There is also a short video that I need to watch to prepare for a noon meeting with another friend. We are going to discuss the subject covered and I want to be prepared for this.

   So my day is partially covered, but even those things that I know need to be taken care of will have things inside them that I have not considered, and these will need attention. I can only paint this day with broad strokes right now, and I won't see the finished painting until the day ends, and, even then, some of it may carry over till another time. For sure, the things that fill my plate today will have some effect on tomorrow and the days that follow that.

   How will this day turn out? How will I handle the things that happen, especially the items that appear without warning?

   The only way for me is to ask for Help right now and to continue that plea throughout the day, leaving time to say Thank You at the end of it all.

   So, I ask for help right now in this time, and pray that I am sensitive enough to hear His voice as I move through this day, being able to look back at the end and see what that help has been, with thankfulness that it was there for me.

   Now to look forward to it all......

 

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