30 Days of Hearing God, Day 30–Grand (?) Finale
Does anyone else around here have issues with transitional times? Like, say for instance school starts and you have difficulty finding your groove so that you can successfully get lunches packed, uniforms washed, kids showered and in bed before midnight, homework done, groceries bought and a few other meals and snacks prepared each day? Not to mention exercise, eat, shower, empty the dishwasher and unbury yourself from two-and-a-half months of summer clutter? Oh, and pray and read the Bible so you can actually HEAR God’s voice, so you can BLOG about hearing God’s voice because, it just so happens, “hearing God’s voice” is the on-going theme of one of your blogs?
I haven’t even mentioned actually paying attention to the children. Especially the little one, who is on the eternal summer vacation for the next two years, until she is old enough to start kindergarten, and still needs someone to wipe her bottom and pour her juice.
Hypothetically speaking? Anyone?
Geez Louise!! For the life of me, I have not figured out how I fit it all in every day last year.
I’m starting to realize something in my life has to go. And I think it’s going to have to be one of the kids showers and eating. Looking through that list, everything else is non-negotiable.
I’ve spent all weekend and the better part of today trying to find a few minutes just to sit at the computer and wrap up this series 30 Days of Hearing God, and it just isn’t happening.
Until now.
(Cue angelic music)
Before we start homework and dinner prep, I have one kid playing the Wii, one kid watching Disney Channel, and one kid who has come into my room no less than three times asking if she can have yet another slice of American cheese. Can you say “the only writing opportunity I will have until Lord-knows-when”?
So as I take a big deep breath and try to type as quickly as I can, I must confess: this isn’t at all how I envisioned the final day of this series to read. I really wanted something profound and life-changing to write. I was hoping God would say something cool in, like, a really unusual way that would serve as more of a “grand finale,” as opposed to a “conclusion.”
As I sought God this morning, I realized, I wasn’t really listening for His voice, as much as I was desperately begging Him for an insightful blog post. Not that praying about my blog posts is a bad thing. It’s just that I was more concerned with hearing Him for the purpose of telling YOU what He said, than I was for the purpose of just hearing Him.
And that left me feeling sort of empty, shallow, and unequipped for the day, what with all the bottom-wiping and juice-pouring ahead of me.
So instead of focusing on hearing God for the purpose of today’s post, I decided to set aside my agenda and simply focus on God. Period. I opened the Bible and read a few psalms. And then I knelt down , lifted up my hands and worshipped God in song.
Amazingly, as I let go of the pressure to produce something creative, witty and moving, I felt God tenderly and gently invade my heart. Nothing profound. Nothing life-changing. Just an Almighty God touching the heart of His daughter, as she makes a feeble attempt at worship in the privacy of her bedroom.
So that’s it. I simply sensed His presence today. Holding me, loving me, strengthening me. It wasn’t profound, but at the same time, it was. Because, just the thought of God (GOD!!) communing with me on ANY level is mind-blowing.
What mind-blowing thing has God said to you today? I would love your final thoughts and posts. I have so enjoyed going to each of your blogs and visiting. Please link up!!
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Have you been over to my fitness blog yet? Oh you MUST. It’s simply a gas.
To everything there is a season.
You know, everything, including our praise comes from God. Everything! Our ability to desire Him comes from Him. Everything. Even Hearing His voice.
And from what I've learned in the past couple days . . . when we do not 'sense' God's voice – His presence – that can be a sweet gift from God. He is growing our faith and is forever working in our spirit to purge anything that is not eternal: our spirit- a place when our senses may not 'feel'- but where the Almighty God resides.
That which is born of flesh is flesh – that which is born of spirit is spirit. And those that worship God must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
I must remember to worship God for who He is regardless of whether He gifts me with a word or with His tangible presence because He is worthy.
Sandy . . . I am so honored to be walking with you in this journey.
Blessings!
Dottie
So, you know I had surgery, so my pace is not as fast as I would normally go (and I'm talking life here, not running). I was thinking about all the things that I need to do and the physical energy that they would take (you haven't seen my kitchen floor). I thought about articles I wanted to write, lesson plans for church, the Bible study coming up and there was a bit of anxiety that everything wouldn't be accomplished. Then, God said, "How about you try to go at MY pace. See how you like it? You can't go the pace you want to do — doctor's orders, so why don't you at least try in the meantime?"
Love your transparency, Sandy! Must admit that I've done the same thing for my devo blog – begged God for something to share on my blog rather than just begging to hear from Him. The fact that He puts up with me at all is truly amazing, let alone, reveals Himself to me in His word! Praise Him for the great God that He is!! Have a beautiful week, friend! 🙂
Well, I'm back and I don't know when I'll have time to catch up on days 14-29, so I just skipped to Day 30 for now! What a great ending to an exciting time! Of course, we know that God is not finished speaking, but this series was awesome and I carried the themes with me in my heart on this mission trip. God has been doing a lot of speaking to me in the past several weeks about my family. I look forward to catching up on your site to see how you've been doing and reading more in the days to come! God bless!
I am a little sad, Sandy, to see the series end, but I am a forward moving girl . . . so can't wait for the next one.
I have struggled with this when I am leading a small group. I get so excited when I think of a great small group question etc. that I forget to study for me.
You make me laugh, you make me think, you make me want to be more like Jesus. Thanks. Glenda
LOL at the strike out what must go thing. I know you would never do that but i had to laugh. Its something i would say i tell you!!!
The grand finale my dear is that your 30 day series, COMPLETED is in itself GRAND! Ive received many messages and ive enjoyed every post since ive been a follower. I started following you just after you started i think! Anyway Ja i will miss it but there BETTER BE, i mean there will be other adventures 😀
thank you
Hello! I'm coming over from Jen's place because I loved your comment about the Sabbath rest over there (completely agree with you). And then I read this post and it totally cracked me up. So now I have to find the time to read all 30 days of your hearing God posts…and I can't guarantee that will happen, but I do have good intentions.
Lovely to meet you here!