Facing the Truth

Confession is good for the soul "they" say. I'm not sure how "good" it will be, but it is necessary. Since I have been sharing about all of my wonderful quiet times with the Lord - part of the journey hit a big valley this week. If you read my last entry you know that our "goods" from West Africa arrived last Saturday. As you read of my frustrations and emotional struggles, I'm sure you felt pretty sorry for me. You may have even prayed for me and for that I am truly thankful. What you didn't know was that I allowed all of that "stuff" to rob me time with the Lord every day last week! Because of that, I was leaning on my own strength and as you might guess - it ran out. Isn't that just the way it is? We just think we are SO strong and can manage anything. And the funny thing is - we can handle alot. But eventually, that strength runs out and we are left lacking - frustrated, emotional, and not very good company.

Every day last week, I felt so low and even depressed. Going through all of that stuff was so emotional for me. Even though I knew I didn't need 3/4 of it, or want it, or had space for it - each piece I picked up carried with it tons of memories and it was the MEMORIES that I was having a hard time letting go of. IF I had spent some time with the Lord on those days He would have reminded me then what HE reminded me of this morning when I finally set my mind to BE with Him for awhile. I STILL have all the memories - no one can take those away from me. But all of that stuff was just that - STUFF! Material things that had no eternal value. Downsizing was something that the Lord had been telling us to do for years but this week we were forced to do it. (No way you can fit 1600 square feet of stuff into 900 square feet!)

And now looking back on it - even after just these few days - I'm glad. This morning I spent some time with the Lord and apologized for keeping Him waiting every day last week. My goodness, imagine ME - keeping the King of Kings waiting every morning. I passed by Him every morning and just kept walking.

This morning as I talked with Him about how I let all of those "things" come between us, I was reminded that He doesn't like ANYTHING to come between us.

Is there something between you and the King of KIngs? Has He been waiting for you every day and watched you pass by - not stopping to spend time with Him when He so much wants to spend time with YOU?

I confess...I'm certainly not perfect. It is all part of the journey.