We
enrich our relationships when we take the time to cherish the moments, rather
than filling our days with busyness that pulls us in too many different
directions. We put down our phone and laptop and look into each other's eyes, really
connecting with our child, spouse, friend, workmate or neighbor.
If
we hurry through life as a slave to our busy schedule, as well as to the work
demands in our vocation and in household chores, we miss the moments we could
be spending with our loved ones. Expectations also cause us to make excuses to
avoid enjoying God's companionable silence.
We
miss any wisdom that our Daddy God wishes to impart to us by neglecting our
relationships with Him. We also cheat our self out of many blessings in our
life by not spending time with our family and fellow mankind. This deprives us
of the camaraderie that is so prevalent in special friendships.
Rather
than building memories to cherish for a lifetime, we fill our days with
activities that hold no real value. It just makes sense to slow down and to pay
attention to anyone who is sitting alone, one who looks sad or reflective, our
spouse and children, our church family, etc.
We
never really meet a stranger, just potential new friends. The person we reach
out to may even change our life forever. We can slow down, rather than moving
so fast, making the time to interact with those God sends our way, as well as
the special people in our life.
Spending
time throughout the day with our Heavenly Father helps us to relax from our
scalp to our toes, and maneuvers us into a position to hear from Him as we pray
without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). God showers us with His continual
blessings.
Prayer:
Father
God, teach us that there is so much fulfillment available to us by sitting in
nature and soaking up vitamin D from the sun's rays, listening to bird songs or
the croaking of bullfrogs, finding shapes in the clouds, planting a flower
garden to provide for pollinating insects, chatting over the fence with our
neighbor, visiting a shut-in, sharing a cup of coffee at our local café,
sitting on the park bench, listening to a friend's grief or victories, etc.
Help
us to make Christ our life (Colossians 3:3-4), and to steadfastly follow after
Your plans for our life, rather than our own ways and devises. You are totally
trustworthy, full of abundant grace, and You deserve our trust as we hope only
in You. Even in negative circumstances, You provide for us, perfect our soul,
strengthen our spirit and our faith, and give us Your joy and peace. We praise
You with every breath that we take.
Thought
for the Day:
We
never know when we may encounter a divine appointment to allow God to love
someone through us, to share the gospel, or to help relieve a burden; and that
person may even end up meeting a need that we have, or impacting the
circumstances we are experiencing at this time.
