inviting God in

     Right now. Right in the middle of the mess and press and confusion of everyday, ordinary life: that is where the rubber meets the road. Either I invite God into the mess and press and confusion of right-now, or I fend for myself. It’s my choice.

     Yesterday, I fended for myself. I shouldered the weight of every problem. I raced from task to task, because getting things done was all up to me. By bedtime, I was exhausted and out of sorts, unfit company for anyone (including myself).

     Today, I get a fresh start. I can practice inviting God into my sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life. I don’t have to carry today alone. That is very good news.

“Take your everyday, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life--and place it before God . . . .” Romans 12:2

“God does not force his presence on us. When lesser gods attract, God withdraws, honoring our fatal freedom to ignore Him.” Philip Yancey

 

10 lessons from a three-year-old

10 lessons from a three-year-old

1. Being silly is a good vacation from being serious.

2. When you’re playing with the hose, just play with the hose. Don’t worry about what you’re going to do next.

3. If you need help, ask for it.

4. There’s nothing better than listening to a good story.

5. If you miss somebody special, it’s okay to cry.

6. When you don’t like the plan, offer a compromise.

7. If you can’t figure out where the puzzle pieces go, don’t get upset. Just play with something else instead.

8. If you love somebody, hug him and tell him you love him.

9. When you feel very happy, sing.

10. ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘next summer’ and ‘in half an hour’ don’t make nearly as much sense as ‘right now.’

“Always the world was fresh to him, as it is fresh to children and to the very mature. . . .” Katherine Bregy

“[I]n the wide-open spaces of God’s grace. . . .” Romans 5:2