Retreat With Jesus
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February 10, 2012 Retreat with Jesus |
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9 (NIV 1984)
When a new neighbor moved in next door, Caroline rallied the troops in her neighborhood to prepare a warm greeting. She and her friend planned a feast to take over to welcome the newcomer to their community. Caroline called her neighbor and was surprised when her hospitality was met with suspicion.
“Why did you say you wanted to bring me dinner?” she questioned. Caroline explained that it was a tradition in their area and that they’d like to deliver dinner to welcome her personally. The neighbor responded, “I tell you what. I’ll give you a call when I’m hungry.” Click.
Caroline reflected on how many times we treat God the same way that her new neighbor treated her. Each day God lays out a feast and invites every believer to come eat our fill. I had to ask myself an important question: How many days do I rush by God’s table and throw an “I’ll come when I’m hungry!” back over my shoulder?
I think I’m full, but God knows that I’m simply ignoring my hunger. I need to sit down daily to eat and be filled from God’s table. Luke 1:53 says, “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty” (NIV 1984).
I long to have a heart to approach Him daily just as I am—poor and hungry. He invites me to come to Him so that I can leave rich and full. What a glorious exchange! What a divine pleasure!
Daily time enjoying God is essential, but sometimes God gives us an invitation to a private, extended feast. I am envious of one of my pastors. He takes a week each year for a spiritual retreat to a monastery. He goes where it’s quiet and simple and spends a week with Jesus.
Maybe someday when my children are older and I’m caught up on laundry I’ll be able to do that, but recently God led me to do something equally wonderful on a smaller scale. I took a spiritual retreat during the school day in a room at my church.
As I walked up the stairs to the empty room, I felt nervous. I had spent hours in prayer with others, but I had never spent this long alone with God. Would I have enough to say to Him? Would He speak to me in the silence? Would the minutes drag by? Would I walk out unchanged or disappointed?
At the end of the day, my questions were answered. God met me there. We filled our time together with prayer, Bible reading and worship. God spoke words of direction to me in the silence. I came in knowing that I was hungry, and He was faithful to fill me.
Having mini-retreats with Jesus is something that I plan to do now at least twice a year. In the midst of a full life, it’s necessary to intentionally set extended time aside to seek His face and worship Him. I’ll still look forward to a week in an abbey, but in the meantime I’ll bask in a school day retreat as I renew my relationship with God and feast on His goodness!
Dear Lord, help me know You are good. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know Jesus?
Visit Amy’s blog
Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman
Reflect and Respond:
Have I ignored my spiritual hunger and run by God’s feast?
Today I’ll pray for a desire for extended time with Him and mark a day on my calendar for a retreat with Jesus.
Power Verses:
Mark 6:31, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” (NIV 1984)
Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.” (NIV 1984)
© 2012 by Amy Carroll. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
Filed Under: Uncategorized
Bad Moments Don’t Make Bad Moms
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February 9, 2012 Bad Moments Don’t Make Bad Moms |
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)
Do you ever feel like the ping pong ball in a heated match bouncing between feeling like a good mom to a bad mom?
I volunteer to keep the class guinea pig over spring break much to my daughter’s delight. After all, we have a hamster we adore so we’re highly qualified… GOOD MOM!
Two weeks before spring break our pet hamster has an accident and makes an early exit from this world. I get a letter from the principal informing me after hearing about our unfortunate hamster situation, we are unfit class guinea pig babysitters… BAD MOM!
I delight the teacher by showing up on time to read to the class… GOOD MOM!
That same day I get an e-mail from a teacher listing three parents who haven’t turned in permission slips and I’m on the list for all the world to see… BAD MOM!
I make sure my kids pack something healthy for lunch… GOOD MOM!
The schedule falls apart and I feed them sugary cereal for dinner… BAD MOM!
I so desperately want to be a good mom. And sometimes I feel like I am, when life is clicking along with good attitudes, healthy hamsters, turned in permission slips, and a pot roast for dinner. But let’s be honest. The days where everything turns out right and there’s a pot roast on the table are sometimes few and far between. And I find myself feeling like a failure. Have you ever been there?
The other day I was processing these things with my friend, Renee, when a strange theme seemed to arise. I just started laughing. I told Renee that many of my days tell the same story… I was on the verge of a breakdown and then I spent some time with Jesus and He made things better.
Renee quipped back, “Well, isn’t that where most of us live?”
Not that we’re on the edge of a breakdown, but we live in a place of utter dependence on God. I know I live in constant need of His love, encouragement, wisdom, perspective, strength, patience and grace.
Anything I do right as a mom is because of my constant dialogs with God. I’ve learned to talk with Him in honest plain language and say things like, “Hey God, I feel like a bad mom because I snapped at my kids. But my circumstances don’t define me, right? You do. So, I’m receiving Your grace and letting go of those feelings pulling me down. Please help me.”
I must remember the truth of today’s promise in Ephesians 2:4-5, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
God’s grace is always willing to step in. Not that it excuses me from being more patient, organized or responsible. But it reminds me, “Lysa, you are doing better than you think you are. My love for you is great! Stop bouncing from feeling good to bad to good to bad. In the good times, rejoice and thank Me. In the not so good times, call out to Me quickly.”
With God we’re never a bad mom. We might be having a bad moment… or two… or seventeen. But a few bad moments do not define us.
God’s grace is there to cover us. Teach us. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt us, redirect us and change me.
Forgiveness is there.
Love is there.
A second chance is there. And another one after that.
You are a good mom my friend…even if, like me, you’ve had a few bad moments… you are the exact mom God knew these children needed. Let’s live in that truth today.
And who cares if we are labeled unfit to watch the class guinea pig? As I stepped back from the situation I realized that saved us from some undue stress anyhow. Smiles.
Dear Lord, I know that only You can fill me. I am thankful Your grace is always there to cover me, especially on my tough mom days. Help me to stop bouncing from feeling good to bad. Teach me, redirect me and change me today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Related Resources:
If you’re having one of those “I feel like a bad mom” moments, read Lysa’s blog today. It will be one you print off and save!
And if you’d like to make progress in transforming the mom inside you, consider getting a copy of Lysa’s book, Am I Messing Up My Kids?
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she’d love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here.
When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!
Reflect and Respond:
With God I’m never a bad mom. I might be having a bad moment… or two… or seventeen. But a few bad moments do not define me as a bad mom. God’s grace is there to cover me. Teach me. And even in the middle of a bad moment, interrupt me, redirect me and change me.
Power Verse:
Colossians 3:15, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (NIV)
© 2012 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
Filed Under: Uncategorized