Yesterday was one of those days. A day that made you want to run away. Too much crying, arguing, complaining, hurt feelings and aggravation. (And that was just from me. Heh. Just kidding. Kinda.)
I haven’t been up early to do #hellomornings lately. Even before I woke up this morning I could hear the kids arguing. It was going to be another of those days if I didn’t do something.
So, as I sent Lydia to do the dishes and Asa to clean his room, I sat down and wrote Psalm 119: 161-168 in my Journible.
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
I wait for your salvation, Lord, and I follow your commands.
I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
Verse 165 is the one that stuck out to me, “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Great peace. That’s what we needed yesterday. Nothing can make them stumble? Nothing? Not whiny kids? Selfish desires? That’s what I need.
As I was writing this in our “big room”, Lydia was in the kitchen doing the dishes to the tunes of the Donut Man. A song came on that made me pause…
The Lord listens when I pray
The Lord listens when I pray to Him
Jesus found a quiet place
where He could seek His Father’s face
early in the morning He ran away to pray
I will find a quiet place
where I can seek my Father’s face
early in the morning I will run away to pray
The Lord listens when I pray
The Lord listens when I pray to Him
Such a simple song with a simple message. But it hit me in the heart. The great peace? No stumbling? It comes when I run away to pray and seek my Father’s face, when I spend time and love God’s Word.
None of this is new information, but it was a reminder to me this morning. My heart, my spirit, my mind, my children and my family need me to run away to pray. They need me to get up early and seek my Father’s face.
And when I do? The Lord listens. His great peace is delivered.
If you haven’t ran away to seek your Father’s face in awhile, try to find that quiet place today. It doesn’t have to be a big ordeal–you can simply write seven verses in a journal and listen to a kids’ song! God loves to speak to us.
PS: I started another 100 list…it’s not full yet, but I did add Psalm 119:165 to it!
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Thank you for sharing this post. I’ve fallen off the wagon with my Bible plan and haven’t had a QT in a while. I have tried to schedule a coffee date and play date to talk with a friend, but I know those didn’t happen because I need to run to God. Not a friend. Thank you for reminding me that any attempt to chew on his word is better than not even trying.
I’m with you! Playdate with friends seem mandatory sometimes. But how much more important is spending time with God. (I have to remind myself all the time!)
a
Hi Amanda,
Thank You for all you do! If you go to our website hisvineyard.net you will see the Salvation Poem puzzle
that this past year was put into the Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes in 2012. We did a test here in MN with direction from Operation Christmas Child to see what the response would be from church’s and
organizations. Before we were done we had the Salvation Poem puzzles going into shoe boxes in eight
states. The Salvation Poem puzzle has a wonderful Salvation message. The children love it. The puzzle is 4″x6″ 24 pieces. We had the puzzle in three languages in 2012 and it will be in seven languages in 2013.
People donated or bought a puzzle for $5.00 but we are excited to say because of volume they will only be $2.99 a piece. Amanda please feel free to email or call me at 651-276-2512 I love the photos of your children. In fact I’d be glad to make a puzzle for you at NC or send you a sample of the Salvation Poem puzzle. Thank You for your time and heart for children. Blessings!
Oh Amanda 😉 THANK YOU for sharing these beautiful words this morning. My soul has been in turmoil for about a week… struggling, crying out, trying to understand God’s ways of love with accountability. My war has been with a specific subject and though I thought I was on the right path in His ways, it didn’t mesh with prevailing thought and societal acceptance. This Scripture brought about victory for me this morning and though my heart still mourns the reasons, I have peace and discernment now. Your post and sharing the Word was the blessing I needed. Much love and appreciation <3
Thanks for sharing! I too felt like running away when I went to try on bathing suits only 4 months after having a baby. It was good for me to be reminded to run to God instead of just running away 🙂
Hi Amanda,
I found your blog via a google search for “Dominican Republic World Vision Sponsor Trips” 🙂
My husband Shane and I are traveling to the D.R. this December/January (2013/2014) and are in the process of setting up a sponsor visit with our sponsor child Miguelina, who is part of World Vision’s El Tesoro ADP, which is in south-western D.R. near Bahoruco/Barahona. Could you please send me an email about your sponsor trip and share some suggestions, travel tips, visiting sponsor child trips, etc.? I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks!
Ellen
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