Plenty of Time

I love these verses.  I normally read from the NIV, but I liked how The Message paraphrased it.  Take a look.  Ponder it, soak in it and see what God has to say to you. 

"The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn't live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn't take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don't make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him!" 

                      -- Acts 17:24-28 (The Message)

Plenty of time and space for living...

It's crazy in our house right now.  I'm directing VBS (4 days and counting), with a kid in Drivers Ed, another kid in baseball (with 4-7 games/week) who is also leaving town tomorrow for a tournament, and many other appointments, ministries, and tasks to be taken care of.  Just being the mom that cooks and cleans can be a full-time job in itself (unfortunately this job is getting only quarter-time attention).  Sometimes it feels like there aren't enough hours in my day to get done all that I need to accomplish.

Plenty of time and space for living...

so we can seek after Him.

But more important than all of that is Jesus.

My time with Him.

His work in me.

The fingerprints of His touch on my day.

I don't want my busyness to overcrowd my Savior.

Yesterday I read the above scripture in my quiet time...moments later I read this from another blog.  The blogger quoted something that spoke to her from a study called Jesus Calling and it fit so well with what spoke to me in Acts.

Wait patiently with me while I bless you.  Don’t rush into My Presence with time-consciousness gnawing at your mind.  I dwell in timelessness: I am, I was, I will always be. For you, time is a protection; you’re a frail creature who can  handle only twenty-four-hour segments of life.  Time can also be a tyrant, ticking away relentlessly in your mind.  Learn to master time, or it will be your master.

Though you are a time-bound creature, seek to meet Me in timelessness.  As you focus on My Presence, the demands of time and tasks will diminish. I will bless you and keep you, making My Face shine upon your graciously, giving you Peace.

Plenty of time and space for living...

so we can seek after Him.

He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. 

He's not remote; he's near. 

We live and move in him, 

can't get away from him.

Plenty of time.

So, how does this relate to praying for my kids today? 

The more time I spend with Jesus, the better mom I am to my kids, and the more peace, joy, and sweetness there is to be found in our home.  We live and move in Him.  By watching the way I start my day, handle each crisis or stress, and to Whom I go when I am weak worried, or wearym a very, is teaching them a very important life-lesson.

I'm praying that Alyssa and Kyle learn that there is

Plenty of time and space for living...

so we can seek after Him.

Lord, you made the world and everything in it. You give life and breath to everything, and satisfy every need. I pray that Alyssa and Kyle seek you and perhaps reach out for you and find you, though you are not far from each one of us. For in you we live and move and have our being.  Lord, help me as Alyssa and Kyle's mom to make good use of my time, and to start each day seeking after you.  In my being obedient to meet with you each day, I pray that I can be an example to Alyssa and Kyle and teach then the importance of spending time with you.  You are God, and you are an important, vital, and living part of my life, and I pray that is passed on to our children.  I love you, Lord, and give you praise.  Amen.