Taking The Time

I loved these photos that represents the throne of God. Just click on the picture to see it a little bit bigger. When I think about the cloud of witnesses listening and watching me, it makes me a little more careful with my words and actions.

Another humbling beautiful picture.

How easy it is to let ourselves become consumed with ourselves. It is so good when someone calls to ask for prayer. When I am busy doing whatever it is I am doing, and someone stops me through a phone call to ask for prayer, it makes me a better person. It makes me step out of myself for a bit, and think about someone elses plight.



I thought about some of the things that the Lord has done for me lately. He has rescued me. It all started with just a thought. I would be doing a little something, and I would begin thinking about a problem or a sad situation in our life, it was one that I was powerless over. I mulled it over and over, worrying and fretting about it to no avail. Then I heard the still small voice reminding me to just pray, take it to God.



It sounds so simple doesn't it? There are times that I will say a pathetic little prayer while I still continue to take on the task at hand, but those kinds of prayers are not very memorable for me, and I am sure that they are disappointing to God. When I take the time to steal away, and really pour my heart out to the Lord, that is when I gain comfort. Maybe its for a few reasons. Maybe it's because I put a lot of importance on it, enough that I stopped everything to talk to the Lord, maybe its because in the stillness of that moment I could really focus on all the things that I should be praying for, including others. Either way, I know that it is much more effective, memorable, and pleasing to the Lord.


I also contemplated how many times that the Lord works things out in a timely manner. As I type this my throat becomes tight because I can think of something specific that I have been pleading with Him with about, and how much He has already done. Then the next question I have to ask myself is, "Have I stopped talking to him, as much, after my problem was solved?" Ugh. I don't like to think so, but often it's true. I pray daily, but there are levels of prayers for me. I need to be careful not to use and abuse my Heavenly Father.

One of the things I have talked to the boys about in the last couple of years is how they envision the Lord. The first chapter of Revelations talks about how John saw Jesus in a dream. Its pretty amazing, scary, and humbling. I remind my boys not to think that they are praying to the paintings that portray Jesus, that are on church walls, but to remember who they are truly bowing before and the cloud of witnesses that are listening to their words. I don't say this to instill fear (although fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom), but so they can have confidence in this God we serve. God is our friend, our father, but he is also Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and The End. If that doesn't make you shutter a little, than I don't know what will.


We are so blessed to be able to stop and pray. To lay prostrate, before God, on his crystal floor, in front of his fearful throne, and cry. He doesn't dismiss us because He is too busy. No, He is merciful and kind. When I think about how quickly I can come to Him, with anything, and then to think of the times I don't...well...what will my excuse be on Judgement Day?