Reflecting on time...

 

With all that is going on in our world, I wanted to set aside some time to sit and reflect.  Yes, we are busy here in the business.  The calls are coming in non-stop for service and installations.  However, my husband and I need to take a moment time to refill our cups as the world continues to move at a fast pace.  You can’t pour from an empty cup.  You need to fill it daily with His help. 

We are filling our cups this coming weekend.

We will be taking some time off over the next few days.  There is an annual event we love to attend that brings other believers together for fellowship and worship.  I love to sit at His feet during these times and listen for a word from my Father.  It is refreshing to my soul when I take time to just sit and be like Mary for a minute.

Before I leave, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you.    

Have you ever noticed that time seems to march on every day?  Time is one thing we can’t hoard like food, or supplies.  Time goes on with, or without us.  I don’t know if this happens to you but when I get busy at work, the next thing I know it is time for lunch.  And shortly after that it is time to shut the phones off.  Days turn into weeks.  And then the weeks turn into months.  Next thing I know it is Christmas again.  Or is that just me?

However, did you know that a thousand days are like a day in the Lord’s eyes?  Psalm 90 verse 4 shares – A thousand years in your site are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night. 

Can you imagine that?

God is outside of time.  When we are face to face with Him, time will be gone.  How awesome is that?  It is almost unfathomable to imagine being outside of time.  I can’t wait to be a part of that with God.

Another thought…

You can’t get time back either.  No matter how hard we try, there is no time travel back into an event or moment.  Time travel does not exist.  Except with God.  Again, He is outside of time remember?

Today is a reminder we need to number our days.  We only have a few days here compared to eternity.  Psalm 90 verse 12 says – Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Are you numbering your days?

Remember we all have a date with God and only He knows that day.

What are you doing with the minutes, days, years given to you by God? 

Take a moment to sit at His feet like Mary.  Ask Him to give you a word. 

Let Him fill your cup today.

Psalms 90:17

'May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.'

Copyright © 2022 Peggy A. Priest. All Rights Reserved.

Lower the net...

 

Sometimes you need to try again, even if it didn’t work the last time. 

God doesn’t get mad when we ask.  Do we get mad at our kids when they ask more than once?  We might get frustrated, but we understand where they are coming from.  Sometimes we tell them no because the timing isn’t right.   Ice cream right before dinner would be a no.  However, after dinner could change the response to yes.

God is patient and longsuffering when it comes to His people.   I am so grateful for that.  I am sure I get on His nerves a bit asking the same request over and over.  I can be like that broken record.  But remember He loves our fellowship, even in asking. 

Sometimes the answer is not yet or wait.   So, we ask again.  Sometimes the answer changes as the circumstances or timing changes.

We can get frustrated because we did a task that didn’t produce fruit.  We then decide in our own intelligence it can’t work because we did it once and it failed. 

Read that sentence again. 

Remember Peter and the net?  He had been fishing all night and decided in his head there was no fish to be caught.  Jesus told him to let down the net one more time.  After pleading his case, Peter eventually gave in and lowered his net.  He was shocked to see the results.   There were so many fish that their nets began to break.

Timing…

How about Gideon and his multiple requests regarding the fleece?  He wanted an answer but also wanted to confirm God was speaking.  Asking more than once was not disbelief, just confirmation of the request.

Today, think about something you tried before for the Lord, and it didn’t work.  Maybe it was a no.  However maybe it was just a ‘not now’ response from God.

Please don’t give in to complacency thinking God is done with you.  He may have other plans in mind.  He might want you to pick up that fleece again and ask for His direction.

Let me leave you with one thought.

Lower the net again…

 

Luke 5:4-7 (NIV)

'Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. '

 

Judges 6:39 (NIV)

Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.”

Copyright © 2022 Peggy A. Priest. All Rights Reserved.

Persistence...

Spring is here and the robins are busy preparing their nests for eggs.  I personally get excited for the warm weather, trees budding, and flowers blooming all over.  This spring I learned a lesson from an unlikely small source. 

A robin.

My husband went outside one morning to our barn and found traces of a nest being built in the overhang.  We love nature, but not so close to the barn.  So, that morning my husband apologized to the robin and proceeded to take the nest down and clean up the mess.  Well, in full disclosure, I don’t think he apologized to the robin.  I might have if I was out there with him.

The very next day, the nest was back in the same spot under the overhand.  My husband once again took the nest down and cleaned up the debris. 

The third day he greeted the robin before work and let her know there was no room at the barn for her nest.  He removed it once again.  She wasn’t too happy but flew away to a nearby tree.

When my husband came home from work he went out to the barn. Guess what he saw? 

Another nest.  She is a persistent bird, but my husband is more stubborn.

After a week or so, the daily ritual of removing the nests ended.  She found another place for her new home and the battle was over.

The weeks activities made me pause and think about two things…

1.     How persistent was that robin?  How could we learn from her persistence?  What if we sought life or God with the same never-ending persistence?  How far would we be in life?  How far would our walk be with Him?

2.     How stubborn was that robin? She could make a nest anywhere but chose to make one in a place that wasn’t welcome.  Are we doing things in our own strength that God does not want us to do?  Can we learn to take our tools and build in another area God is calling us to go?

Just a few thoughts for a Friday…

 

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Copyright © 2022 Peggy A. Priest. All Rights Reserved.

 

National Day of Prayer thoughts...

 

Lifting each other up by stepping into His presence…

I thought today would be a good time to talk about prayer since it is the National Day of Prayer.

I have a hard time praying sometimes. I often lift friends and family up to my heavenly Father in prayer.  I want to say the right words.  I don’t want to just ‘pray’ for the sake of praying.  I don’t want to pour out the same words I have used before.  I want it to come from the depths of my soul.

However, sometimes I don’t have the words.  I would love to say I can pray eloquently on a dime.  I would love to speak beautiful words I have heard others cry out to our Lord.  That is not me.  And honestly, God doesn’t want me to be someone I am not.  He only wants me to reach out to Him.  He desires fellowship with Him through prayer.

My heart breaks for those who are hurting physically, emotionally, spiritually.  I want to ‘fix’ it.  I know I can’t.   I can go to my Father and ask Him to fix it.  He is the all-knowing healer, redeemer, and comforter.  He can do what I am incapable of doing because I am only human.

I am grateful for the Holy Spirit who can intercede for me.  I need all the help I can get daily.  The Holy Spirit gives me the words when I can’t.  I am appreciative for the grace He gives me each day and to have an instant line to His ear through prayer.

Back to the National Day of Prayer.  I am grateful for this reminder; however, shouldn’t every day be a national day of prayer?  Do we need a holiday to remind us to speak to our loving Father who craves our conversation? 

Reach out today to God and just share your thoughts.  Yes, He already knows them, but He wants to hear from you.  He wants fellowship with you so you can come closer to Him. This is just a quiet reminder to seek Him today and everyday in prayer. 

 

James 5:16 (NIV)

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Matthew 6:6 (NIV)

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jeremiah 29:12&13 (NIV)

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me with you seek me with all of your heart.

Copyright © 2022 Peggy A. Priest. All Rights Reserved.

Mother's Day

 

I have mixed emotions over Mother’s Day every year.  As a mom, I struggle with being the best I can for our grown kids.  I know I fall short daily, but by the grace of God, I get back up and keep trying.  There is no perfect mom, or person.  My perfectionism comes to play often as I try to be that ideal mom and wife.  That is my pride getting in the way.  God reminds me through my lessons that I am not perfect and that’s okay.  He holds the bar to strive towards in our weakness with His help.  Only God is perfect.

Only God.

Then I think of my mom during this time of year.  I realized after many years that I was hard on her because my expectations were higher than she could reach.  I wanted the June Cleaver mom who had all the right things to say and do.  I am sure I am dating myself again with this reference, but you get it.

Remember there is no perfect person.  She could only do what she was taught by her parents.  Did she do everything right?  No.  But she did the best she could for us.  And when she couldn’t do any more, I picked up the slack and helped her through the years.   That is what God wanted me to do.  Not to compare her with other moms, just be there for my mom.  I am so glad I could be there for her when she needed me most.

Hindsight is 20/20 – right?

Mom has been dining with Jesus for 10 years now.  I know she is transformed and pain free today.  I can’t wait to have that new conversation with her when I get there.  What a glorious day that will be!

In the meantime, my advice is to give your mom a break today.

Give your mom a hug. 

Give your mom grace today.   

And if you are a mom, give yourself grace today too.   He gives it freely for you as well.  Take time for you today and reflect on His love for you.  Let Him fill your cup.

 

Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Psalms 29:11 (NIV)

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Copyright © 2022 Peggy A. Priest. All Rights Reserved.