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Close the door!
Over the last six months, God has used my circumstances as a classroom to prune and grow me in ways I never expected. He has also used them to draw me closer to Himself, and one of my devotionals during this time has been Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest. I have always been an ‘OC’ fan; now I must have it every day. Incidentally, August 23rd was on the above verse. His writing hit so close to home that I felt compelled to share it:
“Jesus did not say – Dream about thy Father in secret, but pray to thy Father in secret. Prayer is an effort of the will. After we have entered our secret place and have shut the door, the most difficult thing to do is to pray; we cannot get our minds into working order, and the first thing that conflicts is wandering thoughts. The great battle in private prayer is the overcoming of mental wool-gathering. We have to discipline our minds and concentrate on willful prayer.”
Oswald goes on to challenge us to deal with God in secret about everything…everything, and that when we do, “everything in public will be stamped with the presence of God”. His writing so easily captures what I experience or feel, yet with enough consciousness of the frailty of the human spirit that it motivates and encourages me to obedience.
One of the events that happened over the last six months is that I gained a roommate – a good thing! But even good things can require change, and one of the things I had to change was where I have my quiet time. Instead of sitting at the kitchen table, I am now up in my room, where I can close the door! While I still gather quite a bit of wool, it has helped me to be more open and honest in my prayer time, and in many ways relax in His presence to just listen.
This is great, Janey! Thank you for sharing your heart.
MA
thanks Jane…
He is my hiding place. nothing like a morning cup of holy brew (coffee!!) and God… silence… listening… the Word. thanks for being a part of my reflections and prayers this morning. thanks for this entry. u da woman. still!
I love your picture with Lola. You have her totally surrounded with your presence and it obviously gives you great joy. That reminds me of how God’s presence is around all his children and how we are great joy to him. I bet you don’t have any trouble getting Lola to relax in your presence and give you her total attention. Hum-m-m. I think I should be more like Lola! (Please – no comments from ANYONE that there is a striking resemblence!)
jane -
working on some finishing touches of my book today…
i came across this story i’m using:
A flat tire in downtown Atlanta can often be the impetus for unforgettable adventure. A deflated tire afforded my friend, Jane, a full dose of story, challenge, and teaching. Meandering towards Jane’s disabled vehicle, a homeless couple stopped and asked to help. The woman was very pregnant, and the man outgoing and helpful. Jane found out they weren’t married but hoped to be soon. With the last lug nut tightened, Jane invited her new homeless friends to church. They showed up the very next Sunday. They had a great time worshipping and seeing Jane again. Somewhere in the thick of this unlikely friendship, Jane felt God tapping her on the shoulder and inquiring, “Would you let them move in with you? Would you invite them into your house?” Jane had seen their inner-city cardboard box home. The address was conveniently located under an overhead bridge. Jane made comparisons of her home and theirs, and sensed God’s prompting was more than an emotional nudge. Jane didn’t live in a castle, but in her hands was a house with plenty of spare room. Although she was a young, single woman who needed to think through issues of expectations and safety, Jane decided to invite them to stay under her roof. So she drove back downtown to find her new friends. Once found, the homeless couple beamed at Jane because they had a gift for her. They couldn’t wait to see Jane again to give her a brand new sweater “still in the wrapper.” Jane is usually not at a loss for words, but this urban scenario had her stunned. They had a gift for her? This awkward exchange segued nicely to Jane’s God-driven invitation. As the first nervous syllable was about to slip out, the young pregnant woman blurted, “Jane, by the way — God gave us a new place to live! We’ve moved into a great shelter! Thanks for helping us.” Was all of this for the homeless couple or was God doing a deepening through Jane’s willingness to serve? Probably both.
Yane! You are so…RIGHT! (get it Jane?) Thanks for your words of encouragement and challenge today my friend. As I read through your questions, images of the many places I have been blessed with around my home, at work and to/from work that I have to literally or figuratively “close the door” and be quiet before God. Mixed with that sense of blessing was conviction…that I take that for granted far too often and just walk or drive by…not taking advantage of the time and place God has given me to be with Him. Granted, I can talk to Him whenever and wherever, and I often do…but to the degree you and the Ozman did, I don’t often enough. Thanks for that. AND…and…thank you for your gift of friendship and service that you so willingly and humbly give to so many…with no strings attached. You are a wonderful and wise woman…glowing beautifully inside and out with Christ’s glow. I’m thankful that my 3 lovely ladies and I can call you friend…what a blessing you are! Thanks friend, Doug