Have you ever had a “grab-the-bull-by-the-horns” opportunity only to not realize it until it was too late? I’ve had several of these recently. Lately it seems that every time that I could have said the right thing or should have offered my help or needed to step up to the plate, the thought did not cross my mind until the moment was already gone. And it bothers me. For example, why didn’t I think to double check on the friend who recently had surgery and maybe fix a meal once they were home until it had been a month past? Why didn’t I take the time to truly speak to the person from our church that I passed with a simple hello, how are you, at the grocery store until once I was unloading my groceries? Why didn’t I see the opportunity to use vacation time as a way to kick my personal Bible study into gear? These are my “DUH!” moments!! They get to me!
So I began to think on and question myself on what was causing this slow response time. I heard a song on the radio that’s new to me that has these lyrics…
“Before I bring my need, I will bring my heart. Before I lift my cares, I will lift my arms…First I wanna seek You…More than anything I want, I want You first."
My heart instantly began to pray out the words of this song. Then in my praying God spoke. I have been so focused on our needs and wants physically that I haven’t had much time to focus on my needs and wants spiritually. Everyday life tends to take over my thoughts and actions at times. We are close to moving into the newly renovated church parsonage. That brings bigger spaces for our cramped family, new décor, new surroundings, paint swatches, cabinet choices, and ALL things that I absolutely adore! I have spent countless hours excitedly planning and pinning décor ideas and color schemes and DIY projects for our new home. I’m afraid it’s consumed me. Keeping my home in neat and tidy and well organized, I’m afraid has consumed me. Homeschooling, church, feeding and clothing my family all distract me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad thing that I’m excited about this new phase in our life with the new home. It’s definitely ok that I see the need to plan out menus and make grocery trips. Yet, I can’t let it all steal my focus off the most important thing… feeding myself and my family spiritually.
So here are three things that I’m going to pray over my home (the old and the new)
#1. Spiritually kept before physically swept
I like clean floors. Sand is just cruel. But let’s be honest, it’s ok if there are things that don’t get done in order for us to have time to spiritually clean our own hearts and minds to prepare them for what God has for us to hear from Him.
#2. Spiritually sweet before physically neat
In the smaller home that we are in now, tidiness is a constant battle. Our home is often times “clean” but don’t look at all neat because of the lack of storage or the otherwise excess of junk! So clutter is inevitable. Taking time to pray to start my day is a spiritual “hug” from my Heavenly Father. And we all know there is something especially sweet about those hugs.
#3. Spiritual connection before decorative perfection
I’m a creative soul. I grew to love all things interior design years ago and it instantly became a passion of mine. The creative spirit of matching and mixing pieces and colors and textures, oh the thrill makes my heart pitter patter like a love struck teen! sigh! The time that I take to make sure the pillows are just so, the curtains are pressed, and the paint is the perfect hue of grey can much better be used growing my spiritual connection with my Savior.
I pray that each of you reading this today will gain an insight into what’s distracting you. Give your focus back to spiritual things. Grow closer with God daily. Put the spiritual before the physical.
