Nowhere can we get to know the holiness of God, and come under His influence and power, except in the inner chamber. It has been well said: "No man can expect to make progress in holiness who is not often and long alone with God. ~Andrew Murray
The yarns were tangled, beads and wiggle eyes mingled with buttons and brads. The pipe cleaners were hidden under a pile of felt and the paint pots were separated from the brushes. Scissors, glue guns and glitter formed an unhealthy alliance. Fragments of felt hid pipe cleaners, while art markers had a mind of their own and were found in among it all. Requests for "Where's the felt?" caused me to panic and search through craft drawers in hopes of finding it. For an organized mind, this was not working.
An idea on Pinterest caught my eye. An old dresser, minus the drawers, painted and sanded into a Shabby Chic beauty. They filled it with clear shoeboxes--that sure spoke to me. As I should have guessed, a trip to all my favorite thrift shops yielded not one suitable dresser. So I improvised.
I emptied a bookcase, found an online source for black photo boxes, and waited -- a bit impatiently -- for them to arrive. What fun! My handy dandy labeler printed my labels with glee. I certainly got my organizational fix by the time my project was finished.
Sometimes my prayer time gets all mixed up without any organized thoughts. My request for a blogging friend gets all tangled up with thoughts of an idea for a blog post. My praises for blessings are hidden under planning a meal to serve on my new fall dishes. Prayers for my grandchildren are shoved aside
by the planning of a craft project Morgan would enjoy. In desiring to communicate with my God, the disorganized thoughts pushed out that closeness I craved. When praying for one of my small group friends' needs, I'd find myself telling God how to solve their requests.
F. B. Meyer said, The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer. In allowing my mind to travel its own course, I was cheating those for whom I had promised to pray. I wanted so much more from my communication with my Heavenly Father.
So... after pondering and praying, I've come to the conclusion to re-focus by saying aloud -- Dear Lord, I want, above all:
I want to go about my daily duties thoroughly present with intentionality, yet filled with abiding prayer -- so filled with God that my very breath is a prayer of praise.
Admittedly, I haven't arrived, but I'm on the road. I'm getting my thoughts in the right boxes, and I'm setting both eyes on the Throne of Grace. It's a beginning...
Soli Deo Gloria
An idea on Pinterest caught my eye. An old dresser, minus the drawers, painted and sanded into a Shabby Chic beauty. They filled it with clear shoeboxes--that sure spoke to me. As I should have guessed, a trip to all my favorite thrift shops yielded not one suitable dresser. So I improvised.
I emptied a bookcase, found an online source for black photo boxes, and waited -- a bit impatiently -- for them to arrive. What fun! My handy dandy labeler printed my labels with glee. I certainly got my organizational fix by the time my project was finished.
Sometimes my prayer time gets all mixed up without any organized thoughts. My request for a blogging friend gets all tangled up with thoughts of an idea for a blog post. My praises for blessings are hidden under planning a meal to serve on my new fall dishes. Prayers for my grandchildren are shoved aside
by the planning of a craft project Morgan would enjoy. In desiring to communicate with my God, the disorganized thoughts pushed out that closeness I craved. When praying for one of my small group friends' needs, I'd find myself telling God how to solve their requests.
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| Melanie's Family |
F. B. Meyer said, The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer. In allowing my mind to travel its own course, I was cheating those for whom I had promised to pray. I wanted so much more from my communication with my Heavenly Father.
So... after pondering and praying, I've come to the conclusion to re-focus by saying aloud -- Dear Lord, I want, above all:
A heart filled with God's holiness
A mind filled with the sacred
A strength from a contrite spirit
Open hands and heart
An inward quietness
Sincerity motivated by faith
I want to go about my daily duties thoroughly present with intentionality, yet filled with abiding prayer -- so filled with God that my very breath is a prayer of praise.
Admittedly, I haven't arrived, but I'm on the road. I'm getting my thoughts in the right boxes, and I'm setting both eyes on the Throne of Grace. It's a beginning...
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27 comments:
Great post, Pam! I must admit I've been "there" too many times to count! But if the line from a song is true that says, "The only time you fail is the last time you try" - than I haven't failed yet! Still trying, still longing, and still asking HIS help!
What a wonderful reminder of the need to spend time with Him! Thank you!
I think you and I are feeling similar. I spent the day defrosting and organizing my upright freezer and I have also been stressing about the other out-of-order areas in my life particularly my prayer list. I have appreciated visiting with you and your thoughts.
A beautiful prayer to say aloud.
Your project turned out so well. I love it when creative juices flow.
Fondly,
Glenda
Beautiful post Pamela, I need to organize both my art stuff and my spiritual mind. So thank you for that. Yes I have to live intentionally in the spirit. Thanks for your kind comments on my art blog. My Mum was a ballet dancer, so I think that we inherit the creativity but in different forms. Your writing is definitely a wonderful gift that blesses many.
the holy of the holys..have i written it good ? had a conversation once with my dh about that...coming in that place were mozes was..in gods presence...his holiness is so great that we as humans is hard to get there..more holiness thats what its all about ..our life must be holy...thanks for sharing...blessings
Great analogy! I can relate to the jumbled thoughts and trouble focusing on prayer. Thanks for sharing the lovely prayer for getting back on track. Blessings, Pamela!
Pam a very encouraging post. Appreciate you sharing. Blessings.
Thank you very much for this blog.
I enjoyed your post and prayer links. I really need to get organized! Blessings ~
Timely reminder. Sometimes we get too busy , then we set aside what is more important. Thanks God for reminding us:)
Same thing happens to me. I try not to with my usual "amen", so God knows I'm not finished yet. I really need to learn to focus and concentrate.♥♫
Oh my, oh my, Pamela.
How this one echoes loudly down the inner cubicles of my own heart and the din in my mind.
I love so much this one, because I am in this too:
"My praises for blessings are hidden under planning a meal to serve on my new fall dishes."
It reminds me to wriggle my head up the piles of financial sheets and monthly reports. Find space to be alone with Him for my own and for other requests.
I am an orderly folk but when I got older I strain to keep up so the yarns and the glue guns, the stickers, the glitters, the little cut-out flowers, beads etc.... are all in a happy tumble inside boxes. Sigh.
I am so happy you have found a way to organize things which of course, makes it easy for us to find things.
I am on the road in this too, hoping to arrive destination.
Thank you, Pamela, for encouraging me that I am not alone with disorganized thoughts in prayer. How I struggle with so many ideas wafting about at all times. A wonderful prayer at the end of this post to keep me more directed and prioritized. Also - as I'm scrolling down, LOVE the book post about Readers of the Soul - you should see my house . . .
Joy!
Kathy
Wonderful post, bless you.
Wow, I so loved this post. I liked your idea for organizing project items. It was a great one! But most of all I loved your thoughts. I know that there are times when I am not really focusing on the right things to pray for so the prayer probably doesn't get above the ceiling. I too have been trying harder to be more aware of my prayers to my Heavenly Father. I sometimes try to think that I am kneeling before him.
Blessings for this one!
Thanks for dropping by my blog post and making comments.
Oh my - this sounds familiar! A dinner plan interrupting a prayer thought . . . definitely been there. One tool i use is to write down my prayers, sort of like a running list of prayer requests. When I read through it, I can really focus on those I'm praying for because of the written word. Also, it helps me remember needs that might otherwise slip my mind. The only thing is, this concentrates on needs, not praises, so I still need to work on that. Glad you made me think of it with this post!
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On that journey with you...my desire too is to be so filled with Him that every breath is sync with His.
Enjoyed your ponderings. Thank you!
I have not been by in a long time. I am so glad I stopped by today. I always like the way you get a story to go to the depth of the heart and spiritual application - not just spiritual but Godly. Thank you. A great set of thoughts and I'm glad to see that I am not alone in doing this with my prayers. Thanks again! Take care! Jenn
OH, I love this post. I think prayer is the very bread of life. I do.
I can really relate to this post. Thanks for sharing!
wow Pamela...I've been thinking that I'm not praying enough....just jumping into the day without giving it to Him. When I do pray life goes so much smoother. Great reminder. Thank you.
You really make it appear so easy along with your presentation however I to find this matter to be actually something which I feel I would by no means understand. It sort of feels too complex and very extensive for me. I am looking ahead on your next submit, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
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Love the bookcase turned craft shelf filled with wonderful boxes BUT I loved reading about your thoughts and prayers even more. Thank you so much for sharing.
Another great post! I'm a new follower -- you have a real talent for blending the earthly with the heavenly!
My sister-in-law puts post-it notes around the house with lists of people to pray for when she is in that particular room. She has done it for years...maybe put post-its on your grocery list?
Very nice post.
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