Filling Empty Spaces

As I surrender my life to God, it requires a letting go of things of this world. This is not an easy release. I have taken years to develop these habits. I walk in the house and immediately turn something on, my head gets plugged right in and before you know it my time is gone and I have allowed all things worldly to saturate my mind and our heart.

Many times I would push myself to change those habits. I wouldn't turn on the television. I would leave the computer sitting and off. However, it doesn't take long before I am back where I left.

Why? I left that time idle. I did not replace it with things that will bring me closer to God. I didn't replace my activity with things that are purer. I needed to fill those empty spaces.

I need to build new habits. I want to wake in the morning and get my coffee....settle down, open His word and pray. I want to listen to His whisperings to my heart.

In the evenings I want to spend some time reading books of inspiration and challenge of my walk.

I want to write and spend time reflecting on His work in my life. I want to share with others the struggles of this walk. I want to have an army surrounding me to fight off the enemy.

I want to get into His Word and study it, get to know Him more. I want to hear his direction for me. I want to hear Him reveal my sins and show me where I need change. I want to understand who He really is, fall more deeply in love with him.

I want to spend time building relationships of accountability and ministry.

I want to spend time just praising Him.

I want to be doing worthwhile-life-changing-actions to change the lives of others.

I have plenty to fill those empty spaces. I'm making changes...SLOWLY. My eye is on the prize. I continue to run the race.

The world is much heavier to carry...filling those empty spaces with things more pure and holy...it is uplifting and invigorating.

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God-what is good and well-pleasing and perfect."

God's View

A year ago my youngest left for bootcamp. His wife and I were thinking back, back to that day and days before. Recently I found a church bulletin from 2001, his wife's name was in there. She had been baptized that day. We were there. I didn't know her, but God knew one day she would be my daughter in law, one day she would be the mother of my grandson. We do not know the days ahead, where we will be, or what we will be doing. I think He gives us glimpses.

My husband had played for a local symphony. Years ago they came to play on my school's campus. We brought the students over to see. We didn't know each other. And we wouldn't meet for many years after. But I think He gives us glimpses.

It makes me think of the view God has. How he connects the dots and can see behind the scenes. He has such a different view. He sees before, He sees within, and then He looks beyond. To think He even knew my days before I was in my mother's womb!

So, it make me wonder, who did I walk beside today who may be an impact in my life? Who has he placed beside me, brought me to, and aligned with with? How is he working in my life today that will impact a future? I think He is giving me glimpses.

The hard part continues to be, not knowing. But the part I can place confidence is, He does. There are ideas, hopes and dreams that filter through, I stop and wonder and pray. Are they from God? 

Seeking His will is my goal. Discerning what is coming from His plan is not always easy. Sometime I recognize immediately that this was not HIS plan, it was mine. I have to back away. I did that with this blog. I wanted to go a different direction...and He let me know quickly, that what I am doing here, these random thoughts and sharing my questions, my wanderings, my reactions...that is all He needs from me here. He is working the scenes. If I am not followed or commented on, I need to let that go. His plan is for me to write (Pride is a terrible thing). He gave me a place to settle and create, move around my words and try to share my message. He will do with it what He wants. He will do with it when He wants.

So, I am thankful for a God with a view of it all. I am thankful that He is control. And I love how he shows me that He gave me glimpses...and that it all works together, for His good!

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called  according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

May you always find salt and light in my words!