Caffeinated Randomness 03/05/2010
 On Spiritual Activity SonShines, I just have to share a passage I read last night from The Me I Want To Be. John Ortberg addresses a very real struggle so many of us face with feelings of guilt and obligation in regards to our spiritual activities. Mothers, teachers, coaches, mentors, ministry leaders, writers, nurses, doctors, and any number of nurturing roles such as these all share another common bond. We often feel that we are less than devout when we can't set aside an hour here or two there for deep quiet in the presence of our Lord. I'd even venture to say that some of us beat ourselves up about not having the heart that another sister or brother might have for waking up before the sun in order to ensure that quiet soaking in God's glory. Here's what Ortberg says on the matter, take it to heart and take it with you in all of life's moments! "Comparison kills spiritual growth. A mother with three preschool-age children hears her pastor talk about loving God so much that he is up very early every morning to spend an hour of quiet with him. She would love an hour of quiet at any time, but her children simply will not cooperate. What she takes away is that she ought to be doing the same thing, and so she does spirituality by comparison, living under the cloud of guilt. It never occurs to her that the love she expresses to her children might "count" as a spiritual activity." The love you express as you nurture from within the love of Christ is a spiritual activity! Taking Jesus by the hand and introducing every moment, every interaction, every person you encounter to the Truth, the Life and the Way is the very sort of living in the Presence that we must all strive for...not an hour each morning, but a way of living! Keep up The Good Work! ***I want to just add a little note here to be sure to encourage everyone to start your day with Jesus no matter what time that day may begin. I know how much more freely I receive the ongoing direction of the Lord when I've made a point to spend even just 5-10 minutes just kicking it with Christ! Please don't leave here thinking you should leave that time behind! Instead, know that it's the spirit of simply delighting in the presence of God that should drive you to your knees first thing in the morning, not a comparison to what another Christian's morning walk may consist of.*** {added after publishing} On Lamentations I am so looking forward to our time exploring this section of God's Word! I'm just as eager to share the journey with you as I am to get to the other side with a bit more knowledge, wisdom, and security in Christ Jesus! We are in for some deep conversation, some solid soul searching, and some serious laughter, I'm sure! I hope you'll come by Monday as we kick things off in the newest seven days adventure! Everyone who participates in the full seven days will be entered to win a special little something that I'll be revealing soon! {hint::it's wired, it's whimsical, it's bound to be gorgeous} On Compliments I Can't Deny Each of you dear readers who reached out in love to nominate this blog as one of your favorites, I just want you to know that your compliment is one I won't ever attempt to disprove! Our heavenly Father is at the very root of each word I share here and it is His glory and my honor to be among the top 10 daily reads, and the top 100 Christian Women's Blogs of 2009! I'll save the Oscar-esque speech and waterworks, but to say thank you just doesn't fit the bill. I'm touched and honored and humbled and fueled and rambling in true caffeinated randomness fashion!  {Head over to read from the other 99+ awesome ladies writing for Christ!}  CommentsFri, 05 Mar 2010 2:56:59 pm Thank you for this, I do sometimes find myself comparing and it leads to no where but discouragement. Also, I have been trying to have the perspective you've written about on nurturing children as a spiritual activity. I find that I have to continually remind myself that clean socks, and swept floors ARE a ministry to my family and not a minuscule task. On the other hand, I have been noticing that I do need to set aside time for just me and Jesus, I am working on the discipline needed to put him first even when I have little ones who seem to need me all the time. I realize there is no set rule to follow, and that I certainly don't want to "live under a cloud of guilt." However, I want Jesus to be the source of all that I do, and long to be filled by him so that my joy, patience, kindness, self-control, gentleness, (and the list goes on)never run out as it so often does when I try to do it on my own. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 3:15:09 pm I think John must have written about me! I have experienced that exact thought/feeling and I have three VERY young children as well. I just can't get up and read the Bible at 5:00 a.m. I have tried. Honestly. But I need sleep. Fri, 05 Mar 2010 3:20:18 pm Congratulations friend. You definitely fill my cup each day :) Fri, 05 Mar 2010 3:55:47 pm You definitely deserve to be in the top 100 list!! :) I think you are fabulous!! :) I'm with Christy ... you fill my cup daily! :) Fri, 05 Mar 2010 4:32:33 pm Congratulations on your Internet Cafe Award! This is my first time visiting your blog ~ can't wait to come back for more Victoria! Your heart for the Lord is so beautiful!! Sat, 06 Mar 2010 8:23:41 pm Congrats! Love the encouragement and exhortation on spending time with Him. See you Monday! Sun, 07 Mar 2010 2:14:45 pm Congratulations Victoria! We are called to shine indeed. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 1:54:30 pm I couldn't be more proud of you. Congratulations, my friend. You do fill my cup. Leave a Reply |  
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