Lenten Advice

From Source Book of Wit and Wisdom and written by Arthur Lichtenberg, a past bishop of the Episcopal church. Fast from criticism and feast on PRAISE. Fast from self-pity and feast on JOY. Fast from ill-temper and feast on PEACE. Fast from resentment and feast on CONTENTMENT. Fast from jealousy and feast on LOVE. Fast from pride and feast on HUMILITY. Fast from selfishness and feast on SERVICE. Fast from fear and feast on FAITH. .

My heart

I wish I had the heart right now that the Lord desires me to have; one that is healthy, spiritually driven, and cheery. But, sometimes, it feels tired, hurt, and dull. I know what I need to do to make my heart right, but that decision is one that will alter my lifestyle. The Lord has been speaking to me about being my first Love, no matter what. It is truly beautiful, but I wonder how deep it would soak in if I let it. Maybe if I wasn't so busy trying to be the perfect friend or the perfect student or the perfect Christ follower, then I could truly explore what the Lord is doing in my heart. I know He is at work in my heart, and I know He is good and ever so faithful, but if we were all to be honest, when was the last time we set aside our work schedule to hear the Lord tapping on our hearts- not when we have time in our schedule but when the Lord says, I am at work right now within you, come and listen.

It's not that I feel spiritually dry because the Lord is speaking profound fundamental things to me that will ground my life, but maybe it is true like my friend said, have I been too in love with doing things for Christ, that I have not taking the time to fall in love with Christ?

Love is patient, love is kind. He knocks on my heart far more than I answer because I'm too busy thinking I'm glorifying Him with my work rather than with my time.

The beauty of love is that it is exciting. It is refreshing. It was designed for us to enjoy, but my task oriented personality seems to put love on the side when I have time. Could it be that we get too caught up in praying for Jesus, or worshipping for Him that we lose sight of just living and relishing in His love day in and day out? Or could it be that it's not that we lose sight, but rather he calls us to balance our lives focused on Him first.

The beautiful thing that the Lord has been teaching me is that He is my first Love and no one can ever take that place. I used to think that I have never had a boyfriend because He was protecting me from the superficial relationships that are so common today. Though I think that is true, I now wonder if maybe the Lord says, I want to ground you first. I want to be your main priority because I Am the most important relationship you will ever have. God desires to be the wedding band underneath the marriage band, so that it is grounded in Christ before it is grounded with a spouse.

Oh there is so much joy i life, in the little things, in the smiles, in the laughter that I do not take time to reflect on. No wonder why I am stressed all of the time. I do not reflect or process what is going on in my head. Thus, it turns into a word scramble up there!

Though it is difficult I wonder what would happen if I surrendered not just the "important things" in life, but rather surrendered my time, which encompasses all of the important things. I wonder what would happen if I listened to the knocking on my heart more frequently? I wonder who I would be if I tapped into the constant joy and peace that is from the Source by surrendering my time instead of "prioritizing every moment".

I feel at peace already, and I can't wait to see what the Lord will do in my heart...

Lord, may I surrender my mind- through rest , reflection, and processing my days

May I surrender my soul- by responding to You not just when I have time

May I surrender my heart- by giving you the hurt of the past, the desires of the future, and the feelings of the present

May I surrender my strength- by knowing I can do nothing on my own, and I am completely dependent on You.

May you transform my heart to be more like Yours everyday.