Yeah I know, but that's all I can think of this morning. I'm waiting for my fingers and hands to come back to life. Yep, I fell asleep again this morning. You see, I'm to bed around 8:30PM type of girl anymore, with getting up at 4AM. Weekends usually 5AM, which I've mentioned many times. But last night... we were up until nearly 11PM watching a movie... which means we sleep later.... but I woke at 5:55AM -ish ... and came in here and started reading, and fell asleep for a good 45 minutes. I could even go back to sleep now! UGH. I get between 6-7 hours of sleep and do ok.... shorten that and I'm not performing real well for awhile. But I will manage. I'll get a nap in this afternoon and figure out sleep tonight.
Falling asleep here in my room isn't so bad... except that it messes up on my time with God... even if I do like to imagine I am curled up in His arms resting. Like today, I got up an hour later than I do usually, started reading, and fell asleep, lost another 45 minutes or so. Usually I am out of this room by now and starting breakfast. But I don't want to just yet. I want to write this. I want to just be quiet a bit longer. And I will for a little bit. But then I need to get out of here, dress, and start the day.
A friend asked me yesterday if we had found another church yet, and I told her 'yes and no'. I mentioned that we had pretty much decided on this one that we could go to on Saturday nights, and could join a small group at some point. We love watching Jentezen Franklin on Sunday mornings and the past two weeks they have been amazing services. I told her about the servies... and then she told me about the church they found. She said those type of servics are almost every week! The Holy Spirit moves! It stirred some excitement in me for I long to be a part of a church that is ALIVE. I talked to hubby about it and we are going to think about going to it as well. I did start to watch a live stream of a service yesterday afternoon, but decided to wait and let hubby watch with me ... then we can decide what to do. The only thing is that the services at this specific church is at 10AM on Sunday mornings. Which we could do - since we sometimes watch services later. And to go physically, means we have to get our butts moving and actually GO to church. Which we should do. I miss the fellowship.
And God tells us that we need to fellowship with other believers so that our faith will be increased and we will grow the church. Can't find the specific verse I'm looking for, so you will have to trust me in that statement. So many translations out there now and I can't remember which translation I read that in. Ok - I found something close to what I was looking for in Hebrews.
Hebrews 10:25 (NLT) "and let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."
So we need to get it together and get back physically into church. And so do you. It was hard NOT to go to church when COVID hit. It is something that has been ingrained in us since childhood. But with modern technology and the ability to watch it on our phones or on the computer screen or on TV, it has become so much easier to just stay at home and watch. Oh we still participate in the singing and all, but it just isn't the same. How has it been for you?
It hasn't affected my relationship with Jesus.... I still have my time with Him each day. Usually first thing in the mornings, but there are times I have to put off some reading until later in the day. But I try to at least get something in first thing in the morning. Even this morning while I've messed up my schedule a lot by getting up an hour later and then falling back to sleep and I need to get off here and get the computer set up for the service we want to watch.... I still get some reading in and prayers. Always remember prayers. It is much easier when one prays throughout the day.... if I forget something during the early morning, I can continue with it during the day.
How are you doing with going to church? This pandemic has showed us that we need to have a relationship with Jesus even more to sustain us through these times. We have been fortunate not to have lost a close friend to COVID, although I have heard of others who have. My heart grieves for them, just as it would for any death of someone close. I know that for myself, if I didn't have Jesus, I would have no one else to run to with my grief. I think about those of my family who have passed away and how each time I was affected. What did I do? I cried... and I grabbed my Bible to read comforting words that brought peace to my heart.
Psalm 34:18 (NIV) "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Unless you know Jesus, you won't feel the Presence of the One who can bring peace to your soul.
Which reminds me, I went to bed with my heart singing "Awake my soul and sing, sing His praise aloud, sing His praise aloud". And I told myself "No! It's time to go to bed - shhhh!" Just kidding. I changed it to "Jesus, I love You, Oh how I love You. You are the One my heart is waiting for...." and I fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
But for now, I must give up sleep and get my butt moving! It's nearly 8AM and time for church! Hope that you take a few minutes this morning and think of all the goodness God has given you; a faithful spouse, children, job, home, food, provisions for what you need.... He has been so good to you. Just take a moment - even if you choose to 'not believe' - and just say "I may not believe in Who You are, but if You are real.... thank You for meeting our needs."
He is real, you know. Ask Him to come close to you. Sit and talk with him for a bit this morning. Tell Him what's going on in your life. Ask for what you need. Thank Him for providing.
Be blessed. That's what He wants to do. Bless you.
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