I have an idea.....

Yesterday afternoon (while hubby was focused on his computer), I was walking around the house (quietly) and something made me sit down at the desk that is out in the back 'non-exercise room'.  You know why I call it that; it rarely gets used, and when it is, only for a short time.  Anyway, I don't know what drew me to the desk but I was looking at the clutter on it and thinking I really ought to find a place for that stuff - and some things - as you know - just need to go into the Savers bag and don't look twice at it.  We have pens and pencils up the yang yang.  You know how we collect them.  We have a favorite pen and gasp! it runs out of ink so we buy a box this time. Only, somewhere we get anotehr pen and like it too, so then we start using it, and then we get another, and another... and we are bombarded with pens... and we rarely use any of them now.  Can you remember back so far to remember when we would buy the refills for the ballpoint pens?  And can you remember when BIC came out with their first un-refillable pen and everyone was in awe because they were like 19 cents a piece and everyone bought several of them?  It was relieving to be able to throw them away when they ran out of ink and we didn't have to buy a refill.  Do you remember those days?  Ah, but now I'm getting sidetracked.

Yes, I have several items on that desk that need to be disposed of that I never use.  For some reason, as I sat down in front of it, my mind started to get an idea.  Besides cleaning it off, I mean.

I've commented quite a bit lately how I need to find another place to do my quiet time.  And I am thinking I have found just the place.  I just feel so clustered in here, and it is so easy to lean back in the recliner and go back to sleep - and then my time with God is gone and I have to get to work, or like today, it will soon be time for me to come out hiding and face the real world.  I've shared before how Dr. Charles Stanley had his room to be with God.  How I wish I had an extra room!  I've even thought  about the closet next to the front door - but - there is no window and no air gets in there.  

But this desk... I told my daughter the only reason it is still where it is... is because a grandson put 7 coats of shellac on it so that I could use the top without getting a splinter.  It is an old 'secretary desk' without the pull down cover.  And it's large.  I didn't know he was doing it for me.  When we moved in here, it was brought over.  It was not wide enough with the extra drawers to use for work (monitor, laptop, etc.) so it is in the non-exercise room.  Gathering dust.  And clutter. 

I'm getting around to it..... really I am.... keep reading.  I think I will go sit down at that desk again today and really think through what came to my mind.  Why not clean it out (the drawers and cubicles) and bring my laptop, my books, my Bible, etc. and put there.  Why not make it my new place to do my quiet time?  I would be sitting up, which would (in most cases) keep me from relaxing enough to fall back to sleep.  I would have a desk to have my books on and I could have only those that I am reading there, instead of the stack I have here next to my chair.  (perhaps I could clean up the clutter in this corner!)  My laptop would be there (as a rule, I only use it in the mornings anyway; rarely any other time) for me to type in each morning.  Hubby would be at his desk, with the kitchen separating us.  The only time I would hear him is when he would make my coffee and bring to me.  The more I think about the idea, the more I am thinking I will work on it this weekend.  

I WANT to stay awake and it has gotten so easy to curl up and go back to sleep in here.  As you have also heard me say, the clutter around me, and the fact I am in here nearly all day with work, I feel depressed with being in prison.  I will have windows all around me that I can open when it is light outside.  Yes, the exercise equipment is in there, but they are spaced out so it isn't too bad.  But I have space around the desk.  Does any of this make sense or is it just me rambling?  Ah... don't answer that.

I've always based my wanting a room to where I could 'shut the door' based on this scripture:

Matthew 6:6 (NKJV): "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret, will reward you openly."

And, watching The War Room - a movie I dearly love - it instills such a desire within me to have a place to just spend it with God and be in His Presence.  Yes, I know that He is everywhere, but some days, His Presence when alone with Him is so precious you just don't want to leave.

But then, later in that chapter, I read....

Matthew 6:33 (NKJV):  "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

So it doesn't really matter WHERE I spend my time with God... it is more important that I CHOOSE to spend time with Him.  Does that make sense?   If I seek Him first, no matter where I am, I will be blessed by His Presence.  

I can remember when the children lived at home and my quiet time was spent on the sofa in the living room.  I can remember reading my Bible, doing my study, and then getting down on my knees beside the sofa and praying.  Unfortunately, now I have become so comfortable (and warm) in my recliner in here, I don't always get down on my knees (shame on me!) and pray, but will either write out my prayers or just sit here and say them.  I need to be more purposeful in praying.  I know He hears me, regardless of my position, but in my heart, I always feel closer to Him when I'm on my knees.

So I am going to end this with encouraging you to reflect on how your spend your time with God.  Do you even give Him any of your day?  Can you think back to a time in your youth when you wanted to serve Him, and would read your Bible and spend time praying to Him?  Oh how I wish you had those times and remember them!  There is nothing like coming back to Him and surrendering your life to Him and letting Him take over.

You may think your life is just fine right now, and that you don't need to turn to Him.  But can you just imagine for a moment how much better your life would be if you DID surrender your life, your spouse, your family, to Him and ask for His hand upon you, upon all that you do?  Oh that you would think on that!  

I know He still has a lot to do in my life, and every day I have to surrender my own wants and wishes.. and give them to Him and ask Him to take over.  I can't do anything without Him.  And I'm glad it is that way, because I have really made a mess of a lot of things.  I don't want to pass any generational curses down in my family and I pray that God will break every one of them that have been passed down to me.

Glory to God!  All praise and all worship belongs to Him alone.  Take some time to thank Him for all He has done for you - whether you have asked Him for it - or not.  Just think how much more He would do for you...... if you would but ask Him...

Blessings!