I started - and finished - Stop in the Name of God by Charlie Kirk this weekend. If you have the opportunity to read it, do so. It is a very good book and gives you a lot of think about. I admit, the first few chapters felt like they were somewhat over my head, but I pursued in the book and I am glad I did. He felt the same way I did about spending specific time away with God. Hence, this weekend. Yes, I wanted to get out of the house, and for those who don't understand my desires, it is easier to just say 'see different four walls. But for those who know me, know that I treasure these times when we can get alone, be silent, and just spend unlimited time with God and be still. I'm glad I already put in place what he refers to - giving God my total attention. With Charlie, though, he talked about honoring the Sabbath, or Sabbat, which is Saturday. As often as he could, he would turn off his phone at sundown Friday night and leave it off until sundown Saturday night. That time, in biblical times and now, is considered the Sabbath. During that time he spent quality time with God, with family, no TV, no work, no texts nor calls. Could we do that?
I found the book interesting and encouraging, and wanting to be a godly woman, I want to make more of an effort to give God His Sabbath. Not sure how I can do it. But, anyway, Charlie said that when he couldn't do it on the Friday night to Saturday evening, he would choose another day during the week where he would turn off his phone (literally!), place it in a drawer and take his focus off things around him and focus on God and family. Could you do that? Could I do that?
Something to consider as I enter tis new year fast that starts today. I am still having trouble thinking specifically as to what I will 'give up' for 21 days. I decided for one, to give up coffee. Don't be so shocked; I have switched to tea. It's still hard to give up coffee as I like the taste of it, but I am drinking tea. Breakfast downstairs (still at hotel, leaving today) I had to make choices. Now I don't need people dissecting what I chose to eat and what I chose to skip. I had a cheese omelet. Really good crisp bacon. I skipped the cajun potatoes and french toast. Tempted, on the toast, but skipped it. Bread is one of my big addictions, as you know. Could I give up bread? I got a small bowl of oatmeal and poured whole milk on it. (and nearly gagged; I think the milk was spoiled so in the trash that went!) I got a small scoop of vanilla yogurt and added granola. And tea with lukewarm water. Yeah, breakfast starts at 7:30AM - we were there at 7:40AM - how in the world could the hot water be lukewarm in ten minutes? I have pretty much decided that as I eat, as I prepare food, that I will let God direct me on what I need to give up each time. I may not be consistent; I may be consistent (i.e., the bread) - but God knows my heart and knows that I choose Him about all food and all things. Hoping to lean more into fruits and vegetables and less processed foods.
This cold is really kicking our butts. Still taking all the meds I brought with us. Will add some that I forgot to bring once we get back home. It's been a week now; that's long enough. We moved our hosting of our bible study to the 14th from the 7th. Just told the group we have colds and are not over them yet. They agreed to start back on the 14th at our house. Gives me time also to get the trees down and put away.
We check out today and I think I'm ready to go home. It's been a good weekend, a good getaway, but it is never like I want it to be. Doing my 'quiet time' with someone in the room sometimes feels awkward, although he isn't watching me, hubby is there. And I am there while he is doing his, although he has his back to me. I'm just more conscious he is 'there'. For now, he is sitting on the couch with me and I'm kinda turned into the corner to almost face him, so that he can't see what I'm writing. He did ask me (again) if I was journaling in my computer instead of a paper journal, and I just responded "I sometimes do both' and left it at that. I don't need him to go on here and do reading. Or maybe I need to 'get over that' as well.
And with that, I think I'm going to close and get off here. I know I haven't been writing much, but, what is there to write.
My youngest son and wife headed to North Carolina this morning and then to Florida to go to Disney World this week with her sister and family.
My daughter and hubby, along with their daughter in law and granddaughter (who flew in for a wedding this weekend), have text'd that they are on the road heading to New Mexico. I think they will be there also a week.
I haven't heard from my oldest son, which is really not unusual, but I do check his blog every day, hoping for updates. At least he is still here in town. :-)
And I'm back to work tomorrow. Yahoo. But I also realize that I complain a lot about that. Maybe that should be something I pray about, that I would quit complaining. As for what else I am praying for specifically this 21 days, well, I am not going to list. Those thoughts are between God and I.
Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God.
I think I am going to use it for this 21 days as my focus.
Be Still. Listen. He just might have a word for you.
Blessings!
