Category Archives: Special Interest

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My Daily Time in the Word

Devotional Time in the Past

For many years I have had a devotional time. When I was working it was quite different from today. I would like to share with you what my times were like during the years I was teaching. Even those years I had some variety, but I was consistent and regarded the time I spent as critical to my teaching success and also to my role as a parent. When I went through my divorce it was a necessary part of my day. I couldn’t have made it very well without it.

I got up before the children and spent 30 minutes with the Lord. I usually read a Psalm and prayed. I prayed for the day, for myself, the children, and the troubles and pressures I was facing. Then I would make their breakfast and wake the kids up while I also got dressed and ready for the day. Sometimes I didn’t get my devotional in and those days did not go as well. The mornings were very busy for me. Although before my husband left the family, the days went better because he could help get the children to school.

I would have my meaningful devotions after I got home. I would read My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers and then read a chapter or more from the bible. Then I would spend some time in prayer. My devotions became more meaningful as I grew more in my faith and also grew deeper as a Christian. The years of my divorce and also when my ex sought my daughter in court were the years when my time with the Lord was especially dear and meaningful. I really don’t believe I could have made it without Him. I was a mess and yet I had to keep moving forward for the kids. It was pretty rough and tough. At work I kept it to myself because I knew my emotions would fall apart should I mention it.

So, basically, my devotions were not that much different than yours. I read a devotional, I read the bible and I prayed. In my walk with God there were some changes. The older I got, the more changes I experienced. The more difficult my life became, the closer I grew to God. It was a natural thing. I grew as God took me along with Him. During the difficult days when the divorce came, I leaned heavy on my times with God. He gets the credit for bringing me along. I couldn’t have done it without him.

Devotional Time in the Present

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that my devotionals are different now and that I had not been able to have good devotionals for a few months. Thankfully, that has changed now!!! But my devotions are different. God is taking me in a different direction now. I don’t quite understand why, but I am fine with how they are going. Let me try to explain…I am reading many books consistently, and reading five chapters and one Psalm in the bible. I am absorbing, which means, I am thinking more quietly over what God shows me.

I have the time, in fact, much time to ponder what I am reading. It is like an adventure in reading, thinking, contemplating and gaining what God has for me. I’m going slow but since I am going quickly through the New Testament, I see the story as it occurs…more and more lively than it used to be. The reading in the bible is becoming more accessible as I take on the different books. I’m reading and pondering, considering and thinking while the stories come alive in glorious ways.

Besides the bible portions I am also reading seven books, a chapter per day, to quicken my mind. Why am I reading so many books at the same time? It challenges me. It causes me to pause and consider what each author is saying. It makes me uncomfortable at times. It helps me. Except for one book, the other ones are familiar but very good, regardless. I want God to teach me, and that is what He is doing.

My Devotional Time Speaks Now

I want to learn from God more than anything else. God teaches us when we are willing to learn. Sometimes He waits for us to be ready. I miss my former book dinner ladies (we met for 20 years!) for we took the time to read and discuss the books we read. I miss the come and go of discussion. God is teaching me in a new and casual way. We have to be willing and able to do what He wants us to do.

And maybe God wants us to go in a different direction>>> come along now >>> try this ??? and we try something new to us that is rich in a spectacular way. Yes, what I am doing now takes a bit of time, but I have lots of time now.

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At Times A Little Positive Comment Helps

There are times we need a little uplift.

The day was full of errands, a little of this and a little of that. So, I’m entering a busy intersection and will have to stop at a lengthy red light. I sigh an inescapable groan to myself, there he is again. The same young man is on the same island. I will be parked next to him for a few minutes. He knows how to do it well, panhandling with a smile . . . and with a Chihuahua in his arms that has a cute red neckerchief. I’m second in the row and have the car’s windows down due to my car’s AC being out.

He’s got a great smile and curly black hair to his shoulders, black beard and is dressed casual-messy. He chats with me a little and I mention his pet. I’m sure he notices I’m not offering any cash but continues to converse with me until a pickup truck pulls up behind me. He smiles at me, then as he starts to leave, he says to me, “Stay beautiful,” and down the line he goes.

He is friendlier than most, and I find myself smiling at the words he just said to me, “Stay beautiful.” I like them, of course they make me feel beautiful like I’m not in my sixties (then) and in a car that is hotter than the blazes and makes me perspire. The words are like “Take care.” But they seem better to me. I have been down in the dumps and those two words lift my spirits.

God uses people like that to cheer us up. The cashier that says, “Thank you, Miss” when you usually hear, “Thank you, Ma’am’” makes my day brighter. It’s so simple, really. The difference between Miss and Ma’am. Words and smiles, greetings and good cheer, even from a panhandler, can improve our outlook and make the day sing. “Stay beautiful, ya’ here.”

If we each would take the challenge to make the day brighter for the people we meet then we have made their day better. We look up and smile. We help carry their packages and it matters. There are a bazillion ways we can make the day better around us. The nice thing is when we help others, we make our day better. Some people do it naturally, it is part of their nature. Then others, like me, have to work at it. I tend to be way too serious. But I can smile, I can help, I can make the day go better for someone else and for myself, if I choose to. In fact, I will!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!