No Snooze for You!

Saturday morning...this was a morning I was looking forward to, no alarm, no real plans, just a leisurely Saturday morning. If you know me, you know I HATE mornings, except for those mornings that go at my own pace. This is what I wanted from this Saturday morning but my brain had other ideas.

My eyes popped open at 6am. This is earlier than alarm days! Uggh! Despite my best efforts, I could not turn off my brain like I do my alarm. There was no snooze button to be pushed. Worries, tasks, thoughts flooded my brain upon first waking up. I tried to quiet the noise but it just wasn't happening.

It's no surprise, really. This past week was a challenging one. Lots of unexpected twists and turns that were beyond my control, again not my favorite. I like to have some control! Because of the challenges of the week, I had not been able to start my days as I usually do, with the Lord. After a week of no morning routine, I could feel the distance from Him when I woke up this morning. Nothing major, just a subtle distance. Maybe this is the reason I woke up so early, to spend some quality time with the Lord.

As I was closing my four typed pages of prayers (I told you I had a lot on my mind), I thought about how lucky we are that we have someone who will listen to us, someone we can go to when our mind will not stop mulling.

I am so thankful that I can pour out my heart to God and He not only listens but He acts on my behalf. I don't have to wonder if He hears me or if He will help me. I KNOW that He hears and I KNOW that He will! It is His promise! I don't have to sugar coat my thoughts and feelings or fear that I will be ridiculed or judged. I can be brutally honest to the One who already knows my heart.

I was able to pour out every thought that burdened me this morning and trust that they are under His control. Every person, every thought, every worry, every fear, every situation is now at the feet of Jesus!

Have you ever noticed that when something is really burdening your heart, you tend to talk about it with anyone and everyone who will listen? Do you find yourself repeating the same story, the same burden, over and over, even to the point that you are tired of telling it? I think the reason we do this is because here on Earth, there is not one person we could pour out our heart to that can actually do anything about it, who can actually solve the problem. We keep talking in an effort to feel better about our situation but we really never do. Sure, it helps to get things out, and that person may help us feel better in the moment but my guess is that "feeling" doesn't last. That feeling is fleeting!

Real peace comes from telling the One and Only who can actually guide and direct our steps, who can literally act on our behalf.

If you are like me and your thoughts try to rule your life, talk to God. Take advantage of the gift that is offered to you. It doesn't have to be eloquently stated. You don't have to be in a prayer closet or even a quiet room. Type it out, write it out, draw it out, yell it out, cry it out...just get it out!

Whatever is burdening your heart or your mind, give it to Him. He is waiting on you to move towards Him, to reach out to Him.

Big or small, if it bothers you, then it bothers Him. You don't have to carry it alone. We weren't meant to do that.

If you don't know what to say, you don't know what to pray, then just say His name!

There is power in the name of Jesus!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ" -Philippians 4:6-7

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers Him from them all..."

-Psalm 34: 18-19

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth." -John 16:13

*Not sure who this Jesus is that I speak of? Refer to Romans 10:9-10 and invite Him into your heart. Invite Him to be Lord of your life!

"That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." -Romans 10:9-10

**Stay Tuned--I will be hosting a women's retreat in the coming weeks:

"Beyond the Blog: Burned Bricks".

More information to come!