Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!
This morning Father, I come to you unsettled.
As I sat here this morning, quietly contemplating what to chat with you about today, I received a conviction on my heart that I hadn’t expected.
“You’ve really glossed over Me today…”
Instant ouch!
Thinking back over my morning though, I realized the comment was well-earned.
Many mornings I pray silently in the shower, preparing myself for the day ahead…
I didn’t today… My head was focused on the tasks ahead of me.
Before heading off to the office each day, I read the daily devotional message in my Stand Firm magazine…
I felt rushed this morning, so I skimmed over it but didn’t spend time to absorb the message.
When I pull into the parking lot at work, quite often I’ll say a quick prayer for the day before going in.
I was running a few minutes late, so I just went inside.
And that leads me back to feeling unsettled Lord. I’m not unsettled because of all the stresses, worries and complications my day has in store; I’m unsettled because I’ve allowed those things to infringe on my time with You. As my days have become more scheduled and complicated, I’ve allowed our time together to suffer as a result. Sure, I sing Your praises along with the Christian radio station on my way to work, I say silent prayers throughout the day, and we certainly have the connection that writing these posts each day establishes, but I’m thirstier than that for Your presence…
…Time to make some changes.
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” – Mark 1:35 (ESV)
I need that dedicated quiet time with You Father… Just You, and I, together.
And while I don’t think my couch qualifies as a desolate place Father, it should serve nicely for spending time with You all the same. Tonight, I’ll be setting my wake-up alarm to be a half-hour earlier …
I’ll see you in the morning. 🙂
Amen.
~Phather Phil
Pin It
Hi, I’m Phil Malmstrom, a.k.a. Phather Phil. I’m self-employed, father of two wonderful young men, an ordained minister who delights in spreading Jesus’ Message of Hope and Love, a science-fiction junkie, an aspiring photographer and above all that one of God’s Children who rejoices in His Blessings each day. 
But I’m thirstier than that for Your Presence – oh, I can relate to that! Even though I know God has been impressing on me to remain in His Presence and we’ve talked about needing strength to remain, I still find myself rushing some days. Thanks for the reminder that I need more than this.
I am so guilty of glossing over a devotional in the mornings… reading this is an ouch for me as well. Thank you, Phil.
Thank you for this sharing Phil. It’s beautiful. This time deliberately spent in communion with the source of our existence is so absolutely critical. The Lord is perhaps a touch jealous in this regard, but He is surely entitled to be, considering the scale and magnitude and compassion of His many blessings to us.
Some words come to mind, I forget the exact quote, to the effect:”But thou, when thou prayest, pray in secret in your heart and he will reward thee openly.” Blessings to you.
I am thirstier than that for Him too. I need to stop and let the world rush on by as I sit in His presence. Thanks for this reminder Phil! Blessings!
Thanks for sharing such words for us today, you know the Lord always know just what to tell us and though we say ouch it’s for our good sometimes to make us look at something we tend to over look at.
I can so relate to this Phil. I desire to rest in His presence and worship Him, but some days I rush through. Thank you for this much needed conviction and encouragement.
Phil,
This really hit home tonight. When I first went back to work I had a really hardtime getting a routine down, I was always running late, rushing out the door at the last minute to make it to work on time, unfortunately my time with the Father what was I decided I could skip. It didn’t take long before I started feeling unsettled and out of sorts. I am getting up earlier these days.
Blessings to you Phil.
OUCH! this hits me in my heart. I too rush and skim way too much. I need silence and solitude and just plain sitting still to hear Him, love Him and know HIm better. Sometimes I feel like a toddler who squirms on Daddy’s lap, far too ready to explore….good thoughts, Phil
I’ve found if I miss my time with Him daily, then the worries and insecurities (the Enemy) sneak up on me and BAM–I am defeated (or feel like it). If I start my day with Him, I am armed and ready to face my foes!