A couple of weeks ago I determined to get my emails under control. This was spurred on after spending a couple of hours one day completely clearing out my emails only to wake up the next morning with 43 brand new, unread emails. For some of you, this would not be a problem at all, however, I fall into the group that cannot stand to have any red numbers showing up on my phone. I determined to take one week and unsubscribe to every email that showed up in my inbox that I didn’t want. So, instead of the normal 20 seconds it would take every morning to click and delete all of the unwanted emails, I opened each and every one and went through the clicks required to unsubscribe. Many of them required me to unsubscribe multiple times before it actually took.
I must say, this one week of effort paid off in the long run. It was such a good feeling to wake up in the morning and only have emails waiting on me that I wanted to read. I realize this is most likely just temporary. Only last night, as I was making a few online purchases, I entered my email each time knowing it wouldn’t be long until this company would soon be filling my inbox. These new, unsolicited, emails would again distract me from the emails of importance.
This is true in our daily walk as well. There are so many distractors that keep us from the important tasks at hand. Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” It is so hard to set my mind on the things above when I let my thoughts get crowded out by things of this earth. These are not things that are wrong or bad, just things that take me away from time with and for God. Some of the examples that currently distract me are The Crown on Netflix, Candy Crush, and to be completely honest, just online shopping. It is impossible to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” Matthew 6:33 without spending time in God’s word and in conversation with God. This takes time.
Maybe I should be writing this as a New Year’s Resolution, but it is really just a reminder to focus on what is important and sometimes the best way to do that is to eliminate the distractors.
Tag: relationship
God’s Love Language
Last week there was the rare event where Scott and I had a quiet night at home. As we were sitting in the living room watching some basketball game, I began quizzing Scott with questions from a FB quiz. After finding out what annoys him most and what makes him proud, we began talking about our “love languages.” This is a conversation we had several times when dating and many times with our children as they were going through their marriage counseling. Our Love Languages are almost in direct conflict with each other. Scott enjoys quality time together while I enjoy acts of service. In other words, I want us to be doing something (working on my “to do” list) and Scott likes to just sit and visit. Scott is great about helping me and doing things for me. I’m still working on sitting still and just spending time together.
Anyway, as we were having this conversation, I began to think about what Love Language God desires. I have come to the conclusion that God, like Scott, desires quality time together with us. For those not familiar with the 5 Love Languages. A person that desires quality time together enjoys one-on-one time and uninterrupted conversations. I think it is clear God seeks our undivided attention. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” John 4:23. God wants us to worship him and worship takes undivided time. You cannot truly worship someone while you are on your phone or watching TV. I am convinced one of the best ways to spend time with God, is to spend time in His word. This is how we are changed and how we become more like Him, and how he reveals Himself to us. Communication is two way, and God gave us His word to communicate with us for all of our needs. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
As I was thinking about God’s love language and the importance of communicating in the appropriate love language with those we want to please, I must admit, I was a little convicted. For example, the book I am currently using for my nightly devotions starts with 3-4 scripture references and then a page of reading that corresponds with those scriptures. Not a lot of time commitment involved to start with, but I often look at the 4 scripture references, choose the shortest and only read that one before reading the one page devotion that goes with it. What message does that communicate about my willingness to spend quality time with my Savior? That would be like Scott looking at my “to do” list, picking the task that would be the quickest or easiest and only doing that chore to help me out. While I’m sure I would appreciate any help, it sends the message I want to do as little as possible to please you. Can you imagine the response I would get from Scott, if I told him, “I want to spend quality time with you, but I don’t have time to talk about everything you want to talk about so pick one topic. That is all I can give you tonight.” I’m afraid Scott’s response would not be “Oh, thank you so much for the one topic.”
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus in his own words states, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” This is such a strong image of a person that desires quality time with another. I can remember when my kids were little and all I needed was just a few minutes of alone time in the bathroom. However, more often than not, one of them would stand outside the door and knock the entire time I was in the bathroom. Just as a small child seeks to be close to his/her mother, Jesus seeks to have time with us. The question is how do we respond.
New Neighbor
Every three months Scott and I make the trek to the El Reno Cemetery to change the flowers on Jeff’s grave. It is a routine we have down to an art. When we were there the first week in September changing the summer flowers out for the fall flowers, we noticed several new graves in the area. We were back again the first week in December changing out the fall flowers for the winter flowers. As part of our normal routine, we were checking out the new neighbors as many of them had headstones up by now. Anyway, the whole time we were there, an elderly man was puttering around at one of the newer graves. He was making the motions of rearranging the flowers on the grave, but really never moving anything. I couldn’t stand it any longer and had to go over and talk to him. It was clear as I approached and looked at the new headstone, he was standing at his wife’s grave. I began the conversation by asking if this was his first Christmas without her. I learned he celebrated their 49th anniversary in November with out her and many other first that 
happen during the infamous year of first that happens after the death of a loved one. After we talked for several minutes, he asked me what I’m sure appeared to be the obvious questions, “is this your parent’s grave?” He was surprised to hear that it was my husband’s, but I pointed out Scott, who had been standing there the whole time. I said, “Look, God gave me a new one.” That created quite a laugh and then we were able to talk about living life after the loss of a loved one.
It wasn’t a week later that I was at Hobby Lobby (not getting stationery if you read my last blog) when a young, beautiful mother turned quickly around a corner and crashed into my cart causing her diaper bag/ purse to spill to the ground. I began to help her pick up her belongings and she just started crying. We were able to visit for a little bit, but most importantly I was reminded how many people are deeply hurting this time of year, but no one can tell by just looking. She was beautiful. If you just looked at her, you would think her life was perfect. Trust me, that wasn’t the case.
I remember the “year of first” when I had to fake every smile and just go through the motions of celebrating Christmas. I remember the stress as a young mother of having more gifts to buy than money allowed and how nothing, not even brushing my teeth, was easy. The fact is, there are people all around us each and every day that are hurting on the inside. It doesn’t matter how good they look on the outside, there can still be pain on the inside. Our neighbors need us, but we also have to make ourselves available.
This should be saved for another blog, but I have come to the conclusion that I either look like a really nice person, or I look like I work at Wal-Mart. For some reason, it never fails, that some man will ask me a question about where to find a random item when I am shopping at Wal-Mart. It is always a man that has a list from his wife and doesn’t want to get it wrong. I really think it has to do with making eye contact and smiling. Then the next thing I know, I’m helping someone find meat tenderizer.
Anyway, the point is, let God use you to be available for the hurting people that are right next door to you. It could be the co-worker that seems to have it all, but maybe doesn’t. It might be the girl at the gym that looks great in her work-out clothes, it might be the clerk at 7-11 you see each morning or it might be you. If it is the person you see each day, be there for them. If it is you, you’re the one that is dying on the inside, please know you are not alone. Life is hard and not always fun, but there is a joy and a peace that cannot come from anything on this Earth. It is there and it is real. It doesn’t take away the pain, but it sees you through. Know that you are not alone. Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” And know there is peace in God that cannot be explained. John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace, In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Be available to your neighbors. If you are hurting. Reach out to someone.
View From My Shoes 