Much has changed since my last blog post. I have come back out of my spiritual dryness and have had some really great prayer times lately. Besides that article about journaling that I shared, a talk that I went to at my church really inspired me. The title of the talk was "The Smelly Stable," and it was basically about how our lives are a mess, and we often think we need to clean them up before we can let God back in. I know this is true a lot of times for me...I'll be stressed about school or work, get caught up in too much homework, and not be devoting any time to God. I'll think to myself, "Well, once I get my homework done, I'll start praying again" or "Once work gets less stressful, I'll have better prayer times." I never really thought "I want to have better prayer times now." It was always later, later, later. Well, I know from experience that sometimes later never comes. To get out of my spiritual dryness and my feelings of being overwhelmed and stressed, I needed to just start praying and talking to God again. Even though I didn't feel like it. And so I did...and gosh, I realized two things: 1) I really missed talking to Him, and 2) He really missed me!
My journal is caught up a bit more now, and I have been starting my mornings off by reading scripture or listening to Joyce Meyer on the radio. How much more smoothly my days go when I start them like this. The difference is truly amazing. :) I was able to get through finals week without too much stress, and now I know I will enjoy my Christmas break. I am looking forward to working more hours, resting on my days off, and spending time with my family and close friends. I hope you all had a good finals week and I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Bring it on, 2011!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Dry Time
I have been struggling lately with having a consistent prayer time. I have gotten pretty caught up in school and other things and I just haven't spent as much time in God's presence. Sure I've still been going to Mass, Cru, and UCO, but I haven't been reading my Bible every day, and I haven't been talking and listening to the Lord in quiet times. I also haven't been journaling, which is a big passion of mine. I love writing in a journal. It's a great way to record the ups and downs (and there are many!) of my spiritual life. I write about my successes, my failures, witnesses of God's work in my life, and prayers that I hold in my heart. When I'm having a rough day, I flip through my journal to an entry about a really great day, and my mood significantly brightens. My journal serves as proof that God really can stamp out the devil and his lies. I read a really great article about journaling yesterday in Joyce Meyer's magazine. It really spoke to my heart and confirmed what I had been feeling about my spiritual life. I'd like you all to read it, so I'll copy it here:
"Connecting With Your Heavenly Father" - Ginger Stache
The day I left home for college my dad gave me a gift, a yellow journal. He told me that he loved me and was going to miss our time together while I was away. He said my heavenly Father also loves me and craves spending time with me even more.
That yellow journal really cemented what my family had already taught me--spending time with God is not just a good idea; it's a necessity. Today I have a drawer full of journals documenting the ups and downs of my time with God.
I've been far from perfect. There are chunks of time missing here and there. Some of those periods I was devoting time to God but I wasn't writing. Other times I must admit, I was silent.
I went through one particularly trying period when I just couldn't write. It was one of the most difficult times of my life--a dry time with God. During this time most things in my life were shaken, including my confidence. There were many reasons those days were difficult but looking back I must ask myself, were they dry with God because He was silent or because I was?
You see, God is always faithful, and as my fervor for time with Him was renewed, so was my spirit and my confidence; however, I did not resume journaling. I cherished our time together but I was holding back my greatest passion--writing.
Then I received another gift. This time it was Joyce who gave me a journal, a pink one--so like her--with a note inside saying, "I thought I would help you get started journaling again." She knew just what I needed and it's what we all need--intimacy with God. For me, that comes through spending time in His Word and sharing my heart. For you it may be slightly different but it always involves giving Him our time.
I have learned over the years that my time with Him, reading the Bible, praying, and writing, is some of the sweetest of my life. I need it for survival. If you're not sure, give it a shot and I guarantee you'll see that it is a worthwhile investment. Some of you are saying, "How do I possibly find the time?" and I understand. It can be difficult with so many things pulling on us. Take it where you can. Schedule a few minutes where you can grab them and go from there.
I challenge you to make a commitment: Grab your Bible, a devotional you like, perhaps even a yellow or pink journal. This is a great time of year to begin, so do it now for you and for your family.
Give God your love and your time. Your Father misses you."
I found a lot of encouragement in that, and I hope you did as well. Please keep me in your prayers as I get things back on track with my spiritual journey.
"Connecting With Your Heavenly Father" - Ginger Stache
The day I left home for college my dad gave me a gift, a yellow journal. He told me that he loved me and was going to miss our time together while I was away. He said my heavenly Father also loves me and craves spending time with me even more.
That yellow journal really cemented what my family had already taught me--spending time with God is not just a good idea; it's a necessity. Today I have a drawer full of journals documenting the ups and downs of my time with God.
I've been far from perfect. There are chunks of time missing here and there. Some of those periods I was devoting time to God but I wasn't writing. Other times I must admit, I was silent.
I went through one particularly trying period when I just couldn't write. It was one of the most difficult times of my life--a dry time with God. During this time most things in my life were shaken, including my confidence. There were many reasons those days were difficult but looking back I must ask myself, were they dry with God because He was silent or because I was?
You see, God is always faithful, and as my fervor for time with Him was renewed, so was my spirit and my confidence; however, I did not resume journaling. I cherished our time together but I was holding back my greatest passion--writing.
Then I received another gift. This time it was Joyce who gave me a journal, a pink one--so like her--with a note inside saying, "I thought I would help you get started journaling again." She knew just what I needed and it's what we all need--intimacy with God. For me, that comes through spending time in His Word and sharing my heart. For you it may be slightly different but it always involves giving Him our time.
I have learned over the years that my time with Him, reading the Bible, praying, and writing, is some of the sweetest of my life. I need it for survival. If you're not sure, give it a shot and I guarantee you'll see that it is a worthwhile investment. Some of you are saying, "How do I possibly find the time?" and I understand. It can be difficult with so many things pulling on us. Take it where you can. Schedule a few minutes where you can grab them and go from there.
I challenge you to make a commitment: Grab your Bible, a devotional you like, perhaps even a yellow or pink journal. This is a great time of year to begin, so do it now for you and for your family.
Give God your love and your time. Your Father misses you."
I found a lot of encouragement in that, and I hope you did as well. Please keep me in your prayers as I get things back on track with my spiritual journey.
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