Trusting God

I have never been a morning person….until recently.

Since moving to the “farm”, I have found myself in a morning routine that I am thoroughly enjoying.

When I wake, I get dressed, brush my hair and teeth and get started. (I have found that this discourages thoughts of going back to bed later in the morning.) I then fix breakfast and pack Eddie’s lunch. I tease him, telling him he’s on the top of my “chore” list. The chickens are next. I get their food and water ready and go let them out of the coop for the day. Occasionally, I do some light coop maintenance like putting down fresh bedding or cleaning up a broken egg that was the victim of a squabble over a nesting box. When I come back in the house, the dog is always ready to go out, so I strap on her harness and we take a morning walk around the field. As we walk, I daydream about what this property will look like one day while she sniffs every blade of grass, every stick, every clump of dirt to see what critters were in her field the night before. Finally, when we come back in, she goes to eat her breakfast and I prepare my morning brew, tea or cacao, and then I settle into God’s Word for a while.

I started to write this post last week and never finished it or posted because honestly, I started thinking that maybe I should be in God’s Word FIRST before all the ‘chores’. Even worse, there are days that are packed and busy and I don’t make the time after chores to spend with the LORD. I began feeling guilty and thought of all the reasons I shouldn’t share this with you.

I realize now that was the enemy trying to discourage me, saying things like, “You’re not good enough. If you can’t get up extra early and give God your first, then you shouldn’t try at all.” or “Your readers will stop reading because you are always stressing the importance of putting God first and trusting Him and you’re just a hypocrite.”

What I am, is human, just like you. Satan can’t take away our salvation so he resorts to discouragement and lies trying to keep us distracted from growing in our relationship with God. After all, he is the father of all lies…

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?  He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” John 8: 44-47

The truth is that I am in the Word and I make it a priority to the best of my ability. Could I do better? Of course, we all could, but perfection is never going to happen this side of eternity. God knows our heart. I try my best to make my time with the LORD quality time and not just something I check off a list. If that means it comes after the chores are finished so I am not rushed or after a long, busy day, the point is, I make time for Him. God is well aware of the stuff that takes our time and He alone knows our heart’s motive. We must be careful not to get drawn into a legalistic mindset of works to please God, a list of religious to-dos that have no meaning.

Maybe you are a young mother who can only find brief moments late at night or hiding in the bathroom from the littles, God knows your heart. Maybe you are a father who works long hours to provide for his family and the only time you have is in the car on your way to and from work, God knows your heart. I want to encourage you to give God the time you have with a sincere heart wanting to know Him more. As you do this, watch Him multiply it and bless you abundantly.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

Psalm 34:8-10

What lies has the enemy whispered to you lately?

Please share in the comment section and let’s encourage one another in our walk with the LORD.