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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

First Things First - {Heart Connect}


"When you approach Me in stillness and in trust, 
you are strengthened. 
You need a buffer zone of silence around you
 in order to focus on things that are unseen."  
(Jesus Calling)

To keep our focus and our perspective in this fast-paced world that we live in - we need to pause long enough so that we can really listen. This will look different in the varying seasons of life that we find ourselves in. As busy moms of little ones, it may be a few moments here and there throughout the day, or during the quiet while our babies are sleeping. During other seasons, there may be opportunity for lengthier times of quiet. Always, it involves a deliberate choice.

But we are compelled to pursue whatever our unique God-given temperaments need in order to pause, and really listen to what is on His heart. To listen to His heart, and to respond. To share deeply. To thank and praise. And to pray for what is on our hearts, as we listen to His.

"The world has always seen service for Me to be activity. 
Only those near to Me have seen that a life apart, of prayer, 
may, and does so often, 
accomplish more than all the service man can offer Me." 
(God Calling)

"I rise early, before the sun is up;
I cry out for help,
and put my hope in Your Words."
(Psalm 119:147)

Where is my focus? And in whom do I put my trust? Do I rely on my own efforts, or do I trust in Him alone? Am I so busy with my own activity that I miss out on the most awesome activity of all?

"In the grand scheme of God's story, 
there is a footnote behind every headline. 
The footnote is prayer. 
And if you focus on the footnotes,
 God will write the headlines.
 It's your prayers that change the eternal plotline." 
(The Circle Maker

(Photo above - a special spot just a 5-10 minute drive from our house where my husband and I went yesterday afternoon for some focused time of listening to God, and praying for what is on ours.  A weekly Devo Outing that we started during our Sabbatical this past summer - and one which we are desiring to continue one afternoon each week. Maybe the most important afternoon of our week - continually learning more of what is most important.)



Heart Connect: Living a Life of Prayer
Click here to read previous posts on this series.


Linking up with:
Work in Progress Wednesday
Life in Bloom
Thought Provoking Thursday
Faith Filled Friday

5 comments:

  1. Hi Cherry. I'm coming to you from Work in Progress Wednesday. I so appreciate what you've written. I smiled when I clicked over here and saw "Heart Connect". I am blogging through a series called Hearts Undaunted:) Your words are timely for me. I am walking with a friend through grief, and I often feel like I don't don't what to do. I keep coming back to just being present and listening. I think it's the still, small voice of God whispering to me. Thanks for this post.

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  2. Cherry...this is lovely...what a gift to have a wonderful place to focus...and I love God Calling too...I love these words...thanks~

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  3. Yes - prayer!! Thanks for the reminder of "focus." I love the quotes! ~ Pam, Apples of Gold

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  4. yes, pause enough so that we can really listen. Wise words in our fast paced world. There is always so much to do and seems to be very little time to get it all done. I think you hit on the secret though, slowing down.

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  5. So true that it's our active choice to be still and listen or not. Thanks or linking up with WIP!

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