David prayed in Psalms 51:10-12; "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and RENEW a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me." With the hustle and bustle of life, this is a prayer that is always refreshing. We all need a time of renewal and what joy it is to know that we have a God who will renew us, physically, emotionally and YES, spiritually.
What better way for that to happen than to go on vacation, better yet a cruise. No cell phone, no Internet, which means no Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter...let the angels commence their singing! I have such a love/hate relationship with social media. What in the world did I ever do when I was a teenager? Oh wait, I actually interacted with my friends in person or by the phone that was on the wall (where you just prayed that the cord would reach to where my parents could not hear my conversation) we didn't have these impersonal ways of communication. We actually had to have verbal dialect! Our texting was by way of a pen, paper, envelope and a postage stamp. Good night what dinosaur I am!
Our family decided to take a time of renewal this past week. We went on a 4-night, 5 day cruise to the Nassau and Coco Cay Bahamas! We actually had time of interaction without the kids responding to text messages, checking Facebook or Instagram. Now do not get me wrong, I love the convenience of the cell phone just like anyone else, but it becomes such a distraction!
After all of the transitions that we as a family have encountered this year, we needed a time to reunite. It was not easy at first, but as the week went on we were able to have talks and time of reflection. There is nothing more wonderful than seeing your kids laughing together. Our prayer is that through their shift into adulthood, they will stay close to one another and to God. I know for me, I may not see my brothers every week, but I know if I need them they are there for me! There is a wonderful feeling in that and I may not hear from God audibly, but I sure see His hand in everything!
I think we all experience a time of drought spiritually and it is so important for us to persevere. It is hard to keep reading and praying when you feel like God is not listening, but the fact of the matter is that God never moves. He is always listening, moving and working in our lives. He may not allow things to happen how we expect them to, but remember when we pray it is not about changing the circumstances, it is about allowing God to change....renew us through prayer!
Something I have learned about prayer these past few weeks is that I must stay humble, patient and focused. Satan wants nothing more than for me to lose sight of who God is and what He has planned for me. My prayer for you is that if you are going through a drought, God will renew your spirit, give you a clear focus and the strength to keep on keeping on!
You may not be able to take a cruise, but turn your cell phone off, do not get on the computer. Open up God's Word and let Him renew a steadfast spirit within you!
I think we all experience a time of drought spiritually and it is so important for us to persevere. It is hard to keep reading and praying when you feel like God is not listening, but the fact of the matter is that God never moves. He is always listening, moving and working in our lives. He may not allow things to happen how we expect them to, but remember when we pray it is not about changing the circumstances, it is about allowing God to change....renew us through prayer!
Something I have learned about prayer these past few weeks is that I must stay humble, patient and focused. Satan wants nothing more than for me to lose sight of who God is and what He has planned for me. My prayer for you is that if you are going through a drought, God will renew your spirit, give you a clear focus and the strength to keep on keeping on!
You may not be able to take a cruise, but turn your cell phone off, do not get on the computer. Open up God's Word and let Him renew a steadfast spirit within you!
