Dear Ones,
Hope you had a great weekend! Yesterday we enjoyed the beautiful 80-degree weather as we walked the trail. This morning I am skipping my exercise class as we will be going to a funeral at church.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
We might confess it is easier for us to be busy going places and doing things than to spend quiet time alone with the Lord. But it is hard to know our real self if we are bopping here and there, not settling in a space where we can just listen to what the Lord is saying as well as what our body, soul and mind are trying to get across to us. If our body is sending us a message, it may come in the form of sickness, weakness, or pain, so we need to listen and adjust our lives. We may have to cut some things out of our constantly busy lives and take time for rest. Perhaps our mind is so busy with negative or judgmental thoughts that we haven’t room for what is good and true and kind.  Or our soul is suffering, feeling like we are empty and not enough, or misunderstood and alone. We need to address those feelings as we turn to the Lord and get to our quiet place which can become like an infirmary where He can care for us and help us heal.

We can’t grow and mature if we are constantly distracted and on the move, missing the clues from our own bodies, souls and spirits. We need to dial down, get alone or with the Lord and at times with someone who really listens, prays and helps us hear Him. It’s good to ask ourselves if we want to mature in the Lord, to know ourselves and grow, above all the voices of the world. Maybe we keep busy to distract us from encountering our shadow side and the truth about ourselves.

 Of course, just because we may be faced with temptations and conflicts doesn’t mean we are going backwards, but they may be the very things that helps us fight and come away stronger. I read about the parable of the palm tree: an evil person was angry with a young palm tree and wanted to damage it. He put a large rock in its crown but in later years when he passed by, the tree was larger and more beautiful than the other palms around it. The rock was a challenge, forcing it to send down its roots more deeply. Our struggles can also cause us to go more deeply into the Lord. None of us are sinless and without flaws, so let us deal with those things in our lives that put distance between us and the Lord, growing more beautiful and dependent on Him. Like Peter wrote in II Peter 3:18, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ”

Challenge for today: Thank the Lord even for your struggles. May they drive you closer to Him and help you know that only He can transform you and bring you to maturity.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy