Dear Ones,
Hope you will have an enjoyable day! My day is full as I hope to write, get to Aldi’s and  my exercise class; then to work and sew with other gals on Alzheimer’s quilts, a walk, and then Bible Study. Al is preaching next door at Assisted Living this morning.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
   Beginnings are important and how we begin our day may have an effect on our entire day. Maybe we have an incredibly busy schedule and wonder how will accomplish all that is on our to-do list. But does our list match what the Lord has on His list for us? And if not, we need to make a few revisions.
   First of all, we need to spend some quiet moments with Him so we can listen and hear His plan for the day. There will always be enough time for what He has on the list and our obedience is what He is looking for.
   Christianna Schreifels writes about the importance of listening as it says in I Samuel 15:22 (ESV), “Has the Lord great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” (Saul had disobeyed by not killing all the people and animals in battle with Amalekites and lied to Samuel about it….as a result he lost his kingship.)
   Christianna goes on to say that listening is obedience and the works of our hands is sacrifice. Maybe we think we should be busy doing more and more things for the Lord, but He wants us to sit in His presence and listen first. He will give us all that we need to accomplish what He wants for us in the day and we will experience peace as we follow.
  The world competes for our time and attention, but it is more important to sit at His feet as Mary did, than to spin our wheels. Obedience should be our priority and we have to listen first. As I write this we are preparing for company and I wonder if I will be ready in time. But as I read what Christianna wrote, I know my first priority is to sit quietly and listen and ask for the Holy Spirit to fill me with His love and some energy too. Then my load will seem lighter and His presence is with me all the while I do preparations.
   Challenge for today: Take 10 minutes and sit in quiet and just listen to what the Lord has to say to you today. 
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy