Friday, July 2, 2010

Communication

I'm so glad the lines of communication between me and the Lord are always open!

I was sitting here yesterday morning having my quiet time and I found myself contemplating this amazing thought.

I marvel that I don't have to pick up the phone and get the operator and wait for God to come "on the line".

I don't have to knock on His door and wait anxiously for Him to answer.

I don't have to send Him an email and then be frantic and pacing around while He answers the millions of other emails that came into His inbox before mine.

I don't have to stand in line with my number clutched in my trembling, sweaty hand, waiting for someone to call "Next".

The fact is, for me, it's so easy to just begin to talk to Him, anytime, anywhere, without greeting, without preamble......without fancy words or endless postulating or perfection. I can even talk to Him with greasy, messy hair and jammies on!   I was smiling because MOST of the time, my communication with the Lord is just natural these days.

As I'm driving down the road and someone comes to mind, I pray for them.  When I'm standing at the sink doing dishes and that "thing" comes up again that I'm wrestling with, I hash it over for the 1000th time with the Lord.  When I'm hugging my teenage son, I pray for him under my breath, sometimes right out loud.  When I've lost my keys, I ask Him to help me find them.  And.......

When I'm kicking and screaming and throwing a full-on tantrum, I'm saying "Lord, I know I'm wrong! Help me to see the right of this situation."

And on and on it goes.  Sometimes I don't even know I'm doing it.  Some days I think I shoot up prayers all day!

And you know what? He has shown me that He is so much closer than a phone call!

Because the Bible says He tabernacles with me, to me that means He's always, always here, near, always listening.  His ear is never deaf or turned away from my many calls....or my complaints....or my whinings....or my sadnesses or anger or praise.

Listen to me! You need to know that He's always there for you too! He's always there to answer, listen, counsel and calm.  But are you close enough so you can hear what He's saying?? Are you keeping the lines of communication open? Are you?

Are you taking every little thing to Him? Every care, every triumph, every praise, every heartache?

He cares!

Oh, there are so many times when I don't want to talk to Him.  But eventually I do, because He prods me and urges me and draws me and beckons me.

And you know He's doing that for you too!

I do work on keeping the lines open between me and Him.  And when I ease into the old, familiar conversations, He talks to me just like a Husband or a Dear Friend.  It's like He's sitting right here on the couch in my living room.  He hears me right away! He listens attentively.

He understands.

And He answers.
He comforts.
He rebukes.
He chastises.
He rejoices with me.

And He will with you too! With just a bit of effort on your part.

I urge you, open up the old lines of communication today, right now! You know you want to.

Just begin to talk to Him! Whisper His name.  He hears that whisper.  Pour out your heart to Him today and tomorrow, even minute by minute, second by second.

I promise you'll never, ever regret it.  You don't have to wait till you're "perfect"! You don't have to have a formula.  You don't have to be nice or cheerful or smiling, even.  You don't! He wants you! He doesn't care what you're wearing or what's smeared on your shirt or how much you're sighing or how long it's been......

You won't get an operator.  You won't get voicemail.  You won't be put on hold.

So what are you waiting for? Do it!!!

2 comments:

MarshaMarshaMarsha said...

I love that He never "ignores" me like I do to some people when they call at inconvenient times or if I'm in a grumpy mood. I am glad that God is ALWAYS happy to hear from me! He is waiting, available, loving, and calls to us. We just have to listen!

The Graber's said...

I love your insight to such an important part of our daily lives...or how it SHOULD be. I know that I struggled to find my quiet time with God, but then I finally figured that any time would work, interuppeted or not, at least it was time with Him.

Thanks for leaving a post on our blog. I read about Cohen, and our hearts are with Megan and her husband. I don't know how far you read on our blog, but I can relate to her and to you very closely.

And yes! We LOVE this place. Thank you so much for giving us the oppertunity to live here and create such fun and wonderful memories.