"Invisible Assistants": Being Busy for God, Shouldn't Make Us Too Busy for God

It's incredible how many thoughts, ideas and "to do's" are competing for my attention the moment my body awakes in the morning. I don't even have to open my eyes. It's as if my invisible "assistants" are standing next to my bed watching me sleep, pens and notepads in hand, just holding their breath until I make that first "awakening" stir. "Okay, she's up! Now Mrs. Bickers, remember you have this, this and this to prepare next week and for tomorrow, remember tomorrow's meeting (you're running that remember?) you need to mention this, this and this. OH and don't forget this." " Mrs. Bickers, don't forget all that you need to take care of at home today. You need to set this out, and tomorrow you're taking this meal here and next week, you're taking that meal there. And don't forget all of these errands that need to get taken care of." "Mrs. Bickers (interrupts the other "assistants mid sentence") , I know all of that is important, but we need to work on our blogs and other ideas we had talked about. Remember that? And this? Oh and I had this wonderful NEW idea!"In the midst of it all, I see My Father standing there, " oh Hi!!" I say. It's as if I'm welcoming Him into a busy office or bustling home where my invisible kids are running around playing and I have several projects going. "Please, come in, Father, excuse this mess. Do you have kids? Oh, what am I saying, of course You do! Please have a seat, I want to hear all about what You have to say!"

I'm so grateful for grace.

As life picks up and things are in motion, this is the type of scene that plays over and over in my mind. Lately the Lord has been challenging me with giving me more opportunities and responsibilities and STILL not making them idols before Him. I have had to tell, no COMMAND my soul to be still and my mind to rest because NO other thing comes before my time with My Jesus. Just as my responsibilities call my name first thing in the morning and seemingly stare at me until I awake, My Father sings over me while I sleep and looks over me lovingly and adoringly saying "I am taking care of every detail. You don't need to worry. You do however NEED Me first thing." We, as women are pulled in many directions- I mean if you look at the woman described in Proverbs 31, she has many responsibilities: a mother and wife who is tending to her household, the poor and the city. She is stewarding money and property as well as providing meals and sowing seeds galore...just to name a few. But, what does Solomon end this chapter by saying? "A woman who FEARS the Lord is to be praised".
As women who fear the Lord, our responsibilities are great, but our strength comes from Him. We were NOT meant to carry the burdens, just His truth and love. He is challenging me to lay those pressing things down every morning and to refuse to let them weasel their way to first place. This may be a constant laying down throughout the day as well, but He knows what needs to be done and He will make sure it gets done. But we don't want to miss that neighbor that God may want us to speak to. We don't want to miss that prompting from the Holy Spirit to walk through our home and into our kid's rooms and speak the Word of God over them. We don't want to miss Him whisper to us a Word of hope for someone or a song of encouragement to our hearts. The enemy will always try to keep us too busy for God when He can't get us to stop doing things for God. But when we say, "This morning, I lay it all down. I know my husband/child/family member is sick or in the hospital. I know I have lots of deadlines staring at me. I know I have a trip planned or some events to prepare for. And I know YOU know all of this and are bigger than all of it. So I love You, Father. I want YOU above all of it. What is on Your heart today?" You will feel all of those things filter off of your being. He will wipe away things that are
not important and place those things that are in a Heavenly order giving you the rest and endurance to accomplish them with excellence, not weariness. " Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet...'Martha, Martha'", the Lord answered, " you are worried and upset about many things but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.'" Luke 10:39&41

Father, I welcome You into my mess,projects and crazy schedule and greet you just as I am. You have gifted this day to me and I do not take it for granted. This is the day that You have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. And I will seek Your kingdom first. None of these other things matter without You anyway, so they can always wait. I don't just want to welcome You, but want to welcome You with my red carpet of praise every morning. I never want time with You to be an after thought, but the first thought that I have every morning. I want to be a woman after Your own heart. Then send me into the world to love it and shake it up or You.