As the Clock Ticks ---- { Day 233 }

We get 24 hours in a day and I wonder…am I doing enough for me, for my kids, for my husband?  Am I filling them and myself with joy – peace – love – Jesus? Or am I just moving through the motions as the clock ticks?

We look for all kinds of ways to be filled…and some of those ways are not the healthiest.  Something will always fill those empty places…am I filling my people with the healthiest, encouraging, and God loving things?  What do I pour out?

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”
~Psalm 81:10

These are some of things that run through my mind as I lay down at night.  I replay some of the things I said in a short temper moment…and then I feel guilty.  Why couldn’t I see that moment as a teaching moment instead of a freak out moment?

Here is where I beat myself up! 

  

Sometimes I think it is impossible.  But I’m reminded that the word IMPOSSIBLE is actually I’M POSSIBLE.  Pause – look to the Great I AM – and look for His wisdom in those moments. 

  "For nothing will be impossible with God.” ~Luke 1:37

I know that when I am empty and what I’m pouring out isn’t healthy…I’m not getting enough of Jesus. 

  

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” ~Matt. 5:6

In that verse Jesus is saying that when we hunger for Him…He will fill us.  When we are empty and starving for Him that is when He can work within us.  He says, “When you’re empty…that’s when I can do amazing things in you!”  God will fill our empty places. 

“Lord, fill me with Yourself.
Be in me as oxygen is in my blood,
As sound in my ear
As light in my eye.
Lord, fill me with the life
That is You.”

~Edward D. Hughes

  

Here is how I try and stay full: make visible reminders.  Place scripture all around where I can see them throughout the day.  These reminders help me to pause – connect – go slow – breathe – see Him EVERYWHERE – grant grace and LOVE.  Truth is…He’s gotta be my focus.  He’s always there but He’s got to be the center of my attention in order to stay full.

“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” ~C.S. Lewis

  

So as I lay there beating myself up at the end of the day…I remember His grace.  I’m thankful for His grace because it never runs out and He is always there to remind me and re-fill me.  

“Jesus’ grace is the one-way love that gets you back to Joy.” ~Ann Voskamp