In my more-than-completely-full life, I juggle many hats on a constant basis.  I strive for more time for myself, specifically to spend with our Lord.  Last night, I ran through that list of hats that I own trying to discern, through prayer, if there was a hat that I could ‘put on mothballs’ for a while.  Here’s the list… 

• Wife… can’t really get out of that one so easy… besides my husband was a gift and clearly part of God’s plan for my life (and I adore him);
• Mother… boy there are day’s, but nope can’t put that one away;
• Small Business Owner… this is my livelihood.  God called both my husband and I away from Corporate America and led us down a path we would have never imagined or chosen for ourselves… a ministry to get the Word of God into homes around the world.  To encourage the display of the Living Word in homes and to provide heartfelt gifts that encourage and renew rather than take up space and rust.  Plus, this caused my husband and I to REALLY need each other for a common purpose.
• Community Bible Study Prayer Chair & CG Leader… This would seem a bit moveable, but this is where I am fed!  I need this accountability and support from amazing Godly Women!
• Young Life Chair… Our community needs more of Jesus!!!  This amazing youth ministry has touched our lives so personally!  It has propped up our family during difficult times and made our children bolder in sharing their faith.  We are all called to be the LIGHT in the darkness and the SALT to season the pack, all with fun & love.  God has used us powerfully in this ministry.  I didn’t hear Him say, “Put this hat away”.                       

Exhausted from the analysis, I found myself in the same ‘pickle’.  There was no burning bush and no handwriting on the wall, but the Lord did graciously remind me to remain in Him…. every day… and to make THAT my priority.  He wants to have a say in my schedule and promises to expand time as necessary to accomplish the things that need accomplishing.   Four verses that calm my restless soul are: 

• In quietness and trust is your strength. Isaiah 30:15
• Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7
• In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3
• For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord… Jeremiah 29:11 

He didn’t tell me what, if anything, could be sacrificed from my schedule, but He reminded me to continue to look to Him for guidance and wisdom… and to TRUST Him with my life.  Amen.

Thank goodness that my God is relational, accessible, and very real to me!

In His Grip,

Jeana D.