I will admit it. I’m feeling a little stuck. I’m in a rut. But I feel ok with that because I also have no idea where I am going! But I don’t want to feel ok with being stuck. I’ve been reading Holley Gerth’s book “You’re Made for a God-sized Dream”–just hoping . . .
Holley’s prompt for this week. For this week: “Sometimes we feel alone not because we need to be with others but because God wants to be with us. Our lives are busy–especially when we’re pursuing a dream–and God may want to pull us aside for a bit” {You’re Made for a God-sized Dream, Chapter Six}. The most important part of any God-sized dream is the Giver of it. Set aside a particular time this week to be with Him–to pray, journal, take a walk or simply sit quietly and listen.
I have a kid that is on the special side. He thinks in a way that is different and experiences the world in a very different way than the rest of us. I am blessed to have his insight on life.
One night he announced that for Lent he was going to eat his dinner each night. No matter what I gave him! This was a huge statement coming from my “white food” loving kid! So I asked him what prompted him to make such a sacrifice . . . “Jesus told me to eat my noodles and all my other food!”
I paused–I mean if Jesus wants to talk to my kid–I guess I’m ok with that–right?
We all had a zillion questions for him since Jesus has never talked to us before! I asked my son, “when did Jesus talk to you?”
“When you guys were all yelling right before dinner and I was sitting here quietly praying–I heard Jesus talking to me about my noodles.”
I thought–crap! Jesus comes to my table and I miss it because I’m yelling for people to wash their hands, come to the table, let’s go, dinner’s hot! The rush before dinner in this house is always a little crazy–getting 6 people in a smallish space while the food is still hot . . . can be tricky.
I expressed my disappointment about missing Jesus. We were collectively disappointed that we missed it. Then my son reassured me that “Jesus comes to the table all the time Mom, you just have to wait for breakfast!”
I’ve been trying to figure out my purpose . . . as I plan the budget, make the list, clip the coupons, buy the food, put it away, get it out and make the food, clean the kitchen, make a beautiful table, it all takes on a new meaning knowing that Jesus comes to our table.
As I took a walk this weekend, thinking about my DREAM . . . my mind went back to the story that I just shared. I think about how when Jesus came back from the tomb–no one recognized him–not even Mary Magdalene–until he spoke her name! Maybe, just maybe, I’ve been looking but not recognizing that my purpose is right in front of me, speaking my name. (and part of me wants to make noodles–to listen and wait!)
Be Blessed as we are blessed–but may not even see or hear it.
I’m linking up here!
I would love to have you come link up at my site this week with this post (or any other on your heart) about waiting on the Lord. I loved reading this and the quote you shared from Holley Gerth just hit the spot with me! The sorta, joke, in our family is that “Jesus is in the bathroom”. The hub with our gang is so loud at times that the only quiet place is in the shower or brushing teeth (with the door closed!) or going to the bathroom. In the quiet I might be contemplating or, I might just BE and suddenly, in that quiet, a Divine Word will come to me. It may seem silly (or a bit gross) but the fact is, sometimes we have to be quiet to hear what is being said (1 Kings 19) Blessings to you as you wait on the Lord… noodles is a good place to start :-)
Amanda–I’m going over to your blog right now!
Our bathroom is almost as crowded as the kitchen! It is nice to know that other families have the same challenges.
Be Blessed.
Absolutely beautiful.
Then my son reassured me that “Jesus comes to the table all the time Mom, you just have to wait for breakfast!”
Thanks Pamela!
My work in the kitchen has taken on new meaning :-)
Be Blessed.
Very good post, Renee! A great reminder to do everything “as unto the Lord.” I think you are doing just fine in your writing. I also saw that you will be one of the contributors on Kacey’s new blog. I think you are doing very well! Keep up the good work. Don’t let self doubt stand in your way. :-) Now to remind myself of that.
Anastasia,
In my mind I think I thought that I was “doing well” but really I wasn’t/aren’t. I fly off the handle–oh my, do I fly off the handle. Now that I know that Jesus can come to me in my noodles, or my laundry, or anything else . . .
It makes living in the moment different, doesn’t it. It makes my now very different.
Be Blessed.
What an amazing story! Smiling over here. I LOVE it!!!! Thanks for sharing. With Joy, Carey
Carey,
So glad that I could share some smiles!
Be Blessed.
Love this!! Jesus meeting your child at the table, oh it’s just so precious! I hope you get to meet up with Him at breakfast too. I think I’ll make some noodles and give that a try :)
Stephanie,
Luke has some amazing revelations–I’ll probably share another one soon . . .
Part of the back story is that Luke has severe speech issues–so it takes him FOREVER to get the idea, formulate and organize the words and then to get them out of his mouth . . . the simplest things can take a very long time. So when he is able to express these stories with such fluid articulation . . . we know right there that the Holy Spirit is working among us!
I am blessed. Thanks for your comments.
I love that your sweet son encouraged and reassured you when you expressed disappointment in missing Jesus. Our kids “get it” so much better than we do some times. Thanks for sharing
Amy,
His sweetness gets me through many days!
Be Blessed.
Can I start with WOW?
I’ve been reading a lot of Christian realistic fiction the last couple of week. One of the themes of a 3-book series (The Rose Legacy) was being Still and actually listening for Christ to speak, and then digging deeply into His word, rather than just reading it.
Your take-away solidified a trend…I think God is telling me to watch for His hand and to be listening, and to definitely dig deeper into His word.
I can’t wait to meet your busy clan this summer! I feel like I know them already. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Hey Dana,
I can’t wait for your visit! Bring your suits!
I’ve recently started doing yoga again–I was really into it in the late 80’s but once “real” life started–my practice ended. Maybe when I say I do yoga, that might be a stretch (no pun intended) I do a series of stretches that are yoga-esque in nature and say different things like “I am letting go of . . . “, “I am open to the possibility of . . . . “, “I will no longer chose xyz as my response to abc” You get the idea.
The stopping to be in the now of each moment becomes easier when we practice it.
Be Blessed.
One thing that stood out for me was the Mary/Martha syndrome. One, busyness keeps us from hearing God’s voice as he tries to speak to us. Two, it’s through a gentle, praying heart that the Holy Spirit can point us in the right direction. Three, an obedient heart gets us to do difficult things like eating noodles. Your “rut” moved a lot of hearts. Great post!
Thank you Shelley!
You are a blessing to me!
Thank you for linking up at Tending The Home Tuesdays. Your post caught my eye because of the title. It was such a heartwarming story with a true challenge. Thank you! We all need to remember that Jesus is at our table and in everything else we do. If we remember that more often we might be more diligent in our work – or at least I know I would be!
I am featuring your post in my weekly wrap up tomorrow. If you would like to grab an “I was featured” button, feel free to stop by. Thanks again!
http://roadto31.blogspot.com/2013/04/weekly-wrap-up-are-you-cloth-diaper.html
Thank you so much! I do feel a little guilty because I was the person who wrote the story but my son is really the author!
And to be honest I was at the dinner table again last night and it was a prime moment for me to start up with my script, but I didn’t. I looked down and thought Jesus might be in the tacos! Then I smiled and prayed silently until everyone came to the table.
Be Blessed.