Hitting Pause

Now that we are halfway through January, I'm feeling the need to hit pause. The last few days have been busy, the couple days before that were part lazy so I am definitely not where I had hoped to be with my writing or my reading and several other things. As I look at my schedule for the weeks ahead, I see that my workload gradually increases each week which is a good thing as it means the company is finally coming out of the slow season. But I stop and think to myself, if I don't pause now... then where will I be a few weeks from now? You guessed it, even more behind than I am today.

It may be a New Year but I still continue to struggle with being and remaining focused, walking away from time wasters, putting aside quiet time and being more committed in my walk with God. Cause friends in all honesty, change is hard. Breaking habits -->> my worst being procrastination -->> is even harder. But try I must! Though I admit there are more days than I can count when I "try" to accomplish change in my own strength. HA! If it only that were possible. Yeah, it might work for a short while but true change, REAL change can only happen when we turn all our days, ourselves and our messes over to Jesus and let him lead. 

Most days I rise at 0605 so I can set my day in motion. At 0630 I hug my husband, send him out the door for work then turn on the coffee pot and start cooking breakfast. Some mornings I pray for my him; that he has a safe drive to work - cause folks, seriously, we live in Jacksonville NC on the outskirts of town and my hubs has to deal with some C*R*A*Z*Y drivers along with the traffic of folks trying to get on the 2 other bases before his exit for Camp Lejeune - I pray for his safety at work as he has to climb a lot of ladders and spend time on roofs, that he would lead well and his heart and mind would be set on God so that he can be a light to those he comes in contact with. Most mornings pass though without a single prayer being lifted. 

In the words of my girl Cheryl: Prayerlessness creates a vacancy within us. And if we are not filling the gaps within us with Jesus... that means we are leaving space; creating holes. If ya didn't know, holes create space for the enemy to slide in. And that should be the last thing we want.

So today I decided that hitting pause was necessary. When my alarm went off today, I opened my YouTube app and allowed my Holy Spirit playlist to seep into me and fill the places that I've allowed to become dry the last several days. Not saying that I didn't create space for Jesus in those days, but not as much as my heart truly desires to. I did get out of bed to see my hubby off, then let the worship play as I went about my morning, getting my focus where it needed to be. It truly is amazing how different a day can go when we make space for God. 

I've also neglected time in the Word for several days but fully intend to spend my afternoon catching up on my daily reading. This pause was greatly needed because as of late, I do not organize my days well and my time management leaves much to be desired. I have more freedom than most in my schedule which creates a lot of space, unfortunately I don't always use it constructively. So, as you can see this can be a good thing but can also create a recipe for disaster and if I don't ask God to help me get a grip on it and show me how to do better in these areas, days and weeks will pass and I will look back and see that very little was accomplished. 

My greatest desire is to grow in the Lord and while there has been growth over the years, I know full well in my heart that it could have been so much more had I just made Him my priority daily. He has SO much for me (and for you!) if only we would get out of our own way and let Him lead! Choose today whom you will serve. 

Chit Chat Corner

How's your year going? Did you start off strong but now find yourself struggling to maintain the momentum? Maybe hitting pause is something to consider. Take a look at the last 15 days. Are you still walking in those old ways or are your new habits still shining through? Feel free to share in the comments section.

Wherever you're at, I encourage you to take some time, pray and seek the Lord. Make sure that what you're doing lines up with His plans for you. 

Work the Word

Jeremiah 29:11-14a (AMP) For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,’ says the Lord. 

Blessings in Christ,

~Brandy