"One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper was not hostile; he was not opposed to them, but his inn was crowded; his hands were full; his mind was preoccupied. This is the answer that millions are giving today. Like a Bethlehem innkeeper, they cannot find room for Christ. All the accommodations in their hearts are already taken up by other crowding interests. Their response is not atheism. It is not defiance. It is preoccupation and the feeling of being able to get on reasonably well without Christianity."~ Billy Graham ~
Laurel Wreath is hosting "In Other Words" this week. http://lrlwreath.blogspot.com/ **She has a GREAT sugar cookie recipe on there, too!
As I sat and pondered this quote, it lead me down a little rabbit trail. The message that struck me from it was one that will probably not seem related at first. But it's one that is close to my heart.
I often call myself on the carpet (so to speak) about only running to Christ in times of need. The challenge of living WITH Him day-to-day is my current personal battle. I tend to shuffle my King to the back of my mind unless I find myself running low on gas, low on money or low on self-confidence. I find that I use God as a Life preserver rather than a seat cushion.
Weird analogy, I know...but that's me. What I mean is, that when I'm drowning I holler out "Oh Lord, HELP ME NOW!" rather than thinking of Him often during the day as I would my favorite seat cushion; whenever you sit down, saying "Thank you, God, for being their whether I need you or not."
Like one of my best buddies, for instance. Sometimes I feel like my relationship right now, with her, is running along these same lines. It seems whenever I call her, it's because I want something. I need to borrow her sewing machine, could she pick up my mail, or could her daughter babysit? So I try to make a conscious effort to call her "just because"; let her know I miss her and I value her.
The same should be of my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Sometimes I should go to Him "Just Because" and listen to what He has to say or just bask in His love for a moment instead of saying "I Want, I Want, I Want!" or "Please Help me!"
My prayer is that I will RECOGNIZE His work; Pay attention to what He's doing and never take my relationship with Him for granted.
2 comments:
This is a lovely take on that quote and very true of many. May I suggest you add yourself to Laurel Wreath's CWO post in the Mr. Linky at the bottom?
excellent ... "just because"
and excellent weaving that into friendship relationships, too - to be more thoughtful
Post a Comment