We're so glad you came to see us! Please leave us a comment to let us know you came by.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

God Knows What I Need

God knows what I need.  I've known for a few weeks that I need to get up before Eliana in order to do my quiet time.  She only takes one nap now.  It ranges from 45 minutes to 3 hours.  Most of the time, it is around an hour.  That means I have a TON to do while she sleeps.  Trying to do my quiet time while we eat breakfast just isn't the same as when it was just me, or when she was nursing, or when I could put her down and she's stay in one spot.  The problem is that Eliana's wake up time ranges from 5:30 to 7.  For now, my goal wake up time is 5:40 (which is 5 minutes earlier than I woke up when teaching).  This morning I woke up and thought, "Should I really get up?"  Bad idea.  I should not have questions, I should have just got up.  The answer is yes, but my groggy brain might say that sleep would be much better.  I sat there and decided to think about it, and thus I promptly fell back asleep.  Eliana started to stir a little before 6.  I thought, "Rats, now I messed up my quiet time and I'll be off center all day."  Then, Eliana did a glorious thing.  She fell back asleep.  I was totally up this time and got out of bed.  I was able to spend until 7 reading my Numbers 23 and journaling.  Just as I was finishing up writing down my prayer, Eliana woke up.  God knew I needed Eliana as my second alarm clock.  God knew I needed a great hour of quiet time.
God knows what I need.  The Bible and Art Club starts up tomorrow!  For various reasons, I hadn't gotten to writing up my first lesson.  God has placed the book of Matthew on my heart to teach this year.  We'll be studying Matthew 1:1-17 tomorrow.  I knew that I'd have to make due with whatever time Eliana napped today as my study time.  She went down around 12 and still isn't up!  Glorious again!!!  I was able to make a calendar for the year, do some research on why it is important that Jesus came from both Abraham (Gen. 12:13) and David (Psalm 89:4), and really get ready for tomorrow's lesson.  God knew I needed some stretched time.  I'd prayed about it this morning, and he has allowed Eliana to take one of those rare naps that is nice and long.

God knows what I need.  I was checking email which is a rare thing now that Kyle is home recovering from surgery, and Eliana takes such short naps, when a friend encouraged me to go take 5 minutes with God.  These 5 minutes were to be just me and God.  No Bible, journal, electronic, notecard, or anything else.  Just me and God.  Awe, it was so good to sit on the floor and pray.  I had to sit on the floor and initially close my eyes, because I would probably get distracted if I were other places.  I'd notice the laundry, or dishes, or other to do things.  Once I was really focused, I opened my eyes and prayed while looking outside.  God knew I needed to be still and pray.

Is there a time you reflected and realized God knew what you needed?

As I am finishing up, Eliana is beginning to stir.  He knew how long I'd need to write this post.  He knows everything!

1 comment:

Kieran & Kari said...

Kari B LOVED this because...just the other day, I was saying that one of the titles to a book I might one day write is...Don't let me make important decisions when the alarm clock goes off!!!! I apparently have a heart rate of 37 when I sleep. Waking me out of said sleep is somewhat similar to waking a hibernating animal. Thus, making a snap decision about the day at 5:00 a.m. when it's dark outside is NOT wise! I have to go to bed knowing full well that I just need to get up. For me, it's either to the gym or the shower. Once I do, I'm good to go. Everything seems to "fall into place." So, moral- Never make important decisions when the alarm goes off! ;)