Quiet Time

In 2012, I was a single-mother and the finances were really tight.  I owned two vehicles, a 2000 Nissan Altima and a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder.  The Altima was paid-in-full, but the Pathfinder still had a balance and I was paying about $300 per month.  I was praying about finances and trying to figure out what bills could be reduced.  I am not sure where the idea to sell the Pathfinder came from--whether I thought of it in my simple mind or if that idea came to me in the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit.  Either way, that became my plan of action.  I mentioned it to a few people and the overwhelming response was, "You're crazy!  Sell the old car!"  To sell the old car would not help the financial situation.  I would still have the payment on the Pathfinder.  The only thing the Altima was costing was gas and oil changes.  Of course I enjoyed driving my sleek, silver Pathfinder, and the both the kids and I cried when we vacuumed it out and parked it on the side of the road with a for-sale sign on it.  God was merciful.  The process did not drag on for weeks or months.  It was a Sunday when we put the sign on it.  On Wednesday, someone called to ask about it.  On Friday, we finalized the sale.  The burden was lifted.   

Sometimes it is hard to decipher between our own desires and God's plan.  I mentioned above that I do not know where the idea to sell that Pathfinder originated.   I would like to say the Holy Spirit said to sell it, but I don't know that.  There have been times in my life where I can definitely say I heard the voice of the Lord directing my path.  There are many more instances, though, where I've made decisions thinking, hoping, and praying that I was making the right decision.  When this happens, my prayer becomes, "Lord, help me.  Lord, in Jesus name, I pray I am doing the right thing."

With so many things happening in our lives, and things happening in the world, and changes to policies, and all the fine print, our prayer life is extremely important.  We have to make time, in the midst of work, news, and personal endeavors to spend time in the Word, and time in prayer.  The tough part for me sometimes, is quieting my own thoughts.  My mind is in high gear at all times.  Quiet time with God must be intentional.  If it is not, it does not happen.  For me, turning off the radio on the way to work is a good quiet time.  Taking a walk in the afternoon is good quiet time.  Today, I walked along the Catawba River--it was an excellent quiet time.  I was worried that I would not have a blog to post. :-)  I encourage you to carve out some time, each day or each week, to be alone with God.  

The more time we spend with God, the more definitive our direction will become.  We must pray for discernment.  Hebrews 4:12 NIV says, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  To know the Word of God we must spend time reading it.  As we read and pray we will grow to know and understand God's character and will be able to recognize it in our lives.   As we go about our lives making decisions, we must remember that everything we do must be done for the upbuilding of God's kingdom.  While we sometimes cannot definitively hear the gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12) we should recognize sin, and know for sure that He is not directing us to commit sin.  "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)  

Be blessed this week.  I strongly encourage everyone to have a quiet time with God.
Thank you for reading,
Kim




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