{This post was written a few weeks ago but left unpublished. I didn't figure anyone needed or wanted to read my selfish complaints and poor-me-isms. It's kinda gross, the stuff that comes out when your little world gets shaken, and I didn't really want to share all that ugly. But I read it this morning and realized that I needed this reminder, because we are moving towards order now and while that's good, so good, I want to remember that there is only one Constant. Life will get out-of-order again, and what will I do with Jesus in the chaos?}
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They are the two things I miss the most when life is upside down and busy. When waking up is hard because sleep was fleeting, and there are kids on your kitchen table and living room couch. Showering happens in line of 7 others and where in the world are my clothes, anyway?
We are in a time of transition, and I don't mean to complain but I'm kinda freaking out.
I have so much to be thankful for. And I am. It's just that I thrive on order and routine and I haven't found those yet in this camp trailer.
That's what I miss. Order. Routine.
I purpose to not complain, but then someone asks and the things I dwell on in my heart come oozing out of my mouth. {So, dear friends, better to not ask!}
I can't find our book of Giving Thanks, can't read over all the blessings we've numbered so far this year and can't write down more. And so I stop being thankful? This dust that breathes and lives because of grace, refusing to thank the Giver because of missing routines and lack of order?
And what burns me the most is my fragility. My husband has this saying, that worship isn't fragile. It's not about our surroundings or the music or the lights or the time, because it's only worship if it's about Jesus.
But I am fragile about important things, and faithful in the un-importants.
Three weeks out of order and routine, and the coffee pot has girgled every single day. Is that my one constant, then? Coffee?
There were days with no Words. Days where pray was short and simple thank-You-for-this-food-amen. But there have been no coffee-less days so far. No days without a steaming blend of arabica, water and half-n-half.
Just days without Real Life.
Truly, then, what I miss the most because it is the most vital (vita, meaning life) is the Real Life of fellowship with Jesus. What I think I miss is really just a habit. Those quiet mornings in the Word and prayer...with coffee.
Your god may be your little Christian habit— the habit of prayer or Bible reading at certain times of your day. Watch how your Father will upset your schedule if you begin to worship your habit instead of what the habit symbolizes. We say, “I can’t do that right now; this is my time alone with God.” No, this is your time alone with your habit. There is a quality that is still lacking in you. Identify your shortcoming and then look for opportunities to work into your life that missing quality. ~ Oswald Chambers
Pretty much having my schedule upset right now.
I feel foolish to complain. I am a spoiled child who disdains the smallest inconveniences. I feel silly taking up space with my whining, but I know what writing it out does.
It makes me accountable.
And thankful, that a loving Father turns me upside down to shake out all the trinkets and fetishes I've carried around as habits, caught up in thinking they were necessary. I still look forward to a quiet morning, to reading the Word and praying before the busy day. I know I'll go back to those things, but for now He just reminds that now is a good time to seek Him.
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Thankfulness. Can I just say that out of all the in-laws in the world, mine are the best? For five weeks we upset their order and routine, interrupted their schedules, and they just blessed us again and again.
And when we invited them over last night, to be the first dinner guests in our new home...they brought the dinner.
