Confessions of a Peace Lover...

Happy Spring! Yes, I know I'm two weeks late on this proclamation but I'm just now catching up with all that has happened since spring began, so, once again, please allow me to say Happy Spring!

Since the first day of spring we have had much going on at our house! We've celebrated two birthdays, and one BIRTH day (I have another sweet little nephew!), watched five basketball games, colored five dozen Easter eggs, hosted two birthday parties - the family party with adults and kids invited was just a little quieter than the one with eight 12 year old girls in attendance! There have been four haircut appointments, two dentist appointments, two doctor appointments, a couple church activities and a sports banquet to attend. We've had all five of our kids home for a few days and celebrated Easter at church and with a family dinner. In my work as a bookkeeper the second quarter of 2010 has officially began, the kids are headed back to school after spring break, yes spring is officially here. And the joy of living life in the midst of a growing family is springing forth as well!

While the past two weeks have had some extra activities added to them I continued to have the privilege of praying with several groups of prayer warriors as I do each week. These are sweet times of intentional coming together to lift our praises and concerns to the One who is, was, and always will be!

Honestly, sometimes it would be quite easy to say "oh there are others who can pray" and free up a couple of hours in my week. And yet each time I come away from these groups with a sense of peace and purpose. Prayer, corporately and individually, will refocus our thoughts, give direction to our days, purpose to our lives and will calm our hearts just by coming into His presence. Intentional time spent with God is time well spent!

May I ask you something? Something rather personal? Something that you may think is really none of my business?

Do you take, are you taking, are you making, time for prayer? Are you setting aside time to talk to God? An intentional time in your day to stop and lift your praises and your concerns to the One who created you, knows the plans He has for you, and loves you so much He sent His son to die for you?

The evil one will do all that he can to keep you from prayer. He doesn't care if you talk ABOUT God, just as long as he can keep you too busy to talk TO God.

An quite frankly, if we are too busy to pray we are too busy indeed.

Until next time.

Beth