Day 6 - Direction

In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you. - Proverbs 3:6

This time last year, I was finally coming to terms with my gestational diabetes.  The only way I could get through giving myself nightly shots was to pray before.  Prayer to calm my nerves, to remind me of WHY I was going through this, and to give thanks for the opportunity to even be where I was.

Today, I find myself praying daily for guidance not just in parenthood, but in every aspect of my life.  When I find myself struggling with anxiety, I try (because I don't always in the moment) to remember that He is guiding me even when I am panicked.  When I find myself questioning, I am reminded that He is guiding my every step!  

Our bedtime routine is very simple - book, songs, prayer, bed.

Book - usually 1 or 2 depending on the length and how sleepy she is acting (lately, it hasn't been any thanks to her falling asleep early...)

Songs - Always old southern gospel songs that I grew up singing.  She seems to enjoy the Goodman's, but the one she that always makes her lay still is There's Just Something About that Name.  

Prayer - Always starts with thanking Him for safety and guidance through the day, asking for angels to watch over us while we sleep, asking for protection over daddy as he is at work and driving home, and to guide us through tomorrow - either by keeping us safe or giving us an opportunity to be the Hands and Feet to someone else.

I doubt Diana understands what we are doing, but I know that I am trying to raise her to keep God first in all things.  Pray about each opportunity, blessing, and situation to do the right thing.  My Ninny ALWAYS prayed over me - I am convinced that her prayers are why I am still here today.  

Even if Diana grows up and chooses not to be involved in church, I want to give her a firm foundation to stand on.  I want to give her every opportunity to allow God to be first in her life.  While I fail every day, I always try to keep God first and allow Him to direct and guide.

How do you keep God first?

What Would It Look Like?

Very recently, I was asked to be a part of a worship collective - mainly, a group of like minded individuals who will get together once a month and just go after God in worship.  At the end of this month will be our first worship night, and I just have a gut feeling it is going to be crazy awesome!!

In our first prep meeting, the question was posed "What does worship look like, per the scriptures?" Keeping in mind, I am by far NO theologian or biblical scholar of any kind... I've only read through the Bible from cover to cover a couple of times, and only have certain scripture committed to memory, so obviously I am NOT the authority on this - this is only my opinion...  I am finding that worship is hard to define...  but I am concluding that worship is for God's glory, honor, and praise!  Worship reminds who my Redeemer is, and reminds me that He is alive!

Sunday morning, I was invited to play with a worship team, which I have done many times before... but I was specifically asked to play the electric guitar, and learn the lead parts of the songs.  I am NOT a lead guitar player - even with playing for 25 years as of next Monday - but I said YES, and had 2 days to prepare.

I don't even have my guitars at home right now... new baby = NO SPACE in our 700 square feet house (but we make it work) I sat down with my chord sheets, my laptop, my guitar and prayed... Lord, help me out man!

Sunday morning, I was as prepared as I could be... and my prayer was "you gave me the talent, so use it as you see fit.  It's Yours, no longer mine"

I nailed it!  Just to be clear - this is NOT about MY ability, but my willingness to turn over my talents to God and see what happens.  Say YES to God and watch what unfolds!!  I went in with a heart of "I'm giving you back the talent You gave to me" and the result was an amazing worship experience for me if for no one else.

Musicians get a bad rep... we are very egotistical, we want to be perfect, and ALL OF US WANT TO BE THE LEADER... but that's not what it should be about.  Especially for a worship band... it should be about giving the talents God has blessed us with back to Him - giving Him 110% of all we have! 

We played a song titled "Spirit Move" and the one lyric that almost knocked me to my knees:  You said that if we ask, we'll receive.

I received Sunday morning!  I received His Presence to the point of tears! 

So, if you had to the opportunity to play/sing at the feet of Jesus, how would you do it?  With a musician's heart (which is how I have worshiped in the past - not pointing fingers, just being honest) or with absolute abandon?  Would you panic and worry about the chords and "who is leading this" or would you close your eyes, through your head back and give it all you got?  How different would our worship sessions look if we just gave it all to Jesus? 

Nothing else matters more than just to sit here at Your feet and worship You!