Sabbatical Day 105...

...or Day 29 of the One Month To Live Experiment.

Today started late because of a late night reunion with Lauren. She returned from an out-of-town excursion with her dear friend Kate. It is amazing to see your youngest grow up into a young woman, full of adventure and confidence in the Lord. Yes she did come back with another piercing. However, in light of my One Month To Live Experiment it just didn't matter. :0) How could Lauren be so lucky. LOL

This morning I hung out in Ephesians 1 and Isaiah 30. Here are a only a few thoughts I want to share. Isaiah 30:15 says, "... In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it." This rocked my soul. You see before my sabbatical I was living in the last half of this verse. Even though my soul cried out for salvation and strength, I was not allowing myself rest or quietness in order to move towards repentance and trust; I lived in the "but you would have none of it" mode.

Now that isn't what I would have called it at the time. I would have said things like, "I am too busy. I don't have a choice. This is expected of me. I must get this done. I'll take time next week." When confronted, I also would have been thinking to myself, "How dare they. Who do they think they are? They must think that I am a slacker Christian." But when God says those words it hurts and quit honestly is somewhat scary.

Today I see the pride that kept me from experiencing the salvation and strength that are mine as a result of God's love and mercy. Over the remaining time of my sabbatical, I want to create and practice a lifestyle of rest and quietness. I believe I will be productive and at times busy. However, the mode of my production will be from a soul that is quietly resting in my Papa's embrace. There I will find His strength and salvation for each moment of my day. There I will hear from Him.

In Isaiah 30:21 we see these words, "Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice saying, 'This is the way; walk in it." Those are the words I want to guide me. I want to follow the words from my Papa when He says, "Here is the light for your path; walk this way.... follow me... come back this way... U TURN NOW!"

So for day 29 of my experiment, I am giving my attention to the Father, listening for His voice behind me that is saying, "come on, walk this way." He will lead me in the right way every time. It will be the way of love, peace, joy, kindness... It will be the way that builds others up and encourages them. It will be the journey with road signs posting "I love you" all along the way.

Living my one and only life loved,
Cathy