Reflecting

This morning I am thinking about our first week's reading and longing to sit down with Jesus in person (like John was so blessed to be able to do!) and ask him my questions, express my concerns, feel his peace. I know we can and do that daily through prayer and his Word given to us, but sometimes I just ache to have him nearer. For the hustling and busy-ness of our world to stop distracting me, for even the resounding quiet of my house, empty now with husband at work, to be quieter still. The cars still whir by and the neighbor dogs bark and I hear the running water of whoever lives above us scrambling to get washed and ready for the day. SO MUCH steals my thoughts and commitment and focus. I really long some days to have less of a Type A personality :) haha
But really that is why I am so sure studying God's word in the way we are is right for busy women like ourselves. It is essential to only take a spoonful at a time some days, to think on it for more than a fleeting second and to allow God to change the course of our day through what seemed to be such a small stretch of time with Him. After re-reading 1 John 1:1-4, I read through the introductory pages of our study plan this morning and fell in love again with Psalm 1:2,3!

"Blessed is the [woman] whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law [she] meditates day and night. [She] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever [she] does prospers."

...and also a quote that was included by William Gurnall:

"Remember, it is not hasty reading - but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that make them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee's touching of the flower, which gathers honey - but her abiding for a time upon the flower, which draws out the sweet. It is not he who reads most - but he who meditates most, who will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian."

What I learned this week is that I need Jesus to survive, to excel, to breathe, to love. Anything I desire or long to do for him is propelled forward by his presence in me through Word and Sacrament, through hearing and reading a healthy dose of his Law and Gospel messages. It is impossible to have meaning and purpose in life without him. And secondly, I am praying for more opportunities and courage to share him with others that need him! Saying all that feels so familiar to my ears, and our verses from this week - well, I've read and heard them and skimmed over them in the past. So my heart is asking God to help me see what I haven't in the past - in these 4 verses of 1 John...and in others and the world around me. To have eyes that truly see.

(It's like Brandon Heath's song "Give me Your Eyes" - listen to it if you haven't :))

Love you all - thanks for taking this learning journey with me!

Have a great weekend!!

-Cait