Standing Your Post

With Christmas being less than two weeks away, even if we are experiencing the warmest Christmas season I ever remember… (Hello! Where’s the coldness, the cozy fire, and the hopes for snow?)…I find myself thinking ahead of 2016. Of course I am! We are 4 weeks and some odd days before the arrival of our little man and that paves the way for thinking forward to next year and reflecting on this past year.  2015 has brought amazing times for our family, and 2016 brings with it the anticipation of a new arrival to complete our family and many exciting memories to be made.  This past year has seemed to fly by. Chasing a little one and making the most of each day appears to make time progress at rapid speed. Or maybe, it’s just getting older.  My plea for time to slow down has been met only with the days passing seemingly faster. Regardless, Justin and I are loving this whirlwind stage of life we are in with our daughter and eagerly anticipate welcoming her little brother in just a few weeks.

With that being said, in all of my reflection, God brought to me the thought of His goals, His desires, His will for our family and for our nation.  When I think about how busy and hectic daily life can be, I think of how that fast paced life can easily distract and get in the way of God’s will for our lives.  Yes, the days begin early, end late, and in between are filled with laughter, definitely some toddler tears, to-do lists, tickle fights, and so much more.  I always look forward to the calm when the house is quiet and we settle in for some downtime with just each other (Justin and I) to talk about the day and spend some quality time.  It’s time that I look forward to each day. Sometimes, when the day has been particularly hectic, that time is pushed back, cut short, or ends up with me asleep within minutes (I’m super pregnant, remember?!)  Often, that’s how our time with Christ becomes.

Regardless of how diligent we are in planning, scheduling, and anticipating our daily time with the Lord, it’s easy to allow the events of the day to take over and hijack that time.  The enemy enjoys keeping us busy in hopes we get the least benefit out of our time with our Savior.  And if the time spent with Jesus each day is cut short, then His ability to impact and move in our lives and the lives of others in affected by that.  This all made me ask the question, are we standing our post? How diligent do we take the work that He has placed in our hands? How many opportunities do we miss to bless others or be blessed because we sacrificed our time in the Word or with Him?

I want to be available to God at all times, just like I aim to be available for my family at all times.  It is in those moments with Him that I grow and find strength for the days, encouragement for when I need it, and the method for how He prepares my heart to be used for His glory.  If I cut that short, I cheat myself, my family, and others that I may not even be aware of out of many blessings.

What does it take to make us stand our post more diligently? How much more can God abundantly bless us and others if we choose to do so? Just food for thought as we embark on a time of birth, newness, and fresh starts with the holidays approaching.

Isaiah 21:8- “And the lookout shouted, “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; every night I stay at my post.”

Merry Christmas!