In It For the Long Term

(I don't have a recent family photo so you'll have to imagine these two meshed together since these are the most recent pictures of each of us with Finley.)

So each week, I'm going to start trying to post something that God is teaching me.  I feel like I am constantly learning little (and big) lessons in life, but rarely take the time to reflect on them.  

One of the main reasons I blog (as I know I've said over and over) is to keep a record of what is going on in our life and I love being able to look back and see how God's hand was a part of it all.  Sometimes "in" the situation, it is difficult for me to see all that He has taught me and I hope that one day when I show Finley her baby book (i.e. this blog.... yes, I back it up so that I have it saved for her. Hee, hee!), she will be able to know how meaningful these days were for us.

Yesterday, I read the following quote during my quiet time...

"His purpose is not that you will do more for Him but that you will choose to be more with Him."

Wow!  

There have definitely been times in my life where I was trying my best to "do."  Where I was signing up to serve on every church committee or trying to be a part of every Bible Study offered.  Obviously, that is not a bad thing, but I was guilty of believing that it was the way to be closer to God when His main desire is for me to be in a constant relationship with Him... to spend time with Him, to love Him, to focus on Him, to CHOOSE to be with Him.

What I love is that this is true of many of our relationships.  This quote reminds me to not get caught up in what I need to do each day, but focus on building a lasting bond as Devin's wife and Finley's mother.  Sometimes I get so focused on what I need to do for my family when really it is more about the time I spend with them.  It is about the memories and relationship I create with them and not all that I need to be "doing".  

I am a "doer".  I like my check-list, but it isn't what is going to be important in the end.  Just as spending alone time with God is essential to maintaining fellowship with Him and learning what I can "do" for Him through that time, God is reminding me of what my main responsibility is...  it is creating lasting relationships.... it is abiding in them... to be in it for the long term.  

"His purpose is not that you will do more for Him but that you will choose to be more with Him.  Only by abiding can you enjoy the most rewarding friendship with God and experience the greatest abundance for His glory.  To abide means to remain, to stay closely connected, to settle in for the long term."  Bruce Wilkenson