Sacrifice

Despite being a Christian essentially my entire life, I had never established a daily time with Jesus until I was driven close to insanity having 4 children in 5 years! After these many years of newborns, nightly feedings, diaper changes, lack of sleep- if you are a mom you can vividly see the picture…I had come to a place where as my feet hit the floor running, morning after morning, I grew tired of being weary! Somewhere amidst all the chaos and noise, I made a decision out of selfish ambition really, to wake about an hour before the little buggers did, and lock myself in a quiet room with God. My intent was to merely seek His peace, so when my kids awoke I could try and spread a little of it into our madness.

At the time I had no idea how this would change me, but I can say that over the many years now that I have given the first part of the day to my Savior, I have become so dependent on Him that my days are off kilter when I do not. Just as our closest friendships are with those where time and energy are most vested, it is no different with our Heavenly Father. How can we feel His presence in our lives or know when He is leading us one way or the other, if He is a friend we occasionally talk to or call upon when we are only in need. Our relationship with the Lord must be like a garden that begins with mere seeds, but over time with the right amount of sunshine and water, those seeds begin to grow into something beautiful. Time spent with the Maker of our souls is the essence to our closeness with Him. In a world bombarded by technology and one thing after the next biding for our time, it takes daily effort and discipline to reserve time out of our schedule and offer a piece of it to the Lord. He awaits our sacrifice, and I assure you that He will make it every bit worthwhile. He will fill you so full of His grace and love that you can’t help but desire more of Him, and I am confident that you will never want to go back to the days without.

With love-  April

John 15:5-8
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.