When I was a child I would ask to go play with a friend and my Mom or Grandmother would give me permission to go but, they would say, “now don’t stay to long”.  I always knew there was consequences for staying over my time limit; sometime I would ask how long, sometimes they would tell me how long and sometime they would trust me to make the decision. Well inevitably a few times I ignore the warning bells that would let me know you are over staying your time because I was having so much fun and I had relaxed in my knowledge of the consequences of my actions.  After awhile my friends would be called inside and they would tell me Linda, you have to go home and I would say I can stay a little longer and the conversation would be like but, didn’t your Momma/ grandmother tell you to be back by such and such time.  Right there I would began to feel this dull heaviness in my stomach and get the dry mouth that made it hard to swallow.  My friends would then turn and go home and I began to make that journey toward the house knowing what awaited me.  Now mind you my parent could have sent one of my siblings for me but they didn’t because I knew the rule, “ don’t stay to long”, but I ignore it because I was enjoying myself. Well, needless to say I got my just reward in the form of punishment.  I did learn not to disregard or disrespect the voice of authority who loved and care for me and who was teaching me to be a good steward of cultivating time .  You see, there is a time or season for everything. 

Recently, I was reintroduced to that lesson on a spiritual level.  I had joined myself to a particular part of ministry in my church thinking this is a good place to work in.  I thought I could really be effective and help motivate some folks to be enthusiastic about this humble place of ministry but the most powerful position(prayer) you could ever be in.  Well, the Lord did use me to exhort, encourages and inspire many and I just loved it; I  am very passionate about prayer ( don’t get me wrong) so are the ladies I pray with, but something happen one day in prayer that throw  me in a loop and it made me question “ Lord, did I stay to long”, what did I pray, what did I say that would cause the adversary to sneak in and upset the apple cart in prayer. I began to meditate on this and ponder in my heart .  Let me tell you it hurt and I was so sorrowful because I knew I had stayed to long. I ask the Lord why didn’t He tell me? My answer was I never asked how long to stay or was it a permanent position. I just jump in began to work and got comfortable cause I knew I could pray and be a help that way.

I give you this little part of a testimony that may be a teaching piece. Perhaps you’re in a place where you have stayed to long; it could be a relationship, job, career,ministry, etc. You stay because it feels good or you have become comfortable because you say I know I can do this or you are afraid, maybe you live with self doubt. Dearheart, have you consulted God or has He advised you in your spirit it’s time to move and you just keep ignore that small tug? see, God, knows the way you should go and He knew it before you was created.  As He grows us he may change the order of things you are use to. Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding ;in all our ways we must acknowledge Him and he will directed us to do that perfect will He ordain in the beginning.  Never get so attached to anything that you can’t let go when it’s time to move forward. Our Father has so many wonderful plans for his children .  Let go of the familiar and reach for the heights that He has spoken over your life.  There is a light shining brightly on this new horizon; just look to Him and I guarantee He will lead you every step of the way after all He(the word) is the lamp to your feet and the light to your path. 

Take care dear hearts. Until next time

With HIS Love and mine

Linda J

Scriptures     Ecclesiastes 3:2-8, Job 23:10, Proverbs 3:5-6, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 119:105