Daily Walks
Posted in Daily Focus on Wednesday, January 15, 2014
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25).
Taking a walk after supper became a guarded ritual for our homeschooling family. Each night, the entire family walked together down our country road to a creek a quarter mile away. Since our youngest daughter wasn't capable of such a long hike, we improvised and included her in this family time by pulling her along in our little red wagon. As we walked, we talked about whatever came to mind and observed the wonders of God's creation in nature. We never knew where the conversation was headed or what discoveries we would see along the way. We simply enjoyed the exercise and looked forward to this unhurried time of being together as a family.
One morning during my usual rushed devotion time with God, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and convicted me. I cried as I realized I had been shortchanging my time with God and quenching the intimacy of His love. Instead of a quiet, unhurried walk with my God in Bible study and prayer, I had been running down the road to the day's activities and problems. I had given up fellowshipping with my loving Lord for feeling more organized and in control of my day. I shook my head at my stupidity and said, "If my daily walks with my homeschooling family on Earth are important for maintaining a close relationship, my daily walk with God is certainly even more important!"
What about you? Do you hurry through your quiet times with the Lord to get a jump on the busyness of the day's activities? Take a bit of hard-learned advice and learn the lesson of walking daily with the Lord. He really is so much fun to be with as you relax in His love. Best of all, you never know where the conversation may lead and what new spiritual truths He will give you to face each day. "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more" (1 Thessalonians 4:1).
Lord, slow me down and teach me to walk hand in hand with You as I homeschool my children each day. You are the most important part of my life. Help me to treasure every moment of every day with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Comments(13 comments)
ELYSE O 01/15/2009 09:32:45
How true that is! I am learning to consciously "tune in" to God the moment I awake and am stilll in bed. I want Him to be my every waking thought and allow Him to lead me from there. Loving someone becomes a habit, it's the same in our walk with Jesus.
Blessings!
Elyse
Bridgit L 01/19/2010 13:14:00
Amen! I have found that my day runs better if I say a short prayer before my feet hit the floor!
SHEILAH S 01/15/2011 08:52:21
So true, So true!! As a "student" of my Lord, I also get that tap on my shoulder about how I spend my time. Priority is also to be with Hiim. Afterall, our time is His time that he has allowed us to have. I am always reminded too, that my actions, and my priorities will affect my students here in this earthly life. Thank you :)
CATHERINE R 01/15/2011 12:01:39
Your article shattered my heart. I have been neglecting time with my Lord in order to stay 'on top' of homeschooling and housework. I had forgotten how sweet it is to spend time with Him. Thank you.
MANDIE R 01/15/2011 12:18:34
The Lord knew I needed to this today!
PENNY H 01/15/2011 13:36:27
This is an on-going need in my life, and I find myself here questioning why I am not spending more time with the Lord every morning and night all too often. It is difficult to know how to balance it all, but I know that God makes a way when we are faithful to take the steps. Thanks for the reminder.
Jan P 01/16/2011 13:14:36
I needed to be reminded of my "resolution" for the New Year - spending more quality time with God! :) I don't want to have just a short prayer, but a long, leisurely "walk" in His Word.
AUDRA K 01/15/2012 03:35:38
Thank you for this reminder. This devotional blesses me everyday, and convicts me. God bless!
TAMIKO C 01/15/2012 18:43:59
Tamiko C
Thank you for touching my heart thru this devotion. As the tears roll down my face I ask God to help me remember my time with him is vital and although i feel beaten at homeschooling i cant give up. He will guide my steps if i just slow down and walk with him one day at a time.
LINDSEY G 01/15/2013 04:58:05
Before we homeschooled, my children were blessed to have a godly woman for their 2nd/ 3rd grade teacher. She made classroom Bible time the first activity of just about every school day, even though she had a million other things to do with her students. As I set out to homeschool 2 1/2 years ago, hers was the example I tried to follow. Every \"school\" day, my children and I read the Bible together and they take turns picking the praise song of the day. Some days, I feel impatient to just get to the academics. But these times are the very REASON I homeschool. I want them to love the Lord, know His Word and know His deep love for them. If He\'s not the foundation and author of our homeschooling, then this really is for nothing. Some day, when my children are adults, I want to look back on this busy season and know I was faithful to bring them to the Lord thru Scripture reading and praise on a regular basis.
AUDRA K 01/15/2013 05:06:11
Thank you for this devotion. I do hurry through my personal devotional time sometimes as I feel I don\'t have \"time\". I will do better! Starting today.
God bless you all!!
KATHY S 01/15/2013 09:35:24
I read this, closed my eyes and just talked with Jesus, asked him if he had anything to tell me, I was listening.
Too many times I spend my time with the Lord just asking for healing for myself and our family. I guess it\'s time to listen too. Thanks for the nice reminder!
KATHY SPIELER 02/14/2013 14:16:33
So, in 2013, same devotional topic, I have finally figured out that these devotionalare repeats! LOL) I still enjoy them.
Anyway, My mind is always about 10 steps ahead of where I should be. This is again a wonderful reminder to slow down and enjoy my time with the Lord, my family and my friends.