A Quiet Talk With Our Father
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had absolutely no other place to go. Abraham Lincoln
For those of us who are older, some of our fondest memories are of the times when we were able to have quiet talks with our parents and then, later, when we as parents were able to have quiet talks with our kids. My memories span from the times that I sat in my mother's lap while she read stories and fairy tales from a big book, to the times when my kids snuggled in my arms while I read to them from their story books. I have wonderful memories of the years of when I worked with my Dad, when he and Mom and I would take a morning break and discuss things great and small. Looking back on the years gone by, I am humbled at how great of a life God has given me.
As precious as those memories are, I discovered something a number of years ago that has proven to be even more cherished. I had always lived a rather hectic schedule and usually hit the gound running. Needless to say, this did not lead to a very peaceful day. Then, for some reason, I got into the habit of praying when I first woke up. It wasn't then, nor is it now, a very lengthy or complicated prayer. I just began the day thanking God for the blessings of a new day and asked for His guidance for the things that I would do that day.
Then, after getting cleaned up and removing the sleep from my eyes, I began a habit of reading from a chapter in the book of Psalms prior to breakfast. This did not take the place of my daily Bible reading time, it was just a minute or two of reading from the most comforting book in the world. And I know that it might seem too simple to many, but these two habits have changed my life. I'm not sure exactly why, but I think that it has a great deal in common with the quiet talks that I used to have with my parents when I was younger.
There is just something about being able, in quiet moments, to talk to our Father and then listen to His words of wisdom. It has instilled a calmness and peace to my life that is beyond anything that I have ever known. And, I am determined to never lose it. Have you had a quiet talk with your Father today?
He leads me beside still waters. Psalms 23
