When You're Stumbling into the New Year Empty and Drained - Alicia Bruxvoort

"Three days later, they all went to celebrate a wedding feast in Cana of Galilee … While they were celebrating, the wine ran out … [And Jesus said] ‘Fill each water pot with water until it’s ready to spill over the top.’" John 2:1a, 3a, 7b

Every person I've ever met has had the feelings that Alicia writes about in her devotion for us today. She was at the end of a year, looking at a new one and her hope was replaced by emptyness. She wanted to look forward and rattle off the goals she had...but she just simply couldn't.

She was empty. 

But, the scripture above reminds us that Jesus LOVES to fill us. Not just a little, not jut halfway, but usually right to brim. Many times we over flow with him. He loves our broken and empty places, because he can come in and fill up all the gaps and really truly give us what we need. When we feel the lowest, when we're hearing those lies being whispered in our ears, stopping to turn and ask to be filled with nothing but that sweet, never ending, never giving up love of Jesus makes all the difference.

Jen Hatmaker posted earlier today about responding to people asking for your time. It's a fun post, you should go read it, she makes a very good point, however about how we tend to feel guilty and that's why we say yes. We end up filling up our lives and days with SO much that we can't possibly hear that small voice, or have time to fill ourselves up. And we need to.

So, here's one of the promises I'm making to myself. More time to stop and ask, "I need you, I can't do this all on my own." Just like I told my 5th and 6th graders to do yesterday. :)

What are you doing this year to make a difference in your life?
M :)

Sunday - A Day of Rest

Instead of running round to get ready to drive down to LA, I am being calm. Being G's pillow does that. :)

I've got my list of things to pack. (Don't let me forget to add 'camera' to that list) I need to do a little laundry and pack us. Really though, not all that stressful. I believe I have dinner for tomorrow and Tuesday all figured out and even MADE. See...now I just need to clean the bathroom floor and make sure the trash is dumped. But not today. I'm going to settle in and play with my sweet baby...because before I know it, he'll be walking.

Letting go control of today...*blink* good, the world is still here. :)

Thank God for provision and peace.

Rest today, my dear reader. The week starts too quickly and time passes.