I’m a Mother Theresa fan. Even though I could never live the life she lived, by any stretch, I always admired her from a distance. I’ve read a couple books about her that made me realize how selfless she was. Trust me, I love doing good for others, but I also love the comfort of my home and community. I don’t consider myself a material gal who scarfs up the latest trendy thing. I’m far from it. But I’m also far from living the life Mother Teresa lived.
However, even though I can’t totally emulate her life, I can work at being all I can be to the people in my own little circle of life. Not everyone can totally surrender their lives as she did, but one thing she often pointed out was that we are all called and God wants to use all of us for His glory. That’s where I feel totally connected to her.
Another point she made had to do with the love God has for us. He showers us with His blessings and grace, and we fail to recognize it. He wants His very best for us, day in and day out, and we ignore His presence. One thing about Mother Teresa is that she was totally tuned in to God, 100%. She lived and breathed His presense. How do we do that? How can we get better at that while tending to our families, friends, communities, work, etc.?
I’ve decided it all has to do with discipline and how much time we will dedicate to intentionally being in His presence. There are times I’d love to be a monk who spends my days in prayer, never leaving the presence of God. Then I know I’m kidding myself. I could no more do that than the man in the moon. I need the interaction of others. I need the craziness that is my life.
So again, I ask myself, how can I draw closer? Here’s what I’ve chosen to do in 2008 to acheive the goal of walking a closer walk with my Lord:
Morning prayer time where I either read the Bible, do a Bible study, and/or journal and reflect. I’ve been busy doing the Women of Faith studies and lvoe them.
Take a weekly spirituality class with women of differing denominations.
Attend a retreat that focuses on prayer and contemplation.
Attend weekly services and possibly do a few classes at my church home.
Begin with Joseph Girzone’s first book and read them all in the order in which they were published.
What are you hoping to do to draw nearer to the almighty God who is dying for us to draw nearer to Him? I’d love some more ideas.
10 Comments
Dotsie, in addition to some of the things you have mentioned, I love starting my day and prayer times with singing some praise and worship songs to the Lord. Singing just seems to help me worship and draw near to Him.
Before I even get out of bed, though, I just start the day with a little conversation with the Lord — things like “Lord, my times in your hands” (from the Psalms) and “Lord, this day is yours and so am I” (I believe I read that suggestion in something Jack Hayford wrote but I could be remembering wrong). I think simple things like this seem to help foster that closer walk with God that you are talking about. Thanks for encouraging us all to draw nearer to Him!
You are welcome.
I’m glad to hear you can sing. It’s something I don’t do well alone. However, I do listen to a Christian station in the car sometimes and that is also a great reminder to stay in His presence. I also like the little sayings you mentioned - all little conversations with God. Very cool.
For the past few months I’ve started most days just sitting quietly for a few minutes and reading the Prayer for the Middle Years that I mentioned in the past. It’s hard for me to sit still, even though I’m the quiet loner type. So this is one discipline I hope to hone and build into my life.
Sounds wonderful. Do you have a link to that prayer, since we all seem to be in our middle years?
We are all called to do such different things and I think understanding that calling is so crucial to our lives. I like you have always admire Mother Teresa. But I have never felt called to do what she is doing but if God did call me He would also equip me. Thanks for a great read! God Bless!
Dotsie, For me, it’s simply making time for that relationship with Him. I feel very distant from God when I don’t, and I want so much more than that. It’s not that God has gone anywhere, but that I’ve crowded Him out of my life with my to-do’s, including ministry. I need that quiet time you talked about. I need to stop and just be in His presence. Thanks for another excellent post. I appreciate you.
It’s from the Celtic Daily Prayer (book) and follows an essay by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I used it in a blog entry a while back. http://unfinishedwork.blogspot.com/2007/09/middle-years.html
Kathleen, excellent point about us being equipped for our call. He gives us everything we need to do his work.
Suzie, you are welcome and thanks for appreciating me. That’s so very sweet.
My relationship became deeper when I walked away from the over-loaded church volunteer schedule. Odd, isn’t it. But soemtimes our volunteer work can keep us too busy to spend time alone with him.
I am not suggesting that we don’t volunteer in our churches, but I am suggesting that we keep tabs o what is most important, and that is making sure we are growing while we work for him.
Okay, this time I printed it. Thanks for directing me there.
I see Bird by Bird on your site. I enjoyed that book about writing. Another good one is On Writing, by Stephen King. Have you read that one? It’s fantastic. In the back of the book, he shows you a first draft, and then you see how much editing it does. It is so cool. You gotta check it out. It gave me a great appreciation for re-writing!