Diet changes have always been a monumental challenge for me. I have a sweet tooth, and that tooth has but one desire in life, chocolate…in any shape or form. But hubby and I have made great strides this year, gradually introducing healthier choices and wiser eating habits, cutting out the sweets, including chocolate. Sigh, salmon instead of chocolate. Oh, be still my soul, how delectable! (cue sarcasm) One side effect of this diet-alteration has been that our clothes no longer fit, which is great for the ego, but not so great for the wallet. I knew that I was in need of some new skirts, but I didn’t want to invest tons of money, so I was off to the Goodwill Store for the weekly Half-Off-Day special. As I do before every thrift-store dive, I took a moment in the car and prayed before I entered the store, specifically that I would find some new skirts that were in decent shape, and that would actually fit me. Sounds like a silly prayer, doesn’t it, praying for a skirt. Doesn’t God have bigger issues with which to deal than a thrift shop treasure-trove adventure?
Just as a godly earthly father seeks involvement in every aspect of the life of his beloved child, our heavenly Father is concerned about all areas of our lives, even the seemingly small ones. The One Who has enough compassion and care to feed “…the fowls of the air” and to cloth “…the lilies of the field” and to number “…the very hairs of YOUR head” can work out even the smallest details for us, and He encourages us to seek Him in prayer “without ceasing,” to include Him in every realm of every day. Too often we reserve prayer for occasions when we have exhausted all of our human efforts, when we are at the end of ourselves, when we are boxed into a corner, panicked and in crisis-mode, and we are left with no other recourse but prayer. But this limits our powerful God, and we miss out on the opportunity for sweet communion and constant fellowship with our Father throughout our day.
Let’s invite Him to rule and reign not only in those big areas, but in ALL areas of our experience, even those seemingly silly, small areas. By keeping the lines of communication continually open with God, a life of dependence is developed, our walk with Him becomes intertwined with prayer, and we fulfill His command for us as we find ourselves meditating on Him “day and night.” When I allow Him to be an integral part of my daily walk, those words, “Pray without ceasing,” become a sweet reality in my life, and our Father-daughter relationship grows and blossoms.
I have sung these lyrics with small children for many years: Our God is so great, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing our God cannot do! How true are the words of that children’s song! Nothing is too big, nothing too small to warrant His attention. Open up all aspects of your life to Him and allow yourself to lean on Him for direction in both the big AND small moments that fill each day.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests by made known unto God.
Lord, I want Your control in all areas of my life, big or small. Thank You for listening not only to my “big” requests, but also those small, seemingly insignificant prayers. Help me to lean on You throughout my entire day, leaning constantly on You for all my needs.