Do you ever think about all the lessons you can learn in just one day?  How about all the lessons you learn in one week?  That’s what I’m sitting here thinking about right now.  Today I felt like there were at least 5 devotionals I could write off of things that happened throughout the day and that’s about average for me.  I’m constantly looking for ways to learn something new from God.  I desire to grow each and every day.  In fact, I hope at the end of the day I’m just a little bit stronger, a little bit wiser, and a little bit more dependent on my Heavenly Father.  I know I need more of God and less of me.  I pray at the end of each year, there is a whole lot more of God and a whole lot less of me.

This week I learned some interesting things about myself, I was convicted in some areas that needed to change, I saw God’s desire for healing in His people, I watched God work through my interactions with people, and so much more.  Let me take some time to share some of these lessons with you.  Let’s slow down and catch the lessons God has for us in each day!  Let’s keep it simple, God’s not about complicating things!  He can teach us the most amazing lessons in the most simple ways.  He will astound us, if we only let Him!

Lesson 1 ~ Slow Down

I took my writing materials to Barnes and Noble today.  It felt good to step away from my normal writing activity at home.  I let myself get into a different environment and grab a cup of Starbucks.  I sat down in a comfortable chair with my pencil and paper in hand, then I started to write.  Writing comes easy to me when I relax and allow God to write through me.  That can be hard to do when I’m going at a fast pace with a thousand things on my mind.  But when I slow down and I get to a simple place of just me, God, paper, and pencil…it becomes so easy!  That’s when the words just flow out of me.

The following two verses share what is most important in life.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.”

~Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)

“What good would it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”

~Matthew 16:26 (NIV)

Seeking God’s Kingdom is what’s important, everything else comes second to that.  Tomorrow will come in time, but don’t forget to enjoy today.  There is no profit in giving up your life for all the goods you can gain here on earth.  Keep it simple!  Slow down!  Enjoy each moment God has given you!

Lesson 2 ~ Take Time to Listen

As I was leaving Barnes and Noble today, I stopped by the cashier to buy a book.  She asked me how I was doing and I returned the favor by asking how she was doing.  She was surprised I asked because she said it gets so busy that no one ever asks her that.  We had a small discussion around this question and when I left I got to thinking about a response I got to this question a couple weeks ago.  The response was “Do you really want to know?”  I said, “Yes, of course.”  Well, from there I heard some hurts and pains that were going on in a friend’s life.  So my question for you is “Do you really want to  know?”  Are you willing to listen the next time you ask someone how they are doing?  You might be the only ears someone experiences during their day, week, or month.  Will you listen like God so often listens to you?

“My dear brothers, take note of this:  Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…”

~James 1:19 (NIV)

Well, I could share many more lessons with you, but I think I’ll save some for another time.  Have a great weekend!  May God continue to guide you in all your ways!