A Place To Pray

Good Morning, Good Sunday Morning that is....

     If you didn't already know, In January I began a different type of fast with my church. This was not your traditional fast and the pastor just basically said to pray about it and to find out what God lays on your heart to do. So...I did. During the same message the pastor talked about the life of Daniel and how Daniel had a place to pray and that he did so in that same spot several times a day despite whatever else was going on in his life. I quickly realized that I did not have a place to pray and wondered if it made a difference or not. I mean, I pray all the time and in all sorts of places- driving down the road (usually praying for me to get to work as QUICKLY and safely as possible without some crazy running into me or without a ticket); at work (usually for patience, wisdom, the ability to actually get done what is on my plate that day, and thanking him for letting me make it through it all without bawling like a little girl), and everywhere else of course (for my family, friends, etc.). So, after some consideration I decided what I should do for my fast:
     Each morning Adam gets up for work and leaves the house about 5:15am, in the past I would wake up and make him breakfast/lunch, see him off and head back to bed. Then when I decided to wake back up, I would get my coffee and breakfast and head into the computer room to check email, facebook, etc and would spend my morning "me time" in front of the computer before it was time to head out to work. When thinking about a place to pray, I quickly realized that I make time every morning for everything else in my life that I CHOOSE to do...but I never make time to really pray or read my Bible. So...the fast began....
     I decided to get up each day, make my java java(this is what I lovingly call my coffee) and breakfast and that before I could watch the news, check email/FB, or any other type of media that I would devote that time to start reading my Bible and praying. The church fast ended last week and I have no idea what anyone else chose to do, but I can tell you one thing: For me, having a place to pray DOES matter. I was sooo surprised the difference it made in my life in such a short time. It was not always easy to do because of waking up late, my own laziness, the weather, staying in a hotel for 4 days, and all sorts of random things that happened, but it was always worth it. I finally learned the impact that reading scripture can make on my prayer life.
     This is how I see it- We all have relatives that we have heard stories about, seen pictures of, maybe even met a time or two when we were little, but do we really know them??? Do we know how they lived their lives, their thoughts, their words of wisdom for future generations??? I am learning that by reading God's word I am creating a more personal relationship with him and that I am not just relying on the memories and stories that other people have told me. I grew up in church, I had coloring books of Bible stories as a child, I had family members in every direction letting me know how important it is to make God my priority..... but until this fast I didn't take the time to consistently read it for MYSELF. Think about it--- if you had the memoirs of your great grandmother wouldn't you read them? Or would you just let other people that read them tell you how wonderful they are? Up until now I was content just hearing the stories and reading bits and pieces here and there.....but I am so thankful that I took the time to read it myself and that now this is no longer something I am doing for the fast- this is now something that I do just because I love it. Surprised? Ya, me too... but it's a good surprise.

     Whew.....told you guys I think alot.....so what do you think??? Do you have a place to pray?? Do you want one?? It's ok if you don't- but mine is at my dining room table with my jammies on, my java java close by on my rooster placemat, and my crazy morning hair for only God and I to see.