I was not an only child. None of my 4 boys are only children (though the oldest was for a while, though he doesn't remember it). This morning, I took my second youngest with me to drop our church intern off to do some work, and for a while, it was just he and I. So I decided that we should, as I sometimes do with my others when they're alone with me, go get a treat, something small, but special. This may not be a big deal (he got a chocolate pie from the grocery store), but it is! Time alone with dad is a rare thing, and something that I know he'll remember, even if he doesn't remember the circumstances. As a father, I can't help but think of our Heavenly Father in circumstances like this. Adam had time alone with the Father, He and Eve also walked with Him in the garden together (in the cool of the day), Abraham talked with the Father about what would be, Moses took some time (40 days), and Jesus, the busier He got, took time to be alone with Abba (Aramaic for Daddy). Why do we like to do chores for Him, instead of just spending time? Our service and our works please Him, but they are supposed to be byproducts of our relationship with Him. What is best is, as Mary showed us when she sat at Jesus' Feet, is to simply sit and be. Spend time with Abba. Jesus showed us it's importance, and He desires it! God is a loving Father, and though He gives us good things, the best thing He gives us is Himself, and He's so Big that He can spend time alone with us, and still attend to His other children and governing all things. Take some time, be His son or daughter and enjoy His presence.
Matthew 6:6 ESV
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:33 ESV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Colossians 4:2 ESV
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV /
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
John 4:24 ESV
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Mark 6:31 ESV
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
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