All is quiet...It's Christmas Eve Morning

I have been getting up early in the morning to enjoy time alone. It is something that I really don't enjoy doing, but know that I must. I have tried, very hard sometimes, to sleep in, but it never happens. One of the babies will cry. The dog will need to be let out. Or I simply cannot sleep. No matter what it is, I must get up. I get up and simply begin to type. Type my thoughts and my questions to my God who knows all before I even type them. I type and then listen. I will be honest, there are some mornings when the keys begin to blend into one giant blur. But there are other mornings when I hear the quiet whisper of the one that shaped the dust into life. I hear the small voice that called out to Lazarus to come out and live. I hear the invitation to the same abundant life that has been given to all and the question is...will I accept it or will I chose something of less worth? There are many mornings I listen. I want to hear what the Creator has to say. There are other mornings where I am more concerned about my requests than I am His response. This is so backwards, I know, but it is how I respond sometimes. I am constantly learning. I am always being shaped and molded even when I do not feel like I can be stretched anymore. The moment I believe I will break I realize there is rest and it is not because the stretching has ceased, but it is instead God has moved me on to something different.

I typed "bigger" and it is often the case, but there are times when different and bigger is actually "smaller". It is not that God is not concerned about the big things in life, but the reality is that He is going to move me in the direction of the "bigger" things when I have been refined enough in the smaller things. When I have been refined enough to be patient with a child. Refined to pay attention to detail in memorizing "His word in my heart." Refined enough to...hear His small voice when I want to scream with my long list of requests. Life is constantly a refinement period and an opportunity to listen and grow. It is certainly a journey and I am not sure where I am at on the journey, but I know who has charted the course and I trust Him. And I will follow Him wherever He leads in both the big and the small.