Friday, December 31, 2010

my first best time for Him


last night i crawled into bed
i wasn't sleepy yet
but dantheman had a migraine & was turning in.
i hate to go to sleep after him
something about that creeps me out a little bit.
so i climbed in , pulled the covers up
& starting praying.

yes i'm guilty of praying myself to sleep
but felt certain this would not be one of those nights.
so wide awake & all
i laid really still
i think i made an audible sigh
& realized
i haven't spent time with Him in a while.

sure i talk about Him
& i sing about Him
i read about Him
but the last several weeks
i did exactly opposite of what i wanted to do.
i let some of the things i love to do
get all my attention.
i hadn't really spent any real , quite, quality time with Him.



i run everyday
i take photos everyday
i read blogs everyday
& i clean my home everyday

one thing i haven't done everyday
( & it pains me to admit this)
is sit quietly before Him.
just sit
just be
& listen



in 2009 i began reading the bible through in chronological order.
in 2010 i was still not finished.
i did however find time to read dozens & dozens & dozens of other books.
great prioritization skills right?
i can sit with my laptop in hand & play on photoshop for hours
yet there are some days when i never pick up my bible
ugh
i can barely admit that.



for where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
  matthew 6.21

i'm thinking my heart and my treasure
 have both been much more in tidiness & adding mileage on my daily run.

as much as running & photography & a clean orderly home are  good things
they should not get the best of me
& the best of me is usually in the uninterrupted wee hours in the morning
when i slip downstairs
often times before anyone else.

once the day gets rolling
i find it much more of a challenge to sit
to sit & be quiet
read scripture
journal my prayers

so
i'm back in the saddle
i will finish reading through the bible this year
i'm not a big new years resolutions girl.
but i have a few ideas on how i will spend the early morning hours.
the first ones
when my thoughts are fresh
& my home is quiet.
i will give my best time to Him
not facebook or photoshop



i once asked a mentor of mine
how & when she spent time with the Lord
she has a bustling household & has many hobbies.
she told me what a wise friend once told her.
"i give my first best time to Him.
somedays that doesn't occur until 4pm.
somedays that's at 5am. but my first best time goes to Him"
i loved that. freeing right?

so
here's to making sure
i spend my first best time well
& where my treasure is
my heart
will
be
also

53 comments:

Heather said...

thank you.

HH

Martha said...

love, love, love this...
and my *first* best time for Him...this was great for me to read...thank you
xo
Happy New Year

Love Being A Nonny said...

That's my prayer and hearts desire too. And in 2011 I want to have more gratitude. God bless you in 2011!

melissa said...

Such a perfect reminder .. that really I need! Thanks Paige. Blessings to you sweet friend!

slip4 said...

The thoughts in this post could have come directly from my heart. I too am reading the bible chronologically (for 2 1/2 years!). I have read the bible through before with a different program, but reading it chronologically has been an eye opener (for one thing, who knew the Old Testament was so big! It took forever). Thanks for the reminder to give Him our "first best" time. Happy New Year!

Melanie said...

Beautifully put, Paige. Thank you!

Happy New Year to you and your precious family!

Love to you!
Melanie

traci said...

beautifully said paige. i too am guilty of finding time for everything else. your post has really hit home with me today. thank you for that. happy new year my friend. have fun and be safe. xo!

Biz said...

Your honesty is refreshing. I hate admitting my lack of. I need to reprioritize my time so that I too can give him my FIRST best! Thank you! Have a blessed day!
Biz
http://busybizblogs.blogspot.com/

Jodee said...

Amen, sister! Hope you have a Happy New Year!

Dana said...

You just put into words, what has been on my heart.
Back into my chronological Bible and up early to give Him my First Best!!
Thanks! Happy New Year

Charlotte said...

Thank you for verbilizing something that has been on my heart and I didn't even realize it. I'd say the Lord used you today to speak to a ton of folks.

Debby said...

Such a great post.

*The Beautiful Life* said...

Paige, what a post. I do believe I will be referring back to it throughout the year. Oh how hard it can be to keep the main thing the main thing daily, huh?
Thanks for this honest reminder -- just what I needed this morning as I now have the house to myself and am looking around at all corners of it seeing many things in each room that need my attention. Perhaps I should go sit down first with Him and ask Him what thing(s) are truly worthy of my attention -- and which things can wait today. :)

Happy New Year!!
Ruth

Nancy Elizabeth Carey said...

Yes I agree, time sometime gets the best of us but, I know God is there when were ready...that's the beauty of our Father. May you and your family have a Blessed New Years! Cheers! oxox's Nancy

A Thrifted Market said...

Thank you..This has been weighing heavy on my heart for some time especially when your in the midst of a trial..he wants me to come to him! Great reminder!!

Susan R said...

I love that scripture from Matthew...might just have to do something with that.
Oddly, but not funny, I was just feeling the same thing. Why is it that throughout this entire holiday did I find myself thinking and worrying about all the things I had to get done instead of the one thing I needed to do?
I try, as hard as I can, to never make resolutions, but this is one I think is easily achieved. Prayer. Sincere prayer will be atop my nonexistent list this year.
Thanks for opening my eyes too friend.

PCovi said...

Phyllis likes this!

Tiffany Day said...

Hi paige - that is great - thank you for sharing that. I too do not spend time with Him - not nearly enough! So you aren't alone and i have never read the bible from cover to cover - eek!!

Happy New Year to you and thank so much for all the beauty and sweetness and inspiration you bring to me through your blog! If i ever make it to Atlanta....

xoTiffany

Heather said...

This is beautifully written and such a good reminder for me too. Thank you for sharing.

Tammy said...

Paige....I soooo needed this today!
Thank you!!
Tammy :-)
JUNK WILD

katie purcell said...

this is your best blog ever...thank you for reminding us it is not our time.
happy new year
love you,
katie

Shannon said...

Lovely pictures Paige and such a well said post!
Happy New Year to you and your family.
<3
Shannon

Wendy said...

it's interesting how the good things can crowd out the best things, isn't it. thank you for sharing this.

{A*very} Blessed Life said...

Dear Paige,
What beautiful words. This is so important to really take time for our Father. Don't be too hard on yourself though. The way in which you love and care for your family, friends, and even those you do not know is also spending time with our Father. You are his eyes, hands,feet, voice . . . All that you do in His name is pleasing to Him. While you run, clean house, blog, you can spend time with Him at those times too. You are a blessing to so many Miss Paige. Thank you for your "Simple Thoughts". They are well inspired and sing of HIM. Blessings to you and yours in the New Year!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post:)

Missy said...

LOVE this and couldn't agree more! I have actually decided that I am not going to get online until I have read some daily scripture. I doing the "read the Bible in a year" plan and I can't wait to get closer to Him! Good luck to us both! I'll keep you in my prayers, if you'll keep me in yours? xo

Lori Lucas said...

Your best post of the year.

I have prayed myself to sleep the last two nights.

I just scrolled down and read other comments. Seems this resonated with a lot of us.

Again, thanks. Here's to a new, good year. Lori L

3 Peanuts said...

You can do it Paige. I read the whole Bible this year and I cannot believe I actually did it. I was told not to read it in chronological order but followed a different plan (I posted about it this week). The plan I used REALLY kept me accountable. Give it a try. I know that it has changed me in ways I cannot express.

This year, I am leading a Bible study at my church...I NEVER would have agreed to that. When they asked me...I knew I could do it now. I still have SO MUCH to learn and I still need to work to stay in the word daily now. I am going to try to encourage you with this. Thank you for sharing your heart. Love that.

Kim

Nancy said...

Love this Paige, so honest and true for some of us. Thanks for sharing.

Jen Kershner said...

Touching Paige. I admire how honest you always are, how open your heart is.

Shannan Martin said...

Well, I just love this slap in the face. Love it. LOVE.

Thank you for your beautiful, humble, truthful soul, Paigey. I'm so happy to know you.

Jeanne Oliver said...

So often I do not give Him my best. Wonderful and beautiful reminder. Perfect timing. Love you and Happy New Year!!!

Julie said...

beautiful, Paige. I need to do this too. Happy New Year! xo

christina said...

yes mam.
xo

Kat said...

Paige, this is such a powerful reminder for so many of us, me included!!! Happy New Year!

Kelli said...

You are not alone...you are not the only one who doesn't take the time for Him that she should. I love that you were transparent and open...real. I too need to give Him my best time DAILY. Daily. Now, tell me about reading chronologically...interesting. What are you using to do that?

six chicks said...

You have touched my heart. Thank you for a beautiful message. Happy New Year!

Between You and Me said...

Happiest New Year....wanting the more of that sweet time with him also...and determined to have it!

so glad I've met you!

Anne Marie said...

happy new year paige!! it sounds like you started the new year JUST right...quietly in prayer...

xo
anne marie

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

Hello, I'm new to your blog and want to first say that I just love this post. It hit right on with me. I also love the crusty clocks, they are just awesome. I'm adding you to my blog roll and hope you'll stop over for a visit. Happy New Years, Theresa

the wild raspberry said...

Paige, thank you for sharing. I am guilty of neglecting the same things, though it also pains me to admit it. Thank your for your honesty and inspiration. May the Lord bless us with deeper faith and honest hearts always. Best to you this New Year!
Love, Debbie

Jennifer said...

Thank you for the reminder! I love that verse as well=)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. Perfectly stated. Thank you.

Petie said...

Love, Love, Love this post. Thank you for sharing. I am sooo guilty of this too and this post was a great reminder. I have been feeling this nudge lately and reading your post was a Big Poke. So Thank You!
Looking forward to 2011 and giving time to Him, even if it is 4PM. Have a great Year.

christan perona said...

His grace is enough. Thank goodness. Thanks for being so real.

paperbird said...

BEAUTIFUL heartfelt post- i love it.
i am so happy to have found this beautiful place you have created it is so lovely and your photographs are gorgeous.

happy happy new year!

Ashley Eiler said...

oh girl...my heart was heavy about this very thing this morning...new year's is extrememly overwelming because i can't do anything on my own...also overwelming that we need God just to help us love him...also depressing that i can't even do that on my own. this year {i hate resolutions} i have committed the same...
xoxo i love your transparency

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your honesty. This post truly resonates with me. Becca :)

Privet and Holly said...

My heart so
agrees with this.
Now, to get my
brain in step,
especially in
those quiet early
hours. Thank you
for the reminder...
and your pics are
wonderful!
xx Suzanne

ellieshine said...

loved this post Paige - and I linked to it on my blog :)

"my best first time for Him" might just be the very best goal I've ever had.

xo ellie

Alecia said...

Thanks for sharing that...you put in words exactly how I've felt sooo many times over the years. I pray we're both able to get back in swing with our time with Him...nothing's better than that, right?!?! I don't know why, but I'm always surprised by how AWESOME He is when I spend time with Him...why do I neglect Him so when my time with Him is always so great?!?!

Kimberly said...

Beautifully put ... it felt as though you read my mind and heart ... I loved it ... thank you!

Gretchen said...

Beautiful post. My first interfacing with your blog has surely touched me deeply.
Gretchen