Have Fun Even on the Not So Fun Days!

Kathleen Norris makes a great point on how we should find God even in the mundane, everyday tasks. Getting ready for work? Washing dishes? Cleaning house? Driving to work? Doing something creative? Listen to some worship music or listen to the Bible. Incorporate God into everything and then it does not feel as much like a task but rather a time to worship Him. 

I was feeling creative and needed to take a break to do something. I felt inspired to create a Prayer Journal. So I hopped on Canva and started creating while I also listened to worship music. I ended up publishing it on Amazon so that I could have them print and send it to me. I received my first copy this week and was so excited to use it. Since getting it in the mail I have been using it to create prayer lists and prayers while I listen to worship music. It honestly has made an impact on how I pray daily. 

I also followed Kathleen’s advice, and I created a sticky note that says PLAY on it; I also added, “Tasks can be fun! Especially when you bring God into it.” I put it on my computer, which is where I work most of the time. This reminder helped me to bring God into my times of work. I would listen to a Christian playlist while working. I am actually doing this as I write. 

Putting these into practice this week really allowed me to focus on the positive. Yes life can be stressful and overwhelming but God is always near. God is always here to bring peace. I was able to find joy even on the difficult days! Praise be to him!

10.1 Work and Rest

 Work and Rest Exercise:

“Prayer also includes times of rest, writes Evelyn Underhill. Perhaps you have been pressing too hard in your times of prayer. Allow yourself to experience a little holy leisure this week, knowing that there is a time to work and a time to rest. To deny this is to work against the rhythms of God.”

It is amazing how the Lord will show us things over and over again in different ways. I taught my church members about prayer last week and also ended up designing a prayer journal earlier this week that will be sold on amazon. Then I read the reading for this week on “what do we mean by prayer.” I loved that Underhill discusses the necessity of resting. This could not have fallen on a better week. 

I recently went on a trip to Orlando for a huge church planting conference called Exponential. Before the trip I was working myself way too much to prepare for leaving. Then we returned home and I was sick and trying to catch up on everything I missed while also helping our son get back into the swing of homeschool. It was hectic and exhausting. I have been exhausted since coming back. After reading the text from Underhill it really helped me reframe my mind, I needed to stop and rest. 

In my prayer times the last few days I have really been focusing on rest. I have been letting God speak more and silencing myself. This has allowed me to find rest in him. I am beginning to be regrounded since getting back. God’s been showing me that I need to rest in Him more and allow everything else to fall into place.