All 6 Happily Ever After...

I just realized it's been a few days since I posted. Have you wondered if I'd gone into labor?? I must say, I'm a little bit surprised that I haven't yet, considering all the contractions I've been having. Let me tell you, ladies- it just drags out longer with the more children you carry. I've been having contractions for months- and in the last couple weeks, they've been strong and regular... but still the little babe lies peacefully within. I am, however, due on Sunday so I know that at some point soon baby is bound to appear!

In the meantime, I enjoy endure very little sleep at night. Mostly I'm woken by the need to empty my walnut sized bladder. Other times, it's contractions that wake me. I must get enough sleep to survive, because here I am, typing away. But all these sleepless nights and early rising have brought me much opportunity to reflect. I am a "reflective" person anyway, but combine that with the peace and quiet of a still and sleeping household, I can actually HEAR my thoughts - as opposed to when the sun comes up, the kiddos are awake and there is constant noise, requests and demands filling the air.

Anyway, all that to say I've been blessed with some quiet time in the mornings to enjoy reading my very favorite book, "Come Away My Beloved" by Frances Roberts. It was written more than 45 years ago. It is a beautiful compilation of devotions. This woman was divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit and the devotions are, most certainly, the most beautiful and touching words in a book I have ever read. When you read the words, you might as well be reading a letter straight from pen of the Holy Spirit.

This morning as I sipped my coffee and watched the sun come up, I read the most beautiful reminder of not only God's provision, but also of our own responsibility to seek and ask Him for what we need. I do spend much time in prayer over matters big and small. Throughout my day, I pray about whatever crops into my head. Sometimes, it's a 3 word plea for help- other times I'll spend 5 minutes just thanking God for whatever is on my heart. But I will say this, I am also guilty of, at times, wondering why it is I'm praying for something when God is omnipotent and already knows everything. He knows my heart, He knows my concerns, He knows my needs. So, is it really necessary, to pray about everything? I do it, because I believe Phil 4:6 - "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. "

This morning, I read the most perfect explanation from Frances Roberts...

"Heaven's resources are at your command, and you need never want, as long as I am your Shepherd. Do not think that since I know all about you, you need not bother to tell Me. It is true that I know, but you need to tell Me so that in the telling, you may experience the release of an open heart, and the fellowship of a Friend.

As you open your heart to Me, I will come to you. As you speak to Me, I will speak to you. As you reveal yourself to Me. I will reveal Myself to you. This is a law of life. There must be action to bring reaction. There must be a question to bring an answer. There must be an expression of love and confidence on the part of one person to arouse a corresponding response in another person.

Never presume My presence. Never assume that knowing your need, I will automatically supply. Ask, and it shall be given. Call, upon Me, and I will answer you. Tell me that you love Me, and I will make your heart know in a very real way My love for you and my Nearness, and you shall never feel alone."
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I think so often, as humans, we tend to forget the relationship part of our sonship with God. He is not a big Grandfather in the sky listening and granting wishes here and there like a magician. He is our Father... He loves us... He seeks relationship with us.

I have always believed it is not "religion" but the relationship with our Heavenly Father that is worth any significance.

Yes, He is omnipotent. Yes, He knows our hearts, our desires, our needs our requests. But if we are faithful to a relationship with Him, we will seek Him and pour out our hearts to Him through prayer. Or, in the more perfect words that Frances wrote, "There must be an expression of love and confidence on the part of one person to arouse a corresponding response in another person. "

As a mother to young children, I often already know their needs before they ask. But yet I delight in their asking, hearing their little voices ask for something that I know I can and will be happy to provide. I delight in knowing that they fully and completely trust me to supply all that they need from moment to moment.

I imagine that our Heavenly Father, who knows us and loves us beyond comprehension, might feel quite possibly the same.