Words Of Encouragement To Start The Day (Monday 12/27/2010)

Today’s Devotional Written By An Insightful Young Woman With A Huge Heart: Mrs. Tracy A. Dixon

Lay It Down

Luke 10:38-39 (New Living Translation)

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

 38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.

            Today's message in the music comes from Lloyd's song, "Lay it down". Yesterday nothing went as planned. We woke to discover several inches of snow on the ground, and more falling. Called and found out church services were cancelled. Attempted to watch our bishop on the computer and the site wouldn't load. At that moment, I thought we were going to be in for a rough day. But then something happened. My spirit rejoiced at the free day with family, we had all the girls over so we went outside and played in the snow for awhile.

            After getting clean and eating we decided to make the best of the day. We couldn't go to the store. We couldn't take the rest of the items to the dump as planned. We couldn't exchange Jaida's shoes that were too small. We were stuck and in a matter of moments, I went from frustrated to relieved. It was in the quiet moment of looking at the snow fall that I decided to lay it all down. I laid down my plans. Laid down my wishes, and just relaxed and enjoyed the precious gift of life God gave us.

            As the year is coming to a close I realize I wasted so much time on planning and handling things, that I seldom took the time to lay down my concerns, hurts, plans, ideas, and decisions at the foot of the Father. I was so busy trying to fix everything on my own, that I became worn out and exhausted. But my God, how much more peace would I have had if a snow day would have forced me to look at all I had on the inside. What strength would I have, if I had leaned on God and not on myself? What wealth would I have, if I had trusted God and let go of my resources more?

            Today as we begin the last week of this year, let us lay down all that we have been carrying. Let us turn over all we are trying to handle and control. Let us lay our head on the pillow of the Father and trust He is working it all out.