Taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8a
If you don’t slow to count the gifts in the moments, God in the moments
— when exactly will you taste and see that the Lord is good?The losing of every battle begins when there is no time
to taste and see and savor that the Lord is good.
When you don’t have time to taste and see that the Lord is good
— you begin to taste and believe that life is bad.Ann Voskamp, A Holy Experience
My days are pretty full.
I get up early and go to bed late.
I’m an early bird and a night owl.
Would that make me an early owl?
No matter what I do, or where I am, it seems I fill every moment of my day.
I know that I shouldn’t.
Before my move, I got up early every day and sat in front of the window, peering out into the early light, or the darkness depending upon the time of the year. And just sat.
Quiet.
After that I would get out my Bible and my journal and pen.
And as much as my time of reading and praying set my day, so did that time of absolute quiet.
A time where I sat in HIS presence and didn’t talk. It was good. It wasn’t easy. But, it made the next part even better.
When I started writing down the gifts and blessings of the previous day and giving thanks, my heart was filled. I was filled with HIM. More of HIM, less of me. It was a good thing.
All this, because I was faithful to schedule some quiet.
This graphic is available as a FREE 8×10 Printable. Click here to download yours.
The other day I was too sick to attend an interview with my husband and so I stayed home. After my quiet time I went to get online only to discover the internet was down. I decided that I would just lay on my bed and try not to cough and just be quiet. I came to the quick realization that I have been filling my days too full. I need time to sit and be quiet….and listen.
Oh, do I need to listen. Creative thoughts and ideas flooded my mind and my pen began scratching them down on the notebook lying beside me.
Where have they been? I’m sure they were there, waiting. They just needed me to quit doing long enough for my mind to cease racing.
My “to-do” list never ends. I’m sure you relate.
Does your “to-do” list allow you to schedule some quiet?
I don’t think those times of quiet need to be long.
Fifteen minutes can be like an eternity.
Seriously, it can be amazingly renewing and restoring.
And who knows what you’ll hear during that time.
So what does all this have to do with the verse, “Taste and see what the Lord has done.”?
Unless we schedule some quiet, we miss out on those God moments throughout the day.
We miss the joy of gratitude.
We miss the joy of lovingly telling him how much we appreciate him.
We miss savoring the taste of his gifts and his very goodness.
This week, I am going to schedule some quiet. Will you join me?
You might even want to keep a journal to write out the sweet tastes of the day and the goodness of the Lord.
The best part of all of this….life begins to taste good.
So…if life has become sour…schedule some quiet and start writing down the sweet tastes of the day (sour tastes, too). And before you know it…God’s sweet flavor will permeate your life.
It’s a good thing. It’s a tasty thing. It’s JOY!
It’s Joy Day!
The day when we look back over the past week and count just seven.
Seven things for which we are grateful. The good and the not so good.
I’m reminded of these words from Romans 8:28
We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything
to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him
and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.
It’s because I know God uses the good and the bad to work toward something good and beautiful I can more easily give thanks in all things.
Will you join me in counting?
I’ll start.
I’m grateful for…
- Snow, snow, and more snow and being able to watch the snowfall from inside a cozy warm home.
- Impassable roads which lead to staying home and watching our home church service, streaming live.
- Snow fun like snow ice cream and below sub-zero experiments
- An in-person interview.
- Good roads to travel to that interview.
- The prayers of friends.
- A horrible, awful, no good, respiratory thing, from which I am recovering.
Now…it’s your turn!!
Scroll down to the “Share your extraordinary thoughts” below and tap in your ‘seven.’ Seriously….your heart will fill with JOY! If you enjoyed this exercise…you’ll want to take the Joy Dare here.
Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.
Joyfully,
Diane
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Thank you so much! I have translated it in Dutch and now I readed it by my fireplace. I think I’m going to pick up my time with God again. Yesterday I did not spend time with God. I felt so empty. Thank you for this beautiful lesson and encouragement.
I look forward to and enjoy my quiet time every morning right after I get up. It gets the day going on the right foot. I have a thank you journal to Jesus that I write in also.
Romans 8:28 has always been a special verse to me.
This was a lovely and encouraging post, thank you ~ FlowerLady
As always, a beautiful post. And did I notice an “in person interview”? Something good coming?! I’m praying for you, as always! Dona
I am grateful for:
l. I am grateful for a glorious sunny day!
2. That my son had a successful first week of school. He is stepping out in faith and returning after ll years to complete his degree.
3. That even in my time of trial and testing I have been able to of Hope and encouragement to 2 Dear friends who are struggling.
4.My decision to blog more regularly on my own blog which I started February l2th 20l2.
5.my ‘quiet’ time with God.
6. For having this time to really get to know my brother.
7.for trials (that was hard to say!!!!)
I have been realizing how much time I spend mindlessly sitting in front of a tv.I use to set aside time with God early in the morning but I have some challenges in moving when I first get up.I have no excuse CAUSE the value of being in His presence is worth everything.I was just thinking today and even said it to the Lord that I want to be in His word more and less tv.(I don’t even watch I just sit).1.Being in church with all four kids.2.Seeing one make a move toward God that he has wanted to do.3.Salvation.4.A week of no visit to Dr.with husband.5.Taking care of some things I had put off.6.Provision.7.MY home.
I got tearful reading this…mostly because I know the difference when I let go of that discipline, and yes, for me it’s about staying disciplined in doing the very things that work for me, that keep me centered, that bring me peace. I missed 2 mornings this week courtesy of the flu. That 3rd morning was so noisy, it was work to shut me off. And that was all it took for me….an unplanned absence from the discipline. I can get between me and Him that easily…
Ah…but there has been joys!!
* a new camera with buttons and dials and fun things to discover!
* 2 days of the flu….hey…coulda been 3!
* warm, fluffy quilts
* a doting spouse
* that gluten free cupcake I’d forgotten was in the fridge
* the unsolicited support of coworkers during a tragedy
* getting to recognize a family who worked hard to be reunified
* the glorious sunrises I got to witness this week
P.S. I have to add that I’m grateful you’re healing, albeit slowly. And wow….amazing photos!!
Hope you are feeling better soon, and that interview goes great!!!!
I am grateful for:
1.My back is healing, and I may get the brace off sooner than expected if it continues.
2.I am able to have FML and the time to heal without stress of income coming in.
3.Possibly have found a car since ours was totaled in the accident.
4.My husband Timm, who has been a great nurse and has been there every min.
5.My Dad turned 80 this week, and we had a great birthday party for him yesterday and got to see lots of people that I haven’t seen in a longtime.
6.Safe trip to NE and back for the weekend.
7.Broncos won.
Have a great week!!!!
1. Safe roads to your interview
2. Lots of good godly advice and wisdom and comfort from my godly husband
3. Getting to see a child I babysat 40 years ago and taught in Sunday School the summer of my senior year–in my home yesterday!!!
4. A Christian friend comforting me when I’m grieving
5. My girls uncle came to church today! After a Christmas invitation!!
6. A morning with my daughter
7. My mom told me stories today
8. My tired body fell asleep and I missed small group. I wept but Curt helped me to see God knows I have a brain injury and have had some rough days. I did not miss the bridegroom. My lamp of oil is filled. But I wept. Why did I sleep? I was so wanting to go. Sometimes I understand but sometimes I don’t.
9. I was able to pray with and for a hurting friend.
10. A friend I taught with wrote that she finds herself praying for me on her way to work or as she rests before going to sleep. I’m humbled.
What a precious reminder of the beauty of silently listening to Him in the stillness of the morning and tasting His goodness in the here and now.
It’s Joy Day!! Oh, how I LOVE that.
Such a beautiful post! Thanks for linking up at Recommendation Saturday! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Schedule quiet. So necessary, yet a constant struggle. Thanks for your words.
In the quiet, we find the Lord–especially when we gaze upon His magnificent creation. I enjoyed this post. It reminds me photo wise of a post I did back in 2011–The Sound of Silence–http://openmyearslord.blogspot.com/2010/12/sound-of-silence.html. Hope you stop by and take a look.
Thank you for this respite!
Blessings,
Janis
Beautiful snow shots and a lovely message.
Jumping on over from The Sunday Community today. Thank you for the reminder to schedule the quiet. I love the printable graphic you shared, it will be a great addtition to my journal and a reminder to journey with you in the solitude.
Blessings!
Dawn