Wednesday in the Word.

Hosea 6:3

3 Let us acknowledge the LORD;

let us press on to acknowledge him.

As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;

he will come to us like the winter rains,

like the spring rains that water the earth."

{I have to say...this little snippet of Hosea is the one bit of encouragement in a long book of rebuke and warning. So be forewarned should you decide to go read the book of Hosea. Which I do recommend, by the way. Just be ready!}

For the past couple of days, I have known, deep in my heart, that God wanted me to get down on my knees and pray. Not sitting in my chair. Not in my writing in my journal. Not driving to work. He wanted me to get on my knees, in the quiet, and just talk with Him. Honestly, God has been telling me to humble myself and get down on my knees for...months? I don't know. It's been a long time. And for whatever reason...anger? frustration? lack of faith?...I just wouldn't do it. Couldn't do it. Not out of blatant disobedience. More out of fear. Fear that my prayers would go unanswered? Maybe. Even though I know better. God ALWAYS answers prayer. It's just that sometimes that answer is "no". Or "not yet".

Or maybe it was fear that God would really get a hold of my heart and realign it...if you know what I mean.

Well, just about 10 minutes ago...after the kids went to school and Chris went to the shop and the house was quiet...I did it. I got down on my knees. And tears immediately flowed. No words. Just tears. And a heart cry that only God can hear. And He heard me. He knew the condition of my heart...and He required no words. Which was a good thing, because at that moment I had none. I was speechless before God. And He heard what I couldn't say. He is so good.

When you walk with God, you know when changes are taking place. You don't always know what exactly is happening...or what exactly He is doing. But you know when He is working on you. You know when He's got a hold of your heart and when He's digging into each little room...some of them locked up tight...and He's doing some rearranging. And maybe even some cleaning. More than likely...He's encouraging you to get rid of some old stuff that you just don't need anymore. Sometimes stuff just takes up space. And when Jesus is in your heart...and He's trying to fit in amongst all the other "stuff" we've accumulated...there's just not enough room for both. Jesus wants to fill our whole hearts. He wants to fill us with good things. And to do that, He needs to help us get rid of the old things...to make room for Him. It's a good thing. And a really hard thing. But in the end...when you look back and see how He's moved in your life...you will see the big picture. And you will realize that He only had your best interest at heart from the start.

Thank you, God for loving me just the way I am. But loving me TOO MUCH to let me stay this way. Help me today...be with me...guide my steps.