Story of my life— I’m over here and cannot sleep on my night off. I slept great for about three hours. I was wide awake at 3AM and tried to fall back asleep. After laying there for about half an hour with no luck, I gave up. I started pondering my options as to what I could do at 3:30 in the morning-

• I could watch youtube videos and try not to wake Otis up with my laughter
• I could scroll facebook and twitter, refreshing every other minute hoping for something new and interesting to show up
• I could go on pinterest and plan next years homeschool lessons, our dream house remodel, and the dinner menu for the next month all on one app
• I could clear out my inbox
• I could read some of the blogs that I follow
• I could watch If I Stay on hulu for the hundredth time

Sadly, I did the everything on the list except the last one. Instead of starting up the movie, I opted for something different. While I was doing all those things listed above, I was viewing my situation as a burden. I was lying there thinking about how tired I was going to be, how much coffee I would need and how it was going to throw my entire day off & I would not be able to get everything done that I wanted to get done.

I let out a big sigh. I realized how loud my sigh seemed  because my house is so quiet at the moment. Everyone is sound asleep. There is no TV, dishwasher, or washing machine going. It is quite peaceful. That’s when it hit me— PERFECT PRAYING TIME, PERFECT DEVOTION TIME & PERFECT READING TIME.

(don’t judge me for not defaulting to prayer in the middle of the night. don’t act like your phone isn’t charging right next to you  on your nightstand and isn’t the first thing you look at once your eyes open)

How could I miss out on this chance!?! This little window of time where I could be completely focused on the Lord. I am not too proud to say that moments like this do not happen a whole lot in my current season. Not the completely personal/not a quick devotion/not in a church service/more than a morning prayer kind of moments with just me and God.  There are just so many things that are competing for my attention. I can barely take a shower without kids knocking on my door wanting to eat doritos for breakfast or arguing over Netflix.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss out on any moments with God. I need Him so much.

We had a fabulous service in youth last night. One of the things that was said over and over was not to let this moment pass you by. How bad do you want God to do something different? or maybe just to do something period? Some of us not only want it, but we desperately need it as well!!

Don’t let moments pass you by. Step out in your faith. Listen for the voice of God.

Don’t feel discouraged or view bumps in the road as burdens. Another so-true comment that was made during last nights service is that growth is painful a lot of times. God will stretch you and sometimes that is not the most fun thing to go through. Don’t be discouraged, because He will see you through.  Look for the little moments with our creator. I don’t want to miss out on any chance I have for intimacy with Him. I want to be in tune and listening for  every word He has to speak to my heart and  alert to every direction that He is guiding me.

God is up to something amazing. I can feel it. I can see little glimpses and know that something big is coming. Hold on. Things may just get worse before they get better. Good news– use the little moments to stay focused. Keep your eyes on Christ. Don’t miss out on time with Him!

But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do… -Micah 7:7