One on One

He has asked several times....and this time I ran it by my husband and when I got the ok from him I said "well why don't you come along with me tonight." With glee in his eyes he ran to his room with his mom and packed up. William, my three year old grandson wanted a "sleep over", as he called it, at my house. When asked why...he could not answer..he only knew it was something he had been wanting to do for a while.

I see my grandchildren a bunch but so often times they are all together. This time he would have gramps and I to himself. We didn't do anything special...but he did have the big bathtub all by himself...he did get to feed the dog without interference, he did get to pick out stories for bedtime, he did get an extra long backrub for bed...and he did get to jump in bed with me the next morning and watch cartoons of his choice and he did get to pick his breakfast...but I think what he liked most of all...was that he got to talk about what he was personally interested in and be listened to and played with on a one on one basis.

It was quality time that didn't have to be shared. Not that he doesn't love being with the others...but sometimes when there is no competitive distraction..it allows children the freedom to be just who they are without need to be mimicking others, competing with others...or trying to absorb what they continually are picking up from others.

We worship in bible studies, and in church...we attend wedding celebrations and funerals where God's presence is known....but it is when we finally take time out with a one on one prayer time with God that we truly experience the blessing of the relationship that we have with him. The more quality time we spend alone with God the more he is able to show us who he really is and how much he truly loves us. But to receive that confirmation we have to be willing to shove the distractions away and allow him the front place position in our hearts and minds.

Prayer, when it is just between me and God...when it is an activity that I have designated and made time for, and made a priority is my most valuable resource of my day. For quiet time with God helps generate a perspective that extends from the bounds of this world and gives way to God's view...and God's standards. God does listen...to each of our prayers...and even when our thoughts are so jumbled that we can't seem to organize them enough to interpret them...his son Jesus is there as our advocate...and out interpreter. God loves one on one time with us. For each of us are special works of his masterful design...and he is joyful when we submit our time and out desire to be in His presence and His presence alone. It is by Jesus' example that we know to do this.

God doen't need a sleep over...he never sleeps...but it is us who needs to accept His invitation to be with HIm on a one on one basis. He has the time...he takes the time and he will make time for each of us who choose to come into his presence....for whatever reason. He loves us to praise him. He loves us to come to him for forgiveness. He loves us to come to him for advise, and he is our helper at all times. When we allow His presence to be an active part of our lives, He bathes us with his wisdom, His love and His grace. He feeds us through his word and teaches us through His example. He never sways from doing what is right and just...and is intent with desire to help us carry our purposes that he has designed personally for us.

Our personal prayer time is what we choose to do....we choose when, we choose how long, we choose the topic, we choose the method...but what is important is that we CHOOSE to pray. For prayer gives us strength, it gives us confidence, and it enables us to be in great company doing great things...Prayer changes us from being ordinary to being extraordinary in the eyes of our creator. Through prayer God is able to transforms our minds and our hearts and our ways....but it begins with our choice to accept his invitation to be with us one on one. Even Jesus....sought our a quiet place to be one on one with His Father..

Mark 1:35
[ Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place ] Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Dear Lord...Help us to yearn to be near you...to have you by ourselves for just a little while. Help us to seek quiet time with you not so much for your benefit but for our own blessings. Amen

Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in...for His glory will shine through.

www.cathyjodeit.com