Who or What Fills You Up – take II

Well, my first post re this topic might have seemed juvenile.  But sometimes lessons God puts on my heart for the kiddos speak volumes to me.

That hole inside each of us we try to fill with varying things.  Even good things can be such a distraction or weak imitations.

Family, for instance, is a great thing!!  Didn’t God ordain family and relationships from the beginning of time?  Of course, but I do think that many of us are prone to even put relationships in the family above Him.  At least, I know I am.

Early on in our marriage, I prayed for God to help me love HIM first, my hubby next and my parents after that.  After God blessed us with a son, I realized that it was easy to get that out of balance as well.  As a mom, putting your children first is an easy temptation – and one that society/world truly condones.  But doing that breeds insecurity in the child/children and creates problematic ripple effects in the family.

Even as an adult now, I want our son to know and realize that he is not first.  As much as I love Nathan, I want him to know God comes first in my life, and then his dad.  That’s not always easy to live out. 

Only being filled up with the Lord and spending time with Him allows us to keep all of it in proper perspective and with the right priorities.

Just like I told the kiddos in VBS one day, God knows our heart.  He knows if we’re just using Him to get what we want – and that’s the only reason we’re taking the time to chat with Him.  Or if we are truly desiring a relationship with Him – to know Him, praise Him, thank Him and be molded into His image.

I don’t want to be guilty of wanting the “gift” without acknowledging/knowing and loving the “Giver”.

If you’re a parent, then this analogy should be one you can relate to.  Have you ever felt USED by your child?  Maybe he/she was away at college and only called home because he/she needed some money or a certain item?

Ever been at an event for your child, and he/she makes it obvious that the only reason he/she is glad you came is so you can purchase items at the concession stand or because you have money?

Every parent on the planet knows the pain from those type scenarios.  Think for a minute about how God must feel when we use and abuse Him as well.

Recently, I’ve heard several different people say, “God rarely speaks to me” or “I’ve never heard God speak to me”.  Maybe I’m going out on a limb here, but if we truly want to be filled up and KNOW God, I think we need to do our part…we need to be INTENTIONAL to come sit in His lap, be still and cozy up to Him.  We need to sit on his lap, as we would our own earthly father or mother and love on Him.  Not just wait for what He will give us.

I certainly know I need to do more of that.  And not just talk to Him, but listen and wait …wait to hear that still, small voice. And be willing to sacrifice time or something precious to me to make uninterrupted time with Him a priority.

This week I’ve been getting ready to go out of town on a girls’ getaway trip.  It’s only for 5 days, but still.  Not only do I need to be packed and ready, I want to leave the house totally clean, things in order and food for the hubby.  Doesn’t sound like that much of a tall order.  But the week prior to the trip, tons of things came up that I wasn’t expecting.  All that to say, I usually make time for the Lord first thing in the am.  But yesterday, I didn’t.  Yesterday, I caught myself “praying on the run” as it were.  You know…little sentence prayers in the car as I was driving.  Nothing wrong with that, in my opinion, if that’s not your main time with the Father.  Oh, I had sat for about 2 minutes and read a devotion…I had uttered a quick prayer.  But then I was off with all of my tasks.  I’m not trying to be legalistic.  I know God understands when we have major responsibilities.  But I did have time to spend with Him yesterday.  I just made the wrong choices.

I feel the difference on the days I opt to replace our time.  When I do, I know I truly am depriving myself of that rich relationship.  More than anything, I want to know the Father in an intimate and close way…and love on Him and let Him love on me and fill me up.  I want Him to share things with me as His child and daughter.

Years ago, I heard that God had a phone number.  I thought that was a strange phrase until I heard “the rest of the story”, so to speak.  If you want to hear from God and allow Him to speak into your life, look up Jeremiah 33:3. “Call unto me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

For me, there’s nothing more important than hearing from the Lord and having that conversation with Him.  I’ve learned the hard way that only He can truly fill me up.  Once He does, then I’m free to experience everything else He has in store for me. 

Because He made us, He knows how to fill us better than anyone else. 

Years ago, Dunkin Donuts had a silly commercial where the little guy with a mustache was near a conveyer belt and he constantly repeated, “Time to make the donuts.  Time to make the donuts.”  That ridiculous slogan and commercial is a reminder to me that MY MAKER is THE one who knows how to truly be the munchkin, if you will, that fills every crevice and cranny so I’m free and unencumbered to experience the abundant life.

Even though it may be a silly analogy, I hope when you see or indulge in a donut, you truly contemplate the question, “Who is filling that void inside of you?”