A Week to Position My Heart

I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children with all our possessions. So we fasted and petitioned our God about this and He answered our prayers. Ezra 8:21-23

If I had to guess, I'd say that everyone reading this blog is about to undergo a season of change. A time of transition. Summer is coming to an end, school is approaching, the crisp air of fall will soon make itself known. Mothers, fathers, teachers, children, teens, college students.

Change.

Historically, August and September are the most difficult months of my family's entire year. Being on staff with a college ministry we operate in semesters. Fall, without question, provides the most challenges. Everything that I consider routine in our lives will change. What time we wake, how long we sleep, when we eat, what we eat, when Brent leaves, when he comes home, if he comes home. Busyness.

Change.

My older boys will start school again. Then throw in fall sports. Practices. Home school. Homework. Routine. Busyness.

Change.

To prepare for this season of change, it is very clear to me that the Holy Spirit is moving me into a week of seclusion.

A week set apart for His Word.

A week set apart for prayer.

A week set apart for worship.

A week set apart for confession.

A week set apart for healing.

A week set apart to prepare for ministry.

A week set apart to rend my heart.

He wants to position me to hear from Him.

I want to position myself for His use, for His purpose and for His Glory.

Know, too that I will be praying for all of you. I am so unbelievably thankful and humbled by what the Lord has done with this crazy blog. It has been a taste of Heaven at times, getting to know people around the country, with the same heart for Christ. To be sharpened by others, whom I would have never known otherwise. Know that if you have ever visited here you have been prayed over. I delight in the Lord, even more so, because of you.

In Matthew 14:23, Jesus goes up on a mountainside to pray by himself. "Seeking solitude was an important priority for Jesus. He made room in his busy schedule to be alone with the Father. Spending time with God in prayer nurtures a vital relationship and equips us to meet life's challenges and struggles." -Zondervan

I am retreating this week, to my metaphorical mountainside, to spend time with the Father and to intentionally nurture that relationship.

I go in expectation of meeting Him there in a new way.

I look forward to what He has in store for me and my family this Fall. I want to make myself ready.

I invite you to join me. Even for one day. One day to rend your heart, to fast and to pray for what is ahead. If you would like more information click here for a great article by Dr. Bill Bright on the why's and practical how to's of prayer and fasting.

Face aglow, I will be back in a week :) ...

If there is anything I could be praying for you about, I would be honored. becky.crenshaw@uscm.org

Love to all of you.