My Unseen Roots

I was 8 years old when I told the Lord I believed in Him and wanted Him to come and live in me. The feeling of being literally washed clean at that moment I will never forget. But, at that moment, I wished someone had taken me aside and said "now this is what you do...this is how you develop a relationship with the Lord."

As a high school graduation present I got a Study Bible as a gift from our church. I remember my Grandpa L. saying to me "I know you'll use it everyday." Thanks for the vote of confidence Grandpa but I really would have rather had the 50 bucks. It makes me smile now thinking of that moment. I was thinking in my mind "I wish I were as sure as you were." But he saw the Lord in me and heck, a little convicting nudge from Grandpa wouldn't hurt! Makes me miss him terribly....

I grew up in a Christian family, going to church every time the doors were open. For High School my parents sent me to a Christian Boarding School (definitely a whole different blog topic in itself). College, same thing - Christian College. First job....manager at a Christian bookstore. Despite all of these "Christian" titles, my relationship with the Lord was seriously lacking. This all changed about 5 years ago...

Our pastor gave a sermon on how to do devotions. Thank you Lord! All my life I had heard "do your devos"...great idea, but how? I was overwhelmed. The Bible is huge...where do you start? I am a perfectionist so starting something the wrong way wasn't an option. Up to that point I pretty much used devotional books or the daily bread for my "devos," gaining small insights that only left me longing for more.

Here's what he said to do (in case you're wondering): The SOAP method of journaling.

S cripture - Write out by hand the main verse(s) God is drawing to your attention today.

O bservation - Write out what you see in the scripture. Think about what is going on, why it was recorded for us, trying to draw out some truths or fresh insights.

A pplication - Write out what impact these truths have on your life and how you will be different today because of what you have just read.

P rayer - Write out your prayer to God and then pray it.

He suggested starting with one of the Read through the Bible in a Year plans - which I did - but I'm like on the 3 year plan instead. Which is freaking hard for the perfectionist in me!

After this sermon, I began to faithfully spend time with the Lord this way. I shoot for 5 days a week and it will be 7 when my kids require less attention. I heard him speak to me from day one. It was just me and the Lord. No other books or opinions telling me what the passage is saying. I began with SOAP and it has slowly morphed into something a little different but this has been life changing for me to say the least. I don't pretend to have all the answers and frankly, should know more of the answers for as long as I've been a Christian. But I'm moving forward....me and the Lord...together.

This time spent with the Lord in study and prayer - these are My Unseen Roots. My relationship with the Lord is where I draw my strength from every day, every hour.

This is the "reason for the hope I have." 1 Peter 3:15