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Quiet Time
by Kasia Kedzia
In order for me to truly be grateful for something I have always needed to earn it or lose it and gain in back in some form. As a result I believe that for most people to truly appreciate something they must at some point feel its absents. Whether it is family and people or electricity and running water. During the Holidays I heard a lot of complaining about what a pain it is to shop for gifts, cook, host or travel to family. All of these are normal holiday gripes and for most they melt away at the Christmas table when the odd ball uncle starts making corny jokes or the crazy family member does something that has everyone trying to suppress the laughter and remain polite, even the fighting (fill in your quirky family moment here). My heart goes out to those who may not be with loved ones during the holiday season this year, but I hope, if anything, they are comforted by God and can look forward to the next time they are with them- I know they will truly cherish the moments. All in all I am incredibly grateful for the few weeks that mark Christmas not only because of the celebration of Jesus coming into the world but more so for what He has done since His arrival. It was not always this way.
I didn't always spend Christmas with family and used to dread the holidays. There were many years where I would be the guest at some other families home for the holidays. I remember praying for a sense of family and always thought that God would answer that prayer either when I got married and had a family of my own or by providing me with a family in Christ that would take me in. As the years passed God indeed provided me with many loving families in my life, but then He did what He always does and absolutely blew my mind! He reunited me with my own family. I was given the opportunity to rebuild family ties with uncles, aunts and cousins I had not been in touch with in the past. He even threw in a sister I never knew I had. So for the past couple of years I have spent Christmas with my extended family as well as spent time with my sister, who is my peer. Once again God reminded me that He answers my prayers but not necessarily how I would think or imagine, instead He does so much more.
Psalm34:8-10 (The Message) Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see-- how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.
As the New Year approaches it is a time to look back as well as look forward and set new goals, dream new dreams. I have been reading and meditating over Psalm 34 and have truly been refreshed by it and ironically enough challenged by it at the same time. See, I know and have just shared with you one of the many ways God, The Creator of the Universe, has sought me, loved me, and blessed me and yet I can still think, "God, OK you have been with me this far so please, please don't leave me or drop me know!" It’s, like I’m expecting Him to figure out how truly insignificant I am and change His mind, or see how ungrateful I can be and give up on me. I can give in to fear of the unknown instead of giving in to faith. This year alone God has seen me through not so good career 'surprises' taking care of my every need and providing for me every step of the way. God allowed me to give me heart on a very deep level and He mended it when it was broken. And for the past few years, towards the end of the year, through my time with my family He reminds me again (just in case I'm still a little dense and thick headed, which I am) just how truly special, unique and chosen by Him I am.
Psalm34:17-20 (The Message) Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there. Disciples so often get into trouble, still, God is there every time. He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken.
My New Years resolution prayer? As I embark on a new adventure in the New Year I pray to first and for most remain grateful and faithful to God and continue to draw closer to Him. And secondly, to sincerely continue to trade in my vision of how things should be, my ways and my dreams for His.
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Since those first days, I have made it out of the Projects, finished my Masters degree in International Development, and moved to DC to work in my field. As a young single Christian woman my struggles today are a little different than they were when I first came to know God, but who am I kidding, not much. It's the every day battle for my heart to be pure before God, to strive to please him, and help others to seek and know Him.
Over my years of a faithful walk with God I have received much grace and compassion and have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams. Through out it all one thing has stayed consistent: God's word. Through His word I have been inspired and it has kept me faithful even when faith seemed like a foreign concept and God seemed deaf to my prayers. I started emailing my Quiet Times which helped me stay accountable as I shared my struggles and fought for understanding. Some wrote back and said they too were inspired and could relate. I hope some of my times can help inspire others who are seeking and fighting just like I am, to get to heaven and take as many as possible with me along the way.
Like what your read? Check out my blog: http://stronggirlforlife.wordpress.com/
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