Over the holidays, my sister, Lisa, called me and told me they were going to be coming through town. I got so excited. My sister lives in Tennessee and I don't get to see her very often. I am so blessed that my sister married a man that I absolutely adore. Daniel is like a big brother to me. I have known him since I was about 10 or 11. I always looked up to him and not just because he towers over me by almost a foot. He is a big guy but his heart is bigger than his body. He loves me as much as I love him. I can say this with confidence.
Our guest room had to be prepared for their visit. It is one of those rooms that we just dust when we know there is going to be a guest. As I prepared the room I thought only of Lisa and Daniel. I dreamed and anticipated their visit and all of our talks and all of the laughter. I carefully changed the linens, dusted (even UNDER the bed and behind the dresser and night stands). I made sure the curtains were flowing correctly and the blinds were in place. I fluffed pillows and freshened with Febreeze. I made sure it was a room worthy of their presence. I even lovingly placed candy under each of their pillows.
As a I prepared their room, I believe the Holy Spirit spoke to me so clearly.
Prepare the room for me.
Tears immediately welled in my eyes and I prayed this prayer.
Oh, my precious Lord, I am so sorry that I have not prepared room for You. My life gets so busy and I get so side tracked. I WILL prepare the room for You. You WILL be my first priority.
You see, just as I carefully prepared the room for Lisa and Daniel, God reminded me that room has more than one meaning. It's not just a "place" it is "time". God wants me to spend quality time with Him. God wants me to carefully and thoughtfully prepare.
God, forgive me for ill prepared sacrifices of praise. You want my best. You want my first. My praise must be a sweet aroma to your nostrils.
I encourage you today to "Prepare the room" for the Lord. He has prepared a mansion for you.
". . . in my house are many mansions . . . "
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3 comments:
good message!
you don't know me, but you really spoke to me, or shall I say the holy spirit speaking to you and through you. wow, thank you for writing about this.
Erin
Erin, thank you for your comment. My hope is always that I will "speak when spoken THROUGH". And, you are right, I do not know you, but God does. He knows you by name. He knew you before the foundations of the earth. He will perfect all that concerns you.
May God bless you today and cause you to have an insatiable hunger for His Word and for time with Him. He truly wants you to "prepare the room".
Karen
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