I was raised up (spiritually) in a very intense Navigators military ministry in Savannah, GA. I am indebted for life to the United States Army (not only for protecting my freedoms that I daily enjoy, but also) for drawing a pretty magnificent couple by the name of Joseph & Katherine Peer to my city and my university. When I first met the Navs (and the Peers), I thought they were ca-razy. Way. Too. Intense. Oh, and they read their Bibles way too much. Little did I know that these people and my Bible was about to change my life (with a little a whole lotta help from God Himself - praise Him for being so personally interested/invested in my life).
Shortly after submitting to the fact that the weirdo Navigators group was the most truth-oriented and attractive ministry that I'd ever met in my life, a girl by the name of Corby Wilhite (now Hoyle) moved to Savannah for the purpose of getting involved with this strange ministry. I owe this woman one (or both) of my legs. That's how much difference her investment has made. Corby introduced me to a daily discipline called a quiet time (fancy name for spending time with God by reading the Bible [hearing from Him] and prayer [talking to Him]). My quiet time has made all the difference. You see, now God speaks directly to me because I seek Him where He is (in the Bible). Awesome, huh? Before I developed the habit of reading my Bible and surrounding myself with people in the same habit of relating to God, I was a very insecure, depressed, and simply not living out my purpose in life kinda girl. Now I am very secure in who I am in Christ, full of joy, and confidently living out my purpose (even becoming aware of the spiritual gifts God has blessed me with). This is not a post to toot my own horn, but to say, "Glory to God who has been so good and faithful to me! Praise His Name!"
Because I was involved in such an intense ministry, I developed a very rigorous routine of relating to God. I read 3 chapters of my Bible most every day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought that I would be reading in that manner until the day that I died.
And then, I had a baby.
I had heard a lot of people talk about the difficulties of caring for an infant, but I just always thought that I would be a natural. I mean, all I really ever wanted to do with my life was have children. How hard could it be to cuddle a baby and maybe get a few hours less of sleep?
Boy, was I naive.
My screaming, crying, never content baby came into the world last June, and my devotional life has not been the same since. [He is no longer never content. He didn't latch onto the breast until he was six months. That means that the first six months of his life were super tough. He is excellent now, very well-behaved, but still A LOT of work.]
It will probably be many years before I have the one-hour-long quiet times that I used to (only a short time ago) enjoy daily with God. Josh wants a few more kiddos, so I will have to do this kicking, screaming newborn thing again (and again, Lord willing) (joyfully, might I add). :)
I have found, however, a real richness in the time that I do get with my Father. A chapter here, a prayer there, quoting a memorized verse in the midst of a meltdown. The important thing is that I still have a very active, loving, GRACE-FILLED relationship with God. It is not all academic, but He can still be the King of my life in the midst of it all.
I am so thankful that God is still interested and involved in the life of a pretty average stay-at-home mama. In fact, He spoke to me today.
And, anyone reading this who does not have a habit of reading the Bible, it will be the best thing you will ever do to get started. Questions? Message me on facebook (Ashley Beam) or send me an email (basicallyasian@gmail.com). I love to help other girls start reading their Bibles as Corby did for me.
Finally, here are a couple of verses that I meditate on often as a new mother:
Luke 11:27-28
As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!" But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" {emphasis mine}
Thanks for reading, and God bless you!
Ashley
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