Fully Surrendering to God - not the mess and chaos!

Ah ha! I've finally done it (even if only temporarily!) I have surrendered to God and not the OCD and Type-A characteristics that have plagued my existence!


Yesterday, we had a house FULL of people! I was away speaking at a church the entire morning and part of the afternoon. My husband was not feeling great and the kids were making mild progress (that's what I call it when they don't completely tear it apart from one end to the other while I am away) on the house. I arrived home in just enough time to to stir the marinating chicken and begin to cook the orzo before company began arriving for the large BBQ we were having. There was no time to dust, sweep, vacuum, wipe down the bathroom....etc. It was just "come as you are, this is what it is." 

But, listen.... growth happens! You can evolve as a human and grow in wisdom and maturity. You can overcome severe strongholds in your life. 

As our guests (numbering somewhere around 35-40) began arriving yesterday, I did not stress. I didn't panic. I just welcomed them in and didn't even give an explanation as to why everything was not perfectly in it's place, perfectly set out - awaiting their arrival. They came through the door and I greeted them with a smile and hug, and continued on making my orzo salad. 


Why do I share this story with you? Because, as I stood in my kitchen, I was fully aware of God''s Presence with me. I was reminded of the Mary and Martha story in the gospels. While I wasn't entertaining Jesus himself (although one could argue hosting a loving and warm environment where we would soon be discussing matters of our faith and growth in Christ IS, in fact, like hosting God... but that might be a stretch. :-D), I thought about my reaction to people showing up early.... and just in general, me not being ready. I was quite surprised by my own reaction - or really, lack thereof. 


That is growth! For a highly Type-A (to a fault) and OCD-type personality, that is growth! And that growth, I believe, has come through spiritual edification and sanctification. Time with God. Reading His Word, studying, journaling, and reading books by fabulous people sharing in my faith! 


In Luke, chapter 10 verses 38-42, you find the story of Jesus, coming to the town of Bethany. Sisters, Mary and Martha, live there. As Jesus arrived this is what unfolds:


³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
   ⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

All Jesus required was the presence of his hosts.

Isn't that all Jesus requires of us? Our presence. 

Galations 1:10 says this, "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." 

We are servants of a King - of a God who cares enough about us to work out even the small details in our lives, like perfectionism. Yes, there may be "bigger fish to fry", but God loves us enough to care about what matters to us. And more than that, He cares enough for us that all He really requires of us is our time.... our presence, our dedication to Him and the things that concern Him.

Ephesians 3:7 says this, "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power."


Are you a servant of the gospel of God? God's grace in our lives is palpable. You need only to open your eyes to the daily victories you are winning. Maybe it's that one cigarette you didn't smoke. Maybe it's that one time you didn't yell at your spouse or your children. Maybe it was getting your bathroom cleaned and the laundry done. For me, it was not stressing over company coming and the house and food not being perfectly done and presentable.


What victories can you find in your day? Find God's grace in your life.... then praise Him for it! Praise Him for the small and the large victories. Give God ALL of you... even if that means, when you are giving him your "check-list" 15 minutes per day, that you give Him your FULL and undivided attention. 


God will honor that. 

Jeremiah 29:13 says this, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Seek Him! 


If you would like to know how to really seek God, ask me. I would love to help you.