Traditionally once a year our family has a photoshoot. It really is to capture our growth as a family and to make memories that we can look back on. This year we did something different. Instead of having a standard photoshoot posing in nature, I decided that we would capture moments that the girls and I love to do. One of the things we really love to do together is bake. Honestly, I don’t know what I expected from the photos, as we were so busy with all the steps in our baking that we forgot there was a photographer in the room capturing these moments.
When I received the photos, I was amazed at how beautiful they were. The pure joy on the girls faces as we were doing something that we love so much. Looking at those images I was so reminded of the value of our time and what we invest in. When we invest in things that we enjoy, it fills us up with joy. I am reminded that this is how it would look like when we invest our time with our Father God. If that was being captured by a photographer it would look even more beautiful and the joy that would be captured would be undeniable and pure. How beautiful is it when we seek God’s heart in all we do.
When we do spend time with Jesus, and intentionally invest our time on things that matter and things that bring us joy, we can live out of that place of joy and overflow. How good it is to be able to live from that place. I am so aware that the busyness of life gets in the way so often and our duties and work can often make us tired and it can be difficult for some of us to fill up our cups to overflowing. What I am learning on this journey, and for the past few seasons of life, is that sometimes it’s not as hard as we think. Investing in things that matter, like spending time with God and doing things that you enjoy with loved ones, can be as simple as a 5 minute power prayer, singing to your favourite worship song when driving, connecting with God as you worship or choosing one fun activity to do this week with your kids or a friend.
I want to reassure you that you are already doing a wonderful job, beautiful woman of God! Don’t compare yourself to anyone else and think that you are not doing enough. I think we can all do better always, but we also need to remember that we go through different seasons and God really does have grace on us. Although He has grace on us, we need to make sure that our heart is always fighting for Jesus, to spend that time with Him and to be a woman after own God’s heart. That will look very different for someone who has three young children, to someone who’s children have already left home, to someone who is dating. Wherever you are, God sees you and He sees your heart.
“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
1 Chronicles 16: 10 – 11
When we are investing in what is good and edifying to our souls, then we will be equipped and better able to give of our best in all we do and we should be able to handle situations with more grace and love. Remember that our outflow is often a reflection of what we are putting into ourselves. Are we filling ourselves with things that are true, pure and good? Or are we filling ourselves up with things that fuel our anger, hatred or jealousy? We will become a product of what we invest in. Choosing to invest in materialistic things of this world can make us happy but after a while we tend to lose that happiness and search again. The only thing that can truly make us complete and truly joyful is our Lord Jesus.
Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].
Philippians 4:8
My prayer for you today is that God will reveal to you where you need to be more intentional with investing your time. I pray that He will fill your cup with joy and that it will spill over into every area if our life.
