There's Too Many Shoes In Here!

Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

I have read a few books, fiction, devotional, self-help, that mention the use of a 'prayer closet'.  A private place to go to spend time alone with God in prayer.  I have often thought how nice it would be to have one.  One small room set aside to spend some alone time with God.

As a reminder, I have four children - extra space in the house is just not happening.  There is not one place I can go in the house that my children aren't willing to follow me into.  Even the bathroom is not a sacred domain.  While they may not follow me in, they are more than willing to stand outside of the door making sure they are getting updates of what I am doing or when I'll be done.

I find that if I want to have some alone time, I need to get up before everyone else and then when I get in the shower, I know that I'm alone.  So, my 'prayer closet' is my shower.  I have heard God speak to me when I take the time to get rid of everything else around me and just focus on my conversation with Him.  While that time may be short, there has been nothing more meaningful than to hear what God has to tell me and the more times I spend having a conversation with Him, the more chances I give Him to offer me His wisdom.  Where is your "prayer closet"?

Get Rich Quick!

John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

We're all familiar with the story of the nerdy guy in school who grows up to be a big wealthy entrepreneur and all the kids who used to make fun of him are now green with envy.  So many movies have been made and remade with some variation of this plot line.

The child in school who is encouraged to study hard and find the importance in doing the best he can on his school work is often ridiculed by his peers.  His parents continue to support and guide his study habits because of the hope that one day he will be a successful, well established member of society with little financial burdens.  The portion of his life where he prepares and works for the promise of something more grand is accepted and praised in society by those who have seen the success of hard-working students before him. 

So the question is, why is it so hard for society to accept a life preparing for the future that Jesus has promised?  Does the life of the student not parallel the life of the true Christian? 

Like the student, a Christian spends their life working towards the things that Jesus has said are important.  Helping others, building healthy relationships, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, etc.,  many times being mocked by others for their willingness to be a servant.  Being labeled as "weak" or "getting walked on" for trying to live a life according to what Christ has established.  But there is Hope!

Unlike the student, there is no guarantee that he will grow up and make a six or seven figure income, there is no promise that he will find a spouse that will love him unconditionally, there is nothing written in stone that says he will have friends beyond measure.  Jesus says - and it is written - that there is a place for us beyond this phase of life, there is a place of no more sorrow, there is a place where we will be with our Creator who does love us unconditionally.  Wonder when Hollywood will release that film?