Demanding More.

Hello friends,
I hope all is well. Day 2 of the Lent season here. I drank water. I didn't give up pop and coffee officially for Lent but I did think about it and as I thought about it I thought I would at the very least drink more water...which I did and I realized I am really terrible at drinking water but that I have much room to grow in this.

Today was a day of expectations both on my part and on the part of my patients. In a typical day I expect my patients will have things they want to discuss but today I found my patients by and large very...demanding. They wanted certain things, some which I could do others which I could not and at yet with each patient I tried to begin as patiently as I did with the last and be open and humble to what I need to do. At times it was tiring and trying and I couldn't help but think about how amazing it is that God patiently cares for and loves each of us and never seems to be tried or tired of our requests and petitions. While none of my patients knew how I was feeling I longed for rest. The past week we have had company and while it was a good week it left me with little time for extra rest and relaxation. I found today the fatigue caught up with me and yet by the grace of God I was able to keep it all together. My heart is blessed that tomorrow is Friday and that I am not on call this weekend. An opportunity to catch up on house cleaning and sleeping and reading and a reminder how much time I do have if I make the best of it.

And then I went after work to see my sweet sweet neighbors and their two daughters one of which is only a few days old. A different type of demanding was seen. The almost two year old who wanted milk and barney and attention and entertainment. A newborn who demanded to be held. A mother who gives everything she has to these two little ones with great patience and care.

And then home. Demanding rest with a puppy dog demanding attention.

While all of this may seem mundane I became keenly aware of how much I demand from God even if I would like to never admit I do that. How much I demand of myself with a to do list that is always just past reasonable to get accomplished. How much I demand of my husband particularly in needing time with him.

To demand. To require. To claim. To ask for urgently.

But God is a God of patience, of understanding, of timing. I've seen him move quickly and I've seen him more slowly but whether quick or slow I know its always perfect time.

If I'm going to demand... I need to demand more time with God. Demand more faithfulness from myself. Demand more commitment to holiness from my life. Demand more love from my heart. Demand more kindness and compassion and purity of heart for my patients. Those are what I should require. Those are what I should ask for urgently. Those are what I should claim.

Friends... what do you demand? What do you require? What do you ask God urgently for? I pray that you will grow to only demand Christ even among the various demands of the day. We may live in this world and be called to the demands of daily life but as christians...this is not our home. We have to keep that perspective. We have to have a richer view of the truth. We have to bring our petitions to God by first honoring God's petitions to us. We must trust He knows what is best and trust that He will provide what He sees fit.

Friends wherever He has put you: whether with customers, or patients or crying babies (or sweet sweet sleeping babies) or days of joy or trials... trust He put you just there in that moment for His perfect plan and for His perfect work. Trust Him and as you demand more of yourself rest in the grace and peace of Christ that He will give you the strength and courage to walk the path God calls you on.

<3
Anita