Hunting!!

So it's been awhile since I went hunting, but I was thinking about it today for some reason. I'm sitting here in front of my TV, thinking I should be asleep, but I have a lot on my mind. I had a parent call me at 11 which I normally have my phone off by this point, but I think there was a reason I had it on. It started off not so great, but ended with the parent encouraging me and saying all sorts of goodies to me...I love it when people can catch a glimpse of my heart and know I have the best of intentions with their kids. Sometimes I don't think people get that, they think my job is a cakewalk and I should cater to their every need. It's not so glamorous all the time, but the most rewarding thing I could imagine for my life.

That's not the point in my writing, but it is what got me thinking. I have a lot of noise in my life. Libby tells me this all the time (she's a smart one), but she's dead on. I always have to have the tv on whether or not I'm paying attention to it, or I'm on my ipod playing or doing something that occupies me. But a month or 2 ago, I went hunting with a friend of mine from church. I'm not what you might imagine as a "hunter", but going out there really did something for me. I sat in a tree all day and actually read a book! When I finished the book, I just sat. As I was sitting there, there was no noise. I didn't have my cell phone ringing, I didn't have the sound of the heater kicking on, there was no traffic....nothing. It was in this time that i felt like I could just connect with God on a deeper level. I've always been able to connect better with God when I am out in nature, but this was just cool because I was up in a tree! I had a great time and felt the intimacy I believe we all long for with our Heavenly Father. But something just got to me tonight. I love the story of Elijah going up to the mountain to meet with God. He had all of these big "moments" happen where he believed God would be in the midst of them, and He wasn't. Then came a gentle whisper - and this is where God was.

We wonder why our relationship with God has its ups and downs. Look around you, look at the noise in your life. It's everywhere! I'm the worst at this by far! I think this will be a new challenge to myself - turn off the noise and be quiet before God. I think there's a reason He says, "BE STILL, and know that I am God" I think in reality God is saying "Would you stop for ONE SECOND and put everything down, turn off whatever you have on and just be quiet...then you'll see me" hmmm...powerful. Guess I should turn the TV off now and eat my own words. You only have 1 life, what are you doing to make the most of it?