Thank You, Father, for a day of rest. I needed it today for sure.

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The other day while driving my bus I saw a single leaf blowing across the road. Isn’t that exciting? It wasn’t earth-shattering for sure, but it did get my thoughts rolling.

How often could that leaf be us – busy going from here to there. But so many times we are not in control – we are being driven by forces outside of ourselves.

We are driven by our society. We have to keep up appearances. Our kids have to be in all kinds of things if they are going to succeed in life. Many times, we spend long hours at work, spending even more hours before and after work trying to get up that ladder of success. For many, everything has to be just so, in our homes, with our vehicles, at work, in our relationships. It often spills over into our church activities and relationships as well.

There’s surely nothing wrong with being active and involved but there is also nothing wrong with saying “no”. As believers, we must diligently seek the Lord’s direction in everything. I’m sure there are some reading this post that just chuckled at that! It is much easier for us just to do what we do. Who has time to pray about everything we do? We’re busy enough as it is! And we sure don’t need something else slowing us down!

The Apostle Paul admonishes us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17,

Never stop praying. NLT

…be unceasing and persistent in prayer… AMP

…pray continually…NIV

Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean we have to drop to our knees, clasp our hands, bow our heads, and unceasingly, persistently, continually, and never stop praying. We’d never get anywhere and nor accomplish anything with that approach! But…we can live a lifestyle of prayer.

After all these years, I still struggle with prayer but some areas have improved. I often pray as my route begins each morning. I go through all the bus numbers in my fleet and pray for each driver, as well as our Transportation Director and our mechanics. In the past (and I need to start doing it again) I would pray for all the kids riding my bus. After you’ve driven it as long as I have, I can travel the whole route in my head, even praying for kids that used to or have never ridden my bus but are technically still on my route.

And that’s just one example of how to incorporate prayer into our lives.

A consistent, day-in-day-out relationship with Jesus helps, as well. We do things and it often comes to mind to seek the Lord’s direction and blessing on our efforts. Again, I’m no pro but I know He guides me, and I can feel His hand upon me. I know when what I’m doing is a good thing…and when I need to turn the other way and run!

So many people throughout their lives are always on the run, and age makes no difference. As children, as young adults, as parents, as middle-aged adults, as retirees, we all have things to pull us hither and yon. Things that take up our time and attention.

But the problem is, just like that leaf that blew across the road, it was in a hurry, but it ended up where the wind blew it, and now…it is forgotten. One of millions of leaves, left to decay and to be remembered no more.

Lord Jesus help us to seek You – to be driven by love – to make our efforts count not just for the here and now but for eternity. Amen.

Oct 31st, 2021, Sun, 7:39 pm