I walked my dog the other day, as I do most days, and while I walked I prayed, like I do most days.
I love those times with my dog because, really, they are times with my God. Times away from a household filled with teenagers. Times away from the endless piles of laundry and the dishes and the dinner that needs to be planned. Times away from the computer, which steals me too often away from everything else.
When I walk, it’s just God and me, talking things out. (Well, and the dog, doing whatever it is dogs do.)
On this day, I began my prayers as I usually do, by acknowledging who God is: my Creator, my Savior, my Love, my Sustainer.
I got caught by that one: Sustainer. I mulled that word around in my head for a while, thinking about how much I need God . . .
. . . for my daily bread.
. . . for every movement of muscle and bone.
. . . for every breath I take.
I need Him. So much.
My prayer then moved into a time of confession, and I found myself confessing for the umpteenth time how I have neglected God, my Sustainer. That even though I need Him for every breath I take, I have not desired Him the way I should.
My need vs. my desire.
I wondered, as I talked this through with God, how my life would change if my desire for Him matched my need for Him. What would it look like if I . . .
. . . woke up every morning anticipating His life-giving words rather than that first cup of coffee?
. . . wanted time alone with Him as much as I want that second chocolate chip cookie?
. . . really sought His opinion on decisions more than my husband’s or my friends’?
I want to be like the Psalmist who said, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” I want to get past all the stuff of this earth, the day-to-day, and desire God fully. To long for Him. To look for Him. To lean on Him.
I’m an imperfect, neglectful follower of Jesus who has really good intentions. But my intentions need a little ramping up these days.
In that short walk with my dog, God showed me that He wants me to want Him.
And so I wonder . . . what would my life look like if I desired God as much as I need Him?
What would yours?
By Shelly, Life on the Wild Side.
Leave a Comment
Jeri @godsdreamsforme says
“I wondered, as I talked this through with God, how my life would change if my desire for Him matched my need for Him.”
You have me totally pondering this now 🙂
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
Pondering is good . . . 🙂
International house of prayer for people and power prayer lines says
veeryyy… intresting..
Pulpit Calls was established in 2009 to provide a Free 24/7 power Prayer line for people seeking to share their religious beliefs through prayer. Since its establishment, millions of prayer calls have been answered.
Carrie says
I could have written this. Almost word for word. I want to want Him, too. Thank you for writing it 🙂
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
I’m so glad, Carrie.
Suzann says
This post is wonderful!! As I am cleaning house today I will ponder this very thought, because truly, this is exactly how we should be. Thank You.
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
Thanks, Suzann!
Beth West says
Hi Shelly. I wonder just how many of us there are who are in this same situation. I have three teens at home also, plus four who aren’t teens yet 🙂 It seems like when the children, husband, dog, cat, friends, and family aren’t needing my attention I just want to shut down. Don’t want to talk to anyone, even God! This is so wrong because I need Him to get through these days and an anemic relationship with Him is not going to give me the spiritual nourishment I need to care for my family and live as His disciple.
I just started reading a book online last night called When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper. I’m reading it free in PDF format and it seems really good so far. I found it at the Desiring God Christian Resource Library.
Looking forward to reading how you other ladies deal with this problem.
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
Hey Beth! Thanks for that idea. I’ll go look it up–sounds like a great resource from John Piper.
Linda says
“I wondered, as I talked this through with God, how my life would change if my desire for Him matched my need for Him….”
Powerful, humbling stuff, Shelly. THANK YOU. Your thoughts perfectly match last week’s lesson in our church’s Bible study (A Woman After God’s Own Heart, Elizabeth George). I will print this out and take it to class next week. Again, thank you for your honesty and your heart for God. It reached out and touched me.
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
Thanks, Linda. I’m always so glad when God helps me connect with what other women are going through.
Beth West says
Here is the address for When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper.
http://cdn.desiringgod.org/pdf/books_bwdd/bwdd_all.pdf
Margie says
I am so incredibly thankful for these devotionals I get everyday. they encourage me, stretch me, validate what God is saying to me! I am just so THANKFUL!
Kristin says
This is a great post! While I don’t have kids to keep me busy, I am in college. Which keeps me plenty busy, and distracted from God. How many mornings has my desire to sleep a half hour longer overruled my desire to get up and read from my bible or just talk with God? I think the answer is: too many.
Glenda Childers says
Thanks, Shelly, for this great reminder. I am just entering a three day weekend alone . . . will I choose the best ways to spend it or waste it?
Congrats on being courageous and submitting your guest post.
Fondly,
Glenda
Stacey says
I wonder how much I’ve missed when I have neglected Him?
Thanks for the reminder!
Pat says
Sheesh!! Shelly, I have been reading your Life On The Wild Side for a few months now. My wife gets your posts. I have enjoyed them very much. Mostly with humor as I can relate to some of the situations and conundrums that comes with being the parent of 3 teenage daughters. But now??I don’t know…you made me THINK more deeply about my relationship with my God. I was very comfortable where I was, but now…well, I guess that’s what being a Christian is all about…growing in your faith. And ya can’t grow if ya don’t think about it!! My wife says I don’t take hints very well. That I need a brick upside my head to get my attention.
Well, thank you for the brick Shelly!!
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
Well, thank YOU, Pat! I am humbled by your comment, plus it makes me laugh. And who knew? A guy reader?! Wow! 🙂
Gina says
What a great thought to stop me in my tracks today-how would things be different if I pursued him as much as he pursued me? Thanks for sharing this and reminding me what following Christ should be like: a passionate pursuit!
Jenny says
Woo-Hoo for posting on (In)Courage! I popped over from your regular blog and was really confused because I have both sites on my Blog List. Anyway, great post. Thanks for the important reminder. I’ve been pondering that a bit in my life. How far into my morning/afternoon do I get before I even think about God?
Flower Patch Farmgirl says
I often pray that I will want to want Him more. I’m banking that God understands my heart on this and is ok with it! 😉
Fantastic post.
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
I think He does. I really do.
WOW…these are great reads « The Saving Mom Parents says
[…] I love how Shelly invites us to look into our needs and desires on this one. It’s called The Semi-Righteous Prayer of a Neglectful Woman. […]
Vanessa Gooch says
Wow, great post! Something I too have been thinking about a lot lately and have been really struggling with. I do not want to be “lukewarm” in my faith and relationship with God, but finding that balance is a struggle. I guess that is why I also try and pray ‘little prayers’ throughout the day whenever I think about someone, something, whatever! Still hard to get in that much needed ‘quiet space’ so that I can actually listen to what God is saying to me.
Thanks for the post!
Linda says
My dear friend, thank you for the reminder. There was a time when I woke up anticipating Jesus and His Word more than anything else. I thought I was going to die of cancer and He truly was my Sustainer.
If only I would remember that we are all dying of sin without Him each day and would let that motivate me like you have tonight! Thanks!
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
Well, Linda, you could have written the post for me! Great comment, great reminder. Thanks!
Sandy Cooper says
I was looking for a scripture for my post tomorrow…thanks for referencing that Psalm. It’s exactly what I was looking for.
And I was excited to see you here! I don’t come by much and was thrilled you submitted. Yay!!!!
I love you,
Sandy
shelly @ Life on the Wild Side says
Thanks, Sandy! Love you back, friend!
Beverlydru says
Better than a cup of coffee right before my morning walk.
Sustainer… I will ponder and pray with you today.
Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect says
Shelly, your words are such a gentle way for God to pierce my heart. 🙂 I don’t even know if I could say my intentions are even that great these days – and I think desiring as much as I need could be a big step in the right direction…
Gail P Smith says
Just a little gift in case you haven’t seen this sweet video.
Thanks for your post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY
willowsprite says
Beautiful and challenging post! How quickly we forget that we depend on him for every small thing.
physician assistant says
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!