Grace Fox - Peaceful Moments to Begin Your Day: Devotions for Busy Women

GRACE FOX

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International VersionNIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Cover photo iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Cover by Koechel Peterson & Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota

Published in association with the literary agency of The Steve Laube Agency, LLC, 5025 N. Central Ave., #635, Phoenix, Arizona, 85012.

PEACEFUL MOMENTS TO BEGIN YOUR DAY

Formerly titled 10-Minute Time Outs for Busy Women

Copyright 2005 by Grace Fox

Published 2012 by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-4321-5 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-4322-2 (eBook)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Printed in China

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T en days before I completed this manuscript, my cousins wife, Tracey, passed away after battling cancer for nearly three years. She was 36 years old, the mother of two, a beautiful and fun-loving hair stylist.

Traceys illness created within her an intense hunger to know God more intimately. Several months before her death, she took a month off work to rest her weary body, read the Bible, meditate, and pray. Her priorities changed during that time. She wanted friends and family to know that work and lifes busyness werent important anymore. She discovered what mattered most: friendship with God and fellowship with others.

I dedicate this book to Traceys legacy. May her passion for the Lord challenge and encourage us. And in the midst of our busy lives, may we, as Tracey did, make time for what matters most.

If not for my family, my friends, and the Harvest House staff, this book would have remained only in my imagination

A big hug to Gene, who peeled me from my computer for mid-afternoon breaks and who shooed me into my office to type while he washed the dinner dishes night after night. Kudos to my kidsMatthew, Stephanie, and Kimfor praying and prodding me on.

A heartfelt thanks to friends who shared their stories with me and supported me through prayer. Words arent adequate!

A gigantic thanks to Harvest House for all the behind-the-scenes labor. Your ministry has helped Peaceful Moments to Begin Your Day encourage readers to make time for what matters most.

And most important of all, thanks to the Lord for planting the idea for this book, and for giving the creativity and strength to bring it to reality. Friendship with Him is truly what matters most.

Dear Sisters,

Okay, I confess: Im a busy woman. Perhaps thats because Im a doer. I love being on the move and feeling as though Im accomplishing something. Sitting still doesnt come naturally. Ask my husband, Gene.

One of our favorite winter evening activities is reading John Grisham novels together. I listen and do paint-by-number or make Christmas crafts while Gene reads aloud. We used to take turns, but we ran into a little problem.

Inevitably, five or six pages into my turn, my voice mutated into a drone, and I began skipping words. Before long, my head dropped to my chest. Mr. Grishams lawyers stopped their cross-examinations. The witnesses fell silent. And my poor husband sat there, wondering whether he should tuck me in or wake me up.

Sailing is another favorite pastime, but it also presents a challenge. Granted, a gentle sail on a warm summer day is restfulfor the body. After all, what can one do in a confined space except sit? But the mindthats another story. Rather than relaxing, my brain goes bonkers, juggling all the things I could be doing or should be doing at home.

Occasionally, my doer mentality gets me into trouble. I volunteer for one too many commitments. I accept one too many invitations. I say yes once too often. What happens? My panic rises and my focus blurs.

But not all my busyness results from choice. Ive experienced seasons when Ive felt like a lunatic hamster on a treadmill that wouldnt stop. Like when my second child faced multiple hospitalizations and surgeries. Or when my dad suffered a crippling stroke at the same time that our family was still unpacking boxes after a move. Circumstances left me panting for more hours per day.

Perhaps you can relate. Life is busytoo busy. We wish we could slow down long enough to catch our breath, savor a sunset, or read a recommended novel without feeling guilty, but alas! No such luck.

As I wrote this book, I often thought about Martha. Remember her? Jesus and His disciples dropped by her home for a visit one day. I can picture her buzzing from one task to the nextpreparing the evening meal while ensuring that her guests were comfortable. All the while, her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus feet.

Marys inactivity didnt impress Martha, who decided to do something about it. After all, why should she do all the work while her sister just sat there, doing nothing productive? Lord, dont you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? she asked. Tell her to help me.

Jesus response challenged her. Martha, Martha, the Lord answered. You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:40-42).

I wonder how Martha responded. Did she ignore Jesus words and carry on, frustrated and stressed? Or did she listen? Did she hear His words and take them to heart?

Were often prone to let busyness dictate our daily schedules, but according to Jesus, thats not what He wants for our lives. Granted, He wants us to be faithful in our responsibilities, but He desires something more. He wants our hearts to be focused on Him. He wants us to sit at His feet, to hear His voice, to absorb what He says.

As I typed day after day, the Lord impressed one thought on my mind: In the midst of the busyness, make time for what matters most. What is that? Its cultivating our relationship with Him. Practicing His presence moment by moment. Discovering truths that strengthen our understanding of who He is and whats important to Him, and then applying those truths to our lives so others will see Him living in us.

In eternitys light, these things matter most. The choices we make depend on them. The legacy we leave hinges on them.

As you read this book, use the Upward Gaze to focus your thoughts on Gods character. Ask Him to reveal His truth through the story. Apply that truth to your own life by answering the Inward Glimpse questions. Use the Outward Glance prayer to pray for yourself or another busy woman in your lifeyour mom, sister, best friend, or employer. Or use it as a guide in praying for your spouse or children, or anyone else for that matter! Finally, take One More Peek into Gods Word and allow it to encourage or change you.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will breathe life into the words on these pages as you read them. May you share Marys delight as you take a time-out at Jesus feet. May you hear His heart as He reveals what matters most.

I know youre busyif not, you wouldnt be holding this book. But if you find time, Id love to hear from you. Tell me what Gods doing in your life!