Posted in Holidays, Everyday Life on January 6, 2017 by Pam Kanaly
Whether or not you’re a single mom, it seems like January can be a challenging month. Perhaps it’s because we struggle with a half-baked heart in finding the strength to get back into the groove of life again. Or maybe we’re trying to find our footing after some form of Christmas drama that we didn’t ask for – like someone disappointing us or having to let go of what we can’t change or fix.
Whatever the case, January is the month that we get to CHOOSE our path for the upcoming year. As for me, I can choose a January rut leading to the same ol same ol – or I can choose a January river, leading to a fresh perspective of how God wants to draw closer to me — and heaven knows, if you‘re like me, you’re going to need that in 2017!
I’ve discovered over the years three ways to get me back on track. And I bet you could even guess what they might be…no surprise…but here they are anyway: prayer, meditation, and fasting.
Prayer. When I look at my prayer time as a moment in time to nestle up in God’s comfort and tell him what’s going on in my “insides,” I feel a sense of relief. It’s a well-quoted saying but it’s true: Prayer catapults us into the frontier of the spiritual life. If I cease to pray, I cease to prosper. But when I seek out not only a blessing in prayer but “the Blesser Himself,” something happens. Romans 12:11 – Be faithful in prayer.
Meditation. This is the way to create the emotional and spiritual space where God can speak to my heart. Often when I’m too busy to just sit still and reflect on His Word, I leave my time with Him with no visible evidence that I’ve even been in His presence. True meditation reminds me of a tea bag that you dip it into water. In order for the cup to be permeated, the bag has to stay there awhile. Same with me. If I want to absorb God’s truth, I have to “stay there awhile.” Psalm 119:115 – Therefore, I will mediate on thy word.
Fasting. I know what you’re thinking. No way! Yet, God’s Word says that some things will only happen through prayer and fasting. Maybe you, too, have thought about giving up a meal in exchange for an hour of seeking God and His will. Fasting done with a spiritual purpose increases our sensitivity to the spiritual realm. Christ assumed we would practice this avenue in gaining spiritual insight. Matthew 6:16 – “And when you fast..”
I love Donald Whitney’s comment about these activities – The gold of godliness isn’t found on the surface of Christianity. It has to be dug from the depths with the tools of the spiritual disciplines. But for those who persevere, the treasures are worth the trouble.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want the January rut. I want the January riches. Anybody with me on that?
About Pam Kanaly
Aloha! I’m Pam Kanaly, President and co-founder of Arise Ministries. But actually, I think Arise found me wanting to bless single moms years ago. Ministry was never on my mind as a kid. All I wanted to be was a hula dancer. So Mother enrolled me in the tiny tots’ class. Guess God knew I’d have two grandbabies born in Hawaii. I love the great outdoors. You might even find me spending time with my husband grizzly bear watching or camping. In fact, it was on a turkey hunt that God gave me the name Arise Ministries in 2002. I suppose it’s a good thing that I majored in Grammar in college since I love to write words of encouragement to single moms.