Today’s Daily Bread ~ Linger

Matthew 11:28-30 – Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.

I did something last night that I’ve never done before.  I took over an hour to put my children to bed.

While Caitlyn was downstairs sitting with her Green Grandma (long, cute story for another time), I sat on the couch and snuggled my son.  I smoothed his hair, stroked his cheek and kissed his nose.  We cuddled and giggled and talked about nothing and everything.  Thirty minutes later, we said our prayers, and I tucked him into bed.

By this time, Mike had finished saying goodnight to Caitlyn, and I was up.  I walked in and climbed into bed with her.  I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tightly.  “Honey, do you know how much I love you?” I asked.  “I know, more than cake (QUITE an honor if I do say so myself),” she sang in her sweet, little voice.  “That’s right, sweet-pea, more than cake.”

We just laid there for about 45 minutes, talking about her day, , her friends and her babies (she’s a very attentive “mother”).  We talked about big Jesus (that went to the cross) and little Jesus (born in a manger).  We talked about the importance of honesty, and how I would never ever get angry with her as long as she told me the truth. 

There were two separate times I started to get up, but I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “Linger.  You’re sowing seeds and building trust.  Linger.”  To be honest with you, there wasn’t any place I needed to be.  I’m just so used to the rapid pace of my old life.  I’m still resetting my internal clock.  Let me explain.

I am now two weeks into my new life – Stay at Home Mom (I use capital letters and Algerian font because I think stay at home moms need encouragement).  In my old life I was a morning show co-host on the Dorsey Gang (96.3 KSCS).  I woke up at 3:40 am to be at work by four-forty-five, five at the latest.  By the time I got off the air, I was tired and spent.  I raced home to squeeze in my God time.  I picked up the kids at lunchtime, feeling slightly guilty that I hadn’t picked them up the second I could. 

By lunch they were tired and hungry.  I rushed through lunch so I could put them down for naps, so I could work on LSS.  Caitlyn rarely naps, so that was always a dice toss.  By the time Nick woke up I was really tired, and really ready for Mike to pull in the driveway and rescue me.  I’d get dinner ready, all the while keeping a weary eye on the clock.  If we started dinner one minute past six o’clock it meant that we’d be late starting baths and have less time to read.

By the time kids were bathed, teeth brushed and hair combed I was exhausted.  All I wanted to do was crawl into bed.  Lingering was the furthest thing from my mind.

I remember one Sunday, four or five months ago, my pastor said something that caught my attention.  “We need to ruthlessly eliminate hurry.”  He repeated it for good measure: “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry.”  I couldn’t tell you what the sermon was about, but that phrase is burned in my mind and written on my heart.  Eliminate the hurry from your life…be ruthless about it.

Just as God prompted me to linger over my children, breathing them in, so He encourages me to linger with Him. 

Don’t rush through your prayers out of duty.  Linger.  Spend time with me.  Tell me about your day.  I cherish this time with you!  What hurt you?  What made you happy?  I blessed you today, did you see it?  I whispered in the wind and splashed brilliant colors across the sky. I smiled at you through the grocery clerk, did you notice?  I spoke words of affirmation to you through a friend.  I love you child, so much.  Don’t hurry through our time together, it delights me!  Pour out your heart to me.  Let me fill you as only I can, and then fill you some more.  Linger in my presence, child.  Please…linger.

The next time you’re reading the gospels, notice this about Jesus: He lingers.

Even in the face of a loved one’s urgent illness:  John 11:5-7 – Although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, He stayed where He was for the next two days and did not go to them.  Finally after two days, He said to His disciples, “Let’s go to Judea again.”

Even when the crowds clamored for Him:  Mark 6:31 – Then Jesus said, “Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.”  There were so many people coming and going that that Jesus and His apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

Even in the face of a mighty storm:  Mark 6:45-48 – Immediately after this, Jesus made His disciples get back into the boat and head out across the lake to Bethsaida, while He sent the people home.  Afterward He went up into the hills by Himself to pray.  During the night, the disciples were in their boat out in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on the land.  He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves.  About three o’clock in the morning He came to them, walking on the water (emphasis mine).

He didn’t jump up the second He saw them.  He lingered.  Then the Bible says He walked toward them.  Not racing, not striding quickly, but walking.  Let’s learn from our Savior…and linger.

Dear Heavenly Father, we live in such a fast-paced world.  We race from one thing to the next; never fully enjoying the moment You’ve given us because we’re already thinking of the next one.  Help us to slow down.  Teach us to linger.  Is there anything more important than our relationship with You?  Can anything else fill us?  Refresh us?  Sustain us?  We love You, Father, and today we pray that You would let us feel the warmth of your constant Presence.  Touch our eyes that we might see You everywhere we look…and linger.  We thank You for the example You gave us in the life of Jesus, and we thank You for the magnificent work on the cross.  We pray these things in the name of Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.