Beginning in September of 2012 my life began a rat race!! I began Homeschooling Mariah and Mason and since it was our first year homeschooling it was difficult to find the schedule that worked for the little Estes’ family!! But just as the kids and I were getting settled and feeling comfortable with our schedule we get news that God has opened the door for us to move to our favorite little corner of the world Amelia Island, Florida!!! YAY!!  🙂  I was so excited, as was my little family!!! Then the realization began to set in that we are moving 700+ miles away!!! Yikes!!!

Well, out the door went my “perfect” little homeschool schedule!! 😦  I now had to make time for packing, packing and more packing, and also a garage sale!!! Ugghh!!!  Most of the month of October was consumed with preparing for the move, but we managed to squeeze in a Halloween Slumber Party for Mariah and our annual Trick or Treat with the family!! 

Then November comes and the moving date is drawing closer!! More craziness piles onto our now crazy schedule.  Then on Saturday, November 10th we pull out of our drive way on Thomas Hollow Road and began our journey to Amelia Island, Florida. Jeremy is driving the Penske truck and pulling the Toyota Corolla and Mariah and I follow behind in the Honda Odyssey!!  After a 14-15 hour drive and one night’s stay in South Carolina we finally arrive at our new home on Sunday, November 11th!!

Well, every since we have arrived we’ve hit the ground running. It seems as though it’s difficult to catch a breath!!! In our first week in Florida we began a new church, Jeremy started his new job, major unpacking began, celebrated Thanksgiving with new friends, Mason begins Jack and Jill Preschool, and Mom comes for a wonderful three week visit and we celebrate Christmas with all of it’s wonderful and fun festivities. 

Following Christmas I began participating in a Women’s Bible Study, Mariah began participating in her youth group, Mason began AWANA’s, which means we’re going to church three times a week now!!  We then celebrate Mason’s 6th Birthday Party, Mason has dental surgery, Mariah gets her permit, then we celebrate Mariah’s “Sweet 16th” Birthday party, then the adoption of two kittens and then I’m squeezing in the demands of homeschooling. It’s been difficult trying to manage a “perfect” schedule since I’m still homeschooling Mason in the afternoon’s following Preschool. Yeah, I’m just a tad bit OCD about structure!! 😉 Then on top of all of that I’m taking care of the daily routines of cleaning, laundry, dishes and the needs of my precious little family, and dealing with the stress of adjusting to a new environment!!!

Now that we’re heading into our fourth month here in Florida things are beginning to settle down a tad bit, just as Mason is beginning T-ball, but that’s the wonderful life with kids!! 🙂 Never a dull moment!! But in reading about our busy lives, did you notice that something crucial is missing?  The missing component has eternal significance. So, what’s the missing component? 

There was no time set aside to meet with God!!! Of course, I would read my bible briefly, pray on the run, do a 5 minute devotional, a couple times I had a 10-15min. Bible study, listen to worship music, and don’t forget that we began attending church 3 services a week, too!!  But although I was doing all the things that “Good” Christians are supposed to do I was left  feeling empty. I wasn’t allowing God time to offer me rest and comfort in His Holy Presence!! 

This morning as I sat at my kitchen table to have a “sustainable” devotional and Bible reading I was prompted to listen to one of my favorite worship songs by Sara Groves “He’s Always Been Faithful”!!  I searched the song on You Tube and came across an Unofficial  Music Video for the song!! In the video it shows a man waking up and rushing frantically to get to his destination. As I watch the video I wasn’t quite sure where it was leading then it becomes clear!! He’s rushing to get to God’s house to meet with the Lord and Savior and at the end of the song you’re asked the question, “In the busyness of life, when was the last time you rushed to meet with God?”  I broke into tears and was overwhelmed with conviction!! I haven’t rushed to meet with God in quite sometime, but boy I sure was rushing to get through my daily check off list of what a “Good” Christian is supposed to be doing!!!!

I know everyone of us have busy lives, I read your Facebook postings!!! LOL 😉 But I’m going to challenge you as I’m challenging myself to make an intentional effort to meet with God each day.  Give yourself time to sit in His Presence and let Him refresh you, speak to you and strengthen you!! Like it says in Lamentations 3:22-24 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion’s never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.”

The entire verse is full of God’s Truth,  but the part of the verse that jumped out at me was, “because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed“!!!  By allowing the busyness of  life to distract me it kept God’s daily renewal of His mercies, love and faithfulness to fully permeate my life!!! Yet, because of His great love and His constant pursuit of me I’m NOT consumed!! Like the song says, ” All I have need of His hand will provide. He’s always been faithful to me. .”.  So, I’m going to ask you the same question that I’m asking of myself, “In the busyness of life [Misti], [Fellow Believer], when was the last time you rushed to meet with God”?  He’s Waiting!!

Below is the link to the Unofficial Music Video to “He’s Always Been Faithful” by Sara Groves