DNI

Have you ever gone into one of your local retail stores and noticed signs hanging all around that read 'DNI'? On the outside chance that you were the least bit curious about these signs I'll share with you my not-so-vast knowledge of the retail business . . . DNI means 'Do Not Inventory'. Typically, an annual event in stores, the daunting task of taking inventory, while vitally important, can overwhelm even the most seasoned veteran of the business. Today as I delved further into my study of the great adventure of prayer I was challenged to take an inventory of my prayer life. YIKES - talk about a daunting task.

So, ok . . . I'm a Christian. I pray . . . but if I'm honest and compare my hearts desire to pray with the quantity and quality of actual time in prayer, I quickly realize that I am comparing apples to oranges. I confess that I'm tempted to hang up my own DNI sign and quickly move on but then I feel a tug at my side that encourages me to be still and finish the job.

How my heart longs to endlessly sit with the Lord and ponder His majesty. My mind yearns to contemplate the One who created me . . . the same One that made the oceans stop at their shoreline and brought the sun up again this morning. My ears are eager to listen for the still small voice within me that faithfully says 'I love you, Bonnie' but all the while I must confess that the pain in my back or the weight of my world has a way of winning out. How many days my good intentions turn into time lost. How many nights I sit and wonder . . . so what was it that was so important that it took my time and attention away from the very One that provides for my every need and sustains me and protects me and refreshes me and . . . well, you get the idea.

In Matthew 25:21 it is written, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" What do you think the chances are that the Lord counts prayers as one of the things He intends for us to be faithful about doing?
(I'll say it again . . . yikes!)

Father God, I want nothing more than to hear you say to me 'Well done, my good and faithful servant'. You know my heart, so respectfully I pray that half the battle is won. Now I ask You, Abba . . . teach me to pray. Where there is clutter, help me to focus only on you. Where there are hurts, bring healing. Where there is stubborn fear, infuse your peace.

I've heard it said that the road to heaven is paved with good intentions . . . I suspect that the billboard along the way reads: DNI.

Thank You, Holy Spirit for helping me through the inventory process. As always, I love the faithful richness of our time together.
Amen and amen.
bo