12/18/14  checking in, checking out

I just did a scrapbook title and smiled.  The page is the grandkids checking into the ocean motel and they were into everything and SO happy in the photos!  Then the last photo on the page, they were all totally wiped out and asleep in their car seats with their mouths hanging wide open.  I titled the top part of the page, Checking in.  And the last photo… Checking out.  Smile!

Then someone who had registered at the QWN less than 10 hours prior wrote a word that was unscriptural and was not approved.  After feedback about that, he promptly said please remove me from this website.  I realized he had checked in and then checked out.

Then the Lord reminded me that last night Wayne came in and he was telling me how comforted he is when he reads the past rhema and he gains a great sense of settled peace from the Lord.  I said I knew what he meant and that I had been doing scrapbooking and suddenly ran into my room and said, “Lord I cant stand it another moment, please talk to me.”  And I opened up one of my printed journals and my eye landed on the exact subject I had been praying about at the scrapbook table!  I told Wayne I couldn’t even remember what I had prayed or opened to, but it comforted my soul to know He is still right there with me. 

I told Wayne it reminded me of when I studied childhood growth and development.  As babies grow into toddlers, they starting learning independence and that there is life and identity away from Mom.  Every few minutes they get up and run into the other room and bounce off her, and then go back to the floor.  It is totally normal and the older they get and longer they go without checking in.  In school I learned they even have stats and research as to how many minutes they spend away before checking in! 

Wayne laughed and said, “God are You still there?”  Then I joked, “OK, Bye!”  I pondered how sad God feels about us checking out.  We approach Him and ask Him something, and then we check out.  Are we checking in and out, or are we learning the keys to abiding in Him? (Tongues, scripture, prayers, conversation as we go about our day.)

John 15:4-5 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.