And

Why does my time with God have to be
                                                    segregated
                        into reading the Bible
                        or attending a church service?
Isn’t there some way
      to spend actual,
                  real
                     time with Him
                         while still completing the things
                                     I need to finish
                                           every day
                                                    week
                                                    month?

Is there a way to do
               both
     and not have them be              separate
               from each other?

I don’t make it to church every week
      or read my Bible every day.
No matter how hard I try to make it happen,
       I fail
            again
            and
            again.

I know, I can pray
                    anytime.
     But I usually feel like
          I am completely          switching gears
                                                 or
              changing course
                             when I pray,
                                   like it can’t just be
                                                   part
                                    of what I’m already doing.

I do pray.
     A lot.
But most of my prayers are probably selfish, in some way.
     I ask for things
                circumstances
                experiences
                      to change
                         for me
                              or
                         my family
                              or
                         my friends
                              or
                         my…whatever.

Praying for His will or plan
     seems crazy sometimes
                    because
                         I don’t want to go to Africa
                              (or live here forever).
          It also means
               people suffer
                        grieve
                        or even die
                            because
                               I am not in control.

But do I think I could possibly have a bigger plan
          than He does?
Can I see a bigger picture
          than He can?
Does my logic make more sense than His?
                   Really?

So He should have a solution to all this, right?
Can’t He just let me know what it is already?

Because I need answers.
       I need a way
                  to abide
                     rest
                     remain (John 15:4)
                     in Him and…

And?
Should there be an and?

     But there’s always an and, isn’t there?

     And spend quality time with Jeff.
     And connect with family
                              friends
                              neighbors.
     And cultivate new friendships.
     And fulfill my responsibilities at work.
     And clean the house.
     And exercise.
     And eat healthy.

     And
     the
     list
     goes
     on.

Could He possibly multiply time
         in some imperceptible way
               like the fish and loaves (Mark 8:19-20)?
                    (And what about the people
                        who are allergic to fish
                                                or bread?)
         He’s bigger than all of that, right?
                                All of the insane,
                                             minuscule
                                             details…

How do I not neglect
     all the other aspects of my life
          that I need to keep on top of?
How do I not
              compartmentalize
                                   my life
                                        and keep Him as the
                                                    center
                                         of everything I am?

How do I lean on Him
              be with Him
              abide in Him
                         completely?