Today's pleas

This is from The Message, a variation on Proverbs 3:4-5:


Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.


I feel like I'm casting about, flailing. I am as solid as I can be with respect to Isabel and Lily--getting them fed and dressed and off to school, then healthy snacks and homework, teacher conferences and testing, and bathed and read to and to sleep. But in all other things I feel like I'm drifting.


Lee: I wish that he wouldn't drink. Lord, I pray that You would put it on his heart that he should stop drinking. I pray for his job security, for his confidence. All these are selfish concerns, prayers for myself. I pray for myself, then, that you would work on my selfish heart. I pray that you would speak to me during the women's retreat, but well before then, too. I pray that I would listen for your voice in everything I do, everywhere I go.


work: I don't feel that I'm being led, but then I never do. What's next for me? I have this desire to write, and to write well, but my contacts are few and my champions are none. No editor to guide me. I don't say this out of self pity. It's a challenge I can manage--getting this going. I think, anyway. But I need to know what steps to take. I prayed to you last year that you would show me an opportunity to write something (a book?) that glorifies you. No sign of this. I wrote an essay and sent it to Good Housekeeping, but despite my repeated efforts, the literary editor hasn't acknowledged me. What next, Lord?


service: Lee isn't on board with adopting another child, and that is fine. He's right. But I want to do something, mentor, help a child in some other way. Part of me wants to step out and just do it--to seek out Project One on One in Roswell, and go through orientation. I would have to find childcare for Isabel and Lily. Unless...I did it on Wednesdays, when Mom is already watching them. Lord, what do you think about that? Will you show me what you would have me be doing?


quiet time: Please help me with this! Put ideas in my head about how I can do more of this. I want to have a devotional time with the children. Show me how to do this please!


exercise: I need to start. Please stretch my time so I can fit this in, too. 


I want my life to be more meaningful. I wanted to do a better job as a wife, as a mother, as a writer, and someone who can help in the hurting world around me.


In your son's name I pray.


Amen