Let's Do Lunch

Spring has finally sprung here in Virginia. I'm a little sad to be packing my sweaters away, though. It doesn't seem fair to put them in storage when they didn't get to enjoy any snow this year! Still, today was what I would describe as "the perfect day". No humidity (a rare thing in these parts!). And the temperature was about 80°. I went to a local park and enjoyed lunch alone at a picnic table, basking in the warm sunlight.

I had my face turned up to the sun and my eyes closed...drinking it all in. And then it happened. Jesus came! It was so wonderful to meet Him there, and I found myself wishing we could have more time. Don't you know it, He was wishing the same thing?

Ever since I've been saved, I've struggled to find the right time to meet with Him daily. I've tried first thing in the morning and last thing at night, with the same result...falling asleep on Him. I thought we had to meet at one of those times, and I've been so frustrated with trying to make that happen. But today, my sweet Lord extended an invitation to me. Well, I think it was more of a command...but He was awfully nice about it.

I generally use my lunch hour to run errands or meet a friend. Many times I rush around trying to get so much done that I go back to work more uptight than I was when I left. From now on, my lunch hour is going to be God's hour. I'll be packing my lunch, Bible and journal every morning so that I can "do lunch" with the Lord of Lords.

He's even shown me where we're going to meet! When I left the park today, He reminded me of another park. When I drove by on my way back to the office, I saw a bench sitting under a beautiful shade tree and I felt the Holy Spirit saying, "That's it. That's the place." And He gave me the 5th verse in the 40 by 40 challenge:

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.

--Psalm 23:2-3

Instead of looking at my lunch hour as something I'm entitled to as an employee, God has instructed me to sacrifice that time to Him and use it for His purposes. I'll still lunch with friends on occasion...but I need to approach those times as opportunities to minister to others instead of focusing on my own needs. On other days, I'll meet with my Best Friend and get reacquainted with Him...find out what He's been up to and see where He wants me. I'm going to stop complaining about how malnourished I feel, and let Him restore my soul.

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "Power Lunch", doesn't it?

Melissa

P.S. - I'll see if I can get a photo that will do the spot justice and post it.