You are listening to episode 36, Titled- Not a checklist
Hey you guys! This is Kelsie Millet and I am your host here on the Let Him In Podcast, where
my intent is to have these episodes full of thoughts, impressions and ways for you to easily let God into your every day.
I just have to say I am so thankful for this space on the podcast and that I am able to come on and share about my experiences and what I have been learning from God. It has been so fun for me, and has also helped me in being more aware of where God’s hand is in my life.
I also hope you know that as I share these episodes and my stories, that I never want to come across that I have everything together and am doing things perfectly. Or even that these experiences are just easy for me to recognize. It has taken a long time of getting to where I am, and I am nowhere near the finish line. I don’t know why I felt the need to say that today, but just know that we are all growing, we are all just trying our best, and God can meet each of us where we are at.
Ok, so today’s episode is something I am learning currently, and really working on becoming better at. And that is not letting my scripture study, prayers, and journaling be a checklist. Now if you know me well you would know that I love a good list, I make to do lists all the time. And I always make a little box to the side that I can check something off. I love the satisfaction. I also am that person that will write things down I have already done that day just because it feels good to be able to mark them off.
For years on my daily to do list you would see read scriptures, journal and pray. I would cross them off as I did them and continue through my day.
A few weeks ago I had this a-ha moment that scriptures and prayer shouldn’t be looked at as something that you do once in the day, cross it off and you’re done. And i’m not sure I really looked at quite that black and white before. But, this a-ha moment had me really start evaluating my actions and thinking about how much I want to incorporate scriptures and prayer all throughout my day, where there was never a point where they were “done” it was just continual. There never would be an actual moment that I would check it off my list. I really believe that both prayer and scripture are meant to be ongoing throughout our day.
So for me what that looks like now is, I have been leaving my book of mormon open on my desk at all times. So whenever I wander in that room or before I sit down to work at my desk to start working I can read. Even if it’s just a verse. And just a verse is all I strive for when I am in that room or sitting down to work. Because guess what? If I have more time I usually take it and will read more. If I don’t have more time I usually read a verse I have already highlighted or scan a few notes I have written in the margins just at random points throughout the day. I have loved it.
I also have this version of the Four gospels that I have been obsessed with..a little side tangent, because I have to tell you more about this book, it is called “A New Approach to Studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ” and it has everything that is recorded in the 4 gospels all in chronological order and it has everyone’s perspectives all in one passage, so for example everything that is written about the birth of Christ throughout the 4 gospels is all in one passage or place in this book. So you aren’t reading everyone’s point of view on the same event 4 different times. Does that make sense? And then instead of verses it is split up by who is talking. Anyways. I will link it in the show notes if that sounds like something you would like. Because it has made a huge difference for me in honestly just enjoying reading the new testament. It is so fun to read because it just feels so much more like a normal book. So I have just left it out on my nightstand and having that visual in my bedroom has made it so easy for me to just pick up and read when I am breastfeeding or when I just want to lay on my bed for a minute. It has been such a fun way to read the scriptures. And because of how enjoyable it’s been it has been easy for me to pick it up several times throughout the day. I honestly look forward to reading it and making time to be able to read it.
Now prayer throughout the day has really been something I have consciously been working on for a couple of years now. I really use to just say my morning or evening prayers in the day and that was really it. And now, I am intentionally adding prayer in honestly whenever I can. If I think about something that I want to pray for, I stop and pray right then. If I see someone’s post on Instagram about a struggle they are going through, I use to think, “oh I should pray for them tonight” and now. I just stop my scroll, exit instagram and say a prayer right then. This is the same for when I think about something my kids need help with- I just stop and pray right then. It has been game changing for me.
I also pray a lot more through the day for the spirit to be continually with me, and to give me patience. Because I am not going to lie, I use to view myself as a very patient person. And now that I have 5 kids, I am not very patient, and it really is a struggle for me. So if/ really whenever I lose my patience in the day. It’s an automatic reminder to me that I need to stop and pray again and ask for more patience.
Another practice I have more recently started implementing with prayer I am actually going to dive into in my next episode. I am really really excited about it which is why I want to devote a whole episode to it. SO get ready for that tomorrow.
But, I just want to challenge you to stop and think about where you can add more scripture into your day. Can you listen to it while you are driving? Or throw in an extra copy into your car so you can you read it at school pickup. Idk I just feel like there are so many little small pockets of the day that we could add God’s word into. And it has been lighting me up and my love for the scriptures has strengthened tremendously by adding it in more to my day. I also just want to encourage you to stop and pray whenever you think about anything you want to pray for!
Today’s thought comes from a talk given by Dieter F. Uchtdorf called Daily Restoration, he said-
“On our journey as pilgrims on the path of glory, we know how easy it is to fall away. But just as minor deviations can draw us out of the Savior’s Way, so too can small and simple acts of realignment assuredly lead us back. When darkness creeps into our lives, as it often does, our daily restoration opens our hearts to heavenly light, which illuminates our souls, chasing away shadows, fears, and doubts.
We cannot be content with spiritual experiences of the past. We need a steady flow. We can’t rely on others’ testimonies forever. We must build our own. We need an ongoing, daily infusion of heavenly light.”
Now would be the perfect time to pull out your Hear Him Journal and continue in more stillness, an open mind and a desire to connect with God.
Love you guys!
References: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/41uchtdorf?lang=eng
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