Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NIV
I’ve stumbled. At the beginning of each day, I find some time to enter the throne room of God and bring my praises and petitions to Him. Some days, I dance in singing praises all the way. Other days, I march in assure of His attention and presence. And then there are days I stumble in wondering why I’m there.
Once I heard my pastor say sometimes he doesn’t feel like praising. But he goes through the motions anyway. Then a wonderful thing happens. He begins to believe what he’s saying. Ever have days like that? Sometimes you’ve had a rotten day when everything has gone wrong. And sometimes, you are just tired. The demands of life and living have worn you out. So, you stumble in.
This morning I sat on the floor of the throne room and looked around. “I’m here, Lord,” like He needed me to tell Him. I began to speak and apologize for stumbling in, not my usual peppy self. He listened. I explained how some days all I could do was stumble in, and in telling Him I realized it didn’t matter. I was there. He didn’t care how I got there. And then I praised Him for that. As I praised I noticed I sat up a little straighter.
Then I praised Him for listening to a wretch like me. He kept listening. My heart was full. I stood and thanked Him for loving me. He listened. I felt His presence and the warm wrap of His embrace. I raised my hands and poured out my petitions before the throne. And guess what happened?
He listened. And He loved me. And He filled me. And He lifted me. And I am His.
Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:24 NIV
I have stumbled into the throne room more often than not the past few days….thankfully, He doesnt care how I get there……
Carol, How vivid a picture you drew coming to the Savior. His presence and His Love brings about praise and rising to high places of praise. Great blog.
Wonderful reminder that even when we stumble God is deserving of our praise and desires it. -Blessings, Laurie
I’m so glad He just wants us to be with Him and that He isn’t looking for some grand entrance! And I need to remember that…to just go to Him, no matter how I am feeling.
Blessings, Carol! 🙂
Blessings Carol…What a lovely, vivid throne room experience you have painted…I felt like I was extending my reading of the Shack,
and understanding that Our Lord really does take us just as we are.
Sometimes worn out, other times empty and He's never puzzled when we are not our chipper happy, joyful praising exuberant self. I'm so thankful that as you shared so beautifully, we come into His Presence that yucky way but if we put in the effort, He always lifts us & fills us! You have such a gift
for taking the scripture of Hebrews & leading us through our worse attitude but wrapping us up in His Love & delivering us into a Psalm of encouragement! I will always be thankful for my time with Him & reading your blog! Thank you!
Your words bring comfort & you show me the true colors of a butterfly!
The stumbling? I am good at it. It’s so true about going through the motions and then realizing at the end that you are praising God with a full heart!
Xandra
Yep…I’ve stumbled in quite a bit the last few days…but you know what? The more “stuff” I pour out…the more He pours in and I leave feeling refreshed. It’s amazing what God does when we open our mouths and just praise Him.
Miss you girl!
steph.
so beautiful
Blessings Carol…Forgot to tell you in previous comment that I added you to my TT Butterfly Award that linked to the one you commented first so since YOU are the coolest blog I know (and one of the first to make me a part of her flock)…please do me the honor to come back and take home the BUTTERFLY AWARD! Copy the little one & the rules & fly back home & share new life!!! Love ya' & big hugs!
HE’s cool like that, ain’t HE?!
Blessed be HIS GLORIOUS Name…
you’re cool, too, by the way!
Yes I’ve had days like this and like you just going through the motions sometimes brings on feelings of joy and praising becomes easy once again.