I woke up in the middle of the night and knew that God was interrupting my sleep to talk to me.
Give it up, Suz.
I instantly knew what was being requested.
Not food. Not sleep. Not sweets.
But television.
So, right now, just in case you think I’m super spiritual, I want to clear that up.
I like watching TV.
I love watching Downton Abbey. I even might qualify as a PBS Masterpiece Theater junkie.
My love for entertainment isn’t limited to British dramas. I also adore curling up with my super soft afghan in my comfy chair and watching Survivor. Intrigue. Fishing for your own dinner. Inter-relational issues. Who doesn’t love that?
And then there’s Parenthood, the complicated a lot-like-life family saga where everybody seems to speak a hundred miles an hour and at the same time.
And then, this is where I’m feeling vulnerable. . .
. . . The Bachelor.
Oh, Suzie. How can you?
I know, but this season there’s this sweet, farm guy and he’s looking for love. . .
Yep, you’ve definitely decided that I’m unspiritual.
But you see, the truth is that I love God a lot. I want more of Him. To do so much more in Him. As 2015 approached, this became my prayer.
So in the middle of the night, my Heavenly Father requested 31 days of my undivided time.
Again, in case you think I’m super spiritual (just in case you’ve gotten over the Bachelor reference), I really, really wanted to remind God that Downton Abbey was premiering the next night and that it had been months and months since the last season.
Or that Parenthood had only four shows left and then kaput, it’s going off the air forever.
I wanted to tell Him that I only own one 32-inch television when lots of people own three or more, or that some people have televisions that are bigger than my bathroom.
And that I don’t own cable or dish. That it’s only entertainment and I don’t let it get in the way of family or important things.
And at some point the argument going on in my brain caused me to wonder.
Why was I so tempted to hold up my superfluous defense strategy . . . when all He was asking for was 31 days of silly TV shows.
Which led to a bigger question.
If I resist in something this small, how in the world will I respond when He asks for something bigger?
I had asked for more and God responded by asking me to be faithful in a “little thing.”
It’s week 2 of my hiatus from TV. I’m rediscovering the joy of music, writing for fun rather than deadlines, and reading.
Lots and lots of reading.
And while I’m still wondering how the Dowager is doing, I haven’t thought about the farmer even once.
Suzie
Have you felt God asking you to give up a “little thing”?
Have you resisted? If so, why?
Are you willing to whisper yes where no wants to take root?
Thank you for being honest and for your example of being faithful in the little things. Sometimes those little things feel so big, but as we dare to obey I think we often discover a special joy waiting there and His grace sustains us as we let Him be the big thing.
I love this, Katie. Thank you so much. <3 <3
This is a great post, Suzie, hits so many of us right where we are! Thanks for sharing honestly a window of your life. And you’re absolutely right, if we can’t be faithful in the little things, what will we do when he gives us big things????
I started a Daniel fast with my son last week, but switched to low-carbs/no sugar for the sake of my son, who was dying from the Daniel fast. It’s good to eat simpler food. Something God called me to for January.
I’ve been a real food girl for three years and I love it. Have you checked out http://www.100daysofrealfood.com – I love this site!
Suzie, you are a hoot! I think we would get along well. I have been feeling the prompt to get off the computer, and get into life. I’m somewhat of a recluse, and the internet has been my escape. I think God is prompting me to spend time with him, and with his people. I will have to unsubscribe from emails, including ones from Christian authors and sites, but I will NOT unsubscribe from yours. Every one of your devotionals is spiritual food for me, and your style is so embraceable, served impeccably. After your TV fast, allow yourself a treat, and buy season 5 of Downton Abbey. And thank you for serving God’s people so very well, in the wonderful style that you have.
Wendy, oh Facebook. Email. Instagram. Twitter. Yes, I hear you. These can be a resourceful tool or they can become an addiction that isolates us from the real people around us. I pray that your sabbatical becomes a time of rest and connection with God in a powerful way.
Good Almost afternoon,
Susie, this was a wonderful post and something we all can relate to, I had major foot surgery on Sept 2
and still walking in a boot…….so much time, of course, I read and did bible studies we were doing at church actually 3 bible studies….but you know there were times I started to read books but I felt guilty for
not reading my Bible more……I tried to get more time for my bible and devotionals, and I could get really into them. Then came Thanksgiving and Hallmark channel and the Christmas movies….I really tried and succeeded in doing more quiet times…..but it is hard to stop oneself to be still!!! Thanks for your
post and have a wonderful day!!! Please pray with me that I can learn to be still and let God!!!
Isn’t it crazy to think about how much battle there is in just settling down and filling up on the Word? I hear you, Sheila.
And yet it has the power to completely change and alter not just our day, but us. It’s not a set system or task, but rather carving out time in your day to spend with God. That doesn’t have to look a certain way. It’s just recognizing what we discover when we do.
This. Made. Me. Smile. I love you Suzie Eller. 🙂
Nothing recent but there was a time He asked me to give up secular music. I loved it way too much and it was molding my thoughts and desires. It is powerful to hear that directive, follow His lead, see His provisions as you give over with a willing heart!
Some time ago, the Lord called me to think about choices I was making. Secular music, movies, TV. But the biggest one was the books I chose. At one time, I was completely addicted to romance novels. The trashy, steamy, ridiculously unrealistic stories. I devoured them, one after the other, and re-read them over and over.
After he called me to be more discerning in my choices, I found great joy in the wonderful Christian books (Fiction and Nonfiction) that are out there. I am so grateful for all of the wonderful Christian authors – such as you Suzie! The more I read Christian books, the less tolerance I had for the secular books. At first, I switched to ‘cleaner’ secular books. Now, I seldom read secular. When I do, I read reviews thoroughly and carefully.
I feel like my mind and heart have been cleansed. I wouldn’t go back to devouring that trash for anything in the world!
There are things I know God has made it clear I am to stay away from entirely, regardless of the freedom others may have to partake or participate. But what I loved about this post was that it was for a season. Some of the most intimate, sweetest times I’ve had with the Lord have come because He gave me one of those seemingly insignificant instructions, and enabled me to be obedient. At times its been forms of entertainment, be it tv or music. Other times it was saying no to a social opportunity. Sometimes it has been as simple as ‘don’t listen to that voicemail again, listen to ME’. Lol, such a small request, but one that ignited a passion and craving for time alone with Him I had never had before. I’m learning to be excited about the small things, as they usually end up not being so small after all. I love how intricately God is involved in our lives! And for what it’s worth, I’m really looking forward to catching up on some Downton myself 🙂