Having a lifestyle caring for a special needs child isn’t an easy one, but I am learning that God uses all things for our good in preparing us for the future and conforming us into His Image.

I had many years, over 40, to adjust to this lifestyle but it still doesn’t make it an easy one.  I’ve seen over the years, parents who placed their child out of their life because they weren’t potty trained at six years old, or because their lifestyle was disrupted.

Many realize their lives are ones of isolation, because of the behavior of their child.  The neighbors don’t want to come around, or friends, because they can’t handle the constant noise and disruption.

You learn that your life is not your own, even your quiet time is very slim, but what do we do when we have the freedom and the peace and quiet?

Do we use it getting quiet with The LORD, or do we gather with the saints to Worship and Dance and let out a loud “Halleluia!”?

Do we act like the widow with the mite with our time, giving all that we have, or do we give The LORD five percent and keep the rest?

The widow gave a small amount — but it was all she had  (Mark 12:41-44) .

The LORD has graced me that when I have that quiet moment, He draws me near immediately.  He takes me up in Worship and Dance a lot easier than before, because He knows my heart.

I delight in His presence.  Like Paul and Silas, they were able to worship and praise and be filled with joy in prison.

When we can look at our hardships and suffering, and use it for His glory, you know you are getting close to His Heart.

Our trials are tailor made and the harder the better you reap from them!  God prepares those who have suffered with constant financial trials and has done a mighty work in their heart along with those who have suffered constantly with physical pain.

Through much suffering, come much Grace and Glory!

I have looked at others and coveted those whose life was like a constant social party and a vacation.

I’ve looked at those women who can take much time to get quiet and be pampered one way or another.

I’ve looked at those who have the freedom to go and do whatever they want, and wondered if they are really happy deep down in their heart.

Are they allowing all this freedom to mature them in The LORD, or do they use it in vanity?

I know I waste time I could be in The Word or prayer, with Levi, and I do allow the enemy to say to me that I am just too tired — which in the natural I am — but no excuses, we do what we truly desire to do.

So, we all need to examine our hearts to see if we are using all that God gives us to the best potential, according to His Perfect Will.

Yes, I look at my trials and thank Him, because for some reason, God has trusted me with such a constant battle with trials, that those who have no fear, would have a hard time with.

God knows who I am, and knows He can trust me, and I thank Him that I will be prepared for what is ahead, because I didn’t choose to escape the life God had for me.

I pray that we all take the time to examine our hearts, to see if God has our heart, our time, and all of our love, or if there is something else eating it all up.

Idolatry is a subtle deception that we refuse to face.  We cover it over with justification, but that only keeps us bound up to it.

We need to face the facts and the truth about everything; our motives; our ambitions; and our heart attitudes; to see if it is all pure in Jesus’ Name.

~ Yolanda Ballard

Yolanda Ballard of At The Father’s Feet website, shares with you, the body of Christ, the words she’s received quietly sitting at the Father’s feet. I believe Jesus set the example for us to follow. Whenever He could He would come apart from the busyness of the world so that He could quiet Himself before the Father, for that is where He received direction and strength to carry out His will.

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