Sifting flour makes me feel like a professional baker. I dump in huge amounts of flour into the canister, turn the crank, and when I’m finished, all that’s left are the clumps – the little nubby bits that I push through the sieve with my fingers.  Now the flour is so fine; perfect for use in my recipes!

That process reminds me of what I need to do after attending a ladies’ conference, which I was privileged to do last weekend. The time went so fast, and I received so much, so fast. It’s as though all that wisdom has been poured into the reservoir of my heart.  I’ve wished I could go back and redo it all again, but of course that’s not possible.  So to get the most from all I heard, it’s necessary that I sift through it all, letting a little at a time go through the mill of my mind and then fall into my heart, so that it’s ready for use.  Here’s how I do that:

• First, I try to take lots of notes on the things that seem to “jump” out at me during the conference.
• I mark with an * the things that really spoke to my heart.
• During the next week or two when I’m having my devotions, I read through my notes, a little at a time.  I write into my journal things that were important.  The rewriting process helps me remember those points!  I may even draw a little picture to aid my memory or make the note more visual.
• I pray about that point, asking the Lord to help me to incorporate that into my life and make the changes I need to make.
• I continue to make my way through my notes until I’ve reviewed it all.
• I sing the song(s) that was a theme song, as I have my prayer time.

I won’t remember everything that I heard, but using these steps, I will remember the points that were especially convicting or helpful!  After a couple of weeks, I’ve taken that short weekend away and milled through the material, getting the most out of my retreating period.  The Word has become smoother and is now ready for me to use.  It’s like getting a double blessing from the conference!

If you’ve been to a retreat recently, I trust this will encourage you to try to get the most from what was shared.  The speaker was led by God to deliver those sessions and God knew you’d be there!  Sift through the material and get the most from your time away!

With love,

This hideously adorable donkey lives on a farm about an hour from us.  We have affectionately named him “Lester.”  Lester is very jealous of the other animals on the farm.  How do I know?  If  visitors gather to pay homage to the lovely peacock, or ooo and ahhh over the long neck of the ostrich who lives there, he will begin his very loud and obnoxious,

Hee-haw!  Hee Haw! Hee Haw!

It’s really comical to hear him.  Not only is his noise hilarious, his mouth and ears look quite funny when he’s going off on his rampage!

While listening to Lester, I turned to my husband and said, “I’m sure thankful I can sing!  Wouldn’t it be terrible to open your mouth and sound like that?!”

The next day as I sat to have my quiet time, I read Psalm 145.  I was moved at how many times it talks of using my mouth to praise the Lord.  Words like, extol, bless, praise, speak and utter were all reminders that God wants me to use my voice for His glory.  I must praise Him with speech and song.  I must tell others of His goodness by the use of my voice.  However, I often neglect the chance to speak up!  I remain silent, or I don’t give honor belonging only to the Lord.

• Even little things like praising Him like when someone passes and says, “It’s a pretty day, isn’t it?”  needs to be followed with, “Yes, and I thank the Lord for making it.”  Anything else would be like Lester’s “Hee-Haw!“
• At testimony time at church, if I fail to stand and praise Him for prayer He’s answered, I’m belting out “Hee-Haw” instead.
• When the opportunity to share the Gospel is given and I am too afraid to share it, my lips are uttering ol’ Lester’s ugly “Hee-Haw!” greetings instead of the Truth that will set that person free!
• To miss the opportunity to pray my thanks for a meal, for God’s comfort, His presence, for answered prayer, or for provision is to selfishly call attention to myself rather than my great God.  Hee-Haw!
• “Hee-haw!” is what I’m really saying if I’m not singing with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs and making melody in my heart during the song service at church.

We all have a voice, given by the Lord.  Are you using yours to praise the Lord, or do the sounds that come from your lips resemble Lester?  Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!

With praise to Him,