Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother, was well in age when she became pregnant with him.  A barren woman was blessed by God and…

After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

A New Year has come, and even if you don’t like resolutions, your mind and heart seem to ponder the past, and look toward the future with thoughts of change, or betterment.

God brought several messages and studies together for me during this new season.

We often become “pregnant” with God dreams and goals.

In this “pregnancy” we must be willing to go the course and endure the hardships along with the joys.

Elizabeth, upon becoming pregnant, went into seclusion for 5 months to ponder, learn, and praise her heavenly Father for the God-sized dream!

God’s Word is told to us in the secret–our quiet time, and there comes a time to share with others, so they can become encouraged (the rooftops)!

What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. Luke 12:3

Five months are January – May.  As I counted those months after hearing a speaker share the message of Elizabeth’s seclusion with the Lord, I realized that the next five months of my life I’m very much pregnant with many things–school and graduation in May after three laborious years, a full-time job,  a daughter to be wed, a desire to go deeper with God, motivation to take better care of my temple–my body, a junior in high school, and my littlest in her last years of elementary school.

There is nothing special about my list.  If you were to take the time to imagine your next five months, you would write a list of your life……..

How can I be in seclusion, Lord, with all the responsibilities that are before me?  So, today, January 2, 2015, I believe God has shared with my heart, that seclusion is not always a physical place, but is most definitely a spiritual place.  It’s your mindset, your thoughts, your first priority to seek Him in the secret places.  Secret places….like in the sweet quiet of an early morning sunrise and God’s Word in your lap, but also, secret places in the middle of the chaos.  He is there, too, whispering and sharing His purpose to our souls, in the midst of conflict, disappointment, rejection, sickness, apathy, and exhaustion.  He is there.

Personally, that means saying no to some things, being more present in the moment, making time for the important things, not comparing myself to others and where they are in life, and resting in His plan for me and my family.

The last message I heard that wrapped all of this up, was a woman who talked about resting in God’s plan for you.  No questioning, comparing, wondering, worrying, fixing, or over-analyzing.  This is my moment, my day, my week that God has ordained for my family, and I will rest in it, knowing that His plan for me is filled with Hope.

The Story–The Bible as one continuing story of God and His people, by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee is a church read for us right now.  I’m learning lots of secrets. 🙂

The Story for Children had a parent note that touched my soul.  When my littlest was reading it with her friend, I wondered what compelled her to ask if she could read the parent letter…..the Holy Spirit…..revealing secrets to my soul….

…..To show that each one of us has a unique place in a much larger story……Our prayer is that these stories will compel your child’s fascination with Scripture, lay a foundation for a life of faith, and remind them:  “The Word of God is living and active….” Hebrews 4:12

What’s your story?  What unique things about you does God want to cultivate and use? Go into seclusion with your “pregnancy”, and know that His living Word will be there to lift you, and give you the discernment and action to encourage others!  May we all be about lifting the souls and arms of our brothers and sisters in Christ–supporting their uniqueness!

So, no matter the list of things to do, remember to rest in the promises of God.  He is faithful.

A resource for your driving time!  A great devotional CD for only 5.00 from Lifeway!

http://www.lifeway.com/Product/lifeway-women-audio-devotional-cd-p005526298