My daughter and I were talking this morning about a new reading plan I was starting. The plan is a Life Journal which I can read and complete the bible this year and journal my thoughts as I go. Being I have completed a course called “Bethel” prior, which is a 2 year study of the bible – I was complaining that I disliked the fact that this course also started again with Genesis because I have a tendency to be bored with some of the old things I have studied before. Not that I didn't want to start but wishing I could rearrange the study. I was feeling quite proud of myself, almost pious, that I had included Christ back into my daily routine. As I was blah, blah, blahing about such, she asked me if I had read the book “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” – to which I said I hadn’t but I knew the story topic from the bible.
Then she read me this excerpt from Robert Boyd Munger’s book “My Heart Christ’s Home, as quoted by Joanna Weaver in her book "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World …
“We walked into the drawing room. This room was rather intimate and comfortable. I liked it. It had a fireplace, overstuffed chairs, a bookcase, sofa and a quiet atmosphere.
He also seemed pleased with it. He said, "This is indeed a delightful room. Let us come here often. It is secluded and quiet and we can have fellowship together."
Well, naturally, as a young Christian I was thrilled. I could not think of anything I would rather do than have a few minutes apart with Christ in intimate comradeship.
He promised, "I will be here every morning early. Meet with Me here and we will start the day together." So, morning after morning, I would come downstairs to the drawing room and He would take a book of the Bible... open it and then we would read together. He would tell me of its riches and unfold to me its truths... They were wonderful hours together. In fact, we called the drawing room the "withdrawing room." It was a period when we had our quiet time together.
But little by little, under the pressure of many responsibilities, this time began to be shortened... I began to miss a day now and then.... I would miss it two days in a row and often more.
I remember one morning when I was in a hurry.... As I passed the drawing room, the door was ajar. Looking in I saw a fire in the fireplace and the Lord sitting there.... "Blessed Master, forgive me. Have you been here all these mornings?"
"Yes," He said, "I told you I would be here every morning to meet with you." Then I was even more ashamed. He had been faithful in spite of my faithlessness. I asked His forgiveness and He readily forgave me....
He said, "The trouble with you is this: You have been thinking of the quiet time, of the Bible study and prayer time, as a factor in your own spiritual progress, but you have forgotten that this hour means something to Me also."
- and I cried.
