walnuts & rice...no, it's not a recipe

We've been reading through Catherine Vos's The Child's Story Bible which we finished at the end of November.  Typically I or Jamie would read a chapter during breakfast and expound if necessary on the story before we got into our schoolwork.  We, then, spent the month of December on the Christmas story and I had planned to start on Sally & Clay Clarkson's Our 24 Family Ways in January.  Well, for whatever reason we haven't started on the new devotion/Bible lessons and so other than the verses we are attempting to memorize for our home school co-op, we have spent zero time in scripture since the beginning of the year.  Though our school work is going fine, something has just seemed off.  So, a few days ago I picked up The Child's Story Bible once again and began reading it through to my children.  Then, the rest of our schoolwork just started clicking.

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; Then all these things will be added unto you." ~Matthew 6:33

Truly if we set our priorities...God being number one....everything will just fit.

Years ago and on numerous occasions, be it Bible study, ministry training, whatever, I have been able to witness a certain experiment that depicts this verse.

Step 1: Fill a jar with walnuts
Step 2: Pour rice into the jar so it fits between the nooks and empty spaces between the walnuts.

Explain to your observers (or yourself if that's the case) that the walnuts represent God, Bible reading, prayer, etc.  The rice represents the other stuff: housework, errands, to do lists, leisure, recreation, t.v., Facebook (did I hit a nerve there?), etc.  If you place God first, then all the other stuff fits into place.

Step 3: Now empty the contents of the jar into a large bowl.

Step 4: Pour the rice into the jar first.
Step 5: Now squeeze the walnuts in.

So, if you put the other stuff in first and leave God out or try to squeeze Him in as an after thought, what happens?

I won't tell you.  

I'll let you figure it out on your own.  

Better put walnuts and rice on your shopping list.

Much love.
And schedule time with the Lord at the top of your priority list.