Back rubs

Good morning friends. Today is my official "breaking fast" day. Somewhere in the midst of what I was calling a "sabbatical" a friend called it a "fast." A fast from something is a time to stop doing/withhold from something, in order to seek God. I felt it was a good description of the season I was in. So about 4 weeks ago I sensed God saying May 15 was the end of the fast and May 16 is the day I can get back on the computer, among other things.

Thank you to so many of you for your kind comments and cards - encouraging me during this fast. It has had extraordinary results in my life - so much so that I'm not quite ready to explain it all. I don't know how to write it out succinctly, so I may need to post it in stages. We'll see, but I will share about it.

For today I have a different thought ruminating in my head. It's about back rubs. My kids love back rubs, but it wasn't always that way. Josiah has always loved to have his back rubbed. He likes what I call the "piano" rub - where I poke his back with my fingers drumming slowly, but Titus generally shunned the practice because he's so ticklish. However, in the last few months I discovered that he likes to have his back scratched - it doesn't tickle as much I guess.

Abby, like Tye, has always squirmed out of back rubs. Last night as I was putting her to bed, I absentmindedly rubbed her back with my hand flat. She said, "Mmmm, that feels good. . . Mom, I like a straight hand back rub better than a scratch OR a piano."

It immediately struck me that my three kids have three totally different preferences. Then I began to think about how that's probably true in so many areas of their lives and I need to be attentive, as a parent, to how best to communicate love, correction, affirmation, acceptance, you name it. . . to my kids.

Then this morning I was thinking about how this is probably true of us as children of God as well. We, each of us, are unique in our calling, and our response, to God. We connect with Him differently. And for me to try to do it your way, OR you to try to do it my way, is counterproductive. We need to find our own way - and then be diligent to pursue it. I've dabbled in reading a book about our God language - the way we communicate with God - and she mentions things like contemplative and naturalist and intellectual. So, if you want, there is material out there to help you identify how you best connect with God.

Once you know your "God language," pursue it. And examine your life to see how much you actually engage in activities that connect your soul to God. For some, their only connection to God each week is corporate worship and a sermon at church, but they are neither enthusiasts (corporate worship trips their trigger) nor intellectuals (good teaching fills their soul). So they find themselves spiritually dry and weary, even though they are doing all they know to do. They may even join a small group - but interpersonal relationships are not their spiritual diet either. For a person who connects to God best through nature or absolute alone time, church doesn't fill their "tank".

What about you? What makes you feel close to God? What kind of "back rub" do you like? Don't settle for a spiritual life that mirrors others, but doesn't fill your soul. God is so big, and creative - and if you tap into the language that speaks to your heart, you will discover a realm of God more amazing than you've ever imagined. So go ahead, tell your family you're taking a day off from church, and go find where you truly connect with God.