First Things, First
Well, hey there, buttercup! Pull up a comfy rocker, and let’s chat for a lil’ ol’ minute. You ever notice how that morning dew just settles on the grass like God Himself tip‑toed through your yard with a heavenly spray bottle? That’s kinda what His Word does for your soul. Sit with Him first thing, and His own sweet aroma will be ‘a-helpin’ you to walk around ‘a-smellin’ like heaven’s own potpourri the rest of the day.
Now, Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else.” (Matthew 6:33), which is Bible‑speak for “Put Me first, child.” And, now, let me tell you a story:
There was this here fella ‘a-drivin’ through the country in a rainstorm so heavy even the ducks was ‘a-complainin’. He spots an old farmer ‘a-starin’ at what used to be his barn. Roof had caved right in like a wet biscuit.
Confused as a termite in a yo-yo, the man hollers at the farmer, “What done happened?”
“My roof just up and collapsed like it had better places to be,” the farmer answers, like that wasn’t obvious.
“Well, why didn’t you fix it?”
And the farmer shrugs, “When the weather was good, I didn’t need to. When it rained, it was too wet to work on.”
Bless his lil’ ol’ heart! But don’t we do the same thing? We’ll find time to reorganize the pantry by color, alphabetize the spice rack, and watch seventeen episodes of a TV show we don’t even like, but ask us to pray, read Scripture, or serve somebody, and suddenly we’re busier than a mosquito at a nudist colony.
Truth is, if we only serve God when it’s convenient, we’re just ‘a-settlin’ for spiritual leftovers. And butterbean, God didn’t invite you to His table so you could be ‘a-nibblin’ on the leftover crumbs, no, sir.
When we chase everything but Him: success, stuff, hobbies, habits, we end up like that barn: ‘a-lookin’ fine on the outside while the inside is just quietly ‘a-rottenin’.
But here’s the good news: God doesn’t shame us. He keeps on ‘a-hollerin’ from the porch, “Come on home, child! Put Me first, and I’ll help you fix what’s ‘a-fallin’ apart.”
What an offer!
So, before the world starts ‘a-hollerin’ your name today, stop a while. Breathe. Seek Him first. Let Him straighten your priorities, steady your heart, and sweeten your spirit.
Lord, help us put You first, above the noise, above the rush, above ourselves. Teach us to love You with all we’ve got. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Scoot along now, friend. Get to shinin’ bright before the day gets ideas of its own! When you meet with Jesus first, you’ll be ready to step on out the door calmer than a lazy ol’ porch hound dog ‘a-nappin’ in a patch of sunshine ‘cause you’ll be ‘a-carryin’ a whole lot more grace than you woke up with.
With joy,
Gwen
