It has been one of the happiest and craziest weeks ever. I tend to think that quite often. I absolutely love to be at home. But this week, we have been home very little and the fast paced activities have at times made me think my head would spin much like a cartoon character. But Sunday was a slice of peace and rest. We went to *The Falls* after worship and I reclined on a quilt and read while everyone else enjoyed the water and Lilly Belle picked up a various assortment of dried leaves and brought them to the quilt.
We are in our last week of homeschooling for the year. (Listen closely, cheering may be heard in the background!) And Victoria Leigh also had her SAT this week. As I pulled in the administrator’s drive to drop her off and wait, this was my view from the vehicle as I read more in Joanne’s newest book:
Joanne’s book is wonderful and I’m going to do a review of it here soon. So while I’m sitting in the cool of the morning with this lovely view, I’m finishing the final chapter and I’m in such agreement with her as I read about passion. On page 134, near the end of the book, she pens what has become the cry of my heart this week:
“I want to burn with passion for God. I want God to fan the flame of my desire for him, to burn away all that is impure in me, to be a fire fed with his Word.”
I was amening as the birds were chirping and a rooster was crowing. It was a sweet moment with the Lord. I felt His presence. I was so encouraged when I finished the chapter and started to read the page and a half conclusion; but, I felt I was to wait to read the last page and a half and start the vehicle and go do my one errand. Now, I had been sitting there reading for an hour and a half and still had another hour and a half to wait. I wanted to finish the last page and a half. To me, it just made sense to finish – it was ONLY a page and a half – and my heart was so wanting the passion Joanne talked about.
I don’t want to go through the motions
I don’t want to go one more day
Without your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t want to spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything
Instead of going through the motions
As I drove and wept the words in agreement back to the Lord, it made me think of our jaunt to The Falls Sunday afternoon. I had a lovely view of the water from the butterfly quilt where I sat with my book and camera. 
My entire family was in the water.
One of them displayed a desire for more than getting her feet and legs wet.
And she moved out and on with purpose.
I could see myself at the fork in the road again, a choice to be made, which direction do I go?
The water is evident even on Victoria Leigh’s clothing. I can’t be in the water and living a passionate life without evidence of Him on me.
Out of the water, upon the rock and moving toward the edge.
Ready to take the leap of faith.
And the look of joy on her face when she came up totally drenched from an all encompassing dunking in the water. I would show you a picture; but teens have the ability and authority to withhold any picture they wish to not have published. So, imagine with me the darlin‘ smile of life totally drenched in the water. Each picture will look different; but without a doubt, it will be the picture the Lord has purposed for each individual one.
Take me with purpose and passion from the safety of the shore
To live out, in reckless abandon to You, a life of So Much More
Let my life not be lived as a spectator sport
My time here on earth is a breath, so short
Let the water of Your spirit be evident on me
Let me step in faith and live in full submission to you and be totally free
Let me give You fully every thing
And my heart to You forever sing
Yes Lord,
Take me with Your purpose and Your passion from the safety of the shore
I want my life to be lived out in abandon to You, the God of So Much More
Amen.
Lora,
I don’t want to just go through the motions either. This life is full of potholes and pitfalls, but also mountains of joy. Thank you for such a beautiful post. I love the pictures and The Falls look so beautiful. We have several sets of falls in our area and it has been so long since I have been to any of them. We really need to take some time and go.
Have a blessed day!!
Leah
My cry echos yours. Your words and the falls both convey His beauty to my heart. I want to let the Falls flood my soul with His living water. I am refreshed in Him. Thank you Lora. You are very special in my eyes and His. B
Beautiful words Lora! I want that passion too….!
Earlier this week, after I had written in my prayer journal, I went back over my intercessory prayer requests (for myself and for others) again, and as I spoke them out loud, I just started to sob. The longing I felt for these requests was almost more than I could bear. Strongest passion I have felt in some time. Your posts are good for me to read, sweet sister!
Love,
Adrienne
Lora,
I don’t want to go through the motions either. I want to do this thing called life with authentic passion and reckless abandon for my Jesus.
Your post always bless me so.
Cindy
Lora,
I just love coming by for a visit. And some day…I want to come in real life and spend a long weekend with you seeing all of your life.
My snowball bushes are still super babies–can’t wait until they get big and bloomy!
So much love,
Joanne
I want to be drenched in the truth of God’s baptism all the days of my life.
Sounds like a perfect day for understanding it in fuller context.
Thanks for sharing your Sunday with us.
peace~elaine
Had I known you were going to Franklin I would have connected you to some of our friends there. Maybe you can go with us sometime and we can tour inside of some of the old buildings that aren’t actually open to the public. There are some absolutely fasinating places to see!
I don’t want to go through the motions either. What an inspiring entry! Thank you so much for your dedication to our family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love you all!
I can’t stand the thought of striving to just go through the motions. The very thought is a paradox, for the Christian life is anything but mediocrity and geting by.
Thank you for your candid, passionate post. When you beautifully shared, “I want to burn with passion for God. I want God to fan the flame of my desire for him, to burn away all that is impure in me, to be a fire fed with his Word,” you spoke the cry of my heart.
Oh, I pray I never lose one bit of my desire for Him!
Thank you for sharing your heart today and stirring mine.
In Christ’s Love,
Andrea
Me either! Not going through the motions!! But sometimes I feel that way…
Awesome post to remind us…
Praise God. Use me for Your total purposed Father God. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Lora,
I don’t know how I missed this post. Sometimes in a hurried way I miss things. Thank you for visiting and commenting on my blog.