Something had to change. Sitting alone in a bathroom stall at a women’s conference, the conviction was so heavy on my heart that I could barely breathe. I knew I was missing something.

I had allowed myself to become so busy with good things. So busy, in fact, that I was terrified of missing the great work He had for me. I kept whispering, over and over, What am I missing, Lord? What am I missing? The woman in the stall next to me must have thought I was crazy. But, then again, maybe she nodded in complete understanding.

Maybe she, like me, had allowed herself to become Martha. Maybe she could completely relate to the fact that I had been, for quite some time, anxious and troubled about many things.

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42

Just like Martha, I was distracted with much serving. I was missing something. And it wasn’t just any something. It was what Jesus called the one thing necessary. There I was running myself ragged trying to be the perfect wife and mother and Christian and woman and sister and friend and daughter. Can I just tell you that I was exhausted? Physically, mentally, spiritually. In every way imaginable, I was spent and empty and it all came to a head right there in a bathroom stall with a line of women waiting their turn.

I was missing the one thing that I absolutely had to have and that was time at the feet of the Lord. I had forsaken worship. No longer did I just sit and allow my Savior to speak to me. I was not listening for His voice or seeking His guidance. If I were honest, I could not remember the last time I had just put all else aside and allowed Him to have my undivided attention.

I turned my back on the one thing necessary and I was paying dearly for it.

You’ll be happy to know that I did, eventually, leave the bathroom stall. The pounding in my chest, however, was relentless. All I could think was, How do I fix this, Lord? How do I fix this?

That women’s conference ended. I drove back home. I did not want to just go back to the way things were. I could not go back to the way things were. So, I lay in bed and begged God to speak. And He did. Samuel. Samuel. That’s what I heard deep in my heart. Samuel. Samuel.

I have to admit that I had no idea what that meant.

I grabbed my phone from beside the bed and opened the Bible app and began to read in 1 Samuel. In chapter 3, the Lord tries to speak to Samuel. Samuel does not recognize His voice. Three times this happens. Then Eli tells him that it is the Lord. So, when Samuel hears his name again, he responds with, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

I had been shamefully guilty of not listening. I knew it. With tears in my eyes, I whispered, Speak to me, Lord. Your servant is listening.

And, so, The Samuel Project begins.

For 30 days, I will rise early, read Scripture and let Him speak. No agenda on my part. No genie-like wishes for Him to grant. Just me before Him with Bible open studying a passage where God spoke to His people and listening.

•30 days of listening for His still, small voice.

•30 portions of Scripture reminding me of how He spoke to His children in days past.

•30 days of choosing the one thing necessary.

I have read that it takes 30 days for something to become a habit. Lord, may it be so.

Speak, for your servant is listening.

~~~~~~~~~~

Day 1: Introduction to The Samuel Project

Day 2: God Speaks to Abram

Day 3: God Speaks to Moses

Day 4: God Speaks to Joshua

Day 5: God Speaks to Ezekiel

Day 6: Saturday (Family Time – No Post)

Day 7: Sunday (Family Time – No Post)

Day 8: God Speaks to the Exiles

Day 9: God Speaks to Gideon

Day 10: God Speaks to the Thirsty

Day 11: God Speaks to the Worrier

Day 12: God Speaking

Day 13: Saturday (Family Time – No Post)

Day 14: Sunday (Family Time – No Post)

Day 15: God Speaks to King Jehoshaphat

Day 16:

Day 17: God Speaks to Me Martha

Day 18:

Day 19:

Day 20: Saturday (Family Time – No Post)

Day 21: Sunday (Family Time – No Post)

Day 22: God Speaks to Hagar

Day 23:

Day 24:

Day 25:

Day 26:

Day 27: Saturday (Family Time – No Post)

Day 28: Sunday (Family Time – No Post)

Day 29: God Speaks to the Glory-Seeker

Day 30 & 31: God Speaks to Me

(This page will be updated with links as the month progresses.)

Will you join me for the next 31 days as we eavesdrop on conversations between God and His children? I promise, He has a word for us as well! (I’m linking up with Nester for this writing project. Visit her to find TONS of other great 31 Days series!)