Why, you might ask, would I want to ask God if I should read some portions of the newspaper? Because, if for no other reason, I know that God can figure out how best to use my time. I know I am a miserable failure at that. I prayed that God's hand would be on this and flipped twice. Once to ask if I could read the newsmagazine and once to ask if I could read the funnies. It was No each time.

I laid down on the couch, in prayer. I did not choose to rebel against those answers, but conformed to them, and simply knew in my heart that God had a better use of my time. Praising Him, I dozed for a minute or two. Then, I thought I'd like to read SOMETHING. How about the Bible? I knew they had some extra Bibles downstairs in the basement. Of course, I knew that God would want me to read the Bible, but, with relatives relaxing and talking with each other around the house, He might not want me to read it right then as that could be construed as escaping from relating with them (and loving them, or even misunderstood as showing off piety). I prayed and flipped. Yes, I could read the Bible.

I went downstairs and got one and brought it back up. Just then, Eva's mom came up to me and we began talking about her and her husband raising the five girls. I praised God with every minute that passed as we talked of some of her fondest memories and lessons learned, as well as the various Bible studies she'd been involved in.

It occurred to me that if I were in charge of my leisure time, reading whatever I wanted to, that possibly that precious conversation with Eva's mom might not have happened. I want to lay down all my time, which really isn't mine, but His. He can do so much more with me if I relinquish it.

Nature of God: I believe God wants us to relate with His children (potential as well as saved). I never did get a chance to actually read His word at that time, but Eva's mom and I had a wonderful time in the Lord. God may very well choose to have people be with each other, hoping we would choose to share the fruit of the spirit, His love, His joy, His peace, one with the other. We will have plenty of time to study His word—especially if we aren't reading the comics or newsmagazines that lay open before us, on the millions of coffee tables around the world. Just because they print it, it doesn't mean we have to read it.

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