To what degree do you believe you want this in your life?

A couple years ago, I had the privilege of sitting under the tutelage of Dr. Larry Crabb, as one of 30 students in the Spiritual Direction Class 33, at beautiful Glen Eyrie Retreat and Conference Center in amazing Colorado Springs, Colorado.  This was an experience that I will never forget, and will cherish forever.  God's timing for this - I just can't begin to explain.


Since then, I have had a great desire to do more with it.  I have looked into becoming a "LIFE COACH" ... I have thought of a number of things, but I continue to be drawn to care giving and spiritual care of others.  Such it was, that I decided to proceed with doing the SOUL CARE courses via on-line, and proceeding toward a certificate in Spiritual Formation, as taught by Dr. Crabb.  I have to be honest - I love the fact that he is a christian counsellor, who believes that we all can speak into the lives of others who need "soul care" and that this is a huge thing in society - the fact that many do not have anyone to sit face to face with, and talk/listen with.  


Now that I have prefaced this post ~ I have been thinking of one of the discussion questions that I had to answer the other night.  Here it is:


Consider the radical nature of the proposed goal for SoulCare (“To arouse an appetite for God that is stronger than all other appetites”). Discuss whether you think this is a reasonable goal. Understand what is being said ... that you can actually long to know God more than you long for anything else (i.e. good health, a good marriage, godly kids, good feelings about yourself, etc.) To what degree do you believe you want this in your life?


So it is, since Saturday night, that this question has continued to resonate in my soul.  Really, I answered it Saturday night but ... the question stands today still, and I continue to ask myself, being that I can actually long to know God more than I long for anything else, to what degree DO I believe that I want this in my life?


Sometimes our life crowds in doesn't it.  I love my husband more than I can ever express.  The love that I have for him, I have known for no other man before.  He is a gift from God, given to me 37 years ago!! (yep, we were 16!)   I want to spend my life, my days with him.  Do I love God more?  Do I long for God more than I long for my husband?


I love my kids (Josh, Leah, Ash and Mike) more than any other kids in the world.  I have been greatly greatly blessed by these 4 gifts to me (and Alvin).  I don't know what I would do without my kids in my life!  Do I love God more?  Do I long for God more than I long for my children?


I love my Grandbabes:  our little Jay who is in heaven, our little Everett who blesses our lives here on earth, and our little Grandbabe in utero who we look forward to welcoming in January.  Being a Granny is something that no words can describe!  Do I love God more?  Do I long for God more than I long for my grandchildren?


These are my thoughts today.  My initial response is to say YES, I do long for God most.  But when I really really think of what I am saying, it is something that is very sobering.  Loving God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my might!  Saying it is one thing ... believing it with all my heart is another!  


How DO I measure the degree to which I believe this?  


Jesus gave his life for me.  HIS LIFE!!  All he wants for me - is that I would believe this, and walk daily in relationship with him.  O Lord Jesus ... grow my love for you.  I can hardly comprehend your love for me, the closest thing I can compare it to, is the love I have for my sweet husband, my kids and my grandbabes!  And yet, you love me even more!  Grow my love for you sweet Jesus and may I long for you more than anything else.  
Yes Lord, more.