The heart of a teenager

I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with teenagers about issues that they were going through. I have to admit that I am amazed at how similar my life is to these young people. No, I don't mean I act like them... all the time... but I can see my personal life, my personal struggles, are the same things that these young people are dealing with. I struggle in my prayer life, I struggle in my devotional time, I struggle in my priorities. I find myself so often so exhausted from everything that I have committed myself to that I have no energy to give to the God, who should be the most important part of my life. It is so easy to fall into the trap of saying "things will slow down in a little bit, I just have to get through this week... or this month... or this year... or this decade. The discipline necessary to prioritize God in my life is lacking for sure. I know that there is a battle going on right now for my time, and if I don't take control and discipline myself, it can and will spin quickly out of control for me. I cling to Moses' guidance on the word of the Lord, and know that this way of viewing my relationship with God can help me.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)."

I guess the question is this: can I make this things so ingrained in my life that they are a natural part? That is the question that remains to be answered. I hope for my sake and my family's sake that the answer will be a resounding yes.