Taking God for Granted

I think taking God for granted is too easy to do.  I am going to speak for myself here, but I suspect that because of the culture/nation we live in, we all have some tendency to do this at some point. 

I'm a person that likes comfort.  I like organization.  I like to know the ending of a movie so I can enjoy it more.  I like to have plans and I like it even more when those plans work out.

God likes us to have faith.  And trust.  And complete dependence on Him. 

Sometimes I feel like because I am comfortable or things are going "right" that I am trusting Him and depending on Him.  But more than likely, I am depending on myself (or my husband) for all the "right," comfortable, planned things.  I feel like God is in my life, but not really in my life.  I'm not depending on Him for everything because most everything I can do myself.
I'm saying all this because Monday was a day that I could not function without constant prayer.  "God help me be nice."  "Help me be patient."  "God, am I supposed to say something here or keep my mouth shut?"  "God, I just messed up, please fix this situation."  God, I'm sorry."  It is kind of exhausting--to depend on Him for your every word and every move and every attitude and heart check.  But at the same time, it is awesome.

I remember when I was in Africa, I didn't know anyone except the people I went there with.  We didn't know our way around, or the language or the culture or the religions or the social etiquette or any of the things we know here.  We prayed before we left the house.  We prayed the entire time we were out; for protection, for guidance, for peace, for everything because we could not do it on our own.  And that opened my eyes to my severe need for His hand in my life in everything I do. 

When I came back from Africa, it was easy to remember that because it was so fresh.  But the longer I am here and I can do life on my own, the more I forget that.  That is why I think I take God for granted.  Because I can do life on my own.  Most days, I don't really need Him.  But I do.  I really really do.  Yesterday was a day that I needed Him.  For everything.  And every prayer I prayed, was answered.  Maybe not the way I thought it would be, but it was answered--mostly by changing my heart to be focused on Him.  I had God in my life, my every day life.  And it was exhausting and fantastic.  It was a day that reminded me that I can't and shouldn't do my life on my own.  That I should not take God for granted because He is here.  He is ready to help and to answer prayers and to be a part of everything I do and make a difference in my heart.  He is here to help change my heart and change me into a person that reflects Him.

I still have a long way to go, but Monday reminded me that I even though I may not need God for every little thing I do in a day, I do need Him to change my heart every minute--to change my heart and to become more like Him.