In every part of my life??

Many people ask "How do you know that it is God talking to you?". Here is the greatest way that I describe how He talks to me:

In the past few weeks I have heard the same things said in a book I am reading, during a sermon, and then in my devotions - is God allowed in every part of your life or just some? Is He only allowed in when you need Him or can He come anytime? What room of your house is He allowed in? Just under the kitchen table? Just when you need Him to heal a friend? God wants ALL.

After I finally realized He was talking to me, I took offense! What do you mean, I have not let you into everything? YES I HAVE  (insert 2 year old temper tantrum)!!!! Then it hit me like huge truck - I only let Him in when it is convenient for me. I only let Him into the "pretty" parts of my life. It's like I try and cover up the bad even though He sees everything. Why is it we cover up the things that we probably need His guidance more on the ugly things than the other pretty/put together things? What is there to hide? That we are unworthy? We are unworthy no matter how nice and neat and perfect everything is. There is nothing that can win His love...so why do we hide?

With all the chaos and craziness in my life I was forced to sit back and look into my life. What was I keeping from God? To be honest.... a lot. I also realized that this was why things felt so out of control. They were out of control because I took the control away from God. I pretty much told Him I knew how to do everything the right way. This reminds me of Elizabeth when she starts to put her shoes on and says "I got it" or "I do it myself, Mommy". I know that she is going to have a hard time getting them on because they have buckles and not velcro. But I let her do it because I want her to ask for my help. I watch her struggle and fuss and I ask her if she wants Mommy to help her and if you have had a 2 year old, of course her answer is "NO!". Then minutes go by and after she is exhausted from trying and crying so she finally asks for my help. All this time, I am thinking to myself "if you would have just asked for my help, I could have saved you all of the tears and frustration". Isn't this what God is telling us?? Isn't He saying "If you would just give it all to me I could save you many tears and frustration". This is not saying things will be perfect but I can guarantee I have undergone plenty of unnecessary stress and chaos simply because i was not willing to give those areas to Him. Why do we have to learn it on our own first?

Today I am giving up my inner 2 year old - the one trying to do it myself all of the time. Join with me in making a conscious effort to give EVERYTHING to God, not just the "neat stuff" but the unorganized, chaotic, and messy areas.