replacing God

i see people trying to do that all the time. As a matter of fact, i unwittingly tried to do it once myself.
i see it in a few areas - one being *order* - if i can have my physical life in order - what do i need God for anyway? We try all manner of things to achieve order. A Martha Stewart home, well-rounded children, a schedule that runs like a well-oiled machine. But, thing is - outside issues creep in - a sick child, dust & crumbs in our kitchen & obstacle after obstacle that keeps us from *perfect order*. & lemme be honest here - even the women who have been the most successful at creating a perfect, orderly life & home... still ache & their hearts cry out for the only One who can fill us.
Another person might try to fill the void by being the perfect parent. They build relationship, they spend time, money & energy on raising good kids. They love doing it too... "maybe, on my own, i can *be* god for my children... i can supply all they lack - i can find the answers they need - i can fill that cavernous void in their lives that was never filled in my own..."
But, we can't. Children aren't perfect - & their hearts - as our own - were shaped to fit Him...
And then i'm sure there are others like me...
i love Neil. Like, i crazy love Neil. He wants people to think, 'what you see is what you get' with him... but i know better... i know there's so much more... right down to his bones, he's a good man with a good heart - who loves me like i have never, ever been loved...
But, the poor guy's not God.
i had a friend *o so gently* point that out to me about 7 years into my marriage. i didn't even realize that i had been trying to get Neil to be God for me. Once i shifted my perspective & saw that he was a gift *from* God - i was even happier with my happy marriage & my sweet husband - who wasn't God... & so was unable to replace Him.
i guess the thing is... God is not someone we can replace. We can try to ignore our hunger for Him. We can try to make others fill the void left by pushing Him out of our lives... We can do our best to meet our own needs so that we don't have to acknowledge what we truly lack...
But when we let Him in....
He meets our needs... He fills the void that we lack. He brings peace, and comfort, and light... Life won't be perfect & flawless & free from chaos - but we will cling to the only One who will make things right.

Tomorrow... - the heart of God... unless i have a baby... then it will have to wait.