Tonight was the first night in a long time we've had a quick little Bible study and worship time as a family unit. I actually don't remember ever doing this in the last two years since Titus was born, altogether as a family. Daddy read to you from a kids devotional, and I led us with a kids' praise CD while we sang and danced. It was spontaneous, too. The best kind. Just sort of happened on a whim, and it was so refreshing to be together, honoring the Lord together. You were beaming with joy, and Titus was funky and free!
Thanking the Father, once again, for His goodness to us.
Dear Sadie.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Day 173...Peace
What I'm learning from the Lord right now. Let's see.
He has given us peace.
Not peaceful circumstances, peace in our circumstances.
Not peace in a decision. Peace in His Presence.
He does not take it away, ever. It's me that's moved away from His peace.
The Prince of Peace.
Peace comes when I keep my mind stayed on Him. Isaiah 26:3
He has given us peace.
Not peaceful circumstances, peace in our circumstances.
Not peace in a decision. Peace in His Presence.
He does not take it away, ever. It's me that's moved away from His peace.
The Prince of Peace.
Peace comes when I keep my mind stayed on Him. Isaiah 26:3
Monday, August 6, 2012
Day 172...to teach or not to teach
So I didn't know that 4 years old would be such a tough decision-making year for me. I've been looking forward to releasing you to a teacher, for your education to begin, the big "preschool" year to begin. Knowing how much you love school, love classmates, love learning. It's a no-brainer!
Now I'm dreading this day!! I don't want to be away from you. It's harder than ever I thought it'd be. And I'm beginning to question everything! I'm a trained teacher, so I know what it's like to be a part of the classroom "family." I want you to have the same experience! Then, I want you to be home with me at the same time! To the right of me I hear the homeschooling moms saying, "This is the way, walk in it." To the left of me I hear the working moms saying, "There's nothing wrong with going back to work. Let someone else teach your child. It's okay!"
I just need the wisdom of God. And it's not just me, it's your daddy too. We both want what's going to be best for you. I guess it's good that I'm struggling so much because it's about your well-being, and it's because I care about you so much. You should feel good!
Today you ran up to me, in the middle of me pouring my thoughts out to Nana on the phone,
"You're going to be my teacher! I'm not going to school! You're my teacher!" with this big grin on your face. It made me laugh in shock! You were clear on the other end of the house, and you ran over to me just to tell me that, and ran back to what you were doing. Was that prophetic?! :)
Now I'm dreading this day!! I don't want to be away from you. It's harder than ever I thought it'd be. And I'm beginning to question everything! I'm a trained teacher, so I know what it's like to be a part of the classroom "family." I want you to have the same experience! Then, I want you to be home with me at the same time! To the right of me I hear the homeschooling moms saying, "This is the way, walk in it." To the left of me I hear the working moms saying, "There's nothing wrong with going back to work. Let someone else teach your child. It's okay!"
I just need the wisdom of God. And it's not just me, it's your daddy too. We both want what's going to be best for you. I guess it's good that I'm struggling so much because it's about your well-being, and it's because I care about you so much. You should feel good!
Today you ran up to me, in the middle of me pouring my thoughts out to Nana on the phone,
"You're going to be my teacher! I'm not going to school! You're my teacher!" with this big grin on your face. It made me laugh in shock! You were clear on the other end of the house, and you ran over to me just to tell me that, and ran back to what you were doing. Was that prophetic?! :)
Day 171...Daddy came home
Tonight we had a Daddy come home when traditionally daddies are supposed to come home. You ran with little brother at heals to Daddy, arms wide open. Daddy smiling from ear to ear. Little Brother's baby talk "daddy home" filling our ears. We pray and eat at the table. Clean up the dishes together. Get ready for bed together. Read a book snuggled in the bed as one. Tucks, kisses, and hugs, and everyone is fast asleep. Blessings. Privileges like these go largely unnoticed I am sure. But tonight, this family thanks the Lord for His hand on these gifts.
"every good and perfect gift is from above..." James 1:17
"every good and perfect gift is from above..." James 1:17
Day 170...Asking.part3
I never asked God before this week about your education. How embarrassing is that? As I confess this now in writing, I am saddened by my own lack of wisdom and intimacy with the Spirit of God. I have said for some time now in my heart, We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Now, sometimes that philosophy is helpful in so many ways. But then if you're like me, you just get caught up in your surroundings and the present, and you forget to even ask what He thinks! How can I forget on such an important matter?
How careless can I be?
The practical position of praying is something so simple it's easy to miss.
Actually, this hits my heart on so many levels. How many other things have I whispered or dreamed up in my heart, and yet they never make it into my prayers? Never have even left my lips? I'm ashamed, yet I feel His forgiveness today, His smiling. I know He's saying, Now...now you're beginning to get it, my daughter.
So I've asked. And I'm waiting, being still, trusting, and laboring to rest. Listening....
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Day 169...Just ask part2
One of the lessons I've re-learned in this recent miracle in our lives, the story of Jason's sudden job opportunity, has been Just ask. Just before writing this blog, I felt like looking at past blogs to see when I had written something similar, as I felt like I had titled something "just ask" already. Sure enough, July 31. It was the day Daddy came home and said sarcastically, "Have I told you that I wanted another job?" And it was the day before we got the call with the answer from Paradise (Fruits and Vegetables). In the blog, I quoted James 1:5 at the end. It's the same verse your Nana gave to Jason and I several Christmases ago. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God... How many times have I heard this. How many times have I not gone to God specifically on a matter because I was too afraid He might not answer, or afraid I might not like the answer. Too many. And here, one of the strongest words on my heart during all of this, is this word. Ask me. I delight to work with you, to answer your questions, to fulfill your needs, to lead you and show you the way to walk, to save you, to give to you. The Bible is full of ways in which He has done it for His children who desire to seek the Lord and have His way. Does that mean it always come exactly when we need it, how we need it? Surely not. But if we ask in faith, we can rest knowing that He will answer. That's how God our Daddy is. He knows our needs before we ask (Matthew 6:8). He just wants to hear us say them, activating our faith, so He can be the one to step in. We hear from God only as much as we will listen.
Day 168...Paradise at the Table
Sitting down at the table with little ones is not an easy task. Getting through a dinner without a lot of work, almost unheard of. When it happened on Tuesday, I just about cried. It was just you, Titus and me. Sitting down for dinner, you prayed the sweetest prayer for Daddy. You mentioned a bunch of things, but the thing that stood out to me the most was that you wanted to pray for him to be happy in his heart at work. Then we started eating shell pasta with tomato and beef sauce, fresh carrots, cucumbers, peas and grape tomatoes. This particular tonight, you and Titus tried all of the vegetables, without any ranch, without me having to hardly ask. To top it off, you were celebrating liking them. And for Titus, who despises all vegetables, he was inspired to ingest all four, even if just a little bit. Then sitting in his chair, Titus fed himself the whole bowl of pasta with no help from me at all. He used manners, as did you, when asking for Parmesan cheese. "Thank you, Mommy." We finished the meal at a good pace, with a happy and rested mommy who had to do very little but eat her own food. I was in shock! I'm usually prepared to do the work, but this felt like vacation!
Looking back now, I sense that this meal was not only a milestone for us, it was also prophetic in a way. At the very least, a blessing and a reminder. Before and after the meal, you two kids were going back for more vegetables. Even as an after-dinner snack! I remember thinking just how odd this was! We got a call just before dinner from Linda Smith, a friend of ours who works for Paradise Fruits and Vegetables, saying that an opportunity for Daddy to go work for them has opened up, and that God inspired them to think of him as they were praying about the restructuring of their company. It could just be a coincidence that you two went crazy for veggies on this very night, a turning point for your daddy and me. But it occurred to me while relaying the story the next day after Daddy set up the meeting with Paradise, that this meal was more than just a blessing, it was a prophetically telling us of God's goodness. And the "happy in his heart" prayer? God answered that dead on. I will never forget this meal that came at such an opportune time. The answer to Daddy's prayers came, and it rushed in like mighty waters from our good and perfect Heavenly Father. It could have been a coincidence, these vegetables, this dinner, but I choose to believe that it was God saying, Trust me for a new beginning.
Looking back now, I sense that this meal was not only a milestone for us, it was also prophetic in a way. At the very least, a blessing and a reminder. Before and after the meal, you two kids were going back for more vegetables. Even as an after-dinner snack! I remember thinking just how odd this was! We got a call just before dinner from Linda Smith, a friend of ours who works for Paradise Fruits and Vegetables, saying that an opportunity for Daddy to go work for them has opened up, and that God inspired them to think of him as they were praying about the restructuring of their company. It could just be a coincidence that you two went crazy for veggies on this very night, a turning point for your daddy and me. But it occurred to me while relaying the story the next day after Daddy set up the meeting with Paradise, that this meal was more than just a blessing, it was a prophetically telling us of God's goodness. And the "happy in his heart" prayer? God answered that dead on. I will never forget this meal that came at such an opportune time. The answer to Daddy's prayers came, and it rushed in like mighty waters from our good and perfect Heavenly Father. It could have been a coincidence, these vegetables, this dinner, but I choose to believe that it was God saying, Trust me for a new beginning.
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