Our “Instead” list

*prayer

Because our World is suffering, I’m taking extra time to pray. I’m lifting up the sick, the lost, the hurting, and the fearful. I’m praying for our leaders: global, national, and local. My heart is especially burdened for the elderly and the children. Time spent “standing in the gap” is a priority.

* Bible

What better opportunity for us to find comfort, courage, and strength than from more time in God’s Word? I’m also hopeful that we will spend more time learning to study the Bible.

* talk time

With everything going on around us, I’m finding it is important to give each of our children a chance to chat, ask questions, and relate how they are feeling. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to hear what is going on inside their hearts.

*baking

Our Anne has a love of baking and we are planning on trying some new recipes as well as stocking our freezer with some of our old favorites.

* science

Both of our children have labs which go along with their science curriculum. Along with the experiments in other science curriculum we have, there’s lots of options.

* art

Anne and I are going to be painting more. Jase loves to draw.

* reading (to myself)

I’m continually behind in my reading schedule. Bible is first, then homeschooling curriculum, then my own personal reading selection. With the schedule change, I’m looking forward to finishing the book I’m in.

* reading aloud

I’ve read to our children for years, but with this season I want to read some books they’ve never heard before.

* playing games

I’m not very good at games and coming up with games is difficult for me, but my husband is super at both. Infact for my birthday he had Jase set up an in-the-house mini golf which was really fun! (Get the foam golf balls.) So, I’m leaning on him for this part, but even when I can’t think of anything we have lots of board games.

* organizing and sorting

With our move happening so fast and my health refusing to let me do much, I’m taking the opportunity to sort through and organize things. I’m going to tackle Jase’s clothes too since he’s out grown several things. It’s just a good time to work at making things easier and more streamlined.

Yes, I am certain my list shall change and be rewritten. There’s things I want to do which are not on it yet, but they are not as important as these things.

My main focus is to live purposefully during this life changing time. I have peace, but I don’t want to become complacent.

No matter what our days look like, I want to be following Jesus with all my efforts.

I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord , Who made heaven and earth.
Psalms 121:1‭-‬2 NKJV

A lesson in perspective

Saturday, I had been putting something in my calendar and had a bit of a shock.

My sister-in-law’s shower is coming up.

“Oh no! Lord, I don’t have anything made for her. What am I going to make in the amount of time I have with my other projects unfinished?”

It’s incredible the gentle way He handles my heart.

Make a sweater,hat, and bag. And don’t worry, you have lots of time.

Because my brain spouts questions and doubting without the slightest hindrance, I responded:

“But Lord, I can’t possibly get all that done. I have these other things I have to do first. To do all that I’d need to stop my other projects.”

It’s alright. I will lead you.

All my concern melted.

“Yes, Lord. I’m sorry for being afraid.”

Later in the day I was busy working on a surprise for our granddaughter, my son-in-law walked in followed by the rest of the family.

Anne quietly removed the gift in progress.

Because I’m always crocheting when not doing anything else, I grabbed out some soft yarn and began working on the sweater.

It’s nearly finished.

It would have been done yesterday, but one piece has been super difficult.

I had to rip it out and restart three times.

The last time was this morning before church.

I couldn’t understand why it was giving me so much trouble.

My prayers turned to inquiry.

“God, why isn’t this working? You told me to make this. What am I doing wrong?”

Little one, you are trying to tackle this like an enemy to be overcome. I gave this to you to enjoy. It’s about the process and the finished result being a blessing. It’s not a challenge to conquer.

I had to apologise.

He’s taught me this lesson before.

There is fun in the doing.

He doesn’t want me to create just as a duty, but as a joy.

If it were only about getting a gift, I could buy something.

It’s so much more.

It’s about praying for the baby who will wear it.

It’s about loving the Creator who created both this baby and me.

It’s about learning more about Jesus as I create.

After all, the care and effort and joy I have in making something pales compared to His in making each of us.

And it’s an opportunity.

Creating something with the abilities God has taught me is a way to praise Him.

And I never want to miss that.

I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to finish it today.

But even if I don’t, I’m going to enjoy the process, not just the finished result.

Because life is so much deeper than the doing, the accomplished.

Life is truly about relationship.

I’m so thankful for my relationship with my Lord Jesus.

How amazing He is!