The joy of family

It was a lovely week, which ended in a lovely weekend.

Our Anne was able to come home for the week.

My mom’s foot has healed so well that she is no longer under restrictions.

Thus, Anne could be here.

Our Bell was also here for a few days, Thursday through most of Saturday.

To add to the blessings, we got to watch Bubba and Faye on Saturday while their parents had a day together.

Although, Bell had to leave Saturday night, everyone else stayed over.

Yesterday, we all drove South.

Anne was to return to Grandma’s.

Handsome and I needed to restock the booth, and of course Tim and Sis were returning home.

The house felt empty when we got back, but I know that’s simply the “drop down” after all the excitement.

Not unlike the feeling one gets when Christmas is over and it’s time to pack it all away.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to see how valuable each stage or season is.

To cherish time with others, but to also realize there is value in alone time.

To see God working in us when we are together and when we are separate.

Because He knows every season and is working through each one.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV — To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

And I want to hold tightly to Him in all things.

Not unlike the small yet wonderful embrace of my grandson or granddaughter, I want to cling to Jesus with that kind of innocent pure love.

But that kind of relationship requires me to let go of other things.

I can’t cling to Jesus if I’m trying to hold on to the world, or even other people.

He has to come first for me to give Him my best.

I’m so thankful for it.

Because I can find joy, pleasure, and wisdom in any stage.

Philippians 4:11 KJV — Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Paul spoke in respect to physical needs, but the truth is applicable to all of life.

I’m still learning this lesson, but it’s a beautiful journey and a blessed walk.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word and Your truth. Thank You for my family and the gift of time together. Lord, thank You for teaching me so much daily and showing me how blessed each stage is. Lord, I want to cling to You more each day. Please continue to help me learn how to let go of other things and hold fast to You. Lord, I praise You for all Your wonderous works! I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Embrace change

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV — To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

It’s important that we realize change is part of life.

For those who don’t live in the tropics, the weather is a continual reminder of change.

Four seasons, each vastly different, each one important.

Our lives need change, our very bodies thrive on it.

We were not created to sleep continually, when someone does it’s a sign that something is wrong.

We were not made to eat continually, even animals who graze have times where they lay down and chew their cud.

For us to be healthy and whole we need change.

But it’s not always comfortable.

It’s certainly not always fun.

But the season each of us is in holds value and is an opportunity.

Where we struggle is when we try to resist change, holding on to a specific time or season of life, rather than embrace the place one is.

God knows what is best for each of us and His wisdom is far above our understanding.

Therefore we must trust Him and seek His face for the place we are in, thanking Him.

It is with a humble and grateful heart that we can truly embrace change.

Let us praise God for change.

Let us be aware of the changes, whether it be the season, the time, or the place we are in.

Let us be thankful for the blessings of yesterday as well as those of today.

Let us trust God for tomorrow, guarding against fear of the future.

For truly there is a time for everything and the Lord is Master of it all.

Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 NKJV —
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear, And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your wisdom and truth. Thank You for Your Word and how You help us through each day. Lord, please continue to shine through each circumstance, to teach and guide me. I want to be more like You in all things and I thank You for the change You bring in my life, that I might grow. Lord, You know many things are difficult, please help us to cling to You and to walk in Your ways. Lord, please help us not to charge ahead in our own plans, but instead to rest in and wait upon You, even while we work. Lord, please keep us from devising our own plans or using others to “make” things happen. Lord, if there is any place where we are using another for our own benefit, please show us that we might stop manipulating others. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for Your love and faithfulness. May the knowledge of glory of You fill the whole Earth! Amen.

A new normal

Just like these new leaves a new year holds much expectation.

With change comes all kinds of things.

Of course, the first thing I normally notice is the discomfort of the new.

Like stiff shoes, yet to be broken in.

At the present the new in this year is some changes in our family schedule.

Trying to get all of my thoughts adjusted to it has caused me some discomfort.

However, the expectations are worth the discomfort.

I’m expecting to see our children benefit from the changes.

Sports is a biggie.

It is a demanding schedule, but the girls learn so much from playing on a team, loving others even when it is difficult,  and sharing Jesus when the opportunities present themselves.

I’m expecting my husband to benefit from the challenge of returning to college.

I’m expecting joy as he achieves his goals and is able to continue to expand his understanding.

There are things I am changing as well.

I’m caring with me my convictions, but I find I’m applying them a bit differently.

The Lord continues to surprise me by the many ways He allows me to experience walking with Him.

One of the changes this year is my position with our school.

I’m finishing up this school year, but I won’t be returning.

There are few words which could crystallize my emotions over this change.

There is discomfort in knowing I’ll be leaving people I love dearly.

Yet, there’s expectation in the reason.

I’m going to be homeschooling my own kids.

I don’t really know all the answers, but I know this is God’s direction.

Life never stays the same.

Each year, each day brings change.

The Bible said it best:
“To everything there is a season…”
Ecc. 3:1a (emphasis added)

Joys of the season

Yesterday,
we went cherry picking.

Today,
we went to a graduation/18th birthday party.

Tomorrow,
is lunch with Papa and Nana.

It’s a season.

Not just a chance to be outdoors.
Not just beautiful weather and fresh fruit.
Not just a break from the routine.

It’s a season of life.

When it passes something else will fill in each day,
but to miss the joys of the season would be to waste the gift.

Too easy to look forward to what tomorrow will hold.

Too often to look back “when…”

Too precious to ignore, is the season that each of us resides in, whether it be childhood, teenager, adult.

Each season brings blessings even through the trial.

As infants and toddlers I was always concerned with their health, their manners, their clothes.

As school aged the concern turns to friends, academics, and sports.

Teen years have been full of relationships with everyone, emotions, events and life decisions like GPAs and scholarships.

There is a parallel to the seasons of the year.

Summer holds so many good things,  but I never get stung in the winter.

Fall is colorful and often still allows some time outdoors, yet the flowers all begin to die and the business of school crowds the calendar.

Winter brings the coziness of a warm fire along with hot chocolate, homemade brownies, and holidays, but the flu and colds attack reminding each of their frailty.

Spring is rebirth as trees, flowers, and animals all great the world with something new, yet the weather can fluctuate so rapidly that the rains break the flowers and the trees lose their blossoms.

Are we to look at the seasons and focus on the ways it brings discomfort or loss or pain?

No.

Instead we should look to our Heavenly Father and thank Him for all the positive points in each season.

As you walk in this season of swimming pools, travel, and parties or weddings I pray you are able to make a thankful list. Nothing fancy, nothing worth showing off but simply a chance to recall all the various blessings this season brings.

Here’s one I’m starting:
I am thankful to God for:
1. More time at home.
2. More opportunities to be with family and friends.
3. Weather which allows me to walk in the garden.
4. All the veggies in my garden.
5. The chance to read something other than textbooks.
6. The time to bake.
7. Fresh produce to can for the winter.
8. The time to reorganize my house.
9. Enough water to wash clothes, dishes, the dog, or anything else.
10. Longer quiet times with the Lord, my Bible, and journal.