Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:2
Today we are turning in paperwork to put our house on the market. While we have no idea where we will live once our house sells, we know that this is something we must do. When Ed is offered a job at a college or university, we will be ready to move. Unfortunately, due to the market, we will need to short sale. We pray that this process is smooth and know that, no matter what, we can lean on the Lord for repose and direction. It is so comforting to place all our worries and concerns upon the Lord and know that it is ultimately an act of faith producing endurance.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
20/20 Vision
I know the saying is "hindsight is 20/20," but I have recently experienced that clear vision in a different way. The clarity has come from all the pieces coming together--like a detective who has all the clues and finally sees the big picture.
While we are experiencing some major changes as a family, it is all truly making sense and feeling so right. As we follow His lead, we can walk into the future with 20/20 vision rather than simply look into the past with clear vision.
God's timing is perfect, and I am so incredibly thankful to be following His lead by walking on the path He has set before us. Our future is clear and beautiful!
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:130
While I was in Sweden with William this past month, I had such a lovely time visiting with family and friends. I also had the opportunity to explain our situation, and specifically why we were going to homeschool. Homeschooling is illegal in Sweden, so it was hard for many to wrap their minds around. But each time I "justified" our reason, it was met by such a positive response. It makes sense because it is how God designed our family to raise our children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). When you look at everything through your creator's lens, your sight will always be 20/20.
While we are experiencing some major changes as a family, it is all truly making sense and feeling so right. As we follow His lead, we can walk into the future with 20/20 vision rather than simply look into the past with clear vision.
God's timing is perfect, and I am so incredibly thankful to be following His lead by walking on the path He has set before us. Our future is clear and beautiful!
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
Psalm 119:130
While I was in Sweden with William this past month, I had such a lovely time visiting with family and friends. I also had the opportunity to explain our situation, and specifically why we were going to homeschool. Homeschooling is illegal in Sweden, so it was hard for many to wrap their minds around. But each time I "justified" our reason, it was met by such a positive response. It makes sense because it is how God designed our family to raise our children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). When you look at everything through your creator's lens, your sight will always be 20/20.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Choosing Not to be Anxious
As the time nears for my husband to start his job, not having been offered a new job, I can't help but wonder how we are going to make ends meet. It was hard enough to live on two teachers' salaries, so living on just one with our current bills is impossible. But, as I read God's word in Matthew, I am reminded and comforted by His promises.
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:31-34
While it is human nature to worry, I am choosing to walk in faith and trust in our Lord. Reading his word and promises everyday is comforting and calming.
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Psalm 37:3
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:31-34
While it is human nature to worry, I am choosing to walk in faith and trust in our Lord. Reading his word and promises everyday is comforting and calming.
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Psalm 37:3
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Both Physical and Mental Presence Required
I have been struggling for many days now to find the words and way to write this post, hence the time lapse between my last post. While on our vacation here in Sweden, I have had the wonderful opportunity to visit with many friends from my childhood and of course family. William has been learning, experiencing, and observing many things. He has tried new foods, gone on ferries, spent time on an island, taken tennis lessons, learned many Swedish words and phrases, taken trains, learned how to lawn boule, gone kayaking, gone mushroom picking in the forest, and simply spent time with his Swedish family. It has all truly been a gift.
Gifts can come in all forms, though. Gifts can even be a negative experience to give you perspective and understanding. During this trip I have been given such a gift.
Being in the presence of someone (in my case, an old childhood friend) you really want to spend time with and talk to, but feeling that you have to fit into a time schedule or that you are not as important as other matters, is saddening. It does not matter whether it is by a friend, a parent, or a spouse; it still stings.
I truly cherish and respect my friend, and am not judging her in any way as I know she gave me as much time and energy as she could, but the experience really made me reflect on my parenting. I was able to experience the feeling I believe many children feel today. When we, as parents, busy ourselves with our own success, needs, and desires, and disregard time spent developing relationships with our children, are we glorifying God? What is our most important job as parents? When our children spend most of the day away from us and are more influenced by others, are we glorifying God then when the time spent with them lacks our mental focus? When the time spent with our children is lacking our mental presence due to our own busyness, but is justified by our physical presence, are we fulfilling God's will as parents?
Deuteronomy 6: 5-7 is a lovely reminder of how God wants us to teach and spend time with our children.
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Not only has this recent experience made me realize how I need to focus more of my mental energy on talking to and understanding my children's needs and desires, but it has also helped me understand how they must feel when I am physically present but mentally focused on everything but them. In writing this, I realize that this applies to my focus on my husband as well. So often he only gets part of my attention, but he deserves more. Oh, man...more to pray about.
I am thankful that each day brings new growth and wisdom.
Gifts can come in all forms, though. Gifts can even be a negative experience to give you perspective and understanding. During this trip I have been given such a gift.
Being in the presence of someone (in my case, an old childhood friend) you really want to spend time with and talk to, but feeling that you have to fit into a time schedule or that you are not as important as other matters, is saddening. It does not matter whether it is by a friend, a parent, or a spouse; it still stings.
I truly cherish and respect my friend, and am not judging her in any way as I know she gave me as much time and energy as she could, but the experience really made me reflect on my parenting. I was able to experience the feeling I believe many children feel today. When we, as parents, busy ourselves with our own success, needs, and desires, and disregard time spent developing relationships with our children, are we glorifying God? What is our most important job as parents? When our children spend most of the day away from us and are more influenced by others, are we glorifying God then when the time spent with them lacks our mental focus? When the time spent with our children is lacking our mental presence due to our own busyness, but is justified by our physical presence, are we fulfilling God's will as parents?
Deuteronomy 6: 5-7 is a lovely reminder of how God wants us to teach and spend time with our children.
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Not only has this recent experience made me realize how I need to focus more of my mental energy on talking to and understanding my children's needs and desires, but it has also helped me understand how they must feel when I am physically present but mentally focused on everything but them. In writing this, I realize that this applies to my focus on my husband as well. So often he only gets part of my attention, but he deserves more. Oh, man...more to pray about.
I am thankful that each day brings new growth and wisdom.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Weary?
Some days are more challenging than others...I certainly needed this verse today and am so thankful my sweet husband emailed it to me. Being halfway across the world from him can be challenging. In order to not grow weary, I need to be reminded daily of God's promises and continue to walk in faith. I am so thankful for Ed's incredible faith, strength, and perseverance.
Right now we are still waiting to find out what our future might hold in the way of a job change for Ed. While this is certainly exciting, it is also exhausting. We are also dealing with healthcare issues. Unfortunately some bureaucrat decided that the insulin my husband's doctor prescribed was not the right one for Ed. Instead this person approved one that was totally inappropriate for my husband's pump. Now Ed has to fight this insurance battle in addition to trying to get an insurance policy for me (well, one that will not compromise our food budget that is...).
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Right now we are still waiting to find out what our future might hold in the way of a job change for Ed. While this is certainly exciting, it is also exhausting. We are also dealing with healthcare issues. Unfortunately some bureaucrat decided that the insulin my husband's doctor prescribed was not the right one for Ed. Instead this person approved one that was totally inappropriate for my husband's pump. Now Ed has to fight this insurance battle in addition to trying to get an insurance policy for me (well, one that will not compromise our food budget that is...).
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Monday, July 2, 2012
How are we to live?
Last night before going to sleep, William and I were looking up some verses from my last homeschool moms´ bible study meeting. After each bible study, I have made it a habit to write each verse out in my journal. What a powerful exersize! Well, last night that exersize provided a great conversation with my eleven year old.
I have been feeling, for quite some time, disheartened by how desensitized we are becoming. The more we see something in the media, the more friends who are doing this or that, the more parents who are allowing their children to do this or that, the more we find it to be acceptable. Just because others are doing/wearing/allowing it, does that make it okay? How are we to live as Christians?
When William and I read this verse last night, we were reminded of what we are called to do living "in a warped and crooked generation." Conform? I think not.
Do all things without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16
I have been feeling, for quite some time, disheartened by how desensitized we are becoming. The more we see something in the media, the more friends who are doing this or that, the more parents who are allowing their children to do this or that, the more we find it to be acceptable. Just because others are doing/wearing/allowing it, does that make it okay? How are we to live as Christians?
When William and I read this verse last night, we were reminded of what we are called to do living "in a warped and crooked generation." Conform? I think not.
Do all things without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)