This started out as a Facebook post. I'm really not a writer. Or blogger. But, it ended up much longer than I thought it would. So, here it is...
I woke up with a verse on my heart:
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23
This is one I refer to with the kids often - especially reminding them (and myself) that once they see/hear/read something, they can't unsee/unhear/unread it. It's in their minds, and their mind will continue to process it whether they're aware of it or not.
In thinking of this, I continued to flip through and pulled out several others that spoke the same truth.
Matthew 12:34 For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
What we fill our thoughts with will come out through our words and actions.
Mark 7:20-23 He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All of these evils come from inside..."
These are not things I want coming out. As a sinner, it will happen. But, as one who has been made righteous through the blood of Christ, the price for my soul was too high to be slave to them. What do we do about this?
Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Does this mean that we won't ever succumb to our sinful natures? Of course not! But that doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to intentionally strive for holiness.
Philippians 1:9-11 - And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.
And one more from Paul - guidance in how to make that last verse happen.
Philippians 4:8 - Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Those fruits. That's what I want coming out.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
excited, overwhelmed and humbled
I've just given away this whole post in three words: excited, overwhelmed and humbled. This is how it feels as I am planning our upcoming school year.
Excited. A fresh start, although at times can create anxiety, is almost always exciting. There's the whole bright and shiny aspect (new books, blank to-be-filled-in calendar), which I love. But, there's also the looking back over the past year and deciding what we did that was spot on and worthy to be transferred to the new year and dumping anything that ended up just not working for us. This is my favorite part. I get to reflect on each child and really think about who they are, how they learn and what is the best way to accomplish that. Now, this doesn't mean that we'll get things perfect this next go round. I promise there will be many new thoughts and ideas that seem wonderful now that will get crossed off as time passes, but that just shows that we're constantly learning who we are as individuals and as a family. And that we're open enough to change.
Overwhelmed. If I'm not careful, this emotion can quickly engulf the others. To not call it out, though, would be untruthful. It's a pretty big feeling for me on a regular basis. Really, just to think that I am the one picking and choosing what my kids are going to learn this year. Who am I? What if I miss something vitally important to their learning during these early years? Will we really screw them up that badly by taking their education at this stage in their lives into our own hands? What if I fail? This list goes on. And, ashamedly, what will everyone else think? Now, we can go ahead and scratch that last question off the list because it really has no place here. Who is everyone else anyway? I admit it does cross my mind from time to time.
Humbled. When I do feel overwhelmed by the negative chatter in my head, I know it's [past] time to lay it down and fill my mind with truth. God chose me to be the mother to these children. It's such a blessing. It's also a HUGE responsibility. And not one to be taken lightly by any means. But, I'm imperfect, and there will be times when I do fail them. So, this is where I am humbled, and I ask those questions in a different light. Who am I? I am chosen. I am dearly loved. I am saved by grace. I am redeemed. I am a child of the King. And when I get overwhelmed with those questions, I am placing too much importance on myself. For as much as I love my children, God loves them more. They are His, just as much as I am His. I'm not saying what I do doesn't matter. Oh, it does. But, at the end of the day, when I've done all I can do and it's not enough, I can be assured of the grace freely given though the cross. Now that's humbling.
So, that's where I am today. I was going to put a quick status update on Facebook about how I was excited, overwhelmed and humbled during my planning, but felt compelled to be much more verbose than would be appropriate for a Facebook post. :-)
Back to planning...
Excited. A fresh start, although at times can create anxiety, is almost always exciting. There's the whole bright and shiny aspect (new books, blank to-be-filled-in calendar), which I love. But, there's also the looking back over the past year and deciding what we did that was spot on and worthy to be transferred to the new year and dumping anything that ended up just not working for us. This is my favorite part. I get to reflect on each child and really think about who they are, how they learn and what is the best way to accomplish that. Now, this doesn't mean that we'll get things perfect this next go round. I promise there will be many new thoughts and ideas that seem wonderful now that will get crossed off as time passes, but that just shows that we're constantly learning who we are as individuals and as a family. And that we're open enough to change.
Overwhelmed. If I'm not careful, this emotion can quickly engulf the others. To not call it out, though, would be untruthful. It's a pretty big feeling for me on a regular basis. Really, just to think that I am the one picking and choosing what my kids are going to learn this year. Who am I? What if I miss something vitally important to their learning during these early years? Will we really screw them up that badly by taking their education at this stage in their lives into our own hands? What if I fail? This list goes on. And, ashamedly, what will everyone else think? Now, we can go ahead and scratch that last question off the list because it really has no place here. Who is everyone else anyway? I admit it does cross my mind from time to time.
Humbled. When I do feel overwhelmed by the negative chatter in my head, I know it's [past] time to lay it down and fill my mind with truth. God chose me to be the mother to these children. It's such a blessing. It's also a HUGE responsibility. And not one to be taken lightly by any means. But, I'm imperfect, and there will be times when I do fail them. So, this is where I am humbled, and I ask those questions in a different light. Who am I? I am chosen. I am dearly loved. I am saved by grace. I am redeemed. I am a child of the King. And when I get overwhelmed with those questions, I am placing too much importance on myself. For as much as I love my children, God loves them more. They are His, just as much as I am His. I'm not saying what I do doesn't matter. Oh, it does. But, at the end of the day, when I've done all I can do and it's not enough, I can be assured of the grace freely given though the cross. Now that's humbling.
So, that's where I am today. I was going to put a quick status update on Facebook about how I was excited, overwhelmed and humbled during my planning, but felt compelled to be much more verbose than would be appropriate for a Facebook post. :-)
Back to planning...
Saturday, March 24, 2012
the beginning
All blogs have to start somewhere.
I will begin this one by saying that I am by no means a writer... so, if you're looking for something profound and elegant here, you may be sorely disappointed. {Sorry!}
I also have no idea in which direction this blog will find itself. What I do know is that I have currently been using Facebook as a faux blog and it has been mentioned many times that I should start one of these things.
The real thing.
The one that requires much more writing than a simple 'comment' under a photograph and a much bigger leap than a quick 'status update'. Reasons are for inspiration, creativity, parenting and cooking.
As flattered as I am that some may see me as an inspiration, I'm beyond humbled by this.
I'm the quiet girl who sits silently by watching and learning from others. I don't long to be in the spotlight. And many times I feel like I'm not one anyone should be looking to for anything. Imperfection at it's finest!
But then there's the issue of Ephesians 1:4. I am chosen. So are you. And I was chosen before the creation of the world. So even when I think I'm nothing or I have nothing to give, my heavenly father has never thought that. He dearly loves me. And you. That means I have to dearly love myself, too. So, maybe once all the dust settles, I do have something to offer though my simple musings and life.
We'll see where it leads...
I will begin this one by saying that I am by no means a writer... so, if you're looking for something profound and elegant here, you may be sorely disappointed. {Sorry!}
I also have no idea in which direction this blog will find itself. What I do know is that I have currently been using Facebook as a faux blog and it has been mentioned many times that I should start one of these things.
The real thing.
The one that requires much more writing than a simple 'comment' under a photograph and a much bigger leap than a quick 'status update'. Reasons are for inspiration, creativity, parenting and cooking.
As flattered as I am that some may see me as an inspiration, I'm beyond humbled by this.
I'm the quiet girl who sits silently by watching and learning from others. I don't long to be in the spotlight. And many times I feel like I'm not one anyone should be looking to for anything. Imperfection at it's finest!
But then there's the issue of Ephesians 1:4. I am chosen. So are you. And I was chosen before the creation of the world. So even when I think I'm nothing or I have nothing to give, my heavenly father has never thought that. He dearly loves me. And you. That means I have to dearly love myself, too. So, maybe once all the dust settles, I do have something to offer though my simple musings and life.
We'll see where it leads...
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