Day Four...
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Memory Scripture: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Day 4 of social distancing.
Never in a million years could I have imagined such a thing.
But, God knew.
As I am forced to stop, pause, and rest....
I see things clearer.
When we are in a dizzying state of busy, we often miss a whole lot. When life is filled with one activity to the next, schedules have no margin....we miss out on the in-betweens.
Those in-between times are important. Those mundane moments are actually some of the big moments of our lives.
The tucking in of the children, the wiping of their little noses for the hundredth time, the picking up of the toys, the dishes lying in the sink waiting for suds and scrubs...
So often we look at the big things to define our lives. We get it wrong.
A couple of days ago my Aunt called me. I cannot even remember the last time I talked to her on the phone.
What a special memory it was to talk to her and not be in a mad rush to get somewhere.
My daughter has discovered over the past few days that she really loves to write. She is working on a little story because she has margin now, and much of it.
I enjoy being at home and finding new things to organize and clean. I notice things that have gotten left behind over the past few months, and now I am able to take care of those things.
Daily, I am asking God, "Lord, what do you want us to learn?"
My sweet friend Christa said something that resonated so deeply in my soul. She said that she sees God protecting us from a greater threat. The staying at home, the social distancing, the cancellation of activities...could all be His protection over us.
I agree with all my heart.
The battle is not flesh and blood. The battle is spiritual.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
My 18 year old son, Joseph, is going to work with his Dad every day. Yes, he would rather be in his dorm on campus, but God has allowed him to be with his Dad, and his 2 uncles for the time being.
I see this as a GIFT.
Joseph is getting to work with his great Uncle Casey every day. Spending time with him, working alongside of him. This will be something he remembers for the rest of his days.
I see this as a GIFT.
My daughter, Presley, is learning new household chores. She is pitching in and enjoying learning new things in the house.
I see this as a GIFT.
She is also working on her music daily. Singing songs, pounding on her piano, and belting out tunes.
I see this as a GIFT.
My husband, Lem, and I are having countless and endless talks every evening. We have covered every subject under the sun because we have nowhere to be in the evenings now.
I see this as a GIFT.
The four of us sit outside every evening eating supper. We have not done this since Joseph left for college back in early August.
I see this as a GIFT.
My father was drafted into the Vietnam war at the tender age of 19. His youth was interrupted along with many others.
This is not the first time that lives have been interrupted.
And, it probably will not be the last.
Let's use this down time wisely. Even if you are surrounded by many children in your home, opportunities abound for teaching during this time.
Tell them stories.
Listen to their stories.
If they are babies. read God's Word over them. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17
Use this time to memorize scripture with your children or your friends. Challenge each other to read the bible and learn scripture.
Text and face time often to encourage each other and spur each other on.
Ask the Lord every single day, "What would you have me to do today?"
Mostly, let us use this time to pray. And pray. And pray.
God is doing something here. We cannot see it yet, but in time we will.
Let us be faithful and obedient as we wait. Let us be still and listen.
As I type I hear the birds outside my window. Not a care in the world.
Let us trust our Father as much as the birds do.
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.
Memory Scripture: Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Day 4 of social distancing.
Never in a million years could I have imagined such a thing.
But, God knew.
As I am forced to stop, pause, and rest....
I see things clearer.
When we are in a dizzying state of busy, we often miss a whole lot. When life is filled with one activity to the next, schedules have no margin....we miss out on the in-betweens.
Those in-between times are important. Those mundane moments are actually some of the big moments of our lives.
The tucking in of the children, the wiping of their little noses for the hundredth time, the picking up of the toys, the dishes lying in the sink waiting for suds and scrubs...
So often we look at the big things to define our lives. We get it wrong.
A couple of days ago my Aunt called me. I cannot even remember the last time I talked to her on the phone.
What a special memory it was to talk to her and not be in a mad rush to get somewhere.
My daughter has discovered over the past few days that she really loves to write. She is working on a little story because she has margin now, and much of it.
I enjoy being at home and finding new things to organize and clean. I notice things that have gotten left behind over the past few months, and now I am able to take care of those things.
Daily, I am asking God, "Lord, what do you want us to learn?"
My sweet friend Christa said something that resonated so deeply in my soul. She said that she sees God protecting us from a greater threat. The staying at home, the social distancing, the cancellation of activities...could all be His protection over us.
I agree with all my heart.
The battle is not flesh and blood. The battle is spiritual.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
My 18 year old son, Joseph, is going to work with his Dad every day. Yes, he would rather be in his dorm on campus, but God has allowed him to be with his Dad, and his 2 uncles for the time being.
I see this as a GIFT.
Joseph is getting to work with his great Uncle Casey every day. Spending time with him, working alongside of him. This will be something he remembers for the rest of his days.
I see this as a GIFT.
My daughter, Presley, is learning new household chores. She is pitching in and enjoying learning new things in the house.
I see this as a GIFT.
She is also working on her music daily. Singing songs, pounding on her piano, and belting out tunes.
I see this as a GIFT.
My husband, Lem, and I are having countless and endless talks every evening. We have covered every subject under the sun because we have nowhere to be in the evenings now.
I see this as a GIFT.
The four of us sit outside every evening eating supper. We have not done this since Joseph left for college back in early August.
I see this as a GIFT.
My father was drafted into the Vietnam war at the tender age of 19. His youth was interrupted along with many others.
This is not the first time that lives have been interrupted.
And, it probably will not be the last.
Let's use this down time wisely. Even if you are surrounded by many children in your home, opportunities abound for teaching during this time.
Tell them stories.
Listen to their stories.
If they are babies. read God's Word over them. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Romans 10:17
Use this time to memorize scripture with your children or your friends. Challenge each other to read the bible and learn scripture.
Text and face time often to encourage each other and spur each other on.
Ask the Lord every single day, "What would you have me to do today?"
Mostly, let us use this time to pray. And pray. And pray.
God is doing something here. We cannot see it yet, but in time we will.
Let us be faithful and obedient as we wait. Let us be still and listen.
As I type I hear the birds outside my window. Not a care in the world.
Let us trust our Father as much as the birds do.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Matthew 6:25-30
seeing the gifts,
jill
