The Long Haul

Graduating our first homeschooler this past week has caused me to think on things. There are 6 dear ones behind her. Currently, my youngest will graduate high school in 2026 and I will be 57 years old. Life is an adventure. God has given me so much! I am richly blessed! At first, I think of the long road ahead. Everyone has been asking me if I am relieved after the graduation. Honestly, I cannot say that I am. I am proud of Celeste's (and my) accomplishment. I am excited for what comes next. I am contemplative. Relieved, no. Thankfully, God's grace is there every day of my life and I can do all things through Him. It is awesome to think on what great things God has for us and what the future holds. I am thinking on this verse today:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

May God's grace be evident to you today and may you lack nothing in Him.

The nature of Jesus Christ

I am currently participating in a Beth Moore bible study called, "Believing God." This particular verse impacted me tonight during my study time.

Colossians 1: 15-17
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (NIV translation--bold print my emphasis)

First of all, let me say that God is Sovereign. He allows the current government that we, as U.S. citizens, are enduring. My concern is that Christians are concentrating too readily on the gloom and doom purported by the media. While this nation's economy (among other things) is not a rosy picture, may I suggest that we can trust God to move mightily during this time in His own way.

Secondly, "all things were created by him and for him." The chief end of man is to glorify God. I am asking myself, "What am I doing on a day to day basis that glorifies Him?" Consider this point carefully and move to meet its challenge.

Third, "in him all things hold together." Hold fast to this statement. In difficult times, in uncertainty, in sickness, in trial, let us hold to God's promises and pray fervently, believing in Him who has the power to accomplish anything. I am letting God hold me together and trusting in the Hope that he has given me for my future. Amen!

Friday Inspiration

All I need is a 15 month old in her onesie to inspire me to greatness... But remember that truly only God can do anything. He is the Greatest of All! I shall praise Him for encouraging me in small ways. Have a super weekend!

I have another great blog post for you to see. It's from my momys friend, Amy Scott. Her blog is just a wonderful masterpiece. (Quite unlike mine!)

Today we're doing some school, running some errands, and Jamie is getting a hair cut. (Believe me, he needs one!) Saturday we'll be driving to Orlando to visit my friend, Valerie, and her family. Last year we had babies 5 weeks apart. Her daughter is turning one, so we're going for the party. We haven't seen each other since May, so it will be nice to go! I'll try to post some more pictures and updates soon.

An encouraging word

We have just started our homeschooling year today. I'm doing a slow start week. It's very hectic! I was quickly checking some things and found this post on Girltalk. It was very encouraging to me. Much of what we do as Christian, homeschooling mommies is among the mundane. Your reward is in heaven, Ladies! Reread all of Psalm 127. And while you're at it, if you homeschool, read Deut. 6, too!

I have LOTS to do, so I need to go! My heart is here with you, but my children are needing my attention in this current season. Blessings!

Hop on over to this blog and read Amy's post about Choices. Maybe all this pursuit of the world for "something" is not where most of us should be headed. I need to keep this in mind when I want things "just so" around here. God only made 24 hours in a day for a reason. On that note, it's my 6 hours to sleep...wink!

Encouragement

I received this encouragement from one of the momys today and I thought it was too good not to share it:

Psalm 1
1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

As you can see the words in boldfaced above, whatsoever God's people do, if they are meditating on His law they prosper. But we are human and we look at things with human eyes. Thus we must live by faith and not by sight as our forefather Abraham did. "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" says Romans 14:23. If we don't have the faith we must ask God to give it to us by His grace.

Blessings,
Karen

Thank you, Karen! I will be praying over these verses this week. I am praying that as I raise my children I will do it in a righteous manner and it will prosper. May you have a prosperous home, too!