Life is living and moving thing and lately our lives have been moving and living at a faster pace than usual. It has kept my writing at bay for 2 weeks, and although I know that is okay and God still hears my praise and my thanks, I can say that I felt something missing without writing. I take less time to spend time in God's word, I fill my day with less reflection of his graces and mercies in my life. I have less opportunity to express myself beyond the daily parenting phrases that are my "new" language in life. I realized, I need this blog. I'm not sure many read it, at this point, or that my thoughts go much beyond my own ability to look back and reflect on what I was experiencing in life. But, I need it. I've always been a journaler...and by that I mean I love to write and have often taken a pen to paper to record my thoughts, always to end up getting rid of it for fear that someone might actually read it. Or years would pass and I would read it and realize how silly it all seemed. Silly or not...I love to blog!
{Psalm 27:4
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple.}
We've been dealing with discipline again in our home. The ever-changing beast it seems to be. I consider myself a pretty firm parent with high expectations of my children, but nothing I don't think they can achieve. We express a lot of love, spend lots of time with them, and cover them with smooches and hugs. So the discipline part has it's place amidst a lot of love. But, we have been struggling. And by we, I suppose I really mean me. I won't go into the details here, now isn't really the time. But I will ask that you be praying for us as we seek God's will in how to handle his heart. We want to implement the Heart Transformation aspect in all things, but as with many things, find it challenging to utilize the right discipline tool in the transformation. I think we might be on to something now...pray we will consistently stick to it and that God would re-shape our child's heart towards obedience.
In my efforts to see more of what God wanted from me about the discipline I was blog hopping. There are so many amazing, biblical, Titus 2 women who are raising many children that I feel I can look up to and gain wisdom from. I was encouraged by what many of them had to say in regards to this issue. But I was most encouraged when I found a mother of 9 children blogging about her own feelings of inadequecy in regards to motherhood. You can find her little post here (http://www.titus2atthewell.com/2009/10/deep-and-complete-contentment.html). It just goes to show that satan is good at telling all of us we aren't doing enough. I am not saying we should not strive to do more, to know more of God, to know more His will, to see more clearly through His eyes, to intercede for our Children more, and to do so with humility. But, we ought to praise God for His work in us rather than complain against Him and what He has done for us and in us.
Interceding for our children---Well I will say that Justin and I, although not as consistently as I'd like, do have a book of blessing we pray over our children and a CD of blessings we play at night while they sleep. It speaks to their spirits and we love that! We truly believe it will change their lives. I am praying that along with our intercession, speaking to their spirits, doing the 7x7, and dedicating time towards knowing their special gifts God has blessed them with we might lead them down the path towards God. I found on At the Well a little quote from the 1800's.
We do not devote sufficient time to quiet, patient, solitary thought. We adopt a system suited to our inclinations, and pursue it with little examination as to its effects. We are contented to do as others do, not striving to do better . . . Let us therefore begin at home--begin with ourselves, and proceed, as Job proceeded, to intercede for every individual of our beloved circle.
What an awesome challenge to women/mothers/wives. I am inspired by the women of old and could only pray to instill into my heart those same values that my life and family would better serve the Lord.
I have a quick new challenge to give to you. I found it at http://www.shelookethwell.blogspot.com/ and she found it somewhere else. It is amazing and I hope to be a good steward of this Challenge! I pass it on to you.
60/60
"Here's the challenge: Set your watch to chime every hour and use that small prompt to turn your heart and thoughts heavenward. The second part of the "60/60" refers to the duration of the challenge~ 60 days" It was also suggested that you carry around a 3x5 card to read and pray over as your watch chimes.
Gifts
11. Older Women who can encourage and instill wisdom
12. Music-the whimsical harmonies and consistent beats that bring my heart to Joy
13. Singing-making music with my voice and even better with my husband and children
14. A husband that serves his family with passion
15. being loved
16. Green Grass
Take the challenge and find 1000 gifts-Praise God Oh Your Soul
