I saw this on another blog and had to laugh... and share it with you all. What truth this cute little picture contains! May we all see ourselves not as we are, but as God intends!
Loved "Free, but Walking in My Own Light. That is much what God has been doing in me the last 7 years (I think I must be a slow learner). Actually a good part of it was rest and restoration. Aren't we silly when we think we understand the path He has us on and then we diverge and start walking out in our own thoughts---not even realizing it. It really goes back to seeking Him each day, laying our thoughts and desires down and waiting with Him---to know His heart. It's all about our relationship with Him--a personal intimate love---the rest of "doing" will fall into place. I'm trying to focus on one day at time, sometimes one moment. Trusting even when I don't see, that all I need to know today is enough and to not jump ahead of Him.
I read your devotion today and thought how perfect it was for me. I too am a homeschool mom of four who always hears those comments of, "How do you do it?" My plate is full and sometimes wonder if I should send my kids to school...thinking of the freedom that I could have. Would it be best for them and me? I sit with this wieghing on me as school gets ready to start in 6 weeks. Thank you for reminding me that His grace is sufficient and since He isn't telling me to stop, I better not light my own way!
Marybeth, Thanks to you and all the Prov.31 gals who share their thoughts and lives on-line, via conferences, etc. The cat photo made me think of a photo given to me years ago by a girlfriend. It shows a woman playing the piano, singing at the top of her lungs, while a massive lion sprawls on top of the baby-grand! My friend said that picture reminded her of me - singing to the Lord and/or singing in the presence of my enemies! Makes me smile to think that someone else can see my boldness and strength in the Lord, even though I may tend to view my weaknesses! Blessings this 4th of July - Becky
Thank you for the P31 devotional that you wrote today. It was important to read. As a HS Mom of 6 who has a new call to write I have been just wondering how I will have time for it all?
I know that since God called me to both, He will show me the way. This is just a fresh reminder of that. This will be hard work, no doubt. With man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.
I would love to know if you are planning on jumping back into schooling your children at home in the fall?
Yep, I am seconding the question of hsmom of 6...what is the end of the story?:) I was wondering why I didn't see you as a workshop speaker for NCHE this year...that answered my question. blessings, Jen
I loved your encouragement for today! I had been questioning God if the ministry I am serving in is really for him or if I do it because I love it (I volunteer in my youth ministry). Well, God sent me and my husband to camp for a week with 24 of them, without benefit of the youth pastor and his wife (they were at home waiting on the "any day now" delivery of there georgous daughter). So there I was, flying solo with these teenage girls, completely overwhelmed and fearful of the weeklong responsibility of not only their physical wellbeing but their emotional and spiritual health as well. Could I answer their questions? What if I missed some important spiritual decision or breakthough (or God forbid, breakdown)? What if I just wasn't enough?
Oh how I came home humbled. Away from my comfort and support network, I turned to God to lead me and support me and provide for me. I was completely drained by the end of the week. Trusting completley in God is exhausting! I had some wonderful conversations with my girls, answered some questions, supported some decisions and encouraged some changes. While depending completely on God he can use us so much more than when we are depending on ourselves!
How amazing is it that only when I completely "lost it" did I find it, where "it" always was...in Him.
I realized that I was so focused on second guessing God that I have been completely missing the point of my ministry. It IS for me that I get to act like a teen and go on fun trips and activities and listen to loud music and jump at concerts. I get to be a thirty-two year old teenager! But while doing that I am also showing them that God is in me while I am doing those things and that he can use anyone, anywhere and in anyway. I help make him real to teenagers. What could be more of God than that!
Anyway, sorry this is so long...just had to share.
Here's more thanks for your P31 devo - I thought it was written specifically for me, but obviously that's not the case!! I too am struggling with the idea of possibly writing and homeschooling. And actually just in the 24 hours before I read this was really thinking about pushing pause on the writing side as I start to teach my 5 year old for the first time in the fall. That may still be the case, but your words reminded me of trusting God with His plan rather than thinking about my own. His grace is sufficient even when I don't understand!!!
Hi, I live in South Africa and only got around to your P31 devotional now. I have been struggling with the problem of getting a business online going for survival and having to care for my very demanding granddaughter. There is no one else to care for her during the day as she was frightfully unhappy at the "after school" as we call it here. It is a place where they look after the kids after school (our schools ends early, hers end at 12:45) and during the holidays (we have school holidays at the moment)
To make a long story short, I realize now that as long as I do the best I can, God will show me the way step by step and if that means we have to move to a smaller place for economical reasons, God will help us in those difficult circumstances. Thanks I needed this today.
11 comments:
love that! Enjoy your 4th! It is one of our favorite days....and my daughter is 7 today!!!!!
(and yes i got a blogger account now so I can post comments to you!)
Amy W
Loved "Free, but Walking in My Own Light. That is much what God has been doing in me the last 7 years (I think I must be a slow learner). Actually a good part of it was rest and restoration. Aren't we silly when we think we understand the path He has us on and then we diverge and start walking out in our own thoughts---not even realizing it. It really goes back to seeking Him each day, laying our thoughts and desires down and waiting with Him---to know His heart. It's all about our relationship with Him--a personal intimate love---the rest of "doing" will fall into place. I'm trying to focus on one day at time, sometimes one moment. Trusting even when I don't see, that all I need to know today is enough and to not jump ahead of Him.
I read your devotion today and thought how perfect it was for me. I too am a homeschool mom of four who always hears those comments of, "How do you do it?" My plate is full and sometimes wonder if I should send my kids to school...thinking of the freedom that I could have. Would it be best for them and me? I sit with this wieghing on me as school gets ready to start in 6 weeks. Thank you for reminding me that His grace is sufficient and since He isn't telling me to stop, I better not light my own way!
Marybeth,
Thanks to you and all the Prov.31 gals who share their thoughts and lives on-line, via conferences, etc. The cat photo made me think of a photo given to me years ago by a girlfriend. It shows a woman playing the piano, singing at the top of her lungs, while a massive lion sprawls on top of the baby-grand! My friend said that picture reminded her of me - singing to the Lord and/or singing in the presence of my enemies! Makes me smile to think that someone else can see my boldness and strength in the Lord, even though I may tend to view my weaknesses!
Blessings this 4th of July - Becky
Dear Marybeth,
Thank you for the P31 devotional that you wrote today. It was important to read. As a HS Mom of 6 who has a new call to write I have been just wondering how I will have time for it all?
I know that since God called me to both, He will show me the way. This is just a fresh reminder of that. This will be hard work, no doubt. With man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.
I would love to know if you are planning on jumping back into schooling your children at home in the fall?
THIS is so cool! If we could only see ourselves so clearly all of the time, what a difference we would make huh!?
Bless you!
Yep, I am seconding the question of hsmom of 6...what is the end of the story?:)
I was wondering why I didn't see you as a workshop speaker for NCHE this year...that answered my question.
blessings, Jen
I loved your encouragement for today! I had been questioning God if the ministry I am serving in is really for him or if I do it because I love it (I volunteer in my youth ministry). Well, God sent me and my husband to camp for a week with 24 of them, without benefit of the youth pastor and his wife (they were at home waiting on the "any day now" delivery of there georgous daughter). So there I was, flying solo with these teenage girls, completely overwhelmed and fearful of the weeklong responsibility of not only their physical wellbeing but their emotional and spiritual health as well. Could I answer their questions? What if I missed some important spiritual decision or breakthough (or God forbid, breakdown)? What if I just wasn't enough?
Oh how I came home humbled. Away from my comfort and support network, I turned to God to lead me and support me and provide for me. I was completely drained by the end of the week. Trusting completley in God is exhausting! I had some wonderful conversations with my girls, answered some questions, supported some decisions and encouraged some changes. While depending completely on God he can use us so much more than when we are depending on ourselves!
How amazing is it that only when I completely "lost it" did I find it, where "it" always was...in Him.
I realized that I was so focused on second guessing God that I have been completely missing the point of my ministry. It IS for me that I get to act like a teen and go on fun trips and activities and listen to loud music and jump at concerts. I get to be a thirty-two year old teenager! But while doing that I am also showing them that God is in me while I am doing those things and that he can use anyone, anywhere and in anyway. I help make him real to teenagers. What could be more of God than that!
Anyway, sorry this is so long...just had to share.
Here's more thanks for your P31 devo - I thought it was written specifically for me, but obviously that's not the case!! I too am struggling with the idea of possibly writing and homeschooling. And actually just in the 24 hours before I read this was really thinking about pushing pause on the writing side as I start to teach my 5 year old for the first time in the fall. That may still be the case, but your words reminded me of trusting God with His plan rather than thinking about my own. His grace is sufficient even when I don't understand!!!
Hi, I live in South Africa and only got around to your P31 devotional now. I have been struggling with the problem of getting a business online going for survival and having to care for my very demanding granddaughter. There is no one else to care for her during the day as she was frightfully unhappy at the "after school" as we call it here. It is a place where they look after the kids after school (our schools ends early, hers end at 12:45) and during the holidays (we have school holidays at the moment)
To make a long story short, I realize now that as long as I do the best I can, God will show me the way step by step and if that means we have to move to a smaller place for economical reasons, God will help us in those difficult circumstances. Thanks I needed this today.
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