Peek-A-Boo

Jenny Beth and I are doing homeschool a little different this year. We decided to be part of a Co-Op, which has turned out to be a wonderful decision. Our Co-op meets every Tuesday. Each Mom has a class that she teaches and then other chores she must complete during the day. My class is Algebra 1, I help setup for lunch and THEN I get to help a very sweet friend in the nursery. The nursery is at the end of the day, so you can imagine how tired these little ones are. Through a small consensus...okay,  it is for our sanity, we decided the kids should go outside for this last hour. They run, play with bugs, expand their imagination with sticks, count leaves...you name it they do it! One of their favorite games is peek-a-boo!

Peek-a-Boo is very mundane with two and three year olds, but it is what makes them happy! Our game is played behind a large magnolia tree. Usually, they will stand behind the tree and we will call out their names..."Where are you"? The game usually starts with one and then the other 3 want to get in on it. It never fails, there will be one who stands on the side of the tree where we can see their little body. They turn their eyes away from us and because they cannot see us, they think we cannot see them! 

HOLY COW! How many times are we that little kid on the side of the tree playing peek-a-boo with God? So often we have this thought process, that just because we cannot see God Himself with our eyes, He cannot see us. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses small things to ever so gently remind me that He is God!  Hebrews 4:12-13 states, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NOTHING in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." You may not see my heart or even some of my actions, but God does. As Hebrews says, "nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight"!  

As a child in Sunday School, I can remember singing, "Oh be careful little eyes (hand, mouth, feet) what you see, for the Father up above is looking down below, oh be careful little eyes what you see". Wow...and I thought it was just a song to sing when I was little!

Outfit of the Day

Have you ever stood at your closet and said, "I don't have anything to wear"? I know I have... or you go through 5 outfits before you find one and then you still aren't happy! PREACH!! Oh and by the way, the picture above is not my closet. If only I could be that organized. I figure if you cannot see it, it is fine!

As Christians, we should get dressed everyday with confidence. Colossians 3: 12-14, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, CLOTHE yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." It should never be a question as to what I put on in the morning. Just like I choose the right outfit from my closet, I should also choose to get dressed in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

If I do not make compassion as part of my daily wardrobe then how do I expect to be kind or show patience to another person? I know for me, I have to continually get dressed with these qualities throughout the day. Look at verse 14 again, "and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity". Love is that final accessory that brings the whole outfit together. 

If you have ever watched What Not To Wear, you know that Stacy and Clinton always talk about bringing the outfit together with accessories...a purse, shoes, necklace or bracelets in a contrasting color. They have said that it finishes the outfit and makes you look like a million dollars! Well, let's just think of compassion as our deodorant, it keeps us from stinking, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience is our outfit of choice, forgiveness is our belt, which tightens the clothing, then it is time to accessorize! We must put on LOVE as our splash of color. ACCESSORIZE...it is what pulls the whole outfit together!

It is just as important to get dressed spiritually every morning, as it is to choose the "outfit of the day"! 

A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

As I prepare to write this post, my mind wanders and drifts away to so many other things going on in my life. My baby is in 8th grade, she will turn 14 in a little over a month. The oldest daughter is leaving for college to begin her Junior year, my son just returned from a mission trip in Africa and is working with my Dad and all while I am trying to figure out God's plan and direction for me. The season for me to be a stay-at-home-mom is coming to a close. Tears well up as I think of all the good times we have had, but I am overjoyed by all of the good times yet to come! Gary and I are blessed far more than we deserve.

I am reminded in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God." I will begin a new phase in my life...a job outside of the home and I will be finishing my college degree! Yikes, talk about "don't overwhelm yourself". Although, I know this is a God thing, I am still anxious. Am I doing the right thing? Is this the best thing for my family? God, is this truly your will for my life? I know, I know...I completely overthink things! Thank you God, that you give direction in your love letter to me, words of comfort, words of guidance and most of all words of your love for me.  

As I am experiencing all of these "firsts", I think about the moms who are dropping their child off at school for the first time. There are mom's who are sending their child to school for their last year, some are attending new schools...so many firsts! Yet, God in His infinite wisdom instructs us not to be anxious. I am thankful for a God who directs me to just the right scripture when I need it, whether I like it or not! If you find yourself stressed and anxious, go to the Word...God's Word! He has something just for you!

Ecclesiastes 2:26a states, "To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness...". Aim to please God, embrace the new season and pray about EVERYTHING! 

P.S.

Prayers are graciously accepted for this old gal who is intimidated by change.