As the school year begins, the stress begins to rise in my house and in my heart. I know the level of angst I feel is in direct relationship to the time I spend with the Lord. I find myself rushing to get everything done, everything except spending time with Jesus. I spend some time talking to Him, in the car as the kids jockey for family position, in the drop off line as other moms jockey for position, on the way home as the businessmen jockey for... you get the point. I spend rushed "oh, hey how ya doin'" time - not gentle, sweet intimate communion with my first love. But thanks be to Jesus; he wraps me in His grace. Today I remembered why I take time (that I feel I don't have) to bask in His grace. It is the only thing that keeps me "kingdom focused" and "forward moving." Without intimate time with Him, daily refocusing on Him, I find my mouth and mind where they should not be.
So, am I stressed? Yes. Will I choose to find time everyday to refocus? With His help... Yes! I will bless my kids while in the car. I will bless the other stressed moms in drop off line. Yes, I will even choose to bless and let the BMW businessmen cut in front of me. After all, the most important thing I have to do today is to spend time with my first love, Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.
Wrapped in Grace

I love and hate change.

I love and hate change.

I love it for the simple reason that proves life is still moving forward. I hate change because, well, it is something different. I admit it, I am a creature of habit. I like things staying the same. Most of the time.

Back to change. My dear daughter Caroline returns to school today. It is bittersweet. I hate not having her around. I like my kids. But, I love discovering the young woman in God she has become. I love to hear about how God moves in her life. I love seeing her follow His direction.

I still miss having her around.

Shifting Gears

As Autumn approaches, we begin to shift gears. At the same time, our churches (and therefore our husbands) are also gearing up for the season change! AHH!!!Sunday schools, youth ministries, sports activities, Wednesday night classes, worship practice, there seems to be no end! BUT- take heart, don't lose sight of the goal... Jesus. Take deep breathes and bless His people, even the ones that drive us nuts!