remember to remember

I look out the window. It's a cool autumn day in southern Wisconsin. Scattered amidst the tall pine trees are bursts of color. Yellow, orange, red. Leaves lie scattered like confetti on the rich, green grass. The sky is a calm gray. A gentle breeze blows, rocking the forest to sleep. My soul takes a deep breath. I remember the Creator.

Back now to the duties of the day. Off to chase my little son, iron clothes and wash dishes. But I must remember to be still. To take those soul-breath moments. I must remember to remember Him all day long.

"Remember now thy creator..." (Ecclesiates 12:1)

Selah.

Joys From my Daily Day...

strength for contentment

The intentional act of remembering His goodness brings heavenly perspective to my life. His benefits are all around me. May I always be a blessing-counter.

But contentment isn't something that I must pull out my own strength. Good thing, too, 'cause I just don't have any strength without Jesus. In fact, to rely on myself for joy isn't just futile, its sinful. For, "whatsoever is not of faith is sin."

All that to say, there is strength for contentment! We all love Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." But let's look close.....it's in the context of contentment. 


Paul says -

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to suffer need."

Ok, that's a big statement. So how did he do it? How was he contented in EVERY situation?
Next verse -

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

There it is. Strength for contentment.

At the risk of sounding like a self-proclaimed martyr, let me share from the heart. Due to our occupation, we live a life on the road. And though I don't care to admit it, sometimes this gypsy life gets to me. I never thought I needed "roots." I never thought traveling all the time would ever both me. But sometimes it just does. I didn't know my own weakness. And if I am not careful, the desire for a home of my own can become an idol of my heart. Comparison kills contentment. Why shouldn't I always be content with taking my shoes off for a while and resting in a borrowed home? Even the son of God had a borrowed tomb. 

But there is hope for me. There is joy for me in Christ. There is STRENGTH for contentment. Every day its there. Every day Jesus holds it out to me. Will I take it?

Beautiful strength, heavenly strength. Christ's own resurrection strength...for my contentment.

Hallelujah.

Blessing Counting:

this beautiful home to stay in

as always, thankful for this lil' guy

for laughter & hugs

the Word of God

and today, I'm especially thankful for Psalm 107

for the love of my life

home on the road

stroller rides with Mommy in new neighborhoods

"helping" mom & dad pack up for the next destination

little stow-away

sacked out in the back seat

A little organization and "housework" makes me feel a little more at home...

whatever "kitchen" I have, it HAS to be clean

we made it! now its playtime!

listen to the tone of my voice!

My little son doesn't speak English (other than "Mama"). In fact, he really doesn't understand the meaning of many words at all. And somehow, we communicate. I got to thinking, what is it that he understands? It's evident that we communicate with one another all day long. How do we demonstrate our love for one another? 

I talk to him just as though he knows exactly what I am saying. But in reality, all he understands is the tone of my voice, the look on my face and the touch of my hands. This is thought-provoking. May I never forget that his precious little ears are listening. My tone communicates volumes. 

What will I communicate through my tones today? He may not know what I'm saying on the phone as I drive along, when I'm talking to my husband, or even when I'm alone and talking to myself (don't judge...you do it too!). But my son will hear how I say what I say. 

Will it be a tone of gossip? Of discontentment? Of anger? Frustration? Irritation? Worry? Fear? Doubt? Strife?

Or will it be a tone that's gracious, kind, joyful, loving, thoughtful, thankful, edifying, trusting and peaceful? 

May the words of my mouth and the tone of my voice reflect the love of Christ to my sweet little son today. Jesus, may the intonation be yours alone. 

seaside and autumn

Seaside

We stood on the shore today, our little family. Just a enough time to enjoy the breeze, feel the sand between my toes, and gaze at the gray-blue vastness. To think. He spoke. And it simply existed. Selah.

Small Boy's sense of wonder, his love of life and spirit of adventure spilled over in his smile. The whisper of the surf and the salty breeze were the background vocals supporting his cheerful little laugh.

We smile. My heart gives thanks for the love of God.

Autumn

Accelerated pulse, pounding feet, swooshing hair. It felt good to jog.

Squirrels spastically gathering acorns, children laden down with school supplies slowly plodding home from school, and the random man out walking an inquisitive black lab. The change of leaves from green to red, the kiss of autumn in the air, harvest pumpkins and eery decorative spider webs. The hint of a wood stove teases me. Who would have thought the smell of a smokey stove would cause such a happy sigh?

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease." (Gen. 8:22)

Thank you, Lord, for the familiarity of the harvest.