Heads-up for homeschool moms

I had the funniest dream last night.  I was at a homeschool conference and had paid $15 to attend some kind of unspecified special session.  We were all seated in an auditorium when the presenter and two helpers instructed us to all put on our coats.  There was a flurry of activity as we obeyed.  Then on the floor at the bottom of either side of the stage the helpers turned on two tall black smokestack-looking machines, which hummed and puffed out some kind of mist.  The presenter told us all to lay down as best we could in our seats, snuggling down in our coat-blankets, that the mist was going to help us all go to sleep. 

By now I was thinking this was all pretty weird, so I was fighting the effects of the sleep-mist, looking around and trying to figure out what was going on.  The rest of the gals in the auditorium started passing out poppies-of-Oz style.  I struggled to stay awake, on my guard, while most of the alloted session-hour went by.  I was getting pretty mad by now at the false advertising and waste of our money. 

At the end, the presenter woke the audience and said,"Okay, ladies, this is what this was all about.  Most of you moms never get enough sleep so we thought we would build a nap into your day. You may go now."

Ha!  So either I was really tired...or you need to go and get a nap!! 

A glorious way to start a day...

Shoveling!

We had a good snow last night so I was out early to clear the driveway and sidewalk.  For some reason, this morning it was breathtaking.  The sun was starting to peek out, touching shades of gold and pink over the treetops and sending sparkles glittering everywhere.  Once again I was struck at how snow beautifies everything--each little twig, dry grassblade, fence post are draped and softened by the white blanket. 

And I was reminded anew of the funny 'revelation' that the snow brings:  tracks of animals here and there telling of their secret lives we don't normally see--stray cats, dogs, skunks, rabbits, squirrels, perhaps even red foxes.

It was good to breathe crisp, fresh air, good to have legs and arms that work, strength to meet the need, eyes to see the masterpiece the Lord had painted this morning.  Good to be alive!

Christmas season encouragement

Well, we're already knee-deep into Christmas and feeling the pressure.  How about you?  So many extra activities, extra planning, extra fun, extra money to spend, and still with our already-full schedule to do it in.  I'm working a bit ahead this year as we're visiting relatives for the holidays and I need to get everything done early--which, while the prospect is utterly delightful, the time between now and then is really crammed.

BUT!...I had the neatest encouragement from the Word this morning and wanted to share it with you.  Hope it lifts your day.

Proverbs 2:5-7 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.  It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones."  A very familiar and beloved passage.

However, here's a great insight.  The word direct in the Hebrew (yashar) means "to make straight and right."   By casting my care in childlike trust on the Lord, He will straighten out...my day, my plans, my responsibilities, my interruptions, my failures--all of it.  Those are just words of life to me!

Also, note the double idea "don't trust your own understanding" and "don't be wise in your own eyes."  I admit that when I struggle with frustration or disappointment, it's usually because I had A PLAN, not necessarily God's.  Sometimes it's hard to understand His wisdom when I'm in the middle of something, but if He says I need to trust Him with all my heart, then I am really free from having to make everything work out.  What a relief.

And hey, did you notice the fringe benefits?  Health!  Strength!  I'll gladly take that. 

May your paths be especially made "straight and right" today!