My steps won't slip (verse six)

For years now, I have made exercise a priority in my life. Most days of the week, I ensure that I'm participating in some kind of physical activity. It used to be about how I looked, but now it is far more important to me because of how exercise makes me feel. I'm more energetic and have a more positive outlook when I am getting regular exercise. I feel pretty strongly that it also helps me stay healthier.

During an ice storm this winter, I took a potentially injurious fall. No, let's be honest, here. I had a major wipeout. I ran outside to the garage to tell the Hubs that dinner was ready. I didn't realize the walkway was slick and before I knew it, my feet were in the air. I landed on my shoulder/elbow and upper back, and hit my head pretty hard as well. I lay there for a minute, as I wasn't immediately sure that I wasn't injured. Hearing the thump of my landing, the Hubs came out of the garage and found me flat on my back in the ice and snow. We ascertained that I had no breaks (reference?!) and he helped me up. I was sore for days and had a terrible headache the next day. And the bruise…! I couldn't help but think that I would have been much more likely to be injured if my body wasn't used to physical exertion - aka, if I wasn't "in pretty good shape."(Side note: I sort of wish there had been a camera set up so I could see the video of this epic wipeout. I'm fairly certain I could have won America's Funniest Home Videos.)

Metaphorically, we won't slip when we hide God's word in our hearts. I would go to great lengths to ensure that I never take a fall like that on the ice ever again. It may also take great lengths to be sure I don't fall spiritually, either. Memorizing scripture makes my spirit stronger, just as exercising on a regular basis makes my body stronger. It is my hope that through scripture memory, I am protecting myself from slippery steps.

Laughter and Sleep

Via

Minimal

What I'm pondering…

Buy less, choose well.

-Vivienne Westwood

How will I love Jesus today? - Verse Five

My mornings start at 5:30am.

This is what my early morning looks like.

For a long time, I would get up at 5:30 only M-F but recently I've begun getting up early on the weekends, too. This is not for everyone, but for me, this is the time of day that is quiet. The time of day when I can think and be alone. It is beyond worth it to me to have this time of peace to get up early. (It's not like the boys let me sleep past 7 anyway!)

I'm currently participating in a Beth Moore Bible study called Jesus, The One and Only. I haven't done a Beth Moore study I haven't liked, although I've liked some better than others (Esther and the Patriarchs are my favorites, in case you're wondering). This particular study hasn't really grabbed me like some of them do - at least, not until this week. Week Four, Day Four, to be precise. The title of the day's homework is "Loving Much." It covers the story from Luke 7:36-50 about the woman with the alabaster jar of perfume. If you don't know the story, I urge you to stop reading this blog post and go read it right now.

The page out of my homework

Anyway, all of this ties into My Sword 2014 because as I completed the homework assignment, I asked myself this question, "How am I going to love on Jesus today?" I realized that I need to ask myself this question every day. How am I showing my love for my savior on a daily basis? There are many answers to this question and I will not belabor the point any longer, except to say that it was a powerful reminder to me.

Because of my Bible study homework this week, I've selected John 14:21 as My Sword verse five.

Lions

Via

Not Scarred For Life

This is a post that I've had whirling in my head for a long time. I need to hear this reminder frequently. Some other mom out there needs to hear it, too.

I was hospitalized before Little Brother was born due to pregnancy complications. After Little Brother was born, he was in the NICU for ten weeks. I spent all day every day at the hospital with him. It was almost as if I was hospitalized, too. There are a lot of musings from that time period about which I will write in the future. That story has to be told bit by bit by bit, the way it was experienced.

Today, though, as a friend is facing a similar trial, heavy on my heart is the part of the story that affected Big Brother. You see, he was not quite three years old and suddenly his life plunged into chaos. During that time, my heart broke to be apart from him. His third birthday came and went without much ado. Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's came and went… and his mommy was absent. He missed me. He wanted me to "snuggle" him on the couch. He would hold my hand to his cheek when he saw me, and close his eyes as if being near me was complete bliss.

I told some people how I felt about it, and everyone would say, "Well, at least he won't remember it!" I tried to comfort myself somehow with that thought - he was small enough that he wouldn't remember it. He wouldn't have to carry that burden his whole life. Isn't this what we do? We worry about how we are "scarring our children for life" with the things that we say and do or don't say and don't do. There is always guilt associated with every facet of motherhood… guilt associated with both sides of every single decision. 

God gave me a verse to which I clung in desperation throughout Little Brother's hospitalization and the months that followed his homecoming:

I fought fear every day. It was an excruciating, exhausting battle, but I reminded myself that He loved my boys so much more than I love them. I had to surrender them to Him time and time again.

I still clung to the hope that Big Brother wouldn't be scarred for life by my absence when Little Brother was born and hospitalized. Then, one day, just a few short months ago, I heard Big Brother say to Little Brother, "You were in the hospital for a LONG TIME. But don't worry. You don't have to go back there EVER AGAIN."

Tears stung my eyes, and my heart sunk with the realization that he had not forgotten. For a short time, I was tortured by this. I wondered how it was going to affect him in the future; I worried that he was "scarred for life."

Then something clicked in my head. I don't know if it was the Holy Spirit whispering to my heart or what, but these words came to me: Yes, he remembers. He remembers and he is okay. Quite simply, it was part of his journey, just like the things that have hurt me in my life were part of my journey. I realized that just as there is no part of my life, no hurt, no circumstance, that is beyond the redemption of Christ - that same truth applies to the hurts in the lives of my loved ones! He can redeem my mistakes as a mother and use them for good. Of course, it will be up to my boys, but it will be their choice. They do not have to be scarred for life.

Submission

From the Bible study "Jesus the One and Only"