My Delight (verse eight)

Sometimes, I will randomly come across a verse that simply jumps off the page to me - the language is particularly beautiful, or it is JUST the word that I needed at that moment, or it simply reminds me of who I am in Christ. I try to write these down on my list of "verses to memorize" so I can come back to them later. So it was with today's verse. The day I found it, I needed to be reminded that I should delight to do my Father's will, just as my Savior delighted to do His Father's will.

"I delight to do you will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
Psalm 40:8

Whole30

Guess what? I'm on day 10 of a Whole30. I've been meaning to blog about this. It hasn't happened yet, but I have been taking notes AND plan to share what I've learned very soon. In case you didn't click the link and don't know what a Whole30 is - basically, I'm going 30 days without grains, dairy or sugar.

It's been interesting, to say the least! More later!

Patience and Careful Instruction (Verse Seven)

My mother-in-law birthed eight boys. One time, she was talking with a young mom who had just found out that her third baby was going to be a third boy. "Did you pray for patience?" My mother-in-law quipped. "Don't pray for patience - God will send you sons!"

Of course, that was in jest, but the fact remains that being a mom does give plenty of opportunities to develop patience, among some other fine character qualities. It is what each mom does with those opportunities that really counts. That is something I think of often since becoming a mom because of a book I read when I was pregnant with Big Brother. A dear lady gave me a book called Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas. His basic premise is that parenting can be used by God as (and is meant to be) part of our sanctification process. Looking at all those sleepless nights, frustrating incidences, endless messes, endless inconveniences as part of my sanctification - as part of dying to self and growing more Christ-like - has radically changed my attitude on more than one occasion.

Still, I struggle to "speak the truth in love" just like the next person. I'm in a constant stream of "teachable moments" right now and it can feel overwhelming. (Let's be honest. Parenting is tough.) I'm taking this verse to heart in regards to my journey as a mom. I had chosen a different verse entirely, but this morning God brought 2 Timothy 4:2 to my attention and I needed this today. I don't think my need for this reminder will be going anywhere anytime soon, so here is my verse seven:

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. 

II Timothy 4:2

Motherhood

Ask!

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