Scripture Reflections: Thoughts Cheerleader

Oh, this picture.  I found it at Pixaby, though I can't remember the search criteria I used.  I've been hoping and praying over a re-start to Walking in the Word Wednesdays, however, where I am at in my current study (of Matthew) is an odd place to pick up.  Instead, what kept weighing on my heart was September 2017 and all the spiritual tid-bits which fed my pause to sabbatical.  I scrolled through saved pictures on my desktop file and the one above dropped into view.  All I could think was her mountain-top perch under the heading I would create, "Unpacking: Scripture Reflections". 

I identified with her, making that hard climb to the tippy-top, then resting and soaking in the view of all the mountain-top and valley-lows which God gave her the strength to traverse through.  She is me, and I am her.  I've been climbing for the past year and now, I truly feel as though I have reached a summit; a point to sit, pause, reflect, and soak in the view of all God has worked in.  This picture and reflection opened my eyes to just how I ought to begin mid-week devotion lessons.

For a time, this may be a bit un-orthodox.  I prefer a sturdy devotion with well-anchored Text and clear, concise lessons.  But this, for the next little bit anyway, will be an unpacking version of the biggest bag of all: what God has shown me through His wonderful Word this past year and how He has grown me, in spite of myself!  Shall we begin?

At first my sabbatical was a relief.  A welcomed reprieve from 8-straight years of hard work through multiple moves and even traveling around the country as we did full-time missions work.  But as I stepped into the vacuum of life without writing, what was at first welcomed quickly became a stark reality.

My thoughts rambled around.  My hope was jumbled and I became my and my family's biggest critic as a result.  Perhaps it was that blogging was my escape.  My false god to hide behind a facade.  In some ways blogging opened a venue to see the best but it also provided an alcove to hide from the worst.  Yet, like a tiny pin-prick on the fingertip of life... when blogging was removed... blood poured out and pain poured over as I had to face certain truths and learn how to confront and manage them.

It took months to put life together.  To see life separate from my adventures in writing.  And the very first thing I learned was, while we ought not to stuff or glaze over the hardness, we also need to put on our best hope for resolutions.  One of my first reflective entries in sabbatical mode has this scripture penned at the bottom of my journal page (including my own emphasis):

.... whatever is TRUE, whatever is HONORABLE, whatever is JUST, 

whatever is PURE (wholesome), whatever is LOVELY, whatever is COMMENDABLE, 

if there is ANY excellence, if there is ANYTHING WORTHY OF PRAISE, 

think about THESE THINGS.

Philippians 4:8

In the void of no writing, I let the little things bug me so much I would complain, I would talk about things with others which were best rolled around between me and God, but most of all, I wouldn't give others, even my family, the benefit of true and noble thoughts.  It's hard to admit... but I had to learn how to become my family's biggest cheerleader, even if only in my thoughts... not at the expense of truth and reality, rather, in an evolving sense of considering their journeys with respect (most of them are adults) and hope-filled thoughts while also helping them grow past flaws and troubles constructively. 

I didn't realize it at the time, but I had been trying so hard to ignore and write myself out of the hardships of life that I didn't know what to do once I was faced head-on with them.  No alcove to escape to.  Just me and raw, messy, life.

I couldn't run and write about menus or Bible study or the sweet fluffy stuff of our school week and ignore pain, hurt, and brokenness.  Instead I cried, I complained, I moaned, I thought on strings of negativity.  And finally, I sat down and Listened.

Truth be told, when I went on sabbatical, I was even finding it hard to really get into my Bible study and prayer.  Yet, as I flip through the early pages of my time on 'rest', I see an out-pouring... out crying... to God, in search of His Face and waiting on His good Word.  September 23, 2017 was a beautiful example of His patient reply:

Think about these things

The TRUTH
... not to ignore it, rather, acknowledge it, give it space... but give it HOPE not condemnation, and the rest of this passage exemplifies that.  Inside of truth, also think about...

whatever is....
HONORABLE
JUST
PURE which connotes wholesome
LOVELY
COMMENDABLE...

.... and I think a turning point in the study of this passage was, "if there is any"... meaning, things may be tough, people may be trying but we need to LOOK for ANY, even a SPEC... any-little-piece of....

EXCELLENCE
and/or
THINGS WORTHY OF PRAISE
  
In big letters underlined in red along the side of the next page I wrote: 

BE THEIR BIGGEST CHEERLEADER!!

Cheerleaders are great.  Do you ever notice how, no matter what is going on... even if their team ranks at the very bottom of all the charts... even if the game is botched from the beginning with fumble after fumble... even when it is freezing cold out.... they jump up, pom-poms waving, they put on their best smell and shout cheer after cheer until they are hoarse.  They try to rally the crowd.  They strive to encourage the team.  And no matter what they think of the situation, their energy and positivity never waver as they look for ANY excellence or bit worthy of [cheer] and praise in the face of any truth.

Realistically, sometimes the cheerleader's encouragement and rallying cries boost esteem and games are won.  But just as often, in spite of all the cheers, balls are fumbled and scoreboards read unfavorably at the end of the game.  Yet, the process is made more bearable by their encouragement.

When I journaled words in reflection of Philippians 4:8, my marriage was strained and my kids were making choices I didn't see as their best potential.  Yet, at that time, as I rolled 4:8 around, I saw where I didn't need to ignore OR complain... instead, I could choose to be a cheerleader.  I could look at truth, both life's and God's, and I could recognize the honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy parts.  I could celebrate my family's achievements, even small, and I could simply wait and trust the results of their own opportunities at trial, even if it meant error, because at the end of the 'game', we could all at least be encouraged that our thoughts were minded and cast in the best place and, if thoughts breed words and action, then outwardly I knew I could be putting my best-foot forward on their behalf. 

A year ago this month, God set my feet onto a new trail up the mountain before me in this stage of life.  It began with my thoughts and a realization that I needed to learn some good cheers for game days!  I hoisted my pack up on my back and took to the trail with daily learning how to keep my mind in-tact.

 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, 

and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil,

 for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Luke 6:45 

 
I pray, whatever game follies may be happening in your life right now, that you can find your inner cheerleader... whether you need to cheer yourself on or those around you... and Trust the Play into the mighty Play-maker's Hands.  After all, these aren't the finals... we are merely in warm-up season!

Blessings,

If you are interested in the "Unpacking" series, where I reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the past year on Sabbatical, you can follow this link or simply type, "Unpacking" into the search box in the right column here on my site.  The articles aren't in order but they are all there!

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

By the way.....

*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Why?  Well, the newsletter contains bonus material you won't find on the website... not to mention, in those busy months when I can't get regular blog articles up, you can count on this periodical popping up in your email in-box each last Thursday with all new content!  What exactly does the newsletter contain?

• Encouraging articles on Faith, Home(making), and Homeschool
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Also, with your new subscription, you will be entered into my latest drawing!  I'm still working on the details for the new one, but I'm certain you will like whatever I can think to concoct this time!!  

Unpacking: Control

 

I've been thumbing through journal entries from earlier this year.  After reading a stack of positively encouraging and informational books since January, I felt God tugging at my heart to pause and reflect, 2 Timothy 3:7 bouncing around my brain as a caution;

always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

This year-long journey has been so powerful and impactful, I knew God wanted me to take stock and be sure Truth is secured before I continue walking on.

Earlier this summer in "Unpacking:Imperfection" I reflected on some of the growth and revelation I have enjoyed since my Sabbatical leave this past year.  Old journal thumbing in all of this reflective time was just what the Good Doctor ordered.  The particular entry I feel called to share today is one of those, just HAD to shares, especially as summer seeps to an end and the business of fall and winter holidays begins to take over.

I pray this reflection is medicine for your soul, as it has been for mine:

Friday 6-1-18

Wow - June.  Here we are!  Lots and lots of rain.  Trying to be mindful of the need to, as my goals I listed in my planner say: breathe in-between and put one foot in front of the other.

It isn't easy though... my list has multiple "random" things and as I look ahead to summer I don't feel much peace... mostly trepidation.  I told [my husband] that the amount of work needing to be done around here is overwhelming and he was good to remind me: there will always be work.  Something I've been coming to understanding... and now I need to find a way to measure out in digestible portions.  The garage and attic in particular.  

In all honesty, what I want to do is write and lesson plan!  That would make a great summer (+ a few adventures!)

Lord - please help me find peace and renewal in the midst of all there is to do.

[Then I read Psalm 46 for my devo]

.... I did not journal in light of this devo but I praise God for this devo in light of my journaling!

There are 3 stanzas in Psalm 46 and after each one is "Selah".

Breathe
Pause
Be ensconced by God.

HE does the work so I don't have to.  Me - just put one-foot-in-front-of-the-other.  Do each next thing and trust God's direction and strength.  Rest and trust God's direction and strength.  Go when He leads and follow where He goes.  

I can't go wrong in that!

This also speaks to the message of "control" I'm learning to hash out.  Last night I learned something new...

I've always loved storms - powerful, beautiful, unpredictable.  Life giving to the earth.  But... whether [my husband's tendency to panic has] influenced or...?  I dunno, but as the storm raged, I churned... what if the garden floods out, what if the basement floods... what if, what if.... I CAN'T STOP IT so what can/will I do?

Then I thought of Mark Hall [The Well] - we are pulling from the well (aka "hole") of control when we stop praying and start trying to do things ourselves - isn't that what worry is?  Trying to control or frustrated with the lack of?

It was eye-opening for me to realize this far reaching area of control in my life.

I'm grateful God is opening my eyes to all this.... that I might learn to walk in peacefulness, trusting Him... counter-culture reflecting Him into a dark and rushed world.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
    how he has brought desolations on the earth. 

 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
    he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the chariots with fire. 

 “Be still, and know that I am God.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Psalm 46:8-10a, 11 

(The first part of this Psalm refers to Mighty God, the second part to us and Be Still!!)

"God of Jacob", the same Jacob who worked 2x harder to marry the woman he loved... Jacob, who wrestled God.

Be still and know

God is God and I am not!!   

If that's not a control check, I don't know what is!! 

---------

So that was my beginning of summer lesson and as a result, most of summer has gone rather smoothly.  The garage got done, one-step-at-a-time.  The attic will wait till cooler months.  All things needing to be done were completed in their own time and all the rest... well, I didn't sweat it (too much anyway!!)

I pray to apply this surrender of control and holding on of Selah type rest to the school months as well... and all days in life to come.  I pray you find your surrendering and Selah moments in-between the business of life.  After all, following God's lead and Selah are probably the most important parts which energize us and guide us to be the Vessels He has called us to be; His light reflecting so all might see ♥️

Blessings,

I read, "The Well; Why are so many still thirsty" by Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns.  It is such a powerful book, I thought I would share the link here.

It is also in one of the drawing packages I have going right now, more info below...

also...

You can click here to see some of the great blogs I am linking up today ...

By the way.....

*Are you subscribed to my newsletter?  You might want to be.  Plans are in the works for some GREAT bonus material to be included starting soon!  Not to mention the articles on Faith, Home, and Homeschooling you won't even find on the blog!  It's Ok, hop over real quick, right there to your right, see it on my sidebar where it says, "Subscribe to my Newsletter"?  Ok, now enter your email in the box labeled "email address" then click "Subscribe"....(don't worry, it doesn't hurt and I promise not to spam you!).  Entering your email will do 2 awesome things:

#1 - You are automatically signed up for my newsletter (expect to see your issues around the last Thursday of each month).  Yay!
#2 - It enters you into a drawing where you get to pick from one of 4 GREAT prize bundles I will be giving away at the end of the summer.

Don't worry, if you are already subscribed hop on over to the link in text above and leave a comment sharing what you enjoy about the monthly newsletter.  Be sure to mention you are an existing newsletter subscriber and I will pop your name in my drawing jar!

Unpacking: The Reading List

Do you pray over your reading list?  I don't recall that I ever use to, unless it directly pertained to my Bible study.  However, as the new year dawned and I recognized God calling me to go deeper into understanding His Story for me, I knew in my heart of hearts a very specific reading list played a part. 

I stood in front of the large bookshelf in my oddly sized bedroom.  The whole space once served as an in-house print shop!  The shelf was too large and awkward to relocate when we moved in so, instead, it houses family photo albums, reference material we only use on occasion and my collection of non-fiction Christian works.  I bowed my head and closed my eyes, truly lifting my heart and Seeking guidance.  I felt God had a plan for me with some of these carefully placed books.

After my heart-rendering I looked up and began to scan the various sections I thought held the Keys to the messages God wanted me to unlock.  By the time I was done my arms enveloped a large stack.  I brought them up to my Study, sat them on my work table, thumbed them a bit more and then waited. 

Almost immediately an orange shiny cover grabbed my attention.  It was one of the books my family had lovingly wrapped for me just a few weeks prior and sat gleefully under our glimmering tree.  I can't recall where I heard of the book from but I can tell you what landed it on my wish list: "In_Security"!  I shared some about it in my first post in this series. 

I devoured the book, feeling as though the author had secretly climbed into my life in order to write a field guide just for me!!  I didn't want to move on when the last pages were finished, but I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit, so on I went. 

More books were taken out of my pile and re-shelved as I continued to pray.  Worn copies found at thrift sales and in free piles alongside crisp new ones ordered after I had stumbled across them through articles and, in one instance, a writing workshop I attended.  As my 'keep' pile solidified, reading was snuck into every cranny of time I could muster.  As I read I kept notes, marked pages and journaled.  My life, and God's hand in it seen post-drought, began to unfold.  Hurts were being healed and I was becoming equipped to face battles God knew were coming.

I not only learned how to break the cycle of Insecurity with Anna Light, but I was also reminded how to Love God with all my Mind by Elizabeth George, equipped to avoid the Comparison Trap by Sandra Stanley, encouraged to keep on keeping on as a Homeschooling Housewife thanks to Amber Fox, I was finally debriefed post-field work as I soaked up Ellen Rosenberger's advice in Missionaries Are Real People and, best of all, my thirst was finally quenched as God's words through Mark Hall in The Well filled my cup to overflow.

Yes, I know that paragraph was one gigantic run-on sentence, but I believe it made it's point!

Books are powerful.  I am a firm believer that we should choose our reading material carefully and with a Biblical mindset.  Whether we are reading fiction or non-fiction, the mind is a powerful place where words and images should be carefully filtered to.  When the Apostle Paul writes to the Romans, a very lost and licentious society, I believe he provides just one part of a puzzle when he says;

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, 

what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

The other part which helps to produce clarity in HOW to transform one's mind is again penned by Paul to the Philippians:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, 

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, 

if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, 

think about these things.

Philippians 4:8

This is why I often provide books in my give-a-ways here on the blog.  When something has encouraged or inspired me, I'm itching to share it with others so they might breathe in the same fresh air!

So, as I have thought and prayed over what my next drawing would be, it was only natural that the books from my period of renewal and growth this year would be at the top of the list.  As a matter of fact, I had such a hard time narrowing it down, I decided to give you options!  I don't have each package physically put together yet, but I am absolute on what they will contain.  The winner (which I will expound on in a moment!) will get to pick from one of the prize packages below.  

Each package centers around the main themes here on my website; Faith, Home, and Homeschool.  With one extra thrown in for building your bookshelf as you build your faith through reading!

Without further ado, here they are: 

Prize Package #1 - Faith

• The Well by Mark Hall
• Peace in His Presence by Theresa Murata
• a Journal

Prize Package #2 - Home

• Open Heart Open Home by Karen Mains
• Recipe Cards made by me
• 2 Knit Dish Rags also made by me 

Prize Package #3 - Homeschool

• The Homeschooling Housewife by Amber Fox
• The Homeschooler's Book of Lists compiled by Sonya Haskins
• Paper Clip Bookmarks made by me

Prize Package #4 - Bookshelf

• In-Security by Anna Light
• Loving God with All Your Mind by Elizabeth George
• The Comparison Trap by Sandra Stanley

Theresa and I at a Chicago area pizzeria when I visited in March this year.

In Package #1, "Peace in His Presence" is a CD written and performed by a long-time school friend of mine whom I have kept in touch with over the years.  She is a very amazing and talented woman.

So, How do you win?

First, subscribe to my newsletter.  You must be a newsletter subscriber to qualify.  The box is in the right hand column and looks like this:

Once you have subscribed I will receive a notification and your name will be entered for a chance to win.  Don't worry, I won't spam and, currently, I only send out one newsletter on the last Thursday of each month.  

If you are already subscribed and you want in on this deal, simply comment on any post on this website (or send an email) letting me know what you like most about the newsletter!

It is really that simple!

A lot of bonus content goes out in the monthly newsletter and during the school year, the newsletter will likely be the biggest source of articles.  I always try to include FREE printables in one or more  areas of interest.  I truly think you will be glad you signed up.

The drawing will be held on September 1st (That's just a few weeks away so don't wait!!).  There will only be ONE winner.  I will contact you at that time and you can select which prize package you would like.

In the mean-time, I pray your reading, both fiction and non-fiction, takes you to wonderful places as God shows you knew and wonderful things about life!

Blessings,

Click on this link to see some of the great blogs I am linking with today...

Unpacking: imperfection

 

There is something peaceful and beautiful to tapping out words on these keys again.  The signs to return have been everywhere.  This Calling God gives me, this Gift he has bestowed on me, has been busteling to be let out again.  Over the past year God has been working in me to refine what lies inside.  A few months ago I promised to expound on all that has happened... this is the first step.

To be honest, I don't know where to begin.  And I believe the process of return will involve a lot of unpacking before I re-establish the old schedule.  I have soo much to share and so much to sort.  For now, I will start with what has been heaviest in my heart:

imperfection

I'm an idealist.  An optimistic realist... if the two can coexist.  I know what is but in the worst of times, I choose to hope for what can be.  Not a bad perspective, comparatively.  However, when too much of a stark reality invades my world, the optimism fades, the facade falls, and at the bottom of a heap of rubble I struggle with how to sort out all the pieces.

I look around at the blogs, the Pinterest accounts, and the Instagram pages.  I see happy faces, perfect families and well-running homeschools.  Life was shaking to the core for me last year and I felt woefully under-dressed, ill-prepared and, at times, like a hypocrite.  How could I write about how to do things well and right when my life wasn't just 'imperfect', but rather, falling into a complete wreck?  

I studied my Bible with my whole heart.  I prayed, fervently.  But I couldn't hold onto Truth and all my prayers seemed absolutely ignored.  In the midst of this struggle I flew back east to help my step-dad as he underwent the process of cancer diagnoses and treatment, mortality staring us both in the face.  I returned home, heart breaking, to domestic struggles and compounded feelings of inadequacies.

By summer's end the spiritual battle was so real, I lost strength.  I couldn't' breathe, I couldn't' form the words to the things I knew God wanted me to say because I felt like too much of a failure to say them.  I begged God to let me give up.  So, finally, I felt the release.  I felt God whispering into my heart, "Laying down writing isn't My best for you, but it is what you need for you..."  I knew I had an obligation to Him if I were to take sabbatical; to quiet my heart, to not truly give up, but instead... to dig.

So I dug.  I sorted rubble.  The first few months were hard and resentful.  But as the autumn wore on, God's healing messages for me began to filter in. Today's message, imperfection, was one.

After the holidays God practically dropped a wonderful book in my lap:

"In_Security" by Anna Light

This was a real game-changer for me.  God, through Anna, opened my eyes to see that my battle with the idea of "perfection" and feeling imperfect really boiled down to insecurity.  I couldn't' move forward while the strings of insecurity held me back.  So, with God's help and guidance, I began snipping those strings one-by-one.

As far as imperfection.... well, we all show the 'perfect' things in life because, for one, those are the most exciting and encouraging things.  Seeing "perfect" in others can give us hope for ourselves.  When I looked closer at some of these "perfect" people I realized they shared some of the imperfect too.  I just didn't want to see it or believe it before.  But truth is:

• every family fights
• no matter how faith-filled a family, kids sometimes wander
• husbands and wives don't always see eye-to-eye
• all homeschools have their bad days
• all of life has rough times
• everyone goes through periods of feeling as though prayers filter into a void

Paul went through a lot.  He wrote to others who went through a lot!  One of my favorite passages from his letters is:

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, 

but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Philippians 3:12

Perfection is a process not attained until the hereafter.  Everyone is going through the muck of imperfection.  We don't often talk about it for many reasons.  Often, I think, it is because we want to talk about the hope you have of more.  Sometimes, most likely, it is also because we are ashamed or embarrassed at the mess of rubble around.

It is OK.

I had to learn it was OK for me.  Today I write to tell you, if you are like me, feeling woefully under qualified for life, it is OK.  Life isn't a destination, it is a journey and a process.  Rubble falls but we keep pushing forward.  Paul attests to this too:

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal 

for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 

Do you see that?  "Straining"  It isn't easy.  We push hard.  We reach and try and challenge ourselves.  We aren't there yet but we'll get there, eventually!

I'm excited to be back and to keep sharing the lessons I've been learning.  I pray God will use the trials to grow us all more into His grace.

Blessings,

Click on this link to see some of the great blogs I am linking with today...

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Domestic Adventures
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