Summer Thought

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~ Russel Baker

"Grati-Tuesday"

Today I'm thankful for the little robin singing to me from his perch as I hung the laundry out to dry. 

Blessings,
Linda

This Week in the Word

Here's our week ahead:

Monday, May 20  1 Chronicles 23-25
Tuesday, May 21  1 Chronicles 26-29
Wednesday, May 22  2 Chronicles 1-2, Acts 12
Thursday, May 23  2 Chronicles 3-4, Acts 13
Friday, May 24  2 Chronicles 5-6, Acts 14
Saturday, May 25  2 Chronicles 7-8, Acts 15
Sunday, May 26  2 Chronicles 9-10, Acts 16

Blessings,
Linda

"Grati-Tuesday"

Thankful today for sunshine.  We had a little bit of snow yesterday - I checked the calendar and yesterday was indeed May 13!  I'm thankful that we are heading into warmer weather which will bring with it new delights.

Blessings,
Linda

Monday Musings: Mother's Day

Mother's Day was approaching and naturally my Beloved asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day and I told him, "Just leave me alone."  He said, "I beg your pardon?"  I said, "I really just want to be in the house by myself.  Please, take the girls to church and then out to lunch so I can have a good size chunk of time alone."

I love my family.  I think you should know that up front.  I have a great husband and three really wonderful daughters.  I have enjoyed homeschooling them and, even though I'm cultivating ulcers, I'm enjoying walking through applying for college with my Fabulous Firstborn and helping her to choose a major. 

But...I'm never alone.  My sister and I laugh that between husbands, dogs and children, we haven't gone to the bathroom by ourselves in 20 or so years. 

I had a really nice time alone.  After the family left, I had an extended time for tea with Jesus.  I read my Bible and wrote in my journal and I prayed without interruption.  I pulled out my schedule and planned my week ahead.  I read through a household organization book (a short one) to help me firm up my schedules.  I read a book and had an extra cup of tea because I could.  It was wonderful.

I learned a couple of things along the way.  As far as organizing my household routines, there is no magic formula that will help me clean my house.  I really just need to do what I know I need to without complaining.  No laziness allowed!

The other thing I learned is that retreats and conferences are wonderful, but I really needed to be alone.  I love Ladies' LYFE conference and I'm going along with my friend Julie and a number of other super-cool people.  I'm excited to be going!  I now know though that solitude is essential for me.  Conferences and retreats, while wonderful, can be noisy.  Sometimes I can't hear God speaking or my own heart responding to Him.  I felt whole and happy at the end of my time alone.  I felt ready to meet the challenges of wifing and mothering again.  We have decisions to make about homeschooling the girls next year, I feel like I have the mental and emotional strength to make a firm decision now.

After my alone time, I wanted to encourage wives and mothers to find time to be alone with yourself and God.  If you want to get a hotel room by yourself, then do that.  If you stay home from church by yourself like I did, that's great too.  Take a personal day off of work during the week when no one else will be home.  You need the rest.  You need to be able to think clearly and pray without interruption. 

I'll be praying for you.  I'll be praying that you will find a space to carve out for yourself.  I'll be praying that you will gain the strength and wisdom that you need to face the daily challenges of life. 

Blessings,
Linda

This Week in the Word

Here's our week ahead:

Monday, May 13  1 Chronicles 5-8
Tuesday, May 14  1 Chronicles 9-12
Wednesday, May 15  1 Chronicles 13-14, Acts 7
Thursday, May 16  1 Chronicles 15-16, Acts 8
Friday, May 17  1 Chronicles 17- 18,  Acts 9
Saturday, May 18 1 Chronicles 19-20, Acts 10
Sunday, May 19  1 Chronicles 21-22,  Acts 11

Blessings,
Linda

"Grati-Tuesday"

Today I'm thankful for fun.  My Marvelous Middle Child told me last night that two of her friends think I'm a really cool mom because I wear crazy socks.  I've always wanted to be cool and now after all these years I am!  How fun! 

What are you thankful for today?

Blessings,
Linda