First Day Forgetfullness!

Today was our first day back at school and home school. It absolutely amazed me how many things I forgot (read: denied) over the summer and then am in shock of on the first day! 

(as I most likely was last year, and the year before that...and that...and that!)

Here's my top ten:

10.   I am lazy. I really, really like to sleep in until the baby wakes me up and I have to get out of bed. I am not a morning person and I forgot that getting up and moving early would not be a simple thing for me to do.

9.  I forgot that: not enough caffeine and I will be too sluggish to keep up with the four at home! "Mom...I have a question!" "Mom, can you come in here I need help!" "Mommy sit with me, play with me, read to me!" In between trying to clean up, get the next subjects ready, cooking, etc. etc.

8.  I forgot that: too much caffeine will give me energy but will also make me jittery and a bit edgy towards 4 children all needing frequent help at the same time! Gotta find the right balance!

7.   Eating breakfast is a good idea.I guess I forgot. Zoom! Before I knew it, it was 10:30 and the only thing I had consumed was the caffeine! Definitely not helping me find that balance on an empty stomach!

6.  Toddlers can make the biggest mess in record time when we are all busy schooling. Ok, so I didn't really forget how fast she can make a mess-but I was overly surprised by it when I walked from the school room into the others!

5.  I forgot that I need a plan for the toddler. She needs attention too-and if I don't actually schedule it in, she'll cry WAY too often, have several tantrums at key learning points, climb all over me to try to get me to pay attention to her, and make even more of a mess even faster than her record time!

4.  Speaking of schedules...and turning the corner to a bit more positive things I forgot....I forgot that schedules really HELP me! They do not hinder my day-they keep us on track! The chores get done, subjects completed, meals prepared, and all this with no whining (from the kids either! lol) when we know what's expected and it is easy to follow.

3.  Having a list of subjects to complete and assignments to do keeps us all productive. I forgot that when we are finished, play time would be so much nicer since they are excited to play instead of already bored with every thing they could possibly do!

2.  Playing with younger siblings can sometimes seem like a chore. I forgot that during any given school day I can convince any one of the older children that playing with their baby sister is a great idea! They will play with her happily (in exchange for a little break) any time I request! No questions asked! No whining! No arguing..just happy, happy sibling time! 

1.  "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfullness." Lamentations 3:22-23

I forgot how wonderful it is to get a brand new fresh start! God's mercies are new every morning...and that certainly includes the morning of a brand new school year! No matter what mistakes I made last year, no matter what shortcomings I think I have, and no matter what I FORGOT, it's a brand new and fresh start! 

Don't do what I sometimes do and think, "What's the point, I've messed up so many times...I'll never be good at this.. I'll never get it right." Hang on to the promises of God! His mercies and compassions never fail and they are not just for your children-they are for you too!!! 

It is a blessing and an honor to have 4 of my 5 children at home with me. 

It is HARD WORK! That, I did not forget! But, it is worth it!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9

Praying whether you started already, started today, or soon will...that you will not forget what matters most and that you'll have a blessed school year with your children-be them home or schooling out. 

It's A Blessing!

For Such a Time as This

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the jews will arise from another place,

 but you and your father's family will perish. 

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this." Esther 4:14

Whether it be a royal position or a lowly one, the place where God has you could be for 

"such a time as this."

If you have been given the talent to teach and doors have opened before you...then someone needs to hear what God is teaching through you and you are in that position for 

"such a time as this."

If you have been raised in an abusive home and after many years of suffering have forgiven those in your past and now God has led someone to you that needs to be ministered to then you are in that position for 

"such a time as this."

If  you and your husband have suffered the loss of a baby, or maybe more than one, and now you find yourself able to comfort those who are in mourning then you are in that position for 

"such a time as this."

Were you lost in depression? Have you suffered from panic attacks? Have you had an abortion? Did your husband leave you? Did you lose your home?

And now, God has put before you an opportunity to be His hands and His feet and show love and grace to someone who is wearing the shoes you once wore? 

Then, you my friend were in that position for 

"such a time as this."

Praise God that you are able to see how the position God had you in, or the one He has you in now, can be used for His kingdom! Praise Him for working all things together for good-for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

But...what if you are like me?

What if you have suffered a hurt like you never had before. What if your whole world seems turned upside down. What if you feel like you are the opposite of Midas and everything you touch is ruined instead of turned to gold? What if you are still in "that position" and you see no "such a time as this" opportunity. 

You can't see how God will use your pain, your loss, your suffering for any good to anyone. 

And you wait. 

And you hope. 

For a "such a time as this". Because it seems like it would hurt just a little bit less if you knew that at least you were brought to and through that position for "such a time as this." 

In the story of Esther she didn't see her "such a time as this"until it was pointed out to her. She even tried to say no to the opportunity because it seemed to be a very bad and personally dangerous idea! 

In the story of my life-and maybe yours too-I wonder if a "such a time a this' will ever come or if I will always just wonder "why" and "for what purpose" things happened as they have. I question: will I miss my

"such a time as this" moment because I am too focused on myself or too afraid to trust God?

Until I read this:
"Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future." Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

Esther was brought to her position for "such a time as this" and was able to be part of God's amazing plan to save her people. You were brought to where you are for a purpose. I was brought to my position for a reason too. God made what seemed to me to be a straight path, crooked. When times were good, I was happy. And now, that times have been bad, I need to consider that God made the one as well as the other. I cannot straighten what he has made crooked. Nor can I discover anything about my future-including if I will ever get to experience a "such a time as this". 

And so..I can not just wait for such a time. It may not happen that way for me-or for you, friend. Let's encourage one another to Praise Him in our storm, for He has made the one as well as the other.

Whole Intentions

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