I don't know exactly how much more snow, but I'm willing to guess at least another seven inches...enough that there's no school, yet again today! They aren't even getting snow trucks out today...that should tell us how much we got, and exactly where we are situated on the planet: Snow Trucks, You stay home...we got too much snow! (Hint: we live in IL--have you been watching the news?)
I love Snow Days...it's like 'extended quiet time' for me. The girls are still sleeping...and my husband is gone to work, very thankful for 4-wheel drive!
Today I could whine. All the 'unknowns' of parenting could really get me today. So, I'm fighting the urge to spill it here...
Let me just say: I don't know everything, nor would I want to know everything...I am a human person with high ideals and expectations. I like to know what's going on in the lives of those I love.
Too much to ask? Usually! Almost always, 'asking' is seen as trying to manipulate or control...and honestly, that is the furthest thing from my mind. I just want to support our girls in what ever they are facing...what ever they are facing. Because they are our girls...and they are all young and mostly depend on their emotions (or the crazy emotions of their friends!) to make decisions instead of facts...enough about that!
I get to speak this spring at two different gatherings for women. Preparing to speak is both fun and challenging for me! I was able to spend extended time yesterday getting ready for one of those events.
Preparing for these events brings up a lot of "feelings" for our family that I don't always keep close to the surface. You see, we went from a small family of four to a large family of 6 over night, then, eventually we were 8! (due to baby-surprise #5 and an ailing Papa)
I have great memories of all these times together..I also have memories that I don't feel so great about. It's hard raising girls at different ages and stages and care for an aging parent all in the same household. You have to have a pretty strong marriage to face days like that...Anyone who does all that has my admiration & prayers.
I have seen the Mighty Hand of God during all those times...His provision, His peace, His comfort and His strength, and perhaps most importantly for me: His grace & forgiveness! And, I praise Him for all of it...the good and the not so good. Because of Who He Is and Because He is Worthy...He never wastes anything we go through...the good or the bad...He uses our very humanness to bring honor & glory back to Himself...you gotta love that about Him!
Today, I'm not going to whine...I'm going to Celebrate!
Celebrate the fact that I can type this and it goes out in to cyberspace, enjoying that freedom! Celebrate the fact that it's warm and dry where I sit and enjoy the view!
Celebrate that our family enjoys great health!
Celebrate that there's food in the cabinets & fridge...and my husband has a job!
No whining today! Just the wine of God's goodness...
Take a listen to this wine:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Jesus said those words in Matthew 11:28-30...I love that about Him!
Celebrate! And, find rest for your weary soul!
Peace.
5 comments:
Hey Marsha,
Thanks for your encouragement! Can you believe it hasn't been snowing at all up by us?!? We still have a ton of it, but it sounds fun to get covered with new snow and enjoy a day off.
Oh my... parenting teen-age/young adult girls... boy, do we have a lot to learn!
We definitely have to make the CHOICE to celebrate! Whining is so much easier, isn't it? You have been through so much and I'm sure it's not always an easy choice. Thankfully, we have a God who cares for us and will carry us through. Amazing!
=] emily
Thanks for your words of encouragement...we all'go through so much' it's what makes us unique...and, hopefully, more dependent on our God!
Truly Amazing, you are right!
Marsha
This is so rich, Marsha. I like the "Wine" in title and verse at end. The other "whine" I am too familiar with. My devotion this morning was on John 15:5 the vine, which is where the wine comes from:) It challenged me to take inventory of the seemingly urgent things in my life, and then contrast them to the things that are truly important in God's eyes. This is to help realign my life with heaven's priorities and give me peace and joy that the constant pressures of the world cannot take away. So the day consisted of sledding with the grandsons, making snow ice cream and play! Now I am too tired to work on the other side of my list. Snow days are great, but great snow days will be even greater to talk about as they are replaced with Spring!! Sending you a "hug", enjoy a cup of tea with me, and let's pray and praise Him together. He is the vine.
Marsha, I love the fact that you posted the verse that you did at the end. Far too often too many of us forget to rely on God and rest in Him. We spend our time whining and not celebrating. I know I do it far too often.
Thanks, WoundedSoul78, for reading...it is important to integrate the Word into our lives, as much as possible, and in any way possible...keep it in front of you!
Marsha
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