Just last month I wrote this post while I had some time to think. Seems like such a long time ago. Great reminder for myself now that we're into the swing of the fall!
But before I go there . . .
Life here at the Heather House has been busy. Brian has a bigger load at school and is much busier (but still not as busy when he was teaching marching band!), 3 little girls come to the house 5 days a week (two of which are 6 months old), David started 1st grade and is about to start soccer and Club Rock Salt, and Johnny is almost two . . . need I say more? :) We're all enjoying what we're doing, and enjoying being a family. We were able to do a little more as a family this summer, including taking a canoe camping trip. I think I'd like to blog about that later, as well as another fun canoe trip we did earlier in the summer. I love that our family likes to do outdoor things, and canoes. I think we're pretty cool! :)
Anyway, here are some things that were on my heart in August.
Psalm 139
17-18 “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would out number the sand. When I awake I am still with you.”
23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”
Being a former teacher, and being married to a teacher, the rhythm of our life revolves around the school year. I always get excited around this time of year. The new books, supplies, a new teacher, new students, and the routine that the school year provides. Like most people celebrate the New Year, I find myself internally preparing for the school year. Something I love to do in preparation for the year is to gather my thoughts, spiritually speaking, and to come up with a spiritual theme for the year. I don’t know if the above verses will end up being my theme, but for where I’m at in the process, this is where my heart is.
My eldest is 6 right now, and he asks a lot of questions. At times his questions are bothersome and my first instinct is to ask him to go play somewhere else so mama can work without interruption!! I’m learning that questions are important to learning, to be patient with him, and talk with him. My thought is that if questions are good for him, maybe they’re good for me too! I really am not the type of person to ask questions. It really is a fault of mine. The pride in me causes me to want to look like I know what I’m doing, so asking questions would mean that I’m lacking in some way. This attitude has gotten me into trouble in countless ways and situations. So, this year I am trying to counter this inclination by acting like a child. I think I remember God saying something about being like a child, and I’m pretty sure it was a good thing! So this year my goal is to ask lots of questions, to learn from God about His thoughts and ways. J
In Psalm 139:17-18, David puts into words what my heard longs to say to God, and so perfectly sums up the theme I’d like to adopt for the year. God knows ALL things, and I do NOT know all things. Not only do I not know all things, but my bent is to not ask about what God knows and thinks about things. So to counter this, my desire is to keep this verse on the forefront of my mind so that I’ll remember to ask lots of questions, and in response to getting answers as I seek God’s mind, I commit to hold them as truth, and in high regard. While I do this, I also want to draw my sons’ attention to God and to teach them how to seek after Him.
The second set of verses speaks to my desire to place my anxious thoughts before God, and to strive towards purity of heart.
As I read over this post in preparation for publishing it, I realize how simple and childish these thoughts are. As I’ve sat down to read God’s Word over the years, I do ask questions. In this, I’m seeking God and His thoughts.
