Finding Refreshment in Today

Ahhhhhh...

Refreshment.

Quiet lake
Setting sun
Sitting with
My only one

Feeling relaxed
As the day is done
Yet, wondering about
the rest to come

Th rest of the evening
The rest of the night
The rest of the time
Before eternal's light

This refreshment I feel
For no worries here
Is all temporary
For reality is near

Reality of deadlines
And laundry piles
Yet mixed with pool visits
And yogurt smeared smiles

For true refreshment,
Only He can give
"Give me your burdens," He says
"And through me you will live."

So I give Him this night
and I give Him this day
I thank Him for sunsets
And prayers that we say.

I thank Him for goodness
His wisdom and love
And I thank Him for peace
Flowing from up above

May His moment to you
Give you refreshment and hope true
For He wants you with Him
He is calling out to you.

Signposts and Roadblocks

     I went to a graduation party today of a son of some dear friends of ours.  He was graduating from eighth grade and is excited for the next chapter of his life.  What struck me most were the prayers that his grandfathers prayed for him.

     Both of them prayed for his protection as well as giving thanks for how God had led this young man so far.  One of them prayed specifically a prayer of thanksgiving for the roadblocks and signposts so far in his life.  The roadblocks that kept him from sin and the signposts that led the way in many situations.  He prayed that there would be more roadblocks and more signposts along this next journey he was taking.

     I started to think about what roadblocks God had used in my life ...

The roadblock of a party when I was younger, that I couldn't go to.
A relationship ending that wasn't healthy.
The roadblock of a finished job that wasn't good for my family.


And then the signposts...

The friendships that encourage me to hunger for more of Christ.
Our  Small Group that challenges our family to serve in real ways to share the love of Jesus.
My family that supports me with laughter and love.

How truly blessed I am that God uses these things to protect me and to draw me closer to him.

In the same way,  I can be a roadblock or a signpost for my children.

For roadblocks:

I can educate them on the dangers of sin and what consequences have happened in my life because of them.
I can encourage family nights on the nights when there might be an inviting, yet not so healthy, party to go to.
I can guard their bedtime routine and make it a time of reading the Word instead of hurried goodnights.

For signposts:

I can guide them in the Truth with family devotions and the example of me reading the Bible.
I can challenge them to pursue holiness as a standard rather than the world's sin.
I can talk of God's grace, forgiveness, and unfailing love.

I pray that God will use my life as a roadblock for temptation and a signpost for His glory in my life and my children's lives.

Obeying God brings great joy.  ~ Psalm 1:1


I am thankful for the prayer of a grandfather, demonstrating pure love, and encouraging all who heard him to a life filled with pointing to Christ in everything we do!
May I bring great joy to my children as I encourage them to obey Jesus.

Whether I be a roadblock or a signpost, let my actions point to Jesus Christ and His gift of grace for us.

My Baby's Last Day of Kindergarten

Don't cry because it is over,

smile because it happened.

It is over.

His kindergarten year.

The year of half days.

Lunches with Mommy.

Lunches with Grandma and Papa.

The year of firsts.

Field trips, school boxes, 

and full weeks of school.


Playdates (some are coming this summer)
Science experiments, 
parties,
and a special Restaurant Night where it was all about him.

As I reflect on this year, and I think about his growth, both in reading and writing, but more importantly in character and Christ...I think about the ways that his journey is not ending, not even just beginning, but continuing.

And with his continuing journey comes mine...  My journey of shaping, shepherding, and shared trials and triumphs.

This path we are taking is unfolding before us.  


A path of questions, 
scraped knees, 
broken hearts, 
lost library books, 
late night sickness, 


but also


a path of answers, 
healed bruises, 
full hearts, 
backyard treasures and 
laughter in the morning.

"Wait passionately for God, don't leave the path."

Psalm 37:34 The Message

I am thankful for God's grace in getting me through this year.  This path.  This path of joys, and  promises that he is always with us and always loves us.


In. Every. Moment.




I have treasured the friendships, the opportunities, the fellowship.  I am thankful for education, for prayer and for grace.  I am blessed by this year


 in my
-now-  

first grader's life.

What have you treasured this year in your life?  I would love to know!