Ponderings In The Field of Grace

I’ve been really thinking about a lot of things over this past week. I’ve been watching my family and focusing on what God is doing in our lives. Some things have been very eye opening.  I’ve always known that my family is my first ministry, but it’s never hit me the way it is beginning to now. I want to minister to my children, not control them. I’m not saying I don’t exert control over certain aspects of their lives, but I need to let them begin to grow into the people God would have them to be. My job is to prepare them for the journey, not hold their hand and carry them to their destination.

God has taken us all out of what we saw as our “comfort” zones. He’s turned things on their heads, and through it all I am seeing God show us wonderful new things. Sports Guy is developing confidence in areas he never had any before. The Princess is conquering her fear of trying new things. The Professor is getting to be a normal kid, after years of being labeled “special”.  I’m seeing them all branch out and discover new things about themselves, and about the world. It is amazing.

God is developing deeper friendships for us, and really beginning to stretch us.

This bible study my friend and I are doing is opening my eyes to things in my life. Honestly, I didn’t think it was going to be a deep study, kind of like I didn’t think this church we have been visiting was that deep spiritually. But God has shown me through both of these things another way looks can be so deceiving.

In the past I have heard some powerful messages, and walked out pumped up ready to take on the world. By the middle of the week I couldn’t even tell you what had been spoken on Sunday. Now, it’s weird, a lot of times I walk out of church thinking, “That was it?”.  BUT there is always something that speaks to me, and I keep chewing on that the rest of the week. It challenges me every day. I want to apply it to my life.  It is actually something I can/will use throughout the week…and I do. The Bible study is the same way. It is just slowly chipping away the facade, and showing me what is hidden.

I’ve always said I want to see lives changed. I just didn’t realize one of them was still going to be me…

Yesterday was interesting.

It started off pretty rocky. My best friend and I got into a major blow out. So bad it was to the point neither of us wanted to speak to the other. But then I said I was sorry. Anyone who knows me, knows I am the queen of saying, “I’m sorry.” The only thing is, almost every time I say it, I am really saying, “I’m sorry for what you are going through,” or “I’m sorry that had to happen.” When it comes to “I’m sorry I screwed up. I’m sorry I hurt you.” Well, let’s just say I could be a lot better at that.

So, anyway, I apologized. And we kind of patched things up. But then later in the day my friend and I started to talk a little more. By the end of the day, our friendship was stronger than ever. I’m so glad we got the opportunity to talk more.

And I’m so glad I said, “I’m sorry.”

Well, it finally happened! It’s been at least a year I think, since the last one, but we finally saw some snow!  We’ve only got about an inch or so, but it is enough to get the kids excited. So far Princess and Lil Guy have already been outside twice for about a total of 4 minutes! They’ve already tried to make a snow angel and have a snow ball fight. And, being from the south, they have had a new revelation…snow is…cold! Imagine that! I love that!

The two oldest are getting ready to go out, so I imagine things will be getting even more interesting as the morning progresses. I’ve already got the water warming in anticipation of some good hot chocolate for everyone.

The only down side to this adventure is that The Knight isn’t here to enjoy it with us. Unfortunately, he had work and a bunch of meetings. I wish he could be here…

A lot of things going on in my head today…(Not sure if that is a good thing or not!).

The Knight was off work today, so we took the kids to one of the larger malls in the area, and the two youngest got Build-a-bear teddy bears. What a special treat it was for them! That is usually something they only get to do when we go to the beach. Cuddles and Skater have been officially added to the family now. The kids spent the rest of the day playing with them and their alter egos online (buildabearville.com).

As for myself, I was able to get a new bible study. This one is by Kelly Minter. It’s called No Other Gods. My friend L and I talked about it a few days ago, and decided to check it out. She got her copy the other day.

So far I’ve read the intro, and done days one and two. I have to say it is making me think about a few things. Right now, the bible study is mainly focusing on functional gods in our lives. You know the things in our lives, that for the most part are probably good, but we take things too far, and become so focused and obsessed over them that they take precedence in our lives. Those things.

And truth be told, it’s amazing the “good things” in my life that I am beginning to see as maybe not so good.

We’ll see as the study progresses. I think I have a lot for God to show me in this one…

Galatians 4:28-31 KJV:

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son; for the son of  the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

It’s busy around here. We have been taking all day to finish school lately. I definitely have my hands full with four kids in school. Lil guy is really starting to read some now. I have been very happy with how hard he is working on his school work.  Lil Princess just finished her Handwriting book. She did pretty well in it. I think she liking her science class and history.  Sports guy is doing pretty well. He still doesn’t like school, but he seems to be enjoying science more. We’re supposed to be dissecting an earthworm any day now… Meanwhile, the Professor is steadily improving in all of his subjects. He is really trying hard, and this hard drive program may be one of the best things he could have done. I’m proud of how he is adjusting. I know it has been a real challenge for him.

As far as things around the house, etc. have been going…well, we’re doing alright.  I’ve been trying really hard to do better with housekeeping. Anyone who knows me, knows it’s pretty much a losing battle, but at least I’m still fighting!

I have so many things to do, it feels like sometimes I just get stuff lost in the shuffle. I have a to do list a mile long!

• Lunch/dinner with my friend L. (No I haven’t forgotten about you, girl!)
• Taking kids to WU for a basketball game.
• Basketball practice and games.
• Lil Princess’s sewing class.
• Therapy
• ….

You get the idea. Well, gotta go for now. Things to do…

I’ve been thinking about a devotional I received from Charles Stanley this morning. It talked about the Israelites when they sent spies into the promised land. He talked about how Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who said God would give them the land.

As I was reading I started thinking about it. They were the generation which saw the 10 plagues fall on Egypt. They witnessed the parting of the Red Sea. They saw water come from a rock. They were fed manna from heaven. But none of that mattered when they looked at the Promised Land, and listened to the spies report.

All they heard and saw were the things they couldn’t overcome by themselves. They didn’t even consider they were in the middle of a miracle while they were doubting God himself. I mean, think about it. The only way these people ate each day was by God’s miraculous provision of manna. It had fallen that day, but they didn’t even consider it. They didn’t consider it, because they had begun taking the miracle for granted.

Aren’t we just as guilty of doing similar things today?

What’s the problem you are facing right now? Does it seem like you will never get over your past? Are you continually facing closing doors in job situations? Are family problems overwhelming?

Now think about. What miracles from God are you taking for granted?  Look at what God has provided for you. Look who He has put around you (or in some cases who He has removed from you).

He has placed you here for a reason. You have to depend on Him. God had given the Promised Land to the Israelites, but they had to take it. Just because God has promised us something, doesn’t mean it is going to be easy. It almost always isn’t. But it is worth the fight. It is worth sacrificing what you want for what He wants.

Rom. 8:28 says:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Now listen to God. Be obedient to what He says. Go where He tells you, and claim your Promised Land.

We had a good day today.

We took our time this morning getting some things done around the house. I took care of the usual laundry, dishes, etc. The Knight and the kids took down the Christmas tree finally, and put all the decorations up. We finally got the living room looking decent again.

Sports Guy had his first basketball game today. He managed to get one basket, did pretty good on passing the ball, and got hit in the eye by accident. I was pretty proud of him. He realized his eye wasn’t too bad, and he kept on playing. They ended up winning 22-17.

We came home, had dinner and got ready for the Panthers/Cardinals game. I hope Carolina wins, but games like this are usually the ones they lose. I hope I am wrong.  We’ll see…

It has been hectic but fun this week. What a way to get back in the groove with school! Sports guy had his practice Monday, and absolutely loved it. Then Tuesday we went to the Kickoff for basketball. He got his jersey, and we got his schedule and picture information. Wednesday Lil princess started her sewing class. I think she is really is going to like it! She is already wanting to try a few new things! Then last night we got to go to our first basketball game at the local college. The home team lost by 2, but I would say the night itself was a winner for us! The kids can’t wait to go see some more games. And the good part is the games are actually affordable for us. The kids are trying to plan all the games we can go to. They want to be at as many of them as they can! It was great!

Saturday is Sports guy’s first basketball game. I am looking forward to seeing how things go with this conference. It already seems way more organized than the last one he was in. I think it is already helping him. I hope so.  I can’t wait to see the game!

It’s that time again.
I’m trying to get everything organized so I can go grocery shopping. I think I am going to end up going to at least 3 different stores to get everything I need. Ugh, it’s crazy, especially in when it is raining.  I don’t like having to shop for groceries in the rain. Oh well, I’ll deal with it.

I have been trying to get back in the groove for planning a my meals with a weekly menu. I am just not having any luck today trying to come up with meal combinations. Maybe I will after I’ve went shopping. We’ll see.

Meanwhile we’re trying to get school done, and the Professor has therapy today. Then this evening is Sportsguy’s basketball kickoff.  It’s looking like a crazy day, but we’ll get it all done somehow.