Welcome to the weekend!
How has your week been?
I was off this week, so the kiddos got in some good learning time at home; the school bus came by to drop off new homework packages. The summer semester for my classes will start next week and I'm really excited about them, so I got an early start on my readings :)
I'm not sure what life has been like for you, but I know this has been a discouraging season for me at times. When I read through a devo book this morning (Guarded by Christ, by Heather Holleman), I was challenged by the chapter entitled "From Despair to Delight."
Our circumstances may not be easy. Our old wounds can get drudged up. Relationships remain complex. Yet, we are taught in Scripture that even if things are tough, we are called to hope.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13)
It's easy to say, less easy to do.
She presents three questions to ask ourselves, to help us move from a mindset of despair to one of delight:
1. Do you believe that God is for you?
2. Will you forget the past and believe that God is making a way?
3. Will you seek out the new mercies of God each day?
I encourage you to take some time honestly reflecting on these questions. I was reminded of God's faithfulness to me, of His kind and gentle presence toward me. May we be like Joseph, who named his second son Ephraim, "because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering" (Gen 41:52). What a beautiful testimony of God's grace.
(This week on the blog: How the Resurrection Changes Everything and How to Make that New Habit a Reality)
How easy isn't it to be grumbling these days, when everything is canceled, and the kids are restless. As the Israelites wandered, they complained as we may find ourselves doing now. Yet, we remember that even though we grumble, God's grace is for us.
An article from Grit and Virtue, reminding us that even when we feel we have no choices left, there are still things we can choose!
"No one wakes up with a sudden urge to divorce, or embezzle, or murder. Those urges start out with seemingly small, selfish acts. The selfishness grows, by small increments, in the corners of our hearts where no one sees." A hard heart is alienated toward God, it is a dangerous place to be. The stakes are high. Will we humble ourselves before God and others, to confess our sin and receive mercy?
We've probably all experienced a time of waiting. How do we respond in these seasons? Will we grit our teeth and bear it, or find rest in Jesus?
Our circumstances provide us with plenty of opportunity to practice our obedience, capture our thoughts and live a joy filled life.
I really enjoyed this movie! Yes it's animated, but I really appreciate the allegory and the story stuck with me for days, the images that resonated with me the most engrained deeply. We chose not to watch this with the kids (8, 6 and 3) the depiction of evil we thought would be a little much for them at this time.
I enjoy this question!! Today, I'd say that DETOUR is probably mine. A time of changing up routines and rhythms, taking a path other than what I'd planned.
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