Unfamiliar Surroundings

My 7 year old wanted her best friend to spend the night.  Saturday at 5 p.m., our guest arrived.  They played, they ate, played and ate some more.  They begged to stay up later than normal, then watched a video.  At 10 p.m. I declared it was time for bed.  I read a story, but they didn't listen.  We said our prayers and I kissed them goodnight, leaving them in a fit of giggles.

I was hoping they would settle down and drift off to sleep, but alas it was not so.  Perhaps it was just wishful thinking.  Each of them had stayed overnight with family members, but this was the first time for a friend sleepover.  On 20 minute intervals they came in my room to ask what they should do to go to sleep, to ask for another snack, to ask for water, to tell me they were scared, to get a hug, and to ask again how to go to sleep.  My advice was go to bed, close your eyes and stop talking, but they kept getting up and kept talking.

At midnight, I went in their room and told them I was going to sit in the floor until they fell asleep.  My only rule was that they couldn't talk.  Within 5 minutes they were both asleep.

Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.

We would have gotten a few more hours of sleep if only they had listened to my advice.  But then again, I don't always listen carefully to God's advice.  When I have unfamiliar situations, I ask God what to do.  But I'm not sure that I listen.  Instead I continue with questions like: how should I act, how should I react, what should I say, what should I not say, when will it be over, why am I in this situation, am I doing the right thing, am I doing the wrong thing, will I be writing a blog about it, etc.

I think I'll tuck this lesson away and pull it out the next time things are not familiar.

A New Rhythm

Once upon a time, I was a teacher.  I taught for over 13 years and was accustomed to the rhythm of working for 10-15 weeks then having down time of one or two weeks.  During those breaks I would tackle big projects such as painting a room, staining a porch, spring cleaning the house, or working in the yard.

For the past 10 years I've been working in a position with standard annual leave and sick leave.  I take sick leave if the kids are ill or if I'm too sick to walk.  I take annual leave when trips are planned.  Most days I return home with little drive to do anything except what is absolutely necessary.

I felt good on Friday.  I spent Friday evening and all day Saturday cleaning and organizing.  While working I kept wondering if I would ever finish, and if I did finish how would I ever maintain it.

Titus 2:7-8  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

I  now realize that without those regular extended breaks, I can't complete the big projects - so I don't start them.  Bad idea!   My rhythm is off and somehow I need to establish a workable pattern.  This verse speaks of doctrine, but it also says "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works".  I'm ready for God to send me a new pattern.  Ten years is long enough to be out of sync.  

Graduation Day

The mom of a dear friend graduated this week.  Instead of a cap and gown, she wore a robe and crown.  Instead of a marching band, she was serenaded by a choir of angels.  Instead of the conferring of a degree, she was told, "We'll done, thou good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21)

John 10:27-28. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

As a Christian, you may view someone 'going home' as bittersweet.  You will miss them in the worst way, but you are proud that they graduated to their eternal life with Jesus.  Sometimes you may even feel a twinge of envy, but just know that it is not your time.  God still has things for you to do to advance His kingdom.

Philippians 3:13-14. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

May we all be as faithful as Mrs. Kelley in hearing God's voice and pressing toward the mark.

Being a Hoarder vs. Being Thrifty

You already know that I enjoy estate sales.  I especially get carried away when I find anything to do with sewing or crafts.  In the past few months I have had the great fortune to visit a couple of sales and for unbelievably low prices, I was able to buy all of the craft stuff or all of the sewing stuff that remained at each sale.

Your thinking a couple of boxes of stuff, right?  Nay, nay.  It filled up 1/2 of my garage and a room inside the house.  My son and my aunt both mentioned the TV show 'Hoarders' when they saw the piles of fabric, yarn, thread, zippers, etc.  However I believe I am being thrifty.  I know that the time invested in sorting will provide for me many years of projects and very few trips to the craft/fabric stores.  In the past week, I've spent several days sitting, sorting, moving, organizing and trashing items as I wade through in search of my "fabulous finds".

Matthew 13:47-49 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.  So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, isn't it great that God will gather you up as one of His "fabulous finds"?  Think about that whenever you take the time to gather the good and cast away the bad.