Flesh and Blood

We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

Yesterday was an exhausting day, a day after such joy and encouragement. Unexplained problems that confuse and discourage me, until I am reminded by my husband, the shepherd that we wrestle not against flesh and blood. It makes sense, I say "Be gone, Satan" and the one on HIGH gives me strength. We are discouraged to encourage, but for a moment. Reminded of HIS sufficient grace and am again living on high, thank you Jesus!

Wednesday musings

It is a cool day today, not even June and we feel Fall coming. I love Fall, maybe even more than Spring. The mud can get anyone down. However Fall is colorful leaves, candles, walks uninterrupted by pesky flies and a million other delights.

Today; we have laundry, dishes, lunch to do and time to relax. Does anyone else seem to have to make it a point to do so? To make time to let go...to just sit back and enjoy. Enjoyment is all the time, clean laundry, fresh brownies from the oven, kids smiling faces over dinner - sharing a joke only we know and so much more. Lots and lots of times though it seems that I am moving while doing this - serving lunch, handing out laundry to put away instead of just sitting a bit. It almost feels guilty. Why?

Things I'm thankful for;

Cool mornings
snuggles from boys
husbands whispered affections
pumpkin pie
early birds singing

Hospitality

I write this because it has to go somewhere. This conviction, this pride must be purged. Being beaten over the head by a loving God, listening to others speak and share, watching it lived out in others lives - all the while stepping back and saying no. At least in my head. What hit today was what harm it is doing our own family. We are not your 'out there' kind of people. You will find us in the corners, hoping you don't see us. We wish you all the very best....as long as you stay, over there.

My home is not good enough, our yard not neat enough, my kids not polite enough. Not good, not good. I stop a second to wonder. Isn't that why I'm called precious child? Saved heir of grace? To what? Say, 'not good enough'? So is say NO to pride, lack of contentment - out you go, begone. These are the things that need purged. To say YES! Come over, share a meal, we have PLENTY and GOD blesses us with an abundance, the least we can do ( and just so happens to be something I LOVE to do) is eat and share. So watch out you Moms and Dad's I admire, the young ladies and gents that I know your face and pray for but keep you at arms length. God is at work....and I'm working on hospitality.

Months of stretching

Been a bit since I last posted, amazing what lives we live and how they change. Sometimes bit by bit and others by leaps that hurt and are exhilarating all at the same time. I read this book recently and it seemed to be an answer to those nagging questions rolling around in my head. What is true happiness? Am I doing all I can for God, serving Him with everything I have? Why do I feel as though life sometimes slips through my fingers with missed opportunities?

Recently joy has been my word to go to, to live life with joy. This has worked well, until I get tired, till I feel like I'm the only one with joy and everyone else is just draining me till I'm a dry hollow shell. Then, well it can get ugly. The answer is not so easy to get to...and yet SO simple. Instead of trying to be joy for my husband, for my kids ( and it is amazing how my attitude influences everyone around me) I am to live fully, serve fully in this moment for HIM. When I crack, I am forgiven, by HIM. When I think, there is no more in me, it is remembered - HE gives all, it is not within my grasp to give anything, but HE gives all. Grace, Love, Joy. And I am filled up with His love.