Today our little family drove down to Eau Claire. We went to a coffee shop, walked around the mall (we never do that!) and ran a few errands. It was simple, sweet, and perfect. I love having my family all to myself. I get so wrapped up in keeping the family going during the week, that by the time family day comes I don't even realize how badly I needed it.
We had some good friends visit us this past weekend and it was a breath of fresh air. I love seeing old faces. It brings back a warm feeling of times past and good memories. I love having company over for many reasons. But one crazy and strange reason is this: it forces me to clean my.entire.house.top.to.bottom. I clean our house all throughout the week normally, but when visitors come I break in the deep cleaning. And boy does the house sparkle! For some reason it's just a great motivator to get projects done that are usually forgotten. It feel so good to get things organized after
On another note, lately I've been doing a lot of thinking. Who am I? Who do I want to be? Where am I headed? What are my priorities? How do I want to make my mark on this world? What has Jesus really called me to do, and am I obeying? Am I putting my own priorities in front of Him and His will for my life? It's been good. Really really good.
Because of this introspection, I've been spending less time online and less time working on my photography business. I've been reading more study and self-help books. I've been focusing more on counseling, prayer, and worship leading. I've been focusing more on homeschooling. I've also been focusing more on some future dreams I have and all the visions that keep bursting from my heart. Oh how I wish I could shout them out to the entire world! But that's what dreams and visions are, dreams and visions. Only time will tell if they are truly what God has for us.
Our good friend lost his home to a fire this past week, and our other good friends miscarried a baby (after losing another baby five months ago). As my heart grieves for them both, I am also struck with awe and wonder as these friends have both lifted up their hearts to God in praise and thanksgiving during their trials. In their pain they have touched me. What beauty. What love.
I read this Psalm before the congregation before worship started last Sunday. It has really touched my heart lately. He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture. I love thinking of Jesus in this light, as my Good Shepherd leading the way.
He is so good. So, so good.
Psalm 95
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
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