Summer of Surrender, day 2

Well, it's day 2. In my time with God, I was reminded that all of creation speaks of a Creator who loves order. If the Creator of the universe can give this world such order and precision, then certainly He can give me the wisdom and insight I need to have order and organization in my home of 7!

I am reminded of a drawer that is filled with clutter, things just scattered and tossed in there. When one takes everything out, sorts it and straightens it, the drawer will be able to close easily. It doesn't mean anything was necessarily thrown away, but rather sorted into where it belongs. So it is with my life. My desire is to carefully weigh both what I do with my time and space and decide carefully what needs to fill my life.

We are step-by-step going through the house and decluttering. As the excess is removed, there is a sense of liberation and freedom. Contentment and joy are not linked to what possessions we have, but rather, they come to us from God. It is only after I seek His face that I am filled with all I need.

Today I am challenging the kids to carve out their own time with God, to seek Him and draw on Him as their source. If they can grasp this concept at a young age . . . what a walk!

Summer of Surrender

Another year of school is now done, books are being packed away and the kids are excited for a couple of months free from bookwork. Hmm, what to do now? In some ways it feels like we just push through those last few days or weeks, forgetting about finishing with excellence, but rather just trying to be done. In those crunch times, it can feel like life falls apart, the house falls into disarray, laundry gets backed up, meal planning goes out the window and scheduling falls by the wayside. Now, let's not even begin to look at my personal life, devotions? not happening (unless you count those few minutes hiding in the bathroom), working out? uhh, pacing the floor in an effort to get a teething toddler back to sleep doesn't count, does it? completing my online courses? well, when I am in the van travelling, I do listen to them . . . until the laptop battery runs out. I think it's time to surrender (again).

So, where do I start? I really thing for me it comes with establishing a new routine while we are in-between school years. And, of course, I will need to take baby steps in order make sure this new pattern sticks (proving you CAN teach an old dog new tricks).

Today is step one: Have a devotional time
I will hide from the kids for 15 minutes and just get
in touch with my Saviour.

When it comes to surrender, I usually am all for it. I can turn over my hopes, dreams, tears and frustrations to one who loves me, cares for me, knows me and accepts me for who I am. In the end, who will benefit? My whole family.