It seems so long since I wrote a chatty post, that I don't know where to start without coming blabbing on for way to long about stuff that would only interest me, cause, let's face it, talking about ourselves sometimes is far too interesting...
Finished:
our fall/winter sports
The two older boys are done hockey, and our daughter and I finished up soccer last month as well. Again, I have vowed to be in stellar shape by next soccer season so I won't be panting and puffing around on legs of rubber by our 5th game in 2 days. Ok, I was panting in the first game.
Now we are into baseball season, which means Tues- Fri evenings at the ball park. The Skip and I are coaching T ball again, which means that I am coaching Tball, as he starts prawn fishing 7 days a week soon. We had our first game last night, and my favourite part was in warm up, when I was trying to get them familiar with the bases. They were all standing at home, and I told them to run to the base that I called out. I hollered, HOME PLATE, and only one child remained where he was, while the other 8 shot off in all different directions. tee hee. so cute. Our oldest son is up in a higher league this year, and his games just get more and more exciting to watch.
Almost finished, then not at all, then finished, and now not finished again:
* our kitchen restoration. Do you remember how I left the tub on and it flooded our bathroom and poured through our kitchen ceiling pot lights? Yes, well, there was some shoddy workmanship done in fixing it, so we had a new crew come in to fix it. They finished all up yesterday, but then some glaring mistakes that the first crew made became obvious after the paint had dried. The worst one was the the original crew forgot to nail a ceiling dry wall board to the wood behind it, so it was loose and now we have big crack across the ceiling. sigh. It is just material thing, but I am getting frustrated. I think the worst part for me is that I started the whole process with my stupidity and I just want the whole situation behind us! It will be a month on Saturday, so I hope it is done soon!
Lessons learned lately:
(besides not overflowing the bath- ok, I'll shut up about that now)
- you know, an area that I have really been stretched in lately is relying on God's promises, even when it seems that there is no obvious action on His part. I have been learning to use more discipline, instead of looking around and going, "well, this isn't working, I better try to fix it myself". Music is big with me, as my regular readers know, so often I have songs running through my head. Lately, phrases like "sometimes He calms the storm, and sometimes He calms His child", and the old hymn "Standing on the Promises of God" have been repeating themselves in my noggin over and over. There are a few family situations that I feel HELPLESS in, but that are heartbreaking if I dwell on them. What comfort to be able to say "ok, God, I DON'T know how to make this better. I have tried, and tried, and made a nuisance of myself trying to try again, and I give up. You promise to work things out for the good of those who love you, so I am going to trust You to handle this". Phil 4: 6-7 has become my mantra :
Be anxious FOR NOTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I have known this verse for the last 30 years, but they are becoming more alive. I used to cling mainly to the getting peace part...now I am focusing on my part, which is to discipline myself to pray, with thanksgiving, whenever I am feeling anxious. I used to only feel true peace when a problem was solved- and many times that led to temporary peace as I had done a frantic- Jane -patch- job on the issue. I am finding that when I give the oars of my boat to God, I am more at peace sitting in the middle of a rocking boat. I am learning to be calm IN the storm, instead of only after it, because I am trusting God to work things out in a truly amazing way so that it is obvious that He has worked in the situation. It is kind of exciting to think about, isn't it?!
Now, do I still worry, pout, and sulk at times? Yup. but thank the Lord, I think it is less than a year ago, or even a few months ago.
Well my friends, I am feeling talked out after that, and my littles are waiting for mama to cut up some apples for snack. Take care and let me know if there is any thing I can support you in prayer about.
Finished:
our fall/winter sports
The two older boys are done hockey, and our daughter and I finished up soccer last month as well. Again, I have vowed to be in stellar shape by next soccer season so I won't be panting and puffing around on legs of rubber by our 5th game in 2 days. Ok, I was panting in the first game.
Now we are into baseball season, which means Tues- Fri evenings at the ball park. The Skip and I are coaching T ball again, which means that I am coaching Tball, as he starts prawn fishing 7 days a week soon. We had our first game last night, and my favourite part was in warm up, when I was trying to get them familiar with the bases. They were all standing at home, and I told them to run to the base that I called out. I hollered, HOME PLATE, and only one child remained where he was, while the other 8 shot off in all different directions. tee hee. so cute. Our oldest son is up in a higher league this year, and his games just get more and more exciting to watch.
Almost finished, then not at all, then finished, and now not finished again:
* our kitchen restoration. Do you remember how I left the tub on and it flooded our bathroom and poured through our kitchen ceiling pot lights? Yes, well, there was some shoddy workmanship done in fixing it, so we had a new crew come in to fix it. They finished all up yesterday, but then some glaring mistakes that the first crew made became obvious after the paint had dried. The worst one was the the original crew forgot to nail a ceiling dry wall board to the wood behind it, so it was loose and now we have big crack across the ceiling. sigh. It is just material thing, but I am getting frustrated. I think the worst part for me is that I started the whole process with my stupidity and I just want the whole situation behind us! It will be a month on Saturday, so I hope it is done soon!
Lessons learned lately:
(besides not overflowing the bath- ok, I'll shut up about that now)
- you know, an area that I have really been stretched in lately is relying on God's promises, even when it seems that there is no obvious action on His part. I have been learning to use more discipline, instead of looking around and going, "well, this isn't working, I better try to fix it myself". Music is big with me, as my regular readers know, so often I have songs running through my head. Lately, phrases like "sometimes He calms the storm, and sometimes He calms His child", and the old hymn "Standing on the Promises of God" have been repeating themselves in my noggin over and over. There are a few family situations that I feel HELPLESS in, but that are heartbreaking if I dwell on them. What comfort to be able to say "ok, God, I DON'T know how to make this better. I have tried, and tried, and made a nuisance of myself trying to try again, and I give up. You promise to work things out for the good of those who love you, so I am going to trust You to handle this". Phil 4: 6-7 has become my mantra :
Be anxious FOR NOTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I have known this verse for the last 30 years, but they are becoming more alive. I used to cling mainly to the getting peace part...now I am focusing on my part, which is to discipline myself to pray, with thanksgiving, whenever I am feeling anxious. I used to only feel true peace when a problem was solved- and many times that led to temporary peace as I had done a frantic- Jane -patch- job on the issue. I am finding that when I give the oars of my boat to God, I am more at peace sitting in the middle of a rocking boat. I am learning to be calm IN the storm, instead of only after it, because I am trusting God to work things out in a truly amazing way so that it is obvious that He has worked in the situation. It is kind of exciting to think about, isn't it?!
Now, do I still worry, pout, and sulk at times? Yup. but thank the Lord, I think it is less than a year ago, or even a few months ago.
Well my friends, I am feeling talked out after that, and my littles are waiting for mama to cut up some apples for snack. Take care and let me know if there is any thing I can support you in prayer about.
3 comments:
Dude! you read MY mind!!!!!!
"now I am focusing on my part, which is to discipline myself to pray, with thanksgiving, whenever I am feeling anxious. I used to only feel true peace when a problem was solved- and many times that led to temporary peace"
I'm SO there TOO.
Girl that did my heart good. It(the bottom part) ran along the lines of my Esther study.
I am afraid that for years I have been giving God conditional faith. I have a lot to blog about concerning this.
I am so glad that you are learning. Isn't it amazing how we know something but then He sweetly teaches us how that information works? I have been in some tough schooling lately...seems like you have too. The end results...peace and contentment...it is good.
"well, this isn't working, I better try to fix it myself".
hmm, i have no idea what you mean? bwhahah. great post jane. i love your perspective, the music in your heart and well, man...YOUR HEART. it encourages me everytime we "chat" whether by email or reading your thoughts here.
i'm so grateful for you!
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