Clearly my Mothers rule of “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” has truly stuck with me. I think that explains my silence on here for the last month pretty well.
Now don’t get me wrong. I have had blessings given to me this past month. God has placed others in my life who I am truly blessed by and have as friends now. But I allowed myself to focus and even dwell on the few negative things that snuck there way into my life.
One of those I can share with you is our homeschool. To say the 2012-2013 school year was a year of struggle would be an understatement. We made another major move, in October, from Chicago to Northern Kentucky (just outside of Cincinnati). This move proved very difficult and time consuming with my very rambunctious soon to be 2 year old at the time.
We experienced a set back in our homeschool schedule.
We struggled through the Holidays with our school time. I tried not allow the “you’re running behind” feeling to take over me. But I am a schedule following kinda girl – I need my schedule!
In February I sat down with my planner, erased my plan for the rest of the school year, and planned our days again. Aaaahhh – this is better! This is how it’s supposed to be. Our final day of school may be later than I wanted but I had a plan again.
Just a week later my Mother-in-Law (who lived in Florida) had gone in to the hospital for a minor routine/surgery. Within two months her health became much much worse. By the end of March we were told to get down to Florida NOW! While we were driving down she was put on life support and during our 10 day stay she went to be with the Lord.
As you can imagine this unplanned trip became something so much more. Once back home life was still very much chaotic and stressful. School was bumped yet again.
Now each instance needed their time away from school. Each one needed me to focus on my girls and something other than school. I don’t think I would change how I handled each time either. But we are still working towards finishing this school year. We are still on a different schedule than what I had planned for – and I don’t roll with that very well.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17 esv
Do you ever read a Bible verse that you’ve read over and over again and then just one day it clicks? “Let the WORD of Christ DWELL in you RICHLY” How am I missing this? It’s so in your face – I can NOT be overwhelmed with LIFE and MY PLANS if the WORD of Christ is what is dwelling in ME! It’s not possible to dwell on my earthly plans falling through if I am dwelling on the Word of God.
July is the month for me to begin dwelling on God’s Word again. Meet with Him each and every morning to find out what His plans are for my day. Allow Him to plan my day and our homeschool for me. Why do I want all of that burden when He is so willing to take it for me?
I know that my girls are so very smart. I know that we will finish this school year. I know this – because I have given it all to Christ!
How do you handle life when it doesn’t go as YOU planned?
What Bible verses help you regain your focus on HIM?
Love Life, Love God, Live For HIM…
You have had a tough year. I pray you this year brings many blessings as you focus on God and your family.
I can so relate! In the times I hear the lies of the deceiver, I have to try to remember that homeschooling affords us the time to walk through these trials and season together as a family. The academics will come, I trust Him to enable us to get where we need to be as we hone the gifts He has given to each of our children. Praying that the year ahead holds success by His measure.
That is indeed a wonderful reminder. Thank you and praying peace over you.