Psalm 37:37
"Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace."
Psalm 85:8
"I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly."
Psalm 85:10
"Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other."
Psalm 119:165
"Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble".
Proverbs 17:1
"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."
In the world of homeschooling and homemaking there are so many different thoughts of what is good and right. So much so, that a gal could get really overwhelmed in wading through the waters to peace! I have always thought my place in the Body of Christ, homeschooling, church philosophy, all boils down to balance. Paul and I felt like God's word to us when we married was one of BALANCE. It made no sense then. It's very clear now.
We are usually in the middle of most things. No that's not lukewarm!!! It's balanced. Our identity does not come from eating whole grains, no that's bad, we have to eat only glutein free grains, no that's bad, all grains are bad. Our identity does not come from our schooling choices. We use prepared schoolbooks, no we use Charlotte Mason, no we do Unit Studies...We do a bit of each! See what I mean?
There are seasons. Seasons to be especially diligent on your food choices. Seasons to do a unit study or make a nature notebook. There are seasons to sit and read out loud to your children. However, not many mothers of littles can find peace if they are trying to do it all and manage special needs children, a farm, a home business, two bible studies, awana, and music lessons for all! Doesn't just reading that make you jumpy inside?!
There was a season that I was grinding wheat, making bread, cooking everything from scratch, homeschooling everyone and taking care a sick baby. I began to be a bit grouchy. "No I can't help you right now, I'm cooking. No I can't read right now, I'm doing laundry....." I began to be no fun! I also noticed that the children were growling at each other as well! I had set the pace for our home.
Peace begets peace! When I looked at what was important to our family and let the other stuff go, was when I found peace. We still do some of it regularly, but not all of it all the time. The most important thing, is that none of it earns me the Holiness Crown! None of it. Nor does it earn me the Super Mom Who Can Do It All Crown!
When I get to the place of Grumpy Mama, I try to figure out where I went wrong. Sometimes unfortunately, I go even more wrong in my "Mama Bootcamp"! I will try to whip everyone in to shape. We get a schedule, we get a chore list, we get CRAZY! That doesn't work either.
When I seek peace, then I find peace. There might be a "Mama Bootcamp", but it's different. It is a peaceful change. It may even be abruptly different than before, but there is peace and joy! That is the difference.
This week, I have been sick, which is rare for me. I had to let some things go. It really bugged me that I was letting our schedule go, but it was not going to bring peace or healing to me. It's amazing, but my children are still getting their work done, the laundry isn't piling up (too badly), there are still meals each day, but I have napped my way through the entire week! Can we continue like this? No, but for a few days, it's brought us peace.
The Lord promises us peace if we keep our minds on Him. I'm so thankful that He reveals Himself to us,even in the mundane things of our lives. He is a good and faithful God. I pray that today in the midst of your world, you find find peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!
Hilltop Blessings!
Sheri
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
It's looking Like Fall Y'all!
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3
It's this time of year that I feel the abundance of the Lord's blessings. Fall just does that to me. I love seeing piles of pumpkins and gourds. I love the leaves that change...(here they don't change until November, but I can imagine!) I've really enjoyed temps in the 80's instead of the 100's! That right there is enough to just stop and shout about! Come and take a walk with me through my Fall decorating. I've really enjoyed myself!
Truth be told...I'm a copier! I love to look at other blogs and then make it my own or sometimes all out copy someone's great idea. I've been dangling my foot in the waters of Pinterest. I'm not really sure what it is or how to use it, but this weekend, I came out from under the book pile and have been looking at lots of blogs. (I can do that because I'm coughing my head off...everyone has been happy to leave me alone!)
So, what to do with all these vases and candle stick holder, leaves and silver plates? You make hurricane lanterns out of them. They are awesome. You can get all of the glassware at Dollar Tree and also the tall skinny candles.
Then you start playing with them. You text your close friends and ask them a million times to tell you how cute they are! Yep and then they tell you they love them and where exactly in Dollar Tree can they find the stuff. That makes you feel really good! Of course you've just copied them from some other gal who has probably done the same thing!
Here it is with the skinny tall candle inside the vase. I had to be careful not to tip the plate. It does fall over!
Next you get your fake leaves and put them down in between the candle and the vase. Just sort of shake them in. Doesn't that look cute?
Then I thought I would try some other looks.... Not so good. In fact...awful! You have to keep trying....
And then I tried some other looks. Still not winning any prizes here, but the look is beginning to come together.
It just looks better like this. Oh well, that is how I saw it to begin with! So much for my creative juices! What can I do with those little gourds?
So here are my hurricanes all grouped together on my mantle. You would think I would have a picture of the whole thing....I forgot. Oh well, you get the idea.
This plate will forever be a part of my home decor! I bought it the day we were told Katie might have Leukemia. It has seen me through the dark days and brought me to His light and love! There is a picture above it on my mantle, I can't move it, so I just go with it. It's fine....
Once I get started, I can't stop! I love fall. It is one of those seasons that make me feel blessed when I look around and see God' abundance! Yes those are bows on the pumpkins. The squaty pumpkins are from Dollar Tree. The mason jars have popcorn, split peas, red beans and a tea light in them.
How is easy is that to make?! I love easy. I used these for table decorations for a party the other night.
These little jars are on my coffee table. I'm wondering how long it will take my children to gobble up the candy corn out of my jars! Will they sneak it or will they ask?
I made this little bowl a couple years ago. It was so simple and I'm finally thrilled with what's in it. I bought four twin covered pieces of fruit from Kirkland's and then I just filled it in with some old potpourri. It was an easy! I had tried a cute thrifted square table cloth underneath it, but it was forever in the way. An old place mat works great!
Thanks for coming on a "look-see" through my home. I've loved doing some fall decor. The best part, is it's been so inexpensive. I love reworking things I already own. I pray your home and family are experiencing the coziness that Fall brings, but most importantly the warmth and love of our Heavenly Father!
Hilltop Blessings!
Sheri
It's this time of year that I feel the abundance of the Lord's blessings. Fall just does that to me. I love seeing piles of pumpkins and gourds. I love the leaves that change...(here they don't change until November, but I can imagine!) I've really enjoyed temps in the 80's instead of the 100's! That right there is enough to just stop and shout about! Come and take a walk with me through my Fall decorating. I've really enjoyed myself!
Truth be told...I'm a copier! I love to look at other blogs and then make it my own or sometimes all out copy someone's great idea. I've been dangling my foot in the waters of Pinterest. I'm not really sure what it is or how to use it, but this weekend, I came out from under the book pile and have been looking at lots of blogs. (I can do that because I'm coughing my head off...everyone has been happy to leave me alone!)
So, what to do with all these vases and candle stick holder, leaves and silver plates? You make hurricane lanterns out of them. They are awesome. You can get all of the glassware at Dollar Tree and also the tall skinny candles.
Then you start playing with them. You text your close friends and ask them a million times to tell you how cute they are! Yep and then they tell you they love them and where exactly in Dollar Tree can they find the stuff. That makes you feel really good! Of course you've just copied them from some other gal who has probably done the same thing!
Here it is with the skinny tall candle inside the vase. I had to be careful not to tip the plate. It does fall over!
Next you get your fake leaves and put them down in between the candle and the vase. Just sort of shake them in. Doesn't that look cute?
Then I thought I would try some other looks.... Not so good. In fact...awful! You have to keep trying....
And then I tried some other looks. Still not winning any prizes here, but the look is beginning to come together.
It just looks better like this. Oh well, that is how I saw it to begin with! So much for my creative juices! What can I do with those little gourds?
So here are my hurricanes all grouped together on my mantle. You would think I would have a picture of the whole thing....I forgot. Oh well, you get the idea.
 | |
Once I get started, I can't stop! I love fall. It is one of those seasons that make me feel blessed when I look around and see God' abundance! Yes those are bows on the pumpkins. The squaty pumpkins are from Dollar Tree. The mason jars have popcorn, split peas, red beans and a tea light in them.
How is easy is that to make?! I love easy. I used these for table decorations for a party the other night.
These little jars are on my coffee table. I'm wondering how long it will take my children to gobble up the candy corn out of my jars! Will they sneak it or will they ask?
I made this little bowl a couple years ago. It was so simple and I'm finally thrilled with what's in it. I bought four twin covered pieces of fruit from Kirkland's and then I just filled it in with some old potpourri. It was an easy! I had tried a cute thrifted square table cloth underneath it, but it was forever in the way. An old place mat works great!
Thanks for coming on a "look-see" through my home. I've loved doing some fall decor. The best part, is it's been so inexpensive. I love reworking things I already own. I pray your home and family are experiencing the coziness that Fall brings, but most importantly the warmth and love of our Heavenly Father!
Hilltop Blessings!
Sheri
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)