Seeking

“What does it mean for me as a stay-at-home-mom to ‘seek first the kingdom of God?’” I asked hubby this question not too many weeks ago. Matt. 6:31 is one of those reoccurring verses in my life during this sabbatical season. It popped up again in my devotional this morning and I was brought back to this basic question, How do I seek Him first in all that I do? More importantly, How am I not seeking Him first and what do I need to do to change that? Certainly not worrying about everyday things like food and clothing is a good place to start, as Jesus suggests in that passage (Matt.6:31-34).
I wonder if learning to seek His kingdom first and see all the hours of my day through His eyes is one key to inner renewal. Ringa writes that the challenge in serving without being depleted is, “…not only to learn to pace ourselves, to set limits,…it is a matter of creatively using time for ourselves…(for)inner renewal…gaining new directions and insights, lest we constantly make the same mistakes and fail to establish patterns that facilitate growth” (#54).
As we talked through our sabbatical with a counselor last week she encouraged us to nail down and do the things that keep our tanks full and healthy. She suggested that if we learn nothing else during this season but how to better self-care during regular life then we have accomplished much. AHA, so that is what this season is all about! Finally a tangible goal I can focus on! 

“Phase Two of our Sabbatical…already?!"

Jeff recently informed me that we are technically out of our "Rest" period and entering into the second phase. I felt a little panicked by this revelation. I don't feel rested yet; perhaps our early bird toddler has something to do with that!
Early this morning I reflected on my promise verse for our sabbatical, "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…" (Is. 40:28-31). I paused to ask myself, Am I hoping in the Lord? Or am I hoping in my sabbatical? I found myself wondering yesterday how I will handle it if our sabbatical ends before I feel ready. As I think back to my attitude lately regarding our sabbatical I see I have misplaced my hope.
This morning I realized that I've had my eyes on the calendar instead of on the Lord. I've looked to our sabbatical in itself to restore me and not the Restorer. In reality we could have the longest sabbatical in the history of mankind and still walk away empty. Or we could have the shortest sabbatical on the planet and return entirely renewed. It all depends on what we look to for our hope and renewal, self-help books and a set amount of time, or the Lord. I sense Him gently leading me through this unknown territory as only He can. Truly He faithfully guides me (Ps. 23).
Our sabbatical isn't entirely about renewal though. In an earlier post I mentioned a great devotional, "Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen," by Charles Ringa. This morning he challenged me to not give up after reaping the "first fruits" of our sabbatical but to reach "deeper changes still." (#48). He explains that the disciplines of stillness should help renew us but it shouldn't end there.
When others ask me about our sabbatical I tend to tell them how I feel empty and really need this time of refreshment. Today's entry reminded me that the end goal goes beyond renewal and drawing closer to God. Our sabbatical should also equip us to "serve more generously and purposefully. If (I) forget to maintain this important purpose, the fruit that springs from our inner life will be unripe. It will not only be tasteless for others, but it will have a sour and bitter taste in our own mouths."
Should this time renew me, draw me closer to God and refocus my vision for ministry? Absolutely! But if I stop there I will produce bitter fruit. Ringa directs his readers to 1 Cor.13 reminding us that if we leave out love, no matter how well we train ourselves in our craft, we will only irritate others with our noisy clanging.
Please keep praying for us to keep our hope in the Lord, be renewed, and be better equipped on the other side of this sabbatical to love others well. Thanks! J And please feel free to share with us how we can be praying for you as you come to mind.

Fun Fall Fotos

We took a last minute trip to WI last week. A true perk of being on sabbatical to be able to drop everything and go just bc we can. Normally this time of year we would already be traveling quite a bit to regional meetings and fall conf. so it was a real treat to enjoy time with family and watch the leaves all show off a bit. Speaking of leaves the things had a great time heaping up piles to destroy. Trees are in short supply in our neck of the woods, and especially on our newer lot. The only casualty of their leaf fun being Thing 2's flip flops lost somewhere in that yard. You can see below that it wouldn't be hard to do. Oh well, it is almost tennis shoe weather anyways!

Fall Fun at Grandma and Grandpa's





Getting a bit crafty at home. It is too early to carve the pumpkins but no one said you can't put chocolate eyeballs in them - that is if you can keep from eating them all!



Having fun with the glass insulators my MIL gave me. Thanks for sharing!


Thing 1 called me out into the yard yesterday to show me he can throw a spiral now (well, some of the time). Look out Aaron Rogers! I'd be okay if he doesn't pursue his love of football though, it looks like getting sacked really hurts!

Cool Scripture Memory Websites

Have you heard of MemVerse? It is a pretty handy tool for scripture memory. I admit I'm not as faithful to it as I'd like, but when I get a chance to use my computer without three little boys lining up for their turn I do like to use it to review. The makers came out with a new memory game just for kids - but I have to say it is fun for adults too! Check it out here:


Play Verse Hero - John 15:5-8 (NIV)

My guys are a little young for it but it won't be long before they will be begging me to use the computer and I'll be pointing them to this website before they play their other games. :)