Prayer – Waiting for Spring

Father.

I know you hear me and You are with me now.

Thank You for Your love for me, my children, my family, my friends, my community, my nation, my world, my universe. And really all these are Yours. I thank You that we are Yours.

Thank You for your gentle and humble heart. Thank You for being our roaring lion.

Thank You for knowing what I will ask for even before the words cross my mind and my lips.

Today I feel compelled, as on many days, to pray for my children. I pray that you will bring people and opportunities into their lives that will help them to grow in stature and in favor with You and with people. I praise You for creating them each so uniquely. I pray for books, travel, mentors, videos, movies, music, food, sleep, habits to manifest and grow in their lives so they can live fully alive and invest in Your work on this planet. I pray Holy Spirit that you have full access to their hearts and minds. I pray that they will be filled with Your wonder and love.

I trust You with their lives because as much as I think I know them, they are still indeed a mystery to me.

Thank You that my youngest child spontaneously sang, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” when this virus started to sweep the world.

Thank You for the times my children smile at me or hug me. I trust You with the times when it feels like my children don’t like me or each other.

I trust and thank You that it is Your will that our hearts are turned toward You. Thank You for holding all of life’s victories and struggles in Your hands.

Thank You for working out all things for our good and Your glory.

Thank You for this sweet kittycat who is sleeping in the bed behind me and snoring.

Thank You that I hear my husband working upstairs in his business. I thank you that he has a computer and phone available as tools to be a great support to his company. Let his talents and gifting to be used to grow his business and support his team.

Thank you for the beautiful artists and composers who have birthed reflections of Your live-giving power into the world.

Thank You for the promise of Spring.

Thank You for thinking of us.

Love,

Me

Accountability Week 4, Day 4

Woke up at 6:00 to read Philippians and pray/journal. I’ve been praying over my feelings of anxiety and concern for our world.

Philippians 3:¹⁸ For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. ²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. ²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

This will be the last post in this series of accountability. This afternoon we drive off to Alyeska Resort to take in some swimming and skiing to celebrate Gregg’s 49th birthday. (FYI: On January 3, 1959, Alaska, with a land mass larger than Texas, California and Montana combined, became the 49th state in the union.) Maybe the girls and I will upload another vlog from this excursion. Watch for it here: Youtube at Kim Huitt.

So onto the finale with the 31-day Challenge:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. It seems the backdrop to 2020 has been unsettling to me. So many disagreements over issues online and also in my personal life. The “younger me” would want to fix it all and bear the weight on my shoulders. The “being-made-new me” is trusting the Lord to keep and watch over my life wherever I come and go, both now and forever. Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Thank you Jesus!
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Well it seems I could use some work in this area. I’ll take these two books along with us and see if I can make some progress by the pool.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. So grateful for the shift in habits. I am wondering if others want to join in with an accountability group to help keep each other motivated with their challenges from the month? I would love to foster more community.

Well it’s time to get packed and ready for the day ahead. I pray that you will be held in perfect peace today. Every moment we breathe in His grace. Let us speak truth as we walk in The Way.

Accountability Week 4, Day2

Colossians 1:⁶ This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.⁷ You learned about the Good News from Epaphras, our beloved co-worker. He is Christ’s faithful servant, and he is helping us on your behalf. ⁸ He has told us about the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given you.

Rachel and I are planning on making another vlog this week. Some of the topics include What is the Good News, Identity, Educational Philosophy, Emotional Health, Friendships, and Current Interests. I hope some of those conversations will be helpful. And since our conversations are unscripted I’m excited to see what suprises might surface up when we delve into them. I also do not edit the videos so it is what it is: Raw. Unfiltered. Honest. I hope. Our channel is on Youtube at Kim Huitt.

Woke up bright and early this morning at 6:00 but it is already 8:20. I noticed in my reading/journaling time my brain seemed all scrambled so I prayed for clarity. I also had to pray to stop pushing for topiocs and something to talk about on the vlog but just show up as usual to hear what the Lord was telling me this morning. Praise the Lord our time together is not hinged on my efforts but the inner working of the Spirit.

The 31-Day Challenge is on its home stretch.

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. I had a powerfully cleansing cry on my walk around the lake with our corgi yesterday. Ultimate Christian Communicators is hosting a 31-day Challenge and Gina Parris was ministering to us. Just started to brush away my tears when I ended up walking next to a sweet teen girl who was out with her labradoodle. She called to me from across the street to ask me if I went to church anywhere. Amazing question from a teen! Turns out she homeschools as well through IDEA Homeschool. I’m hoping one day her mom (think she said her mom is Cassandra?) and I might cross paths and our daughters can meet each other since she is interested in music and traveling to Italy this May! I shared with her how we are going to England in April. Of all things. Rachel wishes for a friend to live nearby. Oh don’t we wish for our children’s wishes.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Well, this area is slow going. I’m busy with this challenge and the new projects from it. But believe me I’m still working away on it. I’m sure some of the topics will come out in the vlog.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Trying to stay focused on the small habit of doing the next right thing. Each adjustment recalibrates and I would really like my trajectory to be instilling good habits in myself and modeling it for my children. The budget may be quite “blown” this month with a boiler repair, a new dishwasher, etc. but it’s in the budget to save up for those types of things so it’s okay. We will just keep building our menus and staying on target with other areas of spending. Oh and this is my husband’s birthday month so we have to surprise him with something! Looks like skiing is supposed to be good this weekend. (wink, wink – I wonder if he reads my blog?)

Praying for continued healing and empowerment of the Spirit. Time to get going!

Accountability Week 4, Day 1

³ You will keep in perfect peace
    all who trust in you,
    all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
⁴ Trust in the Lord always,
    for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
⁵ He humbles the proud
    and brings down the arrogant city.
    He brings it down to the dust.
⁶ The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot,
    and the needy walk all over it.

⁷ But for those who are righteous,
    the way is not steep and rough.
You are a God who does what is right,
    and you smooth out the path ahead of them.
⁸ Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws;
    our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.
⁹ In the night I search for you;
    in the morning I earnestly seek you.
For only when you come to judge the earth
    will people learn what is right.

Isaiah 26:3-9

Yesterday was an amazing day. Not because our dishwasher sprang a leak and drenched our laundry room leaving the house a bit of a wreck before our Superbowl party, not because the Chiefs won, and not because the dog peed on our bed! No. Yesterday was amazing because my daughter Rachel and I shared our first vlog. I felt ill by the very provocative halftime event. During the showing we just switched away to watch Bear Grylls since it looked like the show was going to be heavy on sensuality.

When I did finally did see a bit of what had been aired I was not shocked, but saddened. Saddened for females of all ages to think this is the model to aspire to as a woman, saddened that strong women with a powerful platform would do exactly opposite of what women who demand respect should be doing on a stage, and saddened that we are so asleep that it doesn’t seem to bother most people. I remind my children over and over again in life we dip out of springs of living water and the Father’s love or we are dipping into a pot of imposters which are rotten to the core. Viscerally I want them to see the difference between the two choices presented to them each day.

My heart has been burdened to see woman empowered at a young age to see themselves in the light and love of the Father. That is the point of the vlogs. Rachel and I are going to have a series of conversations on womanhood, what homeschooling looks like for us, and how to navigate as a teen in the roaring 20s. Our channel is on Youtube at Kim Huitt.

So onto the 31-day Challenge update:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Looking to God each day for continued healing for myself and offering invitations for my children to join me in the healing. I’ve wounded them over the years. We can all use healing. I’m hoping these conversations with Rachel will also invite others into their healing as well.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Plugging away at “Boundaries” and “Try Softer”. These books have come at a divinely appointed time.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Closed out the January 2020 budget and started in on February. It was empowering to see the progress in that area. I see where planning really paid off! Woke up at 7:30. I was thanking God for his clearly pointing The Way in today’s scripture reading and a podcast which has to do with hot topics like “Religious Shame and Sexual Identity” (episode 716 of The God Journey). Yes, Rachel and I are going to talk about that issue as well.

So onto our Monday. I trust God is leading you as well into the way that is not steep and rough but where God smooths out the path ahead for you. Let us live in True Peace.

Accountability Week 3, Day 5

⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4

Paul used these encouraging words after appealing to two ladies to settle their disagreement. I find this so interesting because it’s is the basis for the books I’ve been reading. The Lord is always so good to speak in many ways, through dreams, conversations, nature, music. Remembering that the Lord is coming soon seems to be a very good motivator to think on what is important and pleasing.

Well this morning is slipping away, so quickly. I awoke at 7:30 and it is already 8:30. Spending the morning reading His word and praying/journaling/listening is an amazing practice. I used a wake up to exercise but this is the better option. Because of my schedule I can exercise later in the day. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)

So here is the last update in January 2020 of the 31-day Challenge:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Do you remember the song, “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling.” He is calling us home, to His arms to find rest.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Reading “Boundaries” and “Try Softer” while also slipping in a little listening of “Range”. I’m not finished with these books yet but will continue to glean from them into February. I’m so thankful for these books and for the people who went through their struggles to offer help on the other side of the suffering. “For I, the Lord your God will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not I will help you’.” (Isaiah 41:13)
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Big happy dance here. I’m so happy for the progess this month to manage these resources in a more reponsible way. Being a good steward is important and important things require tiem and work. It just doens’t happen on its own.

Going to cheer on the players for the basketball game today. I pray that everyone will see that we are considerate in all we do – the parent, coaches, and players. God is so good. He calls us out of my base desires and “He brings me out to a spacious place; he delivered me, for in me he takes delight.” (Psalm 18:19)

University Lake

Accountability Week 3 – Day 4

Philippians 1:9-11 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Luke 24:45, 46b – 49 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. “There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent. You are witnesses of all these things. And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

I think the number one most important habit that has changed my life is daily reading/journaling through the scriptures and prayer. Having a time to reflect on what really matters and who really loves me changes everything. Now I’ve seen and heard about situations where people have this practice but come out of their prayer closet in an angry mood. That has happened to me. It’s as though I was praying to me, to my needs, to my desires instead of listening to what the Spirit was leading. Coming to the Father without a laundry list of to dos but simply to spend time with Him helps me to not come out of the morning prayer as a white-washed tomb, a selfish time bomb ready to explode on anyone who doesn’t give me what I want. Because this is not about me, but what the Spirit is leading.

So this morning I woke up at 7:20 which is a bit later than I expected – which is to be expected because I went to bed late. Think I told myself earlier this week to get to bed at a decent time? Suppose I should set a clock with bed and wake hours? Maybe.

As for the 31-day challenge goals:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Met with a wonderful mom last night to pray for the teens in our school, the coaches, and the other players. She has such a sweet spirit and we are going to look for each other at the games and try to reach out to other parents who also want to see some healthy changes in the basketball venue for the Christian schools.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Listened to “Range” yesterday. “Learning is best done slowly to accumulate lasting knowledge, even if it means performing poorly on tests that monitor progress. The best learning looks inefficient – like falling behind.” Well then we are doing fabulous!!! Ha!  I also read some more from “Boundaries” and it is actually so humbling and empowering at the same time. This is a must read for Everybody.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Only two days left in January and I’m so happy with the progress made. Learning to simply show up, not expecting perfection, just take the next step is empowering. This lesson spills over into every area of life really. As for money, I’ve been logging our expenses each day. This seems to be a system that really works for me. Using an inexpensive 6-column columnar pad allows me to enter the top 6 spending areas where we want to create more discipline (groceries, dining out, entertainment, children’s personal items, fuel, and our personal items). I write the total monthly budget for each area at the top and have plenty of lines to make the daily entries.  I just tally up twice a month. Wish I would have started this YEARS ago! But now is better than never.

Well onto our day! Our son has a home basketball game today so he gets to dress up in a suit when he gets to school. Tomorrow is the game with the other Christian school. Praying for God’s leading and presence to be evident there. He has laid this on our hearts to pray for the basketball teams and we have. We continue expecting great works from Him. Fun times!

Alan is #15

Accountability Week 3, Day 3

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13

And so the Lord says,
   “These people say they are mine.
They honor me with their lips
   but their hearts are far from me.
And their worship of me
    is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. (Isaiah 29:13)
The humble will be filled with fresh joy from the Lord.
    The poor will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. (vs 19)
For when they see their many children
    and all the blessings I have given them,
they will recognize the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob.
    They will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
 Then the wayward will gain understanding,
    and complainers will accept instruction. (vs 23, 24)

I actually rolled out of bed at 6:00 today. It helped that I went to bed at a decent hour last night. Note to self – go to bed at a decent time each night. It’s already 7:30 as I’m working on this post so I had a wonderfully relaxed prayer/journaling time this quiet morning.

So onto the 31-day challenge update:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Jennie Allen just released a new book “Get Out of Your Head” – yes, I purchased it but it’s on my stack for reading next month (tee hee) – and her message is to take charge of your thoughts and bring them all under the truth of Jesus. Amen sister! Amazing how the Holy Spirit is moving with a similar song throughout the body of Christ. Just yesterday I had a moment of courage and reached out to the parents of the basketball team to see if anyone was interested in praying for our athletes. We meet today before practice. Praise God! Yesterday evening another parent sent out a message that he is making t-shirts for the two Christian teams to wear during homecoming which also reflects the message of enjoying sports but embracing our unity as the Body of Christ! Praise God! Initially I was hesitant about asking parents to come together to pray for unity when I see in my own life a rift with a family member – as though I have to be wholly put together in order to minister peace. Well thank the Lord He is our peace and it’s not up to me. Jesus is leading us into a time of prayer, humility, and trust. Thank you Lord!
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Well I’m apparently still collecting books but I am determined to stay focused and finish the two I’m needing to learn from right now which are “Boundaries” and “Trying Softer”.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. By this time in the past I would have given up because I might see some overspending in the grocery department. But no matter, I’m still logging it and taking inventory of what we can use and only purchasing what we truly need for the remainder of this month. And the menu plan – that’s something I’m still tapping away at – meaning, I don’t really have one this week yet but I should do it soon. Last night I ran to Costco for a few easy meals. At least we are not eating out as much. Progress!

I hope you’re seeing progress in your habit formation this month. And it is never too late to step into this challenge and form your own set of boundaries in whatever area you’re feeling out of sorts. It is so worth showing up and making the little steps each day! I’m loving it! And I’m feeling free of trying to do it perfectly. That has made all the difference.

Time to get some breakfast going. It’s going to be another busy day. Expecting to see God’s hand at work through it all.

Picture books with our corgi – two of our favorite things about home educating.
Eating all day is probably another favorite.

Accountability Week 3, Day 2

9 O God, we meditate on your unfailing love
    as we worship in your Temple.
10 As your name deserves, O God,
    you will be praised to the ends of the earth.
    Your strong right hand is filled with victory.
11 Let the people on Mount Zion rejoice.
    Let all the towns of Judah be glad
    because of your justice.
12 Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem.[b]
    Walk around and count the many towers.
13 Take note of the fortified walls,
    and tour all the citadels,
that you may describe them
    to future generations.
14 For that is what God is like.
    He is our God forever and ever,
    and he will guide us until we die.
Psalm 48:9-14

My teen son plays basketball for the Christian school that my husband and I graduated from many, many moons ago. On his uniform is the cross. Oh this gets me. He is wearing a cross on his uniform! I pray that he comes to understand deeply the significance of this cross, and to all those who see him wearing this symbol. My heart has been wrecked thinking that the players at this school will talk trash with the players from the other Christian school in town. Oh Lord, where did our children pick up on this behavior? I’m not saying that he has, they have not even played their first game together. But, I’ve heard of the years and years of this rivalry.  My prayer is that these teens will overflow with the love of Christ and simply enjoy the fun of competition.  Let there be unity in the churches. Let the parents come together and support the teens from both schools and encourage them to enjoy being young and strong enough to throw their whole selves into the game.  I pray that any pride or hostility will be silenced. I pray for humble spirits that night. May the world see us by our love. The parents, coaches, leaders, players – let us all simply enjoy the game and each other.

Whew! Praise God I’m feeling some excitement this morning.  Maybe it’s the power of the sunrise. Twilight was at 8:34 a.m. today! We are gaining daylight! So looking forward to sun up at 4:30 a.m. in the summer. That’s the time of year I love to go on early morning walks. It’s coming! And I believe that revival is coming to our children. If it has to skip over the adults, so be it – but let it reach the children. Let them see the Glory of God and be touched by his life-giving Spirit.

So onto the three focus points for the 31-day challenge:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. I continue to sense breakthroughs in this area. When I would have wanted to force changes and smooth everything over I’m feeling less anxious and trusting God with his timing and outcome. “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. Well, um, this area is starting to slip. I now am working on 4 books – “Boundaries”, “Trying Softer”, “Persuasion”, and “Range”. But I’m making progress and creating landing sheets in my yournals for all I’m learning. And really a lot of this is to model for my children how to keep learning and pressing in our whole lives. I’m sure I seem ancient to them, but we are never too old to learn.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. It seems my spending plans with money is going better than my budget with time. However, there have been some unexpected bumps in the road as life always seems to present. That is fine because I’m learning to keep going and not expect perfection from my list or intentions. Making daily progress and building good habits is the ultimate goal.

So now it’s time to dig into breakfast and morning time. I pray that we will be sensitive to Father’s leading and watch this day for his nudges and invitations.

My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me, and my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”

Accountability Week 3, Day 1

Our teen has a hurt leg so we are going to the chriproactor this morning. Rachel has a sore throat and feels very tired. Lizzy has a stomach bug. BUT! I’m still here! Definitely later than I intended for today, but I’m here, making progress without requiring perfection with the challenges for the month.

Rolled out of bed later than I wanted today (7 a.m.) but I was up with lizzy a bit last night with her stomach bug. Gave her probiotics, homeopathics, lavender oil on the tummy, lots of liquids, love and care. Hopefully she gets better very soon. She is a very sweet patient.

And in light of all the shocking and sobering news going on in the world, I took some time to reassess the importance of this 31-day challenge. Am I really focusing on what is most important? I’d say the most important is prayer, and this challenge is helping me to declutter things that are not lasting. So with that said, I’m happy to keep pressing into the new year by making these good habits.

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. Met with Dr. Brock on Friday and left with an “A” for effort and now I’ve received permission to make mistakes. Perfectionism is pernicious and trying to live under pretense is exhausting, isn’t it? I’ve lost some dear friends over it. Such an emotionally expensive coping mechanism.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. I’ve also added Persuasion because I need a fictional diversion. But oops! Got distracted again with the book “Range” by David Epstein. But since I’m allowed to “make mistakes” I’ll add this book to my list of reading. (Provocative, rigorous, and engrossing, Range makes a compelling case for actively cultivating inefficiency. Failing a test is the best way to learn. Frequent quitters end up with the most fulfilling careers. The most impactful inventors cross domains rather than deepening their knowledge in a single area. As experts silo themselves further while computers master more of the skills once reserved for highly focused humans, people who think broadly and embrace diverse experiences and perspectives will increasingly thrive.)
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. At least this area seems to be chugging along well. Each night I’ve taken my receipts and logged them into the journal. It appears we are doing well with staying on target. One more week of intentional menu creation and grocery shopping should feel quite satisfying, so that keeps me going.

And because today everyone seems to be under the weather, we are watching “The King and I” for our morning time. Normally we read through some Scipture in the OT and NT, Plutarch, Shakespeare, poetry, artist/composer study, memory work, and grammar. But today we will relax and giggle more than usual.

Psalm 27:7-14

⁷ Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,
And be gracious to me and answer me.
⁸ When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I shall seek.”
⁹ Do not hide Your face from me,
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
Do not abandon me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
¹⁰ For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
But the Lord will take me up.

¹¹ Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a level path
Because ofm y foes.
¹² Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
¹³ I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.

Accountability Week 2, Day 4

(Colossians 3:12 – 13) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 4:16 – 17) After you read this letter, pass it onto the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And say to Archippus, “Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you”.

Being reminded again and again to be tender and forgive. We are reminded who God is, that Christ is in us, and that we have this common language of healing woven throughout our whole history as people on this planet. We all have our unique calling and ministry to carry out. Read the letters, share the messages, set our sights on the realities of heaven where Christ sits at God’s right hand.

As a parent, I can get bombarded with varying and conflicting suggestions on the optimum way to rear children – free range, classical, Charlotte Mason, private, public, co-ops. Each of these styles seem to focus either exclusively on the child or the teacher/author. But ultimately it comes down to each child realizing they are here for a purpose. God has fashioned them with unique gifts and bends. Let us find our reason and purpose in Him and loving others. Let the word of the Lord ring out from us to people everywhere. We are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven – Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. We can pray for this, press into this, trust God for this for ourselves, our children, and our world.

This desire has urged me onto the step up to the 31-day challenge. I was up at 6:40 which is a bit later than I had planned, which in the past would have derailed me, but I got up and started in on the rhythms of the day. Got dressed. Lit some candles. Prayed and journaled for the first early hour of the day. Tried not to get lost in the vortex of the internet. No perfection needed, just stepping in with tenderness. Focusing on these three areas are hopefully helping me to align my values with my actions:

1. Becoming emotionally healthy, holding love and tenderness in balance with boundaries. This ties in closely with my second challenge of reading two books. “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud and “Try Softer” by Aundi Kolber are turning my world upside down. I really had no idea that I was living life so backward for so many years. Being honest with myself and being myself was suppressed because of fear. “But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Eph. 5:13 – 14) I can really say that I’ve suppressed living because of fear of failure or rejection that I’ve felt dead. It’s time to wake up and come alive.
2. Reading two books a month and not grazing over 2 and never finishing a book. I’m still reading through those books but also slid in “Persuasion” as well to add fiction and delight.
3. Staying on target with spending plans in time and money. Well, so far so good. I cannot believe it is January 23 and I’m still using the budget and still on target. So many years have passed where I just dropped off doing this about week two because I felt that if I didn’t do it exactly right then I’d failed and so I would quit. Holding onto perfection, hiding away when all things seem to fall apart, expecting too much of myself or others – these are habits that need to go. Starting up new healthy habits is startling. Which reminds me, I need to add “drink 75 oz water a day.”

Wow, this was longer than I expected to go today. It’s already 8:00 a.m. so time to get going on the day. How is your 31-day challenge going? It’s never to late to join in.