Verse of the day

Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man

But any fool will quarrel.

Proverbs 20:3

You can probably guess what I've been doing today. That's right. Playing referee. Arbitrating. Negotiating. Meting out sentences.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14

I can't get enough of the book of Proverbs. There's an answer for every situation in there.

Except maybe my 1 yo 's obsession with cat food. Got some wisdom for that one?

Today

Laundry started, dishes washed, chores done, baby napping. Time to start school. Then I look around me and realize it's already happening and I didn't do a thing.

Jon is very intently studying a World History book on the couch.

Daniel is in his own little world of cars and blocks and such.

Emma is in horse land.

Andrew is doing his math.

I love homeschooling.

Not every day is like this, mind you. So many days I find myself staring longingly at the yellow bus, or in tears over my inability to get it together.

But today is what matters. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow we will get to tomorrow.
Thank you, Lord.

Tender hearts

It fills me with so much joy when I observe my children display a tender heart toward others:

A young man who gives up the front seat in the car for a young lady;
A precious daughter who can't bear to leave her puppy alone at night;
A tender son who gets teary when his baby brother gives him kisses;
A considerate preschooler who wants to help me do everything;
An adorable baby who is...well...he's just adorable.

God is at work in my children. His hand has formed them and shapes them still. I expect that they will know Him and follow Him all the days of their lives, for He who began a good work in them shall complete it...

A new blog friend

Andrew has decided to start a blog to share some pics he thinks are worth a look. Check it out...

Truly Thankful

Family, friends came one and all,
Answering the turkey's call,
Devoured we the Butterball,
And we were truly thankful.

But more than turkey and sage dressing,
Thanksgiving is to ponder blessing,
with grateful hearts our voices raised sing,
"We are truly thankful!"

Now to relish in the pleasin'
Smells and sights of Noel season.
For Jesus Christ, the Holy Reason,
We are truly thankful.

I absolutely love the beauty and wonder of the story of Jesus' birth. I love the celebration and tradition that surrounds that glorious day. Yes, I am one of those who starts listening to Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving. It's appropriate, I think, to move from Thanksgiving to Gloria in excelsis deo....this is most definitely one of my favorite times of year!

Put on a happy face...

I went grocery shopping today. With the kids. Yes, all 5 of them! It is a challenge, in more ways than one. Shopping wisely requires thinking, which is hard to do when 3 yo is incessantly asking "where my dollar go?" and others are begging for chicken from the deli. 11 month old is getting cranky in the baby pouch, carts are overflowing..I'm trying to keep a smile on my face, but it's replaced by the characteristic grimace I seem to make when my brain is being taxed (my 13 yo informed me of that one). I was reminded of an editorial I read in World mag the other day, written by Andree Seu....

"I have been thinking about faces. When I walk the dog, a face is the first thing-and in most cases the only thing-a person will see of me. If I get to thinking about the number of people who are lost, and the shortness of time, I feel sad about all those ships passing without a gospel word. And yet, the face does pour forth speech. I remember the first time I saw [her] face. I was 23 and hippy-grungy and plopped on her doorstep, some unknown vagabond accompanying her "adopted" son. She opened the door and looked at me-and beamed. That was my introduction to Christianity."

I want my face to exude the love of Jesus... To beam with love and joy as I walk the dog, or shop with 5 kids, or whatever I do.
So I finally made it through the checkout line and we headed out the door. The children had waited expectantly for this moment....they each had a quarter for a gumball. I have 2 full carts of groceries, 3 young children milling about dropping and finding their quarters and blocking the doorway, one baby hanging on the front of me in a baby pouch...coats all need to be put on, gumballs are dropped...boots fall off...I look up and an elderly woman was looking at me with utter astonishment...her mouth was open in awe and her eyebrows raised... We must have been making quite a scene! I mustered up what love and joy I could and beamed a smile. Hurried, harried and harassed as I felt, I think Jesus shined through. And she smiled back. An instant understanding between us that there can be joy even in the midst of challenging circumstances. I was glad at that moment I had all the kids with me.

(But next time I'll consider going while they are all snug in their beds!)

Unity

My brothers and I used to fight. Alot. Unfortunately, I loved to tease--I'm ashamed to admit I was a mean big sister. We used to drive my parents crazy. I never understood why until I became the referee for my own SWF....Sibling Wrestling Federation. There are few sounds more peace shattering and disheartening than siblings who quarrel relentlessly, especially when it turns into a full-out brawl.

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
It is like precious oil upon the beard,
Even Aaron's beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing- life forever."
Psalm 133:1-3

These verses came to my mind this morning as I enjoyed the "goodness and pleasantness"of brother and sister playing together like the friends I pray they will be. God so desires us to be united that He commanded a blessing to be there.

Unity- the state of being one or a unit...harmony, agreement in feelings or ideas or aims.

My children won't always agree with each other. But as they put one another's interests ahead of their own, they will walk in unity.
So this morning I forgo academics to nurture unity. There's a blessing there.