Focus

This is the beautiful Valley we live in...

Christmas time is over and I am filled up and rested after so many continuous days of celebrating, eating yummy food, napping...life has been rather sloth-like and I feel a huge need to focus my attention again on the year to come. One of the biggies for me this year is being content. Content with where we live, where we play, where we worship...content with all God has chosen to give us. As women, I think that we are often discontent with what we are doing, how we spend our hours and days and how we connect what we long for with what God has for us. It is the desire of my heart to to just be still and enjoy what God has entrusted to me this coming year.

Reading in God's Word what he has for me to do has been a great encouragement for me. I remember when I first starting letting God shatter some of my ideas about what I wanted, I was so pleasantly suprised at the peace that followed. I began to see that what I had longed for all along was what had been prepared for me and I began to be settled and secure in God's plan for me in my role as a wife and mother.

So, for the New Year, this list will be on my fridge, helping me focus and remain content only by the grace that comes from Jesus. I long to focus on what he has placed before me. I pray that it is a blessing and encouragement to you and that you see just how valuable your role is and how much important work has been entrusted to you as well! What a tremendous blessing and responsibility we have before us!

These verse topics are referenced (with much appreciation) from a Mars Hill Seattle Women's Event.

My role and duties entail:
Childrearing~ Genesis 1:28 "God blessed them and said to them "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it.'"
Training and Teaching Children~ Proverbs 27:8 "She speaks with wisdom and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
Making sure my husband is welcomed (and I would add cared for, honored in general)~ Proverbs 27:8 'Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.'
Caring for the Diet and Nutrition in my home~ Proverbs 31:14-15 'She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar, she gets up while it is still dark;she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.'
Stewardship and the mangagement of our resources~Proverbs 31:16 'She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.'
The Clothing of my family(physical and spiritual through prayer)~ Proverbs 31'When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for all of them are clothed in scarlet.' I have found that this is 99% preparation and planning for me...
Home Decor and organization-creating an atmosphere where relationships can flourish~ Proverbs 31:22 'She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.'
Hospitality Acts 5:42 'And everyday, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on preaching and teaching Jesus Christ.'
1 Peter 4:8-10 'Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another...be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Waiting

There is a sweet quiet in our home tonight...a hush has fallen as we wait for snow and dream of Christmas. So much of this season is about anticipation, about waiting. Waiting for the celebrations, the wonder, the gifts. Waiting for our sweet Jesus.

O, Lord, help us to let this hush linger here, help us to quiet our hearts and to wait on you.

Candlelight flickers and the Word on the page before me dances on my lap, leaping to life. The Light of the World takes a breath, puts on this flesh and is here. Let us seek you as we wait before you today sweet Word of life.