Standing Ovation

I was infused with breath. A 24 hour injection of familiarity. Now I realize this does not always bring life. There is an idiom that states ' Familiarity breeds contempt', which means the more you know something, the more you start to find fault with it. This was not the meaning I sought.
We have lived in Regina 8 weeks today and I was in need of something familiar in the midst of all that wasn't. So my son, Owen and I traveled to Saskatoon Wednesday afternoon for a dose of something known.
I felt this was part of the process to accept the new things. You see, I sense this separation from what is familiar is completely in God's plan for myself and my family. I just never expected the impact that it had on my heart with so many changes.
I made a decision on the way back home as I sang praise music to God. I could either determine to let the changes be an opportunity to trust God more or let it swallow me up. The swallowing part was not an option and so I promised God I would try not to 'figure out' why things looked or felt the way they did. I would merely ask Him to inhabit the things going on and give me His sight to see Him in it.
A song by Mark Roach playing at the time confirmed His desire to show me that. It is called Surrounded.
'You are here in spite of everything I am>And everything I'm not>When my tears seem like my only water>Fill me with your song Oh God> And I lift up my hands to praise You>I lift up my voice>And I'm surrounded,I'm astounded By Your presence in this place, I can hear you, I feel so near You, I can almost see your face,I am clothed in love, surrounded by Your Grace.
The beautiful thing about our trip was that I realized God has released me from Saskatoon. Funny, I looked up familiarity in the thesaurus and one synonym was freedom. So although there are still people there I long for, I feel free to be in a new city and be who He wants me to be here.
Owen and I both received life from those we saw and love and who are familiar. Strength to press on.
Thanks to my daughter Tessa, my friends Florence and Arlene and all of Owen's friends and his teacher at his old school.
As Owen said when he walked in to spend the day with his old classmates, ' I got a standing ovation!'
Thank you Lord for giving our hearts a 'standing ovation' to encourage us on the journey.
What about you? Is there something that is unfamiliar in your life at this time where you can determine to trust God with the outcome?

Be Careful Little Eyes What You See

Smoke on the Water took on a whole new meaning for me today. It was my first day of guitar lessons. I was so excited and proud of my progress after just thirty minutes of instruction. I couldn't wait to show my son, Owen, what I learned when he got home from school.
"Check this out, "I said excitedly and picked off the notes.
"Oh, I know that song," he said as his eyes lit up. "Can I try?"
So with the lesson fresh in my mind, I passed it on to my eager nine year old. And in five minutes, he was playing it better than me.
What is up with that? Well once I properly placed my stolen moment in my humility bag, I marvelled at Owen's ability to pick things up so quickly. This verse came to mind as I thanked God for his gifts.
Deuternomy 4:9 'Only be careful and watch yourself closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.'
And also in chapter 6:5-7 ' Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.'
I was reminded by Owen's quick study how impressionable children are. And how God has given me a great responsibility to impress Him on my children's hearts. Owen said they talked at school about being careful what they watched. I wondered if while he watched me, does he see Jesus in the things I do and say.
I need to remember that his brain is like a sponge and to talk about my love for God as we sit at home and when we walk and when he goes to bed and when he awakes. His love for God is simple and pure and I pray that I do not get in the way.
Are you loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength in order to pass this on to your children? How are you impressing the things of God into their hearts? Make a decision today to add one part of God into your routine and watch your child lap it up. Bless you in this great responsibility.

But......

"Just start." my daughter said.
She'd been asking me for ideas to get her photos and art 'out there' to possibly sell. I became a fountain of inspiration for her and so I asked in turn, perhaps you have some ideas for my writing.
Hence the response, just start.
What a novel idea I thought. Why is it so easy for me to come up with 101 ways for someone to accomplish their desires? And I can come up with 101 things I 'need' to do before I just start?
This seems to be a repeating theme in my life and in many different areas of it. It is not as if I haven't heard these words of wisdom before. It just resonated differently in my heart today. I was ready.
Joyce Meyer said on her program today. "Nobody on earth has more authority over yourself than you do. What are you saying to yourself?"
I need to challenge the doubts, rise up to the discouragement and trust God for this part of my journey. I keep saying if I don't put my heart into my writing now at the season I am in, then when will I?
So, you are now witness to my putting my pen where my mouth is. I'll do what I can, so that God can do the rest.
'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.' Philippians 4:13
What do you need to 'just start' today?