Answered Prayer

Recently I was asked to pray about taking on a leadership position in an organization I am part of. I was given a short timeline to pray and give a response. I knew right away that my schedule was pretty tight in the days available for me to pray about this decision, and I was immediately skeptical that I would hear an answer from God. I wanted to set aside chunks of time for prayer and additional Bible reading and maybe a short fast or something, but I didn't have any time for that. Instead, I earnestly, if skeptically, asked the Lord to grant me wisdom and clarity in making this decision and that His will would be done. I also asked a few people to pray with me, I talked to my husband, and I went about doing the other things on my schedule.

I don't know why this surprised me, but the Lord did grant me a clear answer that I was able to give within the timeline with confidence and peace. It turns out He didn't need me to set aside large amounts of time or pray some special prayer. He just needed me open to hearing from Him and ready to obey, as I lived out the everyday life He also already called and led me to. And I didn't need an earth shattering, eye opening big answer from God. I just needed His peace and wisdom in my life.

Spring miracle!

My Christmas cactus decided to bloom for Lent this year too!

Of course, I have had moments of doubt and uncertainty since then, as well as obstacles in my path, but I can face those knowing that God answered me once and will answer me again. I shouldn't have been surprised. This small experience lines up with how God has worked in my life in the past and what I know to be true about Him from His word. I guess I just needed a fresh reminder.

Psalm 25:9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knows, the door will be opened.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Homeschooling is...

When I was writing my homeschool day in the life post, one draft included a few "homeschooling is" statements that eventually got removed and now turned into their own post below. Homeschooling has been a big part of my life for the past 11 years or so. It is fun to reflect, celebrate, and share what I have learned, although I do want to acknowledge that all educational choices are valid and have their own pros and cons. Homeschooling just happens to be the one God has called our family to and I love it!


Homeschooling is...
Always changing

Being present for your child's best moments and their worst moments
A test of patience
Never knowing when to comfort and when to push
Making lots of decisions, often before it is clear how your previous decision turned out
Being available but not hovering
Dealing with strengths and weaknesses
Never being caught up on housework
Always preparing food
Flexible
Following our passions
Beautiful
Busy
Enlightening
Sharing things I enjoy with one of my favorite people in the whole world
Freedom

My daughter, Ash, and I traveled to my parents' house 
for spring break and got to help with maple syrup season!

Celebrating Lent

I grew up in a Catholic home and attended a Catholic grade school. We always practiced Lent as a way to get ready for Easter. I remember Ash Wednesday Mass, tuna casserole on Fridays, watching my grandparents give up dessert (they also invited everyone over for all birthdays in Lent as an excuse to break their fast and eat cake), praying the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross with my school, Passion readings during Holy Week masses, a rice bowl fundraiser for Catholic Relief Services, feeling intensely sad about Christ's suffering on Good Friday, and celebrating Easter with baskets (I could never find mine) and pretty dresses my mom sewed and Easter egg hunts at my grandparents' house with my siblings and cousins (some years were outside in the spring weather and other years were brought indoors because of freshly fallen snow). 

In college I continued to participate in some of these activities, but they slowly fell away as my future husband and I navigated combining our different faith backgrounds and began attending a Protestant church together. I remember one year early in our marriage showing up at church only vaguely aware that it was Easter and really regretting that I had not taken any time to prepare my heart and mind beforehand. Since then I have made an effort to participate in Lent in my own way. Below is a list of ideas for Lent. I'll be picking a few from this list in the upcoming weeks as I prepare to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Ideas for Participating in Lent:

- Read a Lenten devotional by yourself or with your family

- Read one or more of the gospels in preparation for Easter

- Add writing, drawing, or memorizing Scripture

- Fast from something and seek God instead

- Set aside extra time for prayer or learning more about prayer

- Journal

- Practice gratitude by recording things you are thankful for each day

- Give of your time or treasure

- Listen to music or reflect on art that reminds you of Jesus' sacrifice on your behalf

- Attend a church service that participates in the Lenten season if yours does not

- Make a set of Resurrection Eggs to open the 12 days before Easter (one idea is here https://faithgateway.com/blogs/christian-books/making-resurrection-eggs-easter-story)

- Plant a Resurrection Garden (a few examples are here https://carrieturansky.com/make-your-own-resurrection-garden/)

- Demonstrate the events of Holy Week with legos, other toys, drawings, etc.

- Bake resurrection rolls or hot cross buns

- Dye Easter eggs and talk about new life in Christ

- Send a few Easter cards

- Display an Easter Nativity (my daughter and I made one out of paper similar to this one several years ago https://www.amazon.com/Decoration-Religious-Resurrection-Nativity-Decorations/dp/B09TW2T6CD?th=1) 

- Complete an Easter Art Project or two by yourself or with your family

What would you add to my list? Happy Ash Wednesday!

For you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Genesis 3:19b.