My schedule is a little off today, but I did look ahead at making modifications today. Mom and I have grocery shopping to do and we've beenn dealing with a couple of other things. My afternoon "class" time will remain intact and I will work on my TPA tasks then. That's the key to all of this. That, and, keeping the kids on a schedule where they know they have to be up and out first thing in the morning. I have so many sub days sprinkled through the last two weeks of school that the kids need to be comfortable in their routine, rather than comfortable and lazy one day and super rushed the next. I need the same. A schedule is a good thing. The structure is already helping, I think. I hope.
We have quite a week ahead. Dad is traveling. I'm already enjoying following him along on his trip. But, I know his two grandbabies will miss his presence greatly until his return.
The week ahead includes preparation for a very special birthday. Is Connor really about to turn FIVE?! Has it been five years? I can hardly believe it. Just yesterday, I'm sure it was, that he looked like this:
But, alas...time has flown by and my sweet baby boy is celebrating another birthday. (That will be more of a detailed topic for Monday, May 28.) But look at this:
I am truly practicing this self-love "thing" with my friend and fellow blogger. It is a good practice to have. It is a beautiful thing to look at even little decisions and ask myself, "where is my self-love in this?" and then to identify it and focus on it. Whether it is deciding what to wear or looking at a good "shower cry." Ah, yes...the shower cry. The release. The truly openness to myself. Releasing toxins from the body and cleansing myself inside and out. The shower cry has new meaning in this time of reflection and actions of self-love.
Today, as I started to blog, I thought of one of myf avorite Bible verses, Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." And then, I went to look it up and read it. But I also felt it was time to look at it in context. I remind myself that I can do anything through Christ. My faith gets me places nothing else can. But the context was something I had not read in some time. Take a look:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:4-13 (NKJV)
Isn't it AWEsome?! Look at that! At first, I was going to share 10-13, then I looked higher. I love starting with 4:4... REJOICE!
This is the day that the lord has made. Let us REJOICE and be glad in it!!!
"I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." Meditate on that. What does it mean to you? For you?
This is something that has been a part of my self-love. Instead of freaking out, I am trying to stay focused. I thought I was not going to have someone to help me get Connor to taekwondo this week because of a goofy mistake I made in a text. Instead of going into a panic and "fixer-mode," I decided that whatever was meant to be will be. I needed to keep my focus on my task writing. I was coming from a great support group art meeting with a fun, beautiful, inspiring art project in my hand. "If this is the biggest problem I have today, then it's gong to be a pretty good day." And on about my day I went. Guess what? Things worked out just fine. My "problem" wasn't a problem. Connor has a ride to taekwondo. I will be there to pick him up. And in the end of all of this, I was again giving thanks to my friends and family who never cease to amaze me with their love and support. I thank God every single day for the awesome people who surround me in my life. I am blessed. Even in moments of frustration, I can see that.
So, I went to Bible Gateway to read through that section of Philippians. There, the Verse of the Day caught my eye.
Here it is:
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)
Perfect! Absolutely perfect! or anyone in a situation similar to what I am in, this can take a very strong meaning.
"called to liberty"
I am free! I can live with freedom in liberty. But, I am not doing it simply for myself. In fact, it has little to nothing to do with "the flesh." It has everything to do with "through love serve each other."
I am able to do things with and for my children that I don't think I could before.
I am writing a book not for myself, but for others.
I am attending church more and more fully than ever before.
I am volunteering and serving through church.
I am surrounded by love and working to share that love in new ways.
I am. But it's not me. It is "I AM" It is God. God has done these things. God continues to do these things. Look for the small miracles in life.
oh look! Here comes the sun!
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