A New Thing

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

Do you feel it? Something is stirring. Do you see it? It is all around us; new things are popping up, emerging from the ground! It is so wonderful to see the flowers and buds coming forth from the earth and the trees. I believe that God is also "birthing" new things inside of each of us. He is wanting to revive us and give us new vision for the future.

The past few months I have felt like my world has become a wasteland, and perhaps you have felt the same way. Be encouraged! Let's trust God to bring living water which will bring things back to life, and let's trust Him to make a way to get out of the wastelands.

A Plan

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Many of us have heard this Scripture over and over in our Christian walk, but I think it is a promise that we often forget. On our family field trip to Williamsburg, I found that God has had plans for our nation all along. It is amazing to see that the church is the only building still standing in Jamestown. It is inspiring to hear how the colonists declared a day of fasting and prayer in Williamsburg when Boston harbor was closed by the British. It is a miracle to see all the details that came together to give Washington victory over Cornwallis at Yorktown---God even sent bad weather to keep the British from escaping!

He is in control, and we need only turn to Him and follow Him. My personal plans and goals for the New Year have already failed, but He is leading me down a new path full of hope. I encourage you to join me in letting God make the plans and following His lead!

Prepositions

As we were learning about prepositions this week, we did "double duty". I thought this was a really neat way to explain prepositions and how to properly set a table.

The plate goes "on" the table. The fork is placed "beside" the plate on the left. The napkin can be placed "under" the fork. The knife is placed "beside" the plate "on" the right. The blade should point "toward" the plate. The cup is placed "above" the knife. Get the point?

Anyway this is a fun way to learn something that is boring and often abstract!

Why Do I Worry?

When the media is full of bad economical news and when we are hearing of so many losing their jobs, it is really a time for putting our faith in God and His promise to provide our needs. Please take the next 5 minutes to listen to this song:



Matthew 6:31-33: "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, an dyour heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Count Your Many Blessings

You are so lucky to have the opportunity to spend so much time with your children! Have you forgotten? Are you getting weary? One of my favorite verses is Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Take some time to remind yourself of the many blessings your children are receiving from having you present and active in their lives. Also, take some time to remind yourself of the blessings YOU are receiving from having them in your life.

We will reap a beautiful harvest that may not be what the world defines as success, but isn’t it all about eternity anyway?