Optical Illusion

The Strength of My Life

The Lord is the strength of my life... (Psalm 27:1)

The fact that the Lord chose to give me life in the first place, upholds my steps, and performs things in and through me is a stunning concept. What a relief that I am not on my own but have been given everything I need for life and godliness! In recent weeks, when my strength has been more than usually taxed, these verses have been a source of encouragement to me.  I hope they will be to you as well.

It is God that girdeth me with strength, And maketh my way perfect. (Psalm 18:32)

The Lord will give strength unto his people; The Lord will bless his people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)

For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? (Psalm 43:2)

Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee... (Psalm 84:5)

Seek the Lord and his strength, Seek his face continually. (1 Chronicles 16:11)

I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. (Psalm 57:2)

For in him we live, and move, and have our being…(Acts 17:28)

My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. (Psalm 73:26)

Which holdeth our soul in life, And suffereth not our feet to be moved. (Psalm 66:9)

But thou art he that took me out of the womb…Thou art my God from my mother’s belly. (Psalm 22:9–10)

The Lord is the strength of my life... (Psalm 27:1)

When I'm Under the Pile

photo courtesy

One of my most hated sensations is that of being “under the pile”. So much to do, and the knowledge that it can’t possibly all be crammed into the available time slots. 

I think one day I woke up and realized that being an adult meant frequent bouts with this sensation. I still haven’t come to terms with it. I’m not one of these people that relishes being super, super busy, yet I often have to face that reality nonetheless.

Perhaps no generation has been as busy, bombarded, involved, pulled, hurried, and hassled, as the present one. Ironically, we have more and more time saving devices at our finger tips, and yet less and less time.  

Here are a couple of thoughts I try to keep in mind whenever I’m having one of those overwhelming days. (or 5 or 6 or 10 of them!)

1. Stop and ask God for wisdom. 

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

So many times when I just ask, the Lord will give me a game plan to go by--one that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. Sometimes the Lord will reveal an activity that I can drop, much to my relief and the easing up of my schedule. God has a way of helping me sort and re-order my priorities.

“I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel…” (Psalm 16:7)

2. Focus on praising the Lord! 

Sing, put on music, offer thanksgiving, praise Him for the task at hand…

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)   

“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:8)

I try to remind myself that the feeling of accomplishment I look for in finished tasks is not what gives my life meaning. Having a clean house, the dishes done, dinner ready by noon, lessons studied and completed, emails answered, calls made, people visited--these are all wonderful things, but they are not what gives purpose to my life. Almost as soon as ever they are finished, they will be undone again, waiting for me to tackle them once more. If that’s all there is, then something is missing.  

photo courtesy

The purpose of my life--of any life--is to bring praise and glory to God. What better way to bring Him glory than to offer up praise? And, as an added plus, it’s almost impossible to feel anything but happy while doing it. :) So put on some music, sing, or pray a prayer of thanksgiving while you're washing those dishes!

“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me…” (Psalm 50:23)

3. Evaluate and Blitz.

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might….” (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23)

Make a plan. Set a timer. Race against yourself or agains the kids, for fun. Get up early. Get the hardest thing done first. Do the best you can, with your might, and then rest when it’s time to rest. All those unchecked to-do’s will hold. 

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)

Image: digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Let Me Count the Ways

I am so grateful to have the privilege of loving this guy...

...so grateful to be loved by him.

He constantly says things that build me up.

He's always laughing with me.

He makes my life easier in countless ways.

He tickles our little girls. (and me too--ahem!)

He tells them stories.

He works diligently for our family.

He loves to make me happy.

He gives me wise counsel.

He listens to my chitter-chatter.

He does not build his life around what others may think.

He loves God.

Thank you, God, for this man!

Happy Valentine's Day!! May we continually, daily count the ways our husbands are a blessing to us! Let's not forget what a privilege it is to be "heirs together of the grace of life", to have a partner to love and cherish us as we run our race in this world.

Abigail and Rebekah say Hebrews 11:1-6

Just yesterday, Joshua finished putting together this video of the girls saying their Bible verses. We've been working on this passage a loooong time, so it's good to finally document it!

Hosanna's Walking!

Josh took this short little clip this morning! At 14 1/2 months, she's just about on schedule with her older sisters, who both walked at about 14 months as well.

A Modicum for Mamma: Where are your eyes?

This Modicum for Mamma is a simple step that some wise ladies have often reminded me of. This one practical tip is so easy to do, and yet it has such enormous ramifications. When I remember this little thing, I find myself enjoying my children that much more. It helps me, in its small way, to invest in them and in their day in a big way. It gives both me and them a sense of connection and fellowship.

And it takes less than a minute to do.

"Look them in the eyes and smile."

I have been amazed to find how often I forget to simply look at my children. It is so easy to reply to their queries with my back turned, while I finish peeling the potatoes for dinner. They can walk into a room, register a complaint, receive an answer, return to their play--all without really having been noticed. I can read books to them, play on the floor with them, teach them school, or correct them, all without really having looked into their eyes.

So, this is a challenge to stop regularly, look into their eyes, and smile. They will know they are important, and Mom gets the joy of seeing their beautiful faces and the light in their eyes.


"The light of the body is the eye...." (Matt. 6:22)

"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous..." (Psalm 34:15)

Belated Birthday Cake

When Rebekah turned 4 a couple of weeks ago, she and all the girls were fighting a horrible cold. I couldn't bear to give them a lot of sugar, so we made a simple apple dessert sweetened with honey for the occasion. However, I promised Rebekah that once they were all better, we would have a special cake, as the girls always look forward to this when their birthdays roll around.

So on Thursday, they helped me mix up the batter and bake the cake. Yesterday, while they were down for rest time, I decorated it. It was a simple idea that went together so fast and was composed of ingredients that I had on hand.  My girls are crazy about animals, so this was a great match all round.

Music Class!

We put a giant music staff on the girl's wall, to which we'll add notes as we go. Josh had the brilliant
idea to use electrical tape. :) 

Wearing our "special music glasses", which we used to find "D" on the staff and on the piano.

Holding their "D" posters!