September is the time of year in my mind for new beginnings. A new school year, cooler weather, sports begin again and the days of summer are a memory. As much as I love summer and the beach days, I enjoy getting back to the structure of our day to day life as a homeschool family.
Many families this time of year are relieved to have the kids back in school and I’m relieved to have a routine back in our home again. I’ve already gotten the question do I wish that my children were in school yet. I have to say heck no. I would miss the great conversations we have over lunch and our discussions of history, bible, or the book we are reading as a read-aloud. My oldest is studying Logic this year and I’m excited to watch how God will use this.
I know there are some people that still think I’m crazy for homeschooling and I’m ok with that. Yes my life is crazy busy. No, I don’t complete every task I set out to do each day. No, my children are not weird or un-socialized (far from it). No my children are not perfect nor do I expect them to be. Yes, we believe in forgiveness and new beginnings. In fact I may sing to them in the morning as I wake them up “Today is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice.” That starts our day off right even when my kiddos think I’m crazy.
Starting this blog up this time of year is hard and hectic. Would I love to sit and write for hours? Heck yeah. Is that practical? Nope. However, I’ve been reminded of God’s love and grace lately. Being obedient to the Lord may look different for each and everyone of us. However serving Him should be all Christian’s goal each day.
I remember when I came home from my first mission trip I wanted to start each day from that point on asking God what He wanted me to do that day. I admit I don’t do that as often as I would like. I’ve got my plans, my things to do. Yes sometimes it seems all about ME. Yet when I think about these plans I have they more often then not come from Him. Plans to teach my children, His children. Plans to be a good wife to my husband, His son. Plans to take care of our home and the things He has given us.
I’m including some pictures of a recent hike we took. This was not planned in my mind. We had things to do around the house. Yet the Lord had greater plans and instead we enjoyed time as family in Gods creation.
So I wonder today how are you serving God. Are you serving Him with your heart in all areas of your life? Are you impacting the world for good? Are you rejoicing even in the busyness of parenting, marriage, work? Today I rejoice as I do each morning. I rejoice that I know the Lord. I rejoice that He is with me and will never leave me nor forsake me. I rejoice because I am a daughter to a King that knows every hair on my head and has such amazing plans for me. I rejoice as I serve Him and not man. I rejoice through the good times. I rejoice through the trials that the enemy sends. I rejoice in knowing I’m loved by the creator of the universe. I rejoice.
My prayer as we enter into this new season while the leaves change color and fall from the trees; while the summer warmth fades away that we will rejoice in Him for what He has planned for our days. I pray we rejoice and ask Him how we can best serve Him today. However I pray we don’t serve out of duty. Serve with the compassion that Christ has for those that need us. Serve with love and respect. Love his people and rejoice in the journey He has you on.
God bless.