Wrapping up 2020

 

While some cannot wait to bid adieu to this bizarre and isolating year, I must admit it wasn't entirely horrible.  The lockdown provided me a season of rest I have not experienced since the year I gave birth to my third child. Okay, I understand that statement doesn't make a lot of sense. Let me clarify. It was not restful in the sense that I got a lot of sleep, but in the sense that my life my life was unrushed and simple. It was the year that my husband took nine months paternity leave to help with our older girls while I concentrated needs of my infant son. 

I find myself in a similar season now, although my circumstances have changed remarkably. I now homeschool three children,  live on acreage, work part time,  have more square footage to clean, a hobby farm AND a "fixer upper", but I feel at rest.

I find myself wondering, why I feel rested when my life is actually more complicated that it ever has been before. Is it a mindset? Is it the pace and beauty of country life? Is it my maturing faith in God and his word? Is it that I am getting a full night of rest nearly every night and don't have to rush out the door to get my children to the bus five mornings a week? Is it the fact that I have all my children in my nest and know how they are doing and what they need at all times? Is it that I am finally cultivating the sort of home atmosphere that I have envisioned ever since I decided to have children? Is it that my husband and I have have a strong, confident love that has taken seventeen years of dying to ourselves? Is it that my work outside the home is satisfying and a continual reminder of how much I need Jesus? Is it that I finally have a "forever home" to slowly decorate as time and finances allow? Is it that I am not overcommitted and stretched to the breaking point by obligations outside my home? I really don't think it is anything specific, but rather a combination of all of the above.  Life is not easy friends, it is a grind any way you slice it. However, I think there are things that we can do to ease our burdens and invite peace into our day to day toil. I live in a household of sinners and there are plenty of tears and disagreements, but there is also an abundance of love and forgiveness and togetherness. 

I have no idea was 2021 holds but I am fairly confident that life will continue to get more complicated, that sorrow will be inevitable and that trials will abound. I am not searching for happiness, but rather contentment. My hope for the future lies in something so much greater than myself. He is the author and the finisher of my faith. The alpha and the omega over my circumstances and the one that weaves all the ragged and beautiful threads of my life into a beauty tapestry. 

These days: December

 Listening

To Kari Jobe’s new album“Rest”on repeat. 

Reading 

"Come Let us Adore Him" by Paul David Tripp

One Year Chronological Bible. I am nearly finished reading the whole bible in the order in which it was written and it is been so POWERFUL! This unique viewpoint allows you to read the whole Bible as a single story and to see the unfolding of God's plan in history. 

"Another Gospel: a lifelong Christian seeks truth in response to progressive Christianity"" by Alisha

"How Should We Then Live: The rise and decline of western  thought and culture". by Francis A Sheffer

"The Madness of Crowds: Gender Race and Identity" by Murray Douglas

The Color of Compromise: The truth about the American churches complicity in racism". Jemar Tisby

"Wild and Free: Reclaiming wonder in your child's education." by Ainsley Arment

Thinking 

About how the pandemic is going to effect our future global economy, politics and freedom. 

Currently

Purging my house of necessary clutter and putting everything I want to keep into labeled totes. Yesss! 

Learning

All about the human body with my children. We are so wonderfully made! 

Reading 

“The Nutcracker” by ETA Hoffmann to my children. It’s an older addition and I often have stop and explain various words, but hopefully it is stretching  their vocabulary. We found this book  on the app Scribed. 

Memorizing

The verse “ For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. The government shall be on his shoulders and He shall be called wonderful counselling, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace”.

 - Isaiah 9:6

Dreaming 

Of ways to make our dusty , cluttered, unfinished basement living room cozy and functional

Baking

Butter tarts, coconut clusters, German cinnamon stars and  chocolate dipped hazelnut cookies.

Planning

On transitioning to only working one day a week in the new year.

Longing 

To have my favorite people over for tea, treats and good conversation.