Light For My Path...

While looking through the new school curriculum we are going to try out (I'll post more on that later once we get into it---but I am very excited!), I decided on the memory verse for next week.

Yes, we memorize a verse a week. To date, my boys have memorized:
Ephesians 6:1 (very important, and useful when bringing up the subject of obedience..)
Psalm 37:23
Mark 10:27

They love memorizing Scripture and beg for a new verse every week. Well since last week was such a disaster, we didn't have one. And because the beginning of this week started off ugly, we won't have one for this week either. Call me lazy, but after all of the kids being so sick and me falling ill on Sunday, I am just plain pooped! Regular routines will resume next week.

All that to say, this will be the verse for next week:

"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
Psalm 119:105

I started thinking about what that verse meant, beyond the usual "He guides my steps" sort of thinking. And I stumbled (excuse the pun) upon this little thought...

His Word illuminates where we are right now, and where we will be going.

A regular lantern only has a certain radius of light that extends. Even a flashlight doesn't illuminate ahead of where you are walking unless you shine it there. If you focus on what is ahead while walking in the dark, you often trip over little things. (At least that has been my personal, painful experience..lol!)

In contrast, His Word, brings light to our current situations as well as illuminating the path He has for us to travel in. So keep your eyes fixed ahead and walk confidently in His Light.

He Cares For You!

Sarah from Everyday Elegance has invited me to participate in her "My Favorite Things Monday" carnival. I am honored to be invited!

First of all, let me just say that I loved the Sound of Music when I was little. "The hills are alive..." Oh yes, I did watch long musicals when I was small...lol! (I'm going to have to borrow that from the library, my kids LOVE music!)

The prompt she gave us was something that has lifted us up when we were down. The most current thing I can think of is my new, frilly apron!

The main thing that I think of when I put it on, is that I have a Heavenly Father who knows my needs and my desires. And sometimes, just because He wants to, He chooses to fling a blessing my way. Just because I am special to Him.

I really needed to hear that from Him this past week. There have been behavior issues with one of our sons, a really squeaky budget, and exhaustion to weigh my spirit down. I won't pretend that when I tied those apron strings, all of those cares magically dissipated. No, they were still there. But the knowledge of how much He values me, far outweighs the weight of the burden I was carrying! I am still working on casting my cares on Him. However, I am being taught the second part of that verse thoroughly..."for He cares for you." (I Peter 5:7)

1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified Bible)

"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."

Oh, and just a little reminder, YOU are one of His favorite things!

Communication Gap..

Gen 2-3
Within this text, we see the creation of man and woman. The first marriage was instituted by God. We also see the first sin. I was struck by the fact that in Scripture, it never directly says that God reiterated to Eve His command to not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It only states that He told man (meaning Adam) the command. So I cannot help but wonder if a communication breakdown happened in the Garden. Eve states to the serpent in Gen 3:2-3 that God commanded that she and Adam couldn't eat or EVEN TOUCH the fruit of the tree or they would surely die. Why did she add the touching part? Did Adam tell his wife "Now honey, you see that beautiful tree in the middle of the Garden? God said we can't eat the fruit or we will die. On second thought, just don't even touch it!" Why did God leave the command only for Adam and not for Eve? Did he expect the husband to communicate the order effectively and clearly? How was Eve supposed to know the original command if she hadn't yet been created when it was given?

Does the communication gap between the sexes date all the way back to the Garden of Eden? Perhaps the first lie that was told in the Garden wasn't told by the serpent...