Refreshing

The cool breeze washes over me like a touch of Your Spirit whispering through the trees, “Come, my beloved. Come away with Me. Sit in My presence. Listen for My voice. Receive My love.”

Your voice awakens longings in me deeper than I can describe. It is intoxicating, promising intimacy beyond any other. I follow, helpless to deny You.

Your love is refreshing, reviving my soul. Your love beckons me to come near. Insistent, gentle, constant, unassuming … inviting, never forcing … ever present. Your love is easily forgotten --- ignored --- lost in the busyness of the day. But it is always there, silently waiting for the seeking heart to find.

Revive me, Lord. Awaken me to Your love. My heart forgets ... forgive me ... help me to live always in the reality of Love. Every moment. Not on autopilot, just doing, disconnected, deaf to Your sweet whispers in my soul. Make my heart attentive to You.

Because more than anything, I want You. My heart, mind, body, soul filled and consumed by You. Nothing less will ever satisfy me. Help me to stop … breathe … remember … and be.

With You.

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

I have been reflecting lately that I have many areas of interest, only some of which I've blogged about. Partly because I'm busy all the time with my kids, and partly because I don't want to risk offending or being misunderstood, I tend to stick with what I see as safer subjects and keep others to myself unless asked. But I have prayed, researched, and discussed these so thoroughly with my husband that I feel it is time to step out of my comfort zone and make myself available to discuss them.

So here is a list of a few of my favorite things. Not everything on here is controversial. They are just the subjects that I like to think, read, write, and talk about most. Most of them are probably no surprise. (Maybe none of them are!) But I am hoping to write at least one blog post about each subject. This is a large goal for me and may take a year or more given how often I am able to post, but I am hoping to complete it eventually. If you're interested in any of these subjects, I hope to start a conversation with you. Please leave comments!

1. Knowing God through prayer, worship, and meditating on Scripture.

2. Marriage (Growing closer to my husband, learning to be a godly wife, the "s" word - submission.)

3. Parenting (Investing in relationships with my children, teaching them to know and love God, and modeling His love to them [ouch!].)

4. Natural Family Planning/Theology of the Body/Large Families (Could also be called "Are you sure you aren't Catholic?" BIG subject - lots to say - we'll see how this one goes.)

5. Home Schooling (Bible-centered, life apprenticeship, intergenerational relationships, one room schoolhouse, living books, non-charter.)

6. Adoption/Orphans (Ohh yeah. I LOVE this subject! Also learning about attachment in adoption - which helps with bio offspring as well, by the way.)

7. Reading (C. S. Lewis, George MacDonald, J. R. R. Tolkein, G. K. Chesterton, L. M. Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, and the like. Also lots of nonfiction in areas of interest.)

8. Household Organization (Menus, Chore Charts, Finances, etc.)

9. Writing, Composing, Drawing, Journaling (When I have the time [sigh] .... But God is teaching me how to use these passions to enrich my children's education. Fun for me and for them!)

10. Healing from Sexual Addiction (Been there, walking the path of healing.)

11. Black hair and skin care (having fun learning about my daughter's hair and skin!) and other aspects of race and culture.

12. Cloth Diapers (Thought I'd never do it, but here I am, cloth diapering three little bottoms at once!)

13. Movies (Just for fun - though I often have a hard time doing anything just for fun - I like historical, biographical, musicals, classics, pure romance, and heroic.)

There you go. Anyone want to talk? Which should I blog about first?