The sanctification of NO ROUTINE!!!

Well, Lord, when I think of the past couple of weeks (since I didn't blog last week) the only thing that comes to mind is.....lack of routine!!! The snow days and sub-zero degree days out of school have thrown any kind of normalcy in this household out the window!! I'd like to say that I was thrilled with all the extra time that we all had together and the time I had off of teaching lessons on my normal schedule, BUT I would be painting a false picture. Yes, I did enjoy the days-staying in our pjs, watching movies, sledding, play dates, letting the kids stay up later, sleeping "in" (for us anyway), etc. I do cherish this time when my children are young and our house is literally shaking because of the activity level; however, sometimes it's a moment by moment choice and surrender that I will have joy no matter what comes across my path. To remember that everything is from the hand of You, my gracious Father, is such a hard perspective and heart posture to keep. Needless to say, many times over the last two weeks I have just had enough-too much laundry, too many dishes (dishwasher is on the brink), too many conflicts, too much disobedience, too much inside time, etc. BUT, Jesus, then comes Your grace!! You make me aware of my lack of patience or my demands of comfort and "nothingness." You remind me of Your presence and that You don't promise me ease, but You do promise to supply me and sustain me through it all. Lord, I praise You and thank You for the moments that I can recount that You helped me take a deep breath and drink in Your goodness and then move on about the day You have planned for me. Yes, I wish I could handle it without the need for the reminders, but here is the weakness that I want to live in and be able to recognize Your perfect strength living in me.
Now, the specific graces of the past couple of weeks! Father, You continued to wake me up each morning with a yearning for Your Word. The dark, cold, and no routine mornings don't help to convince me to rise early and spend time sitting at Your feet. And, honestly, they weren't as early, but You gently wooed my heart with the sweetness of Your voice. I have had an amazing time studying through 1 Thessalonians over the past two weeks. Reading the entire book over and over, listening to it as I run, and reading sermons on desiringgod.org have encouraged me and challenged me so much. May I be filled with hope that only comes from You that I would be able to endure and endure well. Let me love others with a love to shines forth Your glory and spreads the gospel. Thank You for those people that You've put in my life that hold me accountable and remind me of Your goodness and grace. Another grace that I can give You glory for is the specific training that Matt and I have been able to do with our kids since we've been home so much together. Simple things like washing and drying dishes, folding clothes, helping prepare meals, helping siblings, cleaning up after yourself, etc. They don't come running 100% of the time with a smile on their face ready to help serve, but I will say that they really have loved learning new things. Thank You for the patience and willingness to let things take longer, not be done perfect (or as I would do them), and take more effort to explain and teach. You are giving us a growing since of being a family and all pitching in and helping. Lord, help me continue to see life through my kids' lens and stop and include them or put down a task and enjoy them more often. And guard my heart from feeling like I need to uphold a "super mom" expectation!!! In addition to patience through teaching the kiddos new things, You have supplied me with patience and clarity over admonishing and disciplining them. Correction is a must and is a very constant thing. You have shown me my laziness in certain areas and my lack of consistency. Another weakness and place for me to enjoy Your work in my life and Your grace and mercy to change me!! You are showing me ways that I can use Your Word to teach and correct these precious children that You've blessed me with. We read Your Word consistently with all four of our kids at bed time, but for it to, also, be used in how we show them their sin just reflects that Your Word is all we need for life and godliness. It, also, helps my heart stay gentle and gracious and my words to be caring but seasoned with salt. Thank You, Lord, for being everything for me and to me!! Continue helping me be consistent and clear with what is expected of them, but showing them what Your grace looks like as I care for their hearts.
You are blowing me away with truth about the incarnation through Elise Fitzpatrick's book "Found in Him." If I am honest, I have to say that I am struggling to wrap my head around some of the truths of You, Jesus, being fully God and fully man. Thank You for the mystery and thank You for helping me "get" some of it. You had to grow in wisdom, but never made a foolish choice. You were tempted yet held true to Your Word and perfection. You suffered with joyful obedience. All of these done in my place and accomplishing what I could not. Lord, help me to joyfully obey as I share in the sufferings of Christ!

Satisfy us in the morning 

with Your steadfast love, 

that we may rejoice 

and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14