Deep blessings

I was so tempted last night to share the blessings of our Monday but instead, thought it more prudent and honoring to those who blessed us, by tucking myself into bed early last night with anticipation of the blessings that come with another new day.

My sweet Monday really began with Sunday evening, the joy of my husband's presence, and the knowledge that he had taken the initiative to call our sweet "extended" family and ask for the help of their dear daughters throughout this week. With Joel's job in a very demanding season, he foresaw a long week for his pregnant wife and young children and wanted to bless me with a "mama's helper."

Monday morning began with our usual routine--with the addition of candlelight to our breakfast, the renewed conviction to be diligent in the training and loving of our girls, and an invitation for the Lord to not just be present in our day, but to be first and foremost in our hearts and minds.

Our dear friend "Aunt Maddie" came and our house was filled with shrieks of laughter and squeals of delight as she gave of her time and energy to playing with our girls and blessed me with diligence of her hands while they were sleeping. What a gift to hear the audible joy she brought to my girls yesterday and the visible joy she brought me as I look through my clean windows and at my tidied house today.

Along with joy of Maddie's presence, we were blessed by the love and thoughtfulness of another dear friend who brought dinner and dessert for last night and muffins for today!

The older I get I wouldn't say it is easier to accept help from others (my pride and stubbornness always tend to react first) but in humility and with great joy I can see the privilege it is to be a part of this great family, the body of Christ. And more than anything, as I learn to receive, I can't wait until the time comes when my girls can bless others like we have been blessed. Until then, my prayer is that I'll be able to model for my girls both "receiving" and "giving" with graciousness, humility and love.

So in anticipation of the joy of serving in the years to come, together we will daily practice:

Cooking:
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.


Cleaning:
No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.


And Loving:

We love because he first loved us." ~I John 4:7-19