Hi guys! I hope that you are all having a beautiful Wednesday so far. xx I woke up feeling not so great today, as I have a cold right now, and I broke my fever upon waking. I’m planning to take it easy today and catch up on the posts I’ve missed reading.
On that note, I’m now back to blogging! Click here to read yesterday’s post on why I’m back a week early, if you’d like.
When planning ahead for what I’d blog about upon my return to blogging, I went back and forth between wanting to do a Making the Change wrap-up post, and deciding against it. As I’d planned to originally come back in the first week of August, it didn’t seem right to do this post on the first Wednesday of the month, as I’ve been posting them on the final Wednesdays of the month. As fate would have it (although I personally believe this is by the Lord’s guidance), I’m back a week earlier than planned. It’s still July. š It’s the last Wednesday of the month. So, let’s get into this!
I have had lots of time recently to bond with my family. We’ve been playing games and having heartfelt conversations. I’ve also had more time spent in prayer, as my evenings as of late have been quite a bit quieter than they usually are, what with staying off of WordPress. Both of these paired together has caused me to notice that the Lord is calling me into a deeper relationship both with Him, as well as with each member of my family.
In June of 2016, I very much struggled to get used to having a new baby in the family, and this past April, my mom’s miscarriage really took a toll on my faith. I had drawn away from the Lord, sunken into myself, and crawled into a shell of what I thought was protection. When I realized that my self-inflicted hiding place was what was injuring the relationships and friendships I valued so much, the Lord was then able to lead me out.
He has taught me so much through what I continually thought was worthless pain. He continually uses each and every trouble I’ve ever found myself in for a good purpose – most especially for His glory. I am slowly finding it easier and easier to boast in my affliction, as Paul wrote in the Bible, for then the Lord’s grace may rest upon me.
I’m still a long way from where I want to be, but you know what? Maybe I’ll never get there … and maybe that’s okay. The Lord is directing and guiding my steps; He has my life in His hands. When I am willing, His strength is manifested in me, and I know that the changes I desire to see in my life will be here sooner than I realize. I’m taking it a day, a minute at a time, focusing on the good and forgiving myself for my downfalls.
It’s getting easier and easier to make this change. ā¤
The Past Month: July 2017
Improvements: I’ve been finding as many things as I can to do with Samuel. Playing pretend, doing Wii games … I’m pretty sure this was mentioned in the last ‘improvements’ section of the last wrap-up post, but I’ve come even farther from there. He and I have played pretend every day for the last week – a huge improvement from where we were not too long ago.
Next Time: I need to further accept mine and Joshua’s differences. As we’re in such difference places of maturity and in our walks in life and with the Lord, it’s hard, and often weighs heavy on my heart.
The Upcoming Month: August 2017
Focuses:
- Forgiveness. Letting go of the past, and exhibiting grace to future faults I would have once struggled to forgive.
- Having a servant’s heart. I want to put my desires consistently behind me and instead look to what my family needs.
- Thinking before I speak. It is important that I put more thought into what I say before letting things I don’t mean slip past my lips.
Quotes and Bible Verses to Inspire:
“Forgiveness is a process. A choice you have to make over and over, every day, until you’re free of hurt.”
“The highest calling we’ll ever have is to be a servant of the Lord.” – Christine Caine
“When someone does something wrong, don’t forget all the things they did right.”
“The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to forget is the happiest.”
“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with one another, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” – {derived from} Ephesians 4:2
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Thank you so much for reading, guys. I hope that you all have a blessed rest of the week! How about you?
What do YOU desire to focus on in August?
— Maggie