What a great afternoon on the farm. Four eager fellow homeschool kids and there dad packed onto the four wheeler with Peter and made their way to the sugarbush to collect sap, chop up trees, talk about science projects, and watch Mat boil down maple syrup. Mat enjoyed the company in the lonely woods.
A few hours after the kids headed home, it was our turn to go help. The best way to get the trailer, pans, buckets, etc was to bring the four wheeler back to the sugarbush, so I decided the three boys and I would try to save Mat some time and bring it to him. A beginner on the ATV, I wasn’t sure I could drive with one hand and hold a baby in the other. We got up the 1/4 mile wet and sloppy driveway just fine, then I saw the field all covered in snow where Mat drove into a four foot plus snow bank just a week before and had to abandon for a few days until rain came. I told the boys, “I don’t think I can do this. Maybe we should just leave it here for daddy.” Silas and Peter said, “You can do it Mommy!” They had no doubts. What an encouragement! As I look back on that moment and the feeling it gave me to try, though I was certain I would fail, I am so proud of my boys.
Well, we made it without getting stuck. I still can’t believe it considering the muddy holes and ridges of snow. I even got to see the pit Mat sunk into, though it is only three feet high now.
My body is tired, yet I’m so energized at the accomplishment of today. It’s like jumping that next highest hurdle. All the while hearing, “You can do it Mommy.”
May we be encouragers. My little boys, made in the image of God, were able to encourage in one small phrase. What a beautiful feeling they gave me in just a few words.
Author Archives: Katie Nix
…the heart
It is not February 23, though it does look like it outside. I’m glad I didn’t realize I was reading the wrong devotional. This is what I read this morning:
“The gospel gap doesn’t stay empty. If we do not live with a gospel-shaped, Christ-confident, and change-committed Christianity, that hole will get filled with other things… Whenever we are missing the message of Christ’s indwelling work to progressively transform us, the hole will be filled by a Christian lifestyle that focuses more on externals than the heart.”
Written by Timothy S. Lane and Paul David Tripp quoted from Heart of the Matter, a great devotional book. Find it on page 54 if you have it.
Hearty baked apples
It was 4 degrees when I woke up this morning. Needless to say, I’ve been trying to heat up the house with some baked goods. We have an abundance of apples for some reason. No worries because we all seem to love them. I thought it would be fun to try some baked to see if the kids like them.
I haven’t made them more than a few times and can’t remember the last time I ate one. What a surprise when my tummy felt warm and satisfied. Have you ever gotten that hearty, healthy, satisfied feeling from food? Mmm. These were good.
Cooped up
Today I was utterly amazed at our weather. Being from Minnesota, we have learned to accept snow storms and heat waves at the most unexpected times. I don’t think I have seen anything so similar to a Laura Ingalls Wilder snowstorm in my lifetime.
Realization set in as I tried to get out the door to feed the chickens. You see, I couldn’t.
Discouraged
What do you do when you are discouraged? Recently, I felt down right bummed. Circumstances, relationship conflict, expectations of others, failings, my own unmet expectations, etc. piled on me. So, I took some time and downloaded a bunch of new-to-me sermons. It has helped in the past, so I gave it a try.
Well, I found that I was focusing on myself again (anyone sensing a theme in my life?). I was pointed to Christ.
What this sermon gave me:
“Me time” Ok, who has heard, you need some “me time”? For a homeschooling mom that has a hard working farmer husband and a baby attached at the hip 24/7, this is almost impossible in the current definition of the phrase. So, for my sanity I just redefine it and adjust my cultural thinking and enjoy my reality. “Me time” for me: Love the Lord with the moments (yes minute moments) I’ve been given by being still, praying, giving thanks, singing, reading, things that help me calm down and enjoy life.
The word. 2 Corinthians 4:7, “7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair…” Did you see that? The power belongs to God, not us. Christ is all. Jahill illustrates this profoundly with testimony to what Christ did in the lives of a few men through a love-filled, gospel centered response to persecution. Oh that I could be bold and love in such a beautiful way.
Right focus. When I focus on me, I feel the weight of affliction or persecution as the passage (and the sermon) goes on to say. I was focusing on that which was in front of me, on circumstances and momentary troubles not on that which is “beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Help thinking. A good sermon points me to the word and helps me dig deeper. I started thinking about Colossians 3, especially verse 2, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” I then looked at all of Colossians 3 and saw how it points at other points of my life (my relationships, my failings, etc).
Remembrance. “Christ is all” was a theme at Jubilee Church for a time when we first started. Getting into this passage helped me remember past teaching, songs, even friends and other things to be thankful for. Yes, I miss my city church, but am thankful for new relationships at my country church.
Thankfulness. In trying to get past me comes thankfulness to the God who gives all good and perfect gifts. The joy dare is a great resource to help with this.
Forgiveness. Verse 13, “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love…” Why is forgiveness so hard? And even over the simplest of things sometimes. Lord help me to more readily forgive.
Be Unto Your Name
Why do I love this song? It speaks of God and who He is. Far too often we make the gospel all about us. We are a moment, He is eternal.
We are a moment, You are forever
Lord of the Ages, God before time
We are a vapor, You are eternal
Love everlasting, reigning on highHoly, holy, Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain
Highest praises, honor and glory
Be unto Your name, be unto Your nameWe are the broken, You are the healer
Jesus, Redeemer, Mighty to save
You are the love song we’ll sing forever
Bowing before You, blessing Your name“Be Unto Your Name” by Gary Sadler and Lynn DeShazo (c) 1998
Integrity’s Hosanna! Music All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Last 10 Days
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