Fear Not the Night Day 6

The purpose of the journey upward (see:Moses) is to be alone with the Lord; no distractions or other passions. Until our passions are eliminated we will not arrive at the top, no matter how much virtue we practice.

Leave Everything Behind

If I am to make this journey to meet,talk, and join with You I must bring nothing with me. The purpose of the journey is to be alone with God with nothing but the desire to be with Him.

Fear of the Night Day 4

The foolish ones are those who still cling to the things of this world. We are diminished by the trivial things we treasure. True riches are found only in Him. It's not easy to let go of things that cannot satisfy the soul.

I knew people could marginalize us - I didn't realize things could as well.

We Are What We Love

(Yeah, girlfriend Eve, I still want to be God. At least I want to love Him in His three Persons so well no one can tell us apart.) "I am...diminished by the trivial things I treasure. You alone can satisfy my soul."

I travel by night and see by the light of faith; descend on my soul like a river of peace to take away my fear of the dark.

Fear of the night Day 5

"The difference between what we desire and the total transformation in God that is offered to us is enormous. 'Whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.' "

I want to be His disciple, but I'm frightened of renouncing everything; I'm comfortable here. But Jesus wants us to let go of all that separates us from the Father. Otherwise, we'll not see the Spirit, because our possessions are in the way of His transforming power.

Let Go Of What You Have.

I know it's foolish to think I can achieve union with You without first emptying my life of my trivial passions and possessions. You have offered me total transformation.

Descend on my soul like a river of peace to take away my uncertainties, my fear of the dark.

How do these things happen?

One of the children's bedrooms was at one time a living room and has a large plant hook screwed into the ceiling. The bed is now directly under it, but it sits on the floor. My 5 yr old son who lives somewhere on the autism spectrum needs a blankie to sleep. The blankie has one small space where the lining has come away from the fabric. Have I set the scene?

This child somehow threw his blankie in the air, catching that small hole on the plant hook, thereby leaving the blankie hanging from the ceiling, out of reach of everyone. And it's bedtime.So here I am standing on the windowsill because it's taller than the bed using a stick horse to guide the blankie off the hook.

It took about fifteen minutes; we avoided a meltdown because what Mommy was doing and what she was mumbling was SSOOO interesting. Should I mention these windows have no curtains because the child pulled them down in a sensory fit? I wonder what the neighbors thought. How do these things happen?

Clutter?

If you've got it, check out the blinkie at the side. My very organized e-friend Amy is helping us get rid of clutter and chaos before another clean heart/clean home challenge. I am currently beginning an abbreviated whole house clean up in preparation for a house full of overnight guests on the 20th. Here's hoping I can keep a steely resolve.

Ten years ago

Our eldest turned 10 today. Hard to believe it's been a decade since his early, frightening birth. Just 6 1/2 months, my water broke. It was late and very cold; Bill ran all red lights getting me to hospital. An emergency c-section left us with a 2 lb 5 oz, 14'' boy in the NICU struggling to survive. Oddly enough, I had more peace about him then than I do now. He has few complications from prematurity; but he's small, he wears glasses, he has Asperger's Syndrome. Sigh. More reasons we homeschool.

This son is intelligent and funny, skillful and a true delight. Ten years ago, our worry couldn't let us see many positives. Now, in spite of the worry, he fills me with joy. Thank you, God, for Christopher.

Clean Heart, Clean Home

I began Amy Verlinnech's "Clean Heart, Clean Home Challenge" this week. What a blast! I managed to clean the car, finish a cross-stitch project, school the children early, put healthy meals on the table and keep my kitchen clean! And I begin each day with God, asit should be. This is good stuff for the organizationally challenged. I can hardly wait to see what He makes happen today!!!