I don't think I'm any sort of expert on the topic of grace, but I guess I can say a little about it. For one thing, I've experienced God's grace in my life. Unmerited favor, it is what has saved any of us from eternal separation from God's love. Grace is that turning of the other cheek. It's the knowing someone has wronged us, but giving them the benefit of the doubt. It's willingly putting aside our "rights" in order to be understanding when someone else has clearly had a bad day. And maybe a day for them is longer than 'sun up, sun down'.                                

So, when should we be ungracious? When should we not extend grace? When should we hold onto our "rights"? Those are questions I cannot easily answer. Is God ever ungracious? Does He ever not extend grace? Does He ever tell us to hold onto our rights rather than strive for peace among all men? 

I know He says that blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God, and I know He says that as far as it depends on us, be at peace with all men. I know He told a parable about forgiving our brother seventy times seven times. I know He mentions turning the other cheek, and I know He says love covers a multitude of sins. I think He means our loving others when they sin against us. I think He means others loving us when we sin against them.   

I know He says we'll be judged as we judge others, and I know we all find it easy to judge others in areas we're strong in while forgetting our weaknesses. I know we as Christians can judge those Christians over us harshly.

I know He says when we are weak, then He is strong. And I think we're weak when we're misunderstood or wronged.

It's the wisdom of man that strives to make others pay when we are wronged. It's the wisdom of man that says to keep fighting to make sure our rights are heard.  It's the wisdom of man that says 'don't let it go' when people just don't understand where we're coming from.  And I think it is the wisdom of man that helps us focus on what is wrong in a situation, rather than hand it over to the Holy Spirit to change and convict.  It is easy as 'men' to give man's wisdom. It's a whole other matter to give out God's wisdom when trouble arises.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but it's end is the way of death. Prov 14:12                                                  

I'm just saying.....            

I was going to entitle this entry with the date, but wouldn't you know it, even after hitting the bank earlier today, I can't remember what the date is. But I do know it's Monday, and I'll go on and feel good about that :).           

Summer is interesting, isn't it? I'm not sure if it's super busy for everyone or just homeschoolers, but it is jam packed for us and our friends. I think it's because during the 'school' year we focus a lot on academics, and in the summer, we focus on time with friends-- mine and the kids. Without scheduling play-dates, it would be easy to miss seeing people we care about, so each week there is a focused effort. While I dream of many consecutive days of doing "whatever", I quickly find I want to be with others, and most everyone is scheduling things, so we must as well! 

Anyhow, tomorrow we will do something fun that we do each summer. I'll tell you about it after the fact, k? There is so much preparation for us, I'm not sure how others take little day trips often or more spur of the moment. I mean, I'm doing laundry because my one daughter only has 2 pair of shorts and both are not clean (dirty laundry, oh why don't you discriminate??). We have to wear a pair and bring an extra one...my other daughter is also lacking in the short department, so her stuff is going to also have to be washed, but that is the darks, so I'm committed to 2 huge loads.            

While doing laundry, I came upon this spider that looked alive but too juicy to step on. So, I nudged it to see if it was dead, because some part of it looked dead. Well, wouldn't you know, it was an ALIVE one on TOP of a dead one. And the living one took off under the freezer, so now I've let a blood sucking killer spider go loose. Dummy. I just can't shake how disgusting it was squishing an enormous brown basement spider a few years back in that same laundry room...so I'm hesitant.       

Well, now that I've grossed us all out, I'm going to go and keep getting ready for tomorrow. I hope you have great day .

Are you ever highly stressed out by just looking at your kitchen table? Perhaps the kids left crafts there and it was bedtime and too much chaos to have them clean it up. Perhaps it is mail that got put in a pile before company came DAYS ago and you were paying bills but got distracted by laundry and 100 other things, and it's late, and you are tired....perhaps it is a cup from dinner that you know you told the offender child to put in the dishwasher, or perhaps it's Father's Day cards made by loving children...or ALL of the ABOVE, and AGAIN, it's getting late and whoa to me you, it's just too much to tackle.    

I'm speaking figuratively here, but man, doesn't that just sound dreadful at 8:30 pm on a Thursday night when you've been on the go for YEARS??  

I shouldn't ever complain about too much going on because I'm in real good with my secretary. She dwells in every mirror in my house. Maybe I should have a little sit down with her!          

Do you need to have a little chat with your secretary?

Ahhh, some relief to my table--- the little yellow cup is now in the dishwasher, put there by little hands asking if it was time for bed...which it IS. I can't IMAGINE not having my kids go to bed at the same time each night, a time that requires pulling down the shades so it is not daylight in their room . 

Favorite quote--How can you put your children in Caesar's schools and be surprised when they come out as Romans? (Voddie Baucham)

I've been thinking about idolatry lately...how easy it is for believers to make something other than the Word of the Lord and serving Him as He desires their big focus. I can do this with certain things, as I'm sure you can. The thing is, it can be easy to judge others for not getting as passionate about something as we are, but do we take time to consider that what one person has to avoid may be fine for us to indulge in? Idols...we each have to guard against them.        

At various points in my life I've been all but obsessed with certain subjects, and sadly, I see other believers get very wrapped up in the temporal while letting the focus on the eternal slip past. There are so many alluring things in this world to draw us in and take our energy, time and money. Matthew 6:21 says, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."           

As summertime gets in full swing, perhaps we should all take some time with the Lord to explore where our treasure is lying. In conversation, what is our passion? Are we couching our burdens in 'religiosity" or are our burdens truly things that the Lord has impressed upon us?          

May God lead and guide each of us in His path of righteousness!   

I was thinking earlier this morning how important it is to cherish special traditions, you know, those aspects of family days that will pass when loved ones go from this life into eternity...or when they are merely too ill to participate. Sometimes we do not get to experience a gradual decline of how it "used to be", but sometimes, we do. One year the tradition is being carried out, the next it is but not by the person who started it because they are unable to work as they used to, the next it is being carried on through a sweet and cherished memory by those left behind.                              

I'm blessed with a husband who does all the right things on big family days. Mother's Day never goes unnoticed, nor does my birthday or our anniversary. He was taught well by someone very special, who has always celebrated each of these events right along with us. She has guided, encouraged, and served selflessly, teaching us all by her shining example how to show others we love them and appreciate them.       

I'm not sure why God has given our family this sort of closeness or why He has given me a relationship such as I have with my mother-in-law. It has definitely transformed each of us in unique ways, and has started what I hope will be a family tradition of closeness with my children's spouses.       

The GOP Convention today was terrific, albeit long. We heard some fantastic speeches, one of which was Sean Hannity's, and another a recent ROTC graduate from Virginia Tech. The latter had many in tears as he shared his amazing journey to America, becoming a citizen, and his beliefs that when you come to America you don't hyphenate your nationality--you come completely and meld into this culture, you don't expect the culture to become like you. He was inspiring and impressive.      

Our ticket for November is a solid one-Bob McDonnell for Governor, Bill Bolling for Lieutenant Governor, and KEN CUCCINELLI FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to say, the relief at Ken being our AG nominee was welcome after 7 hours at the Coliseum.      

Republicans in this great Commonwealth need to rally for this upcoming November election if we are to regain our status as a red state.

Go, Ken, Go!!! YES, WE CAN!! It's time for CHANGE!!!!!

It goes without saying that death and dying are the worst part of living.      

Saying goodbye to a beloved loved one brings with it feelings that range all across the spectrum of our humanness. I don't think we can appreciate what finality is until we've had to walk this painful corridor in the hall of life. And by appreciate, I am not attaching any positive connotation. It's a part of life that can make us feel we're going crazy with when it's goodbye to a loved one. To have dealt with serious loss enables us to feel compassion for those learning this sad reality, though, and I think of the verses in Colossians,(I think it is), where it says "we comfort others with the comfort with which He has comforted us."                                                                   

There are just things though, that you wish you didn't have to watch your friends go through. And loss is one of them. Of course there are understandings we can't have unless we suffer, of course God brings beauty from ashes, of course those saved in Christ are in a much better place (if not, that is hard but God is gracious to help us deal)--but none of that makes me feel better tonight knowing this friend I care about is about to start walking one of the hardest roads we walk--saying goodbye to a sweet, beloved parent. How my heart breaks for what she is feeling and what she will be feeling in the coming weeks and months. Her parent's would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this fall, and it is horrible to think of what that dear lady is going through right now. I'm so thankful my friend's dad is with our Lord and is whole and not suffering--that part is huge; it's just the people left behind to now learn how to live without him that tears at you.                                         

I hate goodbye's. And I hate when people I care about are hurting and there is only so much I can do to ease that pain.  I'm glad His mercies are new every morning.

You know you are too busy when you keep forgetting appointments you've been having all year. That is so frustrating to me, someone who is generally very on top of life. Yet, 2 consecutive weeks I've forgotten about a group we do weekly, which we LOVE.          

So, I've had company the past 2 weeks, and many appointments to take someone to and one to go to. Lots of work goes into these appointments. George has had some extra running to do as well, and there are details that go along with that taking up some mental energy.        

During all of this, I've held a massive yard sale (for me, anyway), and have reorganized the entire house just about, also in the last couple of weeks. Today I did a bedroom that has been very, very full. Feeling I'd done a great job making space since I hauled out a black trash bag full of clothes, I realized there is a TON of laundry and much of it will go back into that room. So more dresses have to be pulled, more shirts...out, out I say!     

I'm really going to try to take about 4 more big bags of stuff out of this house between now and the end of summer. So far I've culled toys, books, girl clothing...but to do is my clothing, George's, and the kitchen...and more books maybe, and definitely more toys. The storage area has also been culled, and there is more to come. I'm going for that empty look in here, not the "every nook and cranny is packed to the brim" look I've adored for so long.    

With all this work around the house, comes less sleep and less working out. That is not exciting, and I'm looking forward to a routine of working out and sleeping earlier at night. In the midst of all this I'm planning for next year, and already my schedule has gone from excessively full, to not a lot going on. I really want to stick closer to home next year than we did this year. I'll be traveling a little for one group we're doing monthly, but other than that, it's all about the 5 minute drive at this point .     

I thought of starting this entry by asking if you ever feel like things have gotten out of control for you with commitments and various obligations, then realized that is really a dumb question!! Of course you have, we all feel this way sometimes. What I find is that when life gets to this point (and it's no accident...a root cause analysis will quickly reveal what grown female is the offending party), I want to hole up away from everyone and everything for a few days. Sort of get my bearings that the world will keep on revolving without me.         

I'm trying to be helpful to people, and sometimes that can take it's toll, can't it? We have to be wise with the amount of time we pour into lives outside our four walls. Sometimes what we give can't be helped...needs present themselves and it's our opportunity to serve.            

Some of my situation is none other than the dreaded YARD SALE. This is an outflow of the massive scale down project occuring in my house. There is just so much in here, and to have an effective sale, you've got to go through a lot of nooks and crannies. I'm tired of things sitting around that don't get used, and closet space that is anything but maximized.             

So, what to do? Well, the next few days I've got a couple of things I've got to do outside the house that will take some time. Aside from that, we're doing school in the A.M. and I'm going through the house to get rid of more stuff...including some curriculum (gasp!). This is enough to make anyone feel close to the edge .

This isn't really my 298th entry since I deleted many a while ago to start over. Here I am, back to blogging. I think 3 posts in 2 weeks means I need to just face it that I'm writing again. My husband said I'd need some sort of outlet giving up facebook AND both blogs. I suppose he was right. Since school is in maintenance mode for a while (which means math daily but anything else is a crap shoot) I find myself having some more time and desire to write.       

I wish this host had Georgia as a font though. That would add some happy spice to my blogging on HSB. I am debating again on doing a blog over at blogger since I do still have an account, but I don't know...there is something nice in sticking with this remote, barely-read blog! I like that I've slowed it down and am not all worried about how many readers come through each day. For a while there, I blogged daily knowing that is what it would take to get a good following. Agh, too busy to worry about that for now, but I hope you'll read, and maybe come by again in the next week to see what is new.     

There is a lot I could put down tonight, but what I'll settle for is how thankful and humbled I am by the amazing Christian community God has given me here in my small town. This is the first time in my life I've had a "multitude of counselors" to go to when I'm coming up on a problem. What is incredible to me is how these ladies are from varied backgrounds and churches, and that just sweetens the pot if you ask me. He's revealed the power in the true church to me this year, and it has nothing to do with the building you go to on Saturday or Sunday. His Spirit permeates our community in a way that would thrill you were you here. I love where we live. There is a simplicity in finding contentment in the place God has placed you, from the house to the street to the town to the political district ha ha. I'm happy here and am just leaving it at that. I can't separate the people from this place, and I love the people I know.           

You know what I love about the people I know here? Most of them really have a heart for pleasing the Lord, and they will listen in a caring way when I'm having trouble looking at a situation properly. They offer solid advice that doesn't contradict Scripture. Isn't that what feeds our souls? And keeps our feet on a solid path in difficult times? When my sinfulness all but blinds me, it is His truth that steadies the boat. When my desires are contrary to what He has set out for me, I've got to find the path that leads to righteousness in godly counsel and His Word.        

Do you need a pilgrimage? I just took one, and it was so great. If you aren't confessing your sins to someone, I highly encourage you to pray for someone to do this with. If you are married, it probably won't be your spouse. Find a person you know you can trust, who isn't judgmental, and who will point you to the Way, the Truth and the Life. Don't believe the lie from the devil that you are the only one dealing with whatever you are dealing with. It just isn't so; you will probably be very surprised to learn this if you don't already know it.

Sin breeds in darkness, so take it to the Light!